🔧 Civic - Engine Oil and Filter Replacement

This is an easy first maintenance job. Your Civic Si takes SAE 0W-20 full-synthetic engine oil, and a filter change requires approximately 3.7 US quarts (3.5 liters). Honda specifies 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs) for the oil-drain bolt. carmanualsonline.info)

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work underneath a Civic supported only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Use level, solid pavement. Avoid soft ground or sloped driveways.
• ⚠️ Warm oil drains better, but fully hot oil can cause serious burns.
• ⚠️ Keep hands away from the hot turbocharger and exhaust components.
• ⚠️ Use only the designated front lifting point and reinforced side support points.
• ⚠️ The parking brake must be firmly applied, with the transmission in first gear.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnection is not required.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 17mm six-point socket
• 3/8-inch-drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• 65mm 14-flute oil-filter cup wrench (specialty)
• 3/8-inch-drive extension
• Phillips No. 2 screwdriver
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Oil drain pan rated 6-quart minimum
• Long-neck oil funnel
• Shop towels
• Nitrile work gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• SAE 0W-20 full-synthetic engine oil - Qty: 4 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil-drain bolt crush washer - Qty: 1

Always replace the crush washer. Reusing a flattened washer to save pocket change is how an oil pan earns an unwanted drip.

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Civic on level pavement and run the engine for three to five minutes.
• Switch off the engine, apply the parking brake, and select first gear.
• Open the hood and remove the engine-oil filler cap.
• Chock both rear wheels before raising the front of the car.
• Position the drain pan and tools before getting underneath.
• Do not reset the Maintenance Minder until the oil and filter replacement is complete.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front

• Place the wheel chocks tightly against the front and rear sides of both rear tires.
• Use the 2-ton floor jack at the designated front-center lifting point.
• Raise the Civic high enough to position both 2-ton jack stands beneath the reinforced front side support points.
• Lower the car carefully onto the stands, then gently push the body to confirm it is stable.
• Leave the floor jack touching the lift point.

Step 2: Remove the lower access cover

• Put on the safety glasses and nitrile work gloves.
• Use the Phillips No. 2 screwdriver and small flat-blade screwdriver to release the underbody-cover screws and quarter-turn fasteners.
• Support the cover with one hand while removing the final fastener.
• Arrange the fasteners in removal order so each one returns to its original position.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Position the 6-quart drain pan beneath and slightly behind the oil-drain bolt.
• Use the 17mm six-point socket and 3/8-inch-drive ratchet to loosen the drain bolt counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the bolt by hand while pushing it lightly toward the oil pan. Pull it away quickly when the threads release.
• Allow the oil to drain until only an occasional drip remains, usually five to ten minutes.
• Remove and discard the old crush washer from the drain bolt.

Step 4: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the 6-quart drain pan beneath the oil filter.
• Fit the 65mm 14-flute oil-filter cup wrench over the filter.
• Use the 3/8-inch-drive extension and 3/8-inch-drive ratchet to turn the filter counterclockwise.
• Unscrew the filter by hand and keep its open end upright as you lower it.
• Confirm the old rubber gasket came off with the filter. Two stacked gaskets will create a major leak.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Use a shop towel to clean the filter’s mounting surface.
• Dip a clean gloved finger in new oil and apply a thin coating to the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Thread the new filter clockwise by hand until its gasket contacts the mounting surface.
• Tighten the filter by hand according to the directions printed on its housing, normally about three-quarters of a turn after gasket contact.
• Do not use the filter wrench for final tightening unless the filter manufacturer specifically requires it.

Step 6: Reinstall the drain bolt

• Install a new oil-drain bolt crush washer with its flat face sitting squarely against the bolt head.
• Clean the oil-pan sealing surface with a shop towel.
• Start the drain bolt clockwise by hand for several turns. It should turn smoothly without force.
• Use the 17mm six-point socket and 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench to tighten the bolt to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs). notice-facile.com)
• Do not add extra force after the torque wrench clicks.

Step 7: Refill the engine

• Place the long-neck oil funnel in the oil-filler opening.
• Pour in approximately 3.4 US quarts (3.2 liters) of SAE 0W-20 full-synthetic oil.
• Wait one minute, remove the funnel, and install the filler cap.
• Start the engine and verify the low-oil-pressure warning turns off promptly.
• Switch the engine off immediately if the warning stays on.

Step 8: Check for leaks and set the level

• Let the engine run for approximately one minute, then switch it off.
• Use a flashlight and inspect the drain bolt and filter for fresh oil.
• Wait three minutes before checking the dipstick, as directed by Honda. notice-facile.com)
• Remove the dipstick, wipe it with a shop towel, reinstall it fully, and remove it again.
• Add small amounts through the long-neck oil funnel until the level approaches the upper dipstick mark.
• The expected total with a new filter is approximately 3.7 US quarts (3.5 liters). Do not blindly pour in all four quarts. carmanualsonline.info

Step 9: Reinstall the lower cover

• Use the Phillips No. 2 screwdriver and small flat-blade screwdriver to reinstall the underbody cover and all original fasteners.
• Confirm the cover sits above adjacent panels and does not hang below the bumper.
• Replace any damaged or missing fastener before driving at highway speed.

Step 10: Lower the vehicle

• Use the 2-ton floor jack to raise the Civic slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove both 2-ton jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle slowly until all four tires are on the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 11: Reset the Maintenance Minder

• Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the steering-wheel controls to display the engine-oil-life screen.
• Press and hold the ENTER button for approximately ten seconds to enter reset mode.
• Select the due maintenance item or All Due Items, then select reset.
• Confirm the oil-life display returns to 100%. Honda warns that failing to reset it produces incorrect service reminders. techinfo.honda.com

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and let it idle for two minutes while checking underneath for leaks.
• ✅ Switch it off, wait three minutes, and perform one final dipstick check.
• ✅ Recheck the oil level and drain-bolt area after the first short drive.
• ✅ Pour the used oil into a sealed container and take it to an authorized oil-recycling or collection facility.
• ✅ Follow the Maintenance Minder, but do not let the oil go longer than 12 months between changes. owners.honda.com
• ✅ Sonipat’s heat, dust, and heavy traffic can be tough on turbocharged oil, so checking the dipstick every few fuel stops is smart.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $70-$130 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$65 (parts only)

You Save: $35-$65 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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