Oil Change

Replace engine oil and oil filter on the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo engine to maintain proper lubrication and engine longevity.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Engine oil filter × 1 — Honda 15400-RTA-003 or equivalent
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Honda 94109-14000 (14mm)

Fluids

• Honda Genuine 0W-20 — 4 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Allow engine to cool for at least 30 minutes if recently operated
4. Raise front of vehicle using jack and support securely on jack stands at the proper front jacking points
5. Ensure vehicle is stable before working underneath

Procedure

1. 1

   Access oil drain plug and position drain pan
   Locate the oil drain plug on the driver's side of the oil pan toward the rear. Position the oil drain pan directly beneath the drain plug to catch the oil flow. The oil may initially shoot out horizontally before dropping straight down.
2. 2

   Remove oil drain plug
   Using a 17mm socket or wrench, loosen the oil drain plug counterclockwise. Remove the drain plug by hand for the last few turns and pull it away quickly to avoid oil running down your arm. Allow oil to drain completely for at least 5 minutes.
   ⚠Oil will flow rapidly once the plug is removed. Ensure drain pan is properly positioned.
3. 3

   Inspect and replace drain plug washer
   Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and discard. Install a new crush washer onto the drain plug. Inspect the drain plug threads for damage; replace if threads are stripped or damaged.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Reinstall oil drain plug
   Once oil has fully drained, wipe the drain plug area clean with a shop rag. Thread the drain plug with new crush washer into the oil pan by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Tighten to specification using a torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Locate and access oil filter housing
   Open the hood and locate the oil filter housing on the front of the engine block, driver's side, below the intake manifold. The housing has a black plastic cap with a 64mm hex fitting. Clear any components or covers as needed for access.
6. 6

   Remove oil filter housing cap
   Using an appropriate oil filter wrench or 64mm cap wrench, loosen the oil filter housing cap counterclockwise. Unscrew the cap completely and carefully pull it straight up. The cartridge filter will come out attached to the cap. Oil will drain from the housing; have a shop rag ready to catch drips.
   ℹ️Some residual oil will spill when removing the filter housing cap. Position rags to protect engine components below.
7. 7

   Remove and replace oil filter cartridge
   Remove the old cartridge filter from the cap assembly. Inspect the housing cap and remove the old O-ring seals (typically two). Clean the cap threads and sealing surfaces with a clean rag. Install new O-rings from the filter kit onto the cap, lubricating them lightly with fresh engine oil. Insert the new cartridge filter into the cap, ensuring proper orientation.
8. 8

   Reinstall oil filter housing cap
   Inspect the filter housing opening and wipe clean if needed. Carefully insert the filter cap assembly straight down into the housing, ensuring the filter seats properly. Thread the cap clockwise by hand until it seats, then tighten to specification using a torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Oil Filter Housing Cap25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Add new engine oil
   Locate the oil filler cap on the valve cover (driver's side, top of engine). Remove the cap and insert a funnel. Pour in 3.5 quarts of Honda Genuine 0W-20 engine oil initially. Wait 1 minute for oil to settle, then add remaining oil in small increments while checking dipstick level.
10. 10

    Check oil level and reinstall filler cap
    Remove the dipstick (orange handle, front of engine), wipe it clean, reinsert fully, then remove again to check level. Oil should be between the lower and upper marks. Add small amounts as needed to reach the upper mark. Do not overfill. Reinstall the oil filler cap hand tight.
11. 11

    Lower vehicle and start engine
    Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. Start the engine and allow it to idle for 30 seconds. The oil pressure light should extinguish within 5 seconds. Observe the oil filter housing area and drain plug for any signs of leaks.
    ⚠If oil pressure warning light remains illuminated for more than 5 seconds, shut off engine immediately and investigate.
12. 12

    Final inspection and oil level verification
    Shut off the engine and wait 2-3 minutes for oil to settle back into the pan. Check the dipstick again and verify oil level is at the upper mark. Inspect underneath the vehicle one final time for any oil drips from the drain plug or filter housing. Wipe away any spilled oil from engine components.

Reassembly

1. Ensure oil filler cap is properly secured to prevent oil leaks and maintain proper crankcase ventilation
2. Verify drain plug and filter housing cap are torqued to specification to prevent leaks or damage
3. Reset oil life monitoring system using the vehicle's information display controls: ignition on (engine off), display oil life %, press and hold Enter button until display begins flashing, release and press Enter again to confirm reset

Verification

• Oil level reads at the upper mark on the dipstick when checked on level ground after engine has sat for 2-3 minutes
• No oil leaks visible at the drain plug or oil filter housing after running engine
• Oil pressure warning light extinguishes within 5 seconds of starting engine
• Oil life monitoring system has been reset to 100%
• Used oil and filter have been properly disposed of at a recycling facility

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