2000 Honda Civic Engine Oil Capacity

Your 2000 Honda Civic engine oil capacity is 3.5, 3.8, or 4.2 quarts, depending on its trim level. Check out this Jerry guide for a complete breakdown.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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The 2000 Honda Civic is an excellent and timeless car that's fun to drive around town or on the open highway. But if you want to keep your Honda in peak condition for the long haul, you'll need to know its engine oil capacity—which is 3.5, 3.8, or 4.2 quarts, depending on the trim level.
Car ownership comes with its fair share of expenses. From
car insurance
premiums to the cost of fuel and
routine vehicle maintenance
, it can sometimes feel like you're constantly dumping money into your ride. You can save some time and cash by replacing your Civic's oil at home—but you'll need to check your owner's manual for the engine oil capacity first.
If you don't have the manual or simply prefer a more detailed breakdown, you're in luck. Today, we'll cover all the information you need to know about your 2000 Honda Civic engine oil capacity so you can replace yours like a pro.
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2000 Honda Civic engine oil capacity

The 2000 Honda Civic is available in several different trim and model options, and your car's oil capacity will depend on those factors. 
For Civic DX models, the oil capacity is 3.8 quarts or 3.6 liters, while HX and EX models have an engine oil capacity of 3.5 quarts or 3.3 liters. Finally, the 2000 Honda Civic Si holds 4.2 quarts or 4.0 liters of motor oil. 
Keep in mind that your car's
engine displacement
—the total volume of space occupied by your Civic's engine cylinders—is different from its oil capacity, which refers to the amount of oil the motor stores for lubrication. 
Your Civic's engine displacement and oil capacity are entirely different concepts, and you should never use these two phrases interchangeably. 

What kind of oil does a 2000 Honda Civic take?

Now that we've covered your Civic's oil capacity, it's time to discuss its oil type. That's right—there's a significant amount of variation between different motor oils, and you'll need to fill your Honda with the correct kind. 
When you go to pick out your replacement oil, look for SAE 5W-30. That's the recommended oil in your Honda owner's manual, and it's always wise to choose the manufacturer's recommendation. 
But what exactly does that sequence of letters and numbers mean? Although oil codes may look strange, they're relatively simple and are useful for determining the oil's function. 
The letters "SAE" refer to the Society of Automotive Engineers, the group of car pros and scientists tasked with creating motor oil codes. And the numbers describe the oil's thickness or viscosity at different temperature ranges. 
The first number—in this case, it's "5"—describes how thick the oil is when your Civic's engine is cold. You can remember that number because it's next to the "W," which stands for winter. The final number—the "30"—explains how viscous the oil is once your Civic is running and hot. 
Small numbers in oil codes represent thinner oils. This type of oil is ideal for automotive engines because it's able to move freely and smoothly through the motor. 

How frequently should you change the oil on a 2000 Honda Civic?

Honda recommends replacing the oil in your 2002 Civic every 7,500 miles. However, if you'd rather not remember your oil change intervals in terms of miles, you should replace your oil every six months.
It's important that you don't forget to maintain your oil in between changes. This involves visually inspecting the oil's level and condition to ensure that it's still healthy. When you check your Civic's oil, look for these signs that it's time for an oil change:
  • The oil is black or dark brown (clean oil looks very similar to dark honey and is partially transparent)
  • Your oil's consistency is muddy, chunky, or sludgy
  • The engine oil feels gritty or grainy 
  • Your Civic's engine is spewing unpleasant odors, like oil, smoke, or burning
  • Your Honda's engine performance suddenly decreases
  • Your Civic's engine is making unusual or new sounds, like knocking 

How to change your 2000 Honda Civic oil and oil filter

When you're confident of your 2000 Civic's oil capacity and type, it's time to get to work replacing it. You'll need the following supplies and tools:
  • A 17-millimeter socket and a ratchet wrench
  • Something to lift your Civic off the ground, like ramps or a jack with jack stands
  • A torque wrench
  • An oil filter wrench
  • Fresh 5W-30 replacement oil
  • A clean oil filter
  • A drain pan
  • A funnel
  • A towel or rag to clean the mess
Before draining the oil, start your Civic and let it run for about five minutes. Although this step is not mandatory, it will warm the engine, causing the oil to drain more quickly. When the motor is warm, turn off your Civic and follow the steps below.
  1. Remove your Civic's oil fill cap and pull up the dipstick (this removes the vacuum, which causes the oil to drain more quickly).
  2. Crawl under your Honda and remove its oil drain plug. Position the drain pan to collect the dirty oil that drains out.
  3. As the oil is draining, remove the dirty oil filter.
  4. Lubricate the new oil filter by applying a thin layer of fresh oil to the gasket before fitting it into place. Remember not to over-tighten the oil filter—screw it on only until it feels snug.
  5. Reinstall the oil drain bolt, and use the torque wrench to tighten it to 33 lb-ft.
  6. Fill your 2000 Honda Civic with clean 5W-30 motor oil. 
After you complete these steps, start your Civic up and let it run for around 30 seconds. Then,
pull the dipstick
, check the oil level, and add more if the level is too low. 
Finally, don't forget to recycle the old oil by pouring it into the new oil bottle and returning it to the auto supply store. 
MORE: Are Hondas expensive to maintain?
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