Accord is a family favorite currently in its 11th generation! If your 2001 Accord is still going strong, regular oil changes are a must. This Accord holds 4.5 quarts of motor oil on the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and 4.6 quarts on a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine.

A 2001 Honda Accord needs 4.5 quarts of motor oil if you have a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine.
A 2001 Honda Accord needs 4.6 quarts of motor oil if you have a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine.
Honda recommends using Genuine Honda SAE 5W-20 motor oil.
Change your oil every 7,500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
You can save money by changing the oil in your Honda Accord at home.

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2001 Honda Accord engine oil capacity

Let’s start with the basics. How much oil does your car need?

The 2001 Honda Accord has two drivetrain options, which impacts the amount of motor oil the engine needs. Here’s how much motor oil each Accord engine takes:

2.3-liter four-cylinder engine: 4.5 quarts or 4.3 liters

3.0-liter six-cylinder engine: 4.6 quarts or 4.4 liters

Just don’t confuse the

engine displacement

, the volume the engine cylinders take up, with the oil capacity. As you can see, 2.3 or 3 liters won’t be enough, so you would be short on oil!

What kind of oil does a 2001 Honda Accord need?

Take the guesswork out of shopping for oil and head to the auto shop prepared! Honda recommends buying their premium-grade Genuine Honda Motor Oil. Specifically, your Accord needs SAE 5W-20 oil.

Genuine Honda Motor Oil is a synthetic oil that’s designed to help your Accord start easily in cold weather. Plus, it protects the engine from wear and tear. If you can’t find Genuine Honda Motor Oil, it’s okay to use fully synthetic oil as long as it’s 5W-20.

Honda does say that if you can’t find 5W-20 oil, you can use 5W-30, but you should switch back to 5W-20 at the following oil change.

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How to read engine oil specifications

You’ve got the information you need, but what do those numbers mean? The oil specifications describe the oil’s viscosity or how thick it is. SAE just means “Society of Automotive Engineers,” and almost all motor oils will have this designation.

The “W” in the oil specifications refers to winter, and the number 5 in front of it lets you know that the oil stays thin even at 0°F. The number 20 tells you it’s also thin when the engine temperature gets over 212°F.

It’s always important to use the motor oil that your manufacturer recommends. You’ll notice better performance, especially in cold temperatures, and your engine will last longer!

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How often to change the oil on a 2001 Honda Accord

You’ve got the right oil and the correct amount. Now it’s time to ask yourself whether or not your Accord actually needs an oil change. Honda recommends changing the oil every 7,500 miles or twelve months, whichever comes first.

It’s also smart to check the oil every month or at every other refuel. Not only can you see if the car has enough oil, but you can also look for these signs that it’s due for an oil change:

The motor oil looks dark brown or black instead of pale brown or amber

The oil feels coarse or gritty when you rub it between your fingers

You hear strange engine noises

You smell oil, smoke, or burning coming from the engine

You notice that your Accord handles differently

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How to change your oil and oil filter

So you figure your Accord needs new oil, which means it’s time to get out your supplies. Here’s what you’ll need: a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench, which is specifically designed to remove the old oil filter. Don’t forget to grab that Genuine Honda Motor oil and a replacement filter. Head to the garage, and let’s get started!

Start by running the engine for a few minutes or until the engine is at normal operating temperature. Then, switch off the engine, pop the hood open, and follow these steps:

Unscrew the oil fill cap and put it somewhere you won’t lose it.

Slide underneath the car and put a drain pan under the engine. Remove the oil drain bolt and washer so the oil drains into the pan.

Use the filter wrench to remove the old oil filter. Continue draining the oil.

Install the new filter.

Put a new washer on the oil drain bolt and tighten it to 33 lb-ft.

Pour the new oil into the engine and replace the oil fill cap.

Get out from under the car and turn on the engine. The oil pressure indicator light should turn off within five seconds. If it doesn’t, switch off the engine and check your work.

Run the engine for a few minutes to give the new filter time to absorb some oil. Then, turn off the engine and use the dipstick to check the engine oil level. If it looks low, top it off with more oil. Now is also a good time to check for leaks!

That just leaves the last step: clean up. Never pour used oil on the ground or toss it in your garabge can. Instead, pour the dirty oil into a sealed container and take it to your local recycling center. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

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