lineup for decades. This compact car is everything you’d expect: affordable, safe, and reliable. To keep a 2001 Honda Civic running in tip-top shape, you’ll need to change its oil regularly.

If you’re mechanically minded, you’re probably familiar with how to change a car’s oil. Although the process is basically the same for all vehicles, there are a few variables. In this quick guide, we’ll tell you how much oil your 2001 Honda Civic needs and what type is recommended. Plus, we’ll offer an oil change refresher, so you’re good to go!

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2001 Honda Civic engine oil capacity

You’re ready to tackle an oil change, but you’ve got to know how much to buy.

The amount of oil a 2001 Honda Civic needs depends on its powertrain. The

and

trims have an oil capacity of 3.4 quarts or 3.2 liters, while the

and

trims take 3.7 quarts or 3.5 liters.

If you’re referencing your owner’s manual, just don’t confuse engine oil capacity with engine displacement.

Engine displacement is the volume the engine’s cylinders take up. The engine displacement for any 2001 Honda Civic trim level is 1.7 liters. This number isn’t interchangeable with engine oil capacity.

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Oil change cost

What kind of oil does a 2001 Honda Civic need?

If you’ve ever seen the engine oil aisle at the auto parts store, you know there are lots of options. Instead of reading labels and guessing, get the oil that Honda recommends. Honda advises that ‘01 Civic owners use Honda Motor Oil 5W-20.

This is a premium-grade oil, although you could buy any synthetic oil that has the same formulation. 5W-20 oil is designed for year-round use (especially for cold-weather starting). Not only will your Civic perform better, but your car will also use less fuel. The oil’s low viscosity means less wear and tear on your engine, too.

If your options are limited and you can’t find any 5W-20 engine oil, Honda notes that you can use 5W-30 oil in a pinch—but that you should replace it with 5W-20 at the next oil change.

What do these numbers mean anyway? They refer to the engine oil’s viscosity, which is how thick it is, and the “W” stands for winter. The 5 tells you that the oil has low viscosity at 0°F, so it’s good in cold temperatures. The 20 shows that it also has a low viscosity when the engine’s temperature is over 212°F.

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How often to change the oil on a 2001 Honda Civic

Honda recommends that you change your oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles when using synthetic oil. If using conventional oil, you’ll need oil changes more frequently—every 3,500 to 5,000 miles.

However, since your 2001 Honda Civic is getting older, you might need to change the oil more frequently. This means checking the oil level and condition regularly!

Smart drivers check their oil once a month or every other time they refuel. To check your oil, pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a cloth or rag. Insert the dipstick into the engine oil reservoir and remove it. Then, look at the dipstick for these signs that the oil needs to be changed:

The oil level falls below the indicator on the dipstick.

The oil on the dipstick looks dark brown or black instead of light brown.

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

You hear strange noises coming from the engine.

You smell oil, smoke, or burning.

You notice changes in how your Civic drives.

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How to change your oil and oil filter

You’ve got the right oil, and you bought enough of it. Now, you’re ready to change the oil on your Civic!

Get out a socket wrench, a drain pan, a funnel, and a filter wrench. It also helps to have some old cloths or rags handy. Don’t forget to buy a replacement filter when you purchase the 5W-20 engine oil, too.

Run the car’s engine for a couple of minutes. This heats the oil a little so it drains easier. Then, turn off the engine and pop the hood. Here’s what to do next:

Unscrew the oil fill cap and set it aside (don’t lose it!)

Slide under the engine and unscrew the oil drain bolt and washer

Set a drain pan underneath and drain all the old oil into it

Remove the old oil filter and replace it with a new one

Replace the old drain bolt with a new washer

Tighten the drain bolt to 29 lb-ft (on the EX) or 33 lb-ft (on the DX or LX)

Fill the engine with new 5W-20 oil and screw the oil fill cap back on

Next, turn on the engine and let it run for about 30 seconds. This gives the filter a chance to soak up some of the new oil. Then, check the dipstick to see if you’ve added enough oil. If not, top it off.

Run the engine for another few minutes to check for oil leaks. When you’re all done, reset the oil light on the dashboard per the instructions in your owner’s manual.

Almost finished—just don’t forget to clean up! You can’t pour the dirty oil onto the ground or toss it in the garbage. Instead, put the old oil into a sealed container and take it to your local recycling center, where they can dispose of it properly.

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