The 2002 Honda Civic will need either 3.4 quarts or 3.7 quarts of engine oil. The slight difference is due to differing trim levels for the popular model, with the DS and LX taking 3.4 quarts, and the EX needing slightly more.

Hondas have a reputation for being

long-lasting vehicles

, and there are still plenty of 2002 Civics in good shape on the road today. If you want to get the most lifespan out of your 2002 Civic—and avoid expensive

car repairs

—you’ll need to keep up with

regular maintenance

, and that includes adding to and changing the engine oil when needed.

But before you add oil to your Civic, you need to know which kind to buy and how much to add. It’s also handy to know how to change your own engine oil, too, in case you ever want to try it at home and save a little cash. You can find out how to handle everything about your Honda Civic and learn its proper engine oil capacity with this guide.

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2002 Honda Civic engine oil capacity

Before we talk about engine oil type, let’s talk about engine oil capacity. The 2002 Civic will take either 3.4 quarts or 3.7 quarts of oil.

If you drive a 2002 Civic

, you’ll need 3.4 quarts of engine oil. If you drive the

, your Civic will take 3.7 quarts.

What kind of oil does a 2002 Honda Civic need?

If it’s time to

change the oil and filter

on your 2002 Honda Civic, you’ll want to make sure your mechanic—or whoever is changing your engine oil—has the right product. The wrong kind of engine oil could damage or ruin your car’s engine!

Honda suggests using Honda Motor Oil brand, though other brands are acceptable. What’s most important is that you use SAE 5W-20 oil in your 2002 Civic. Honda also recommends using a premium-grade detergent engine oil that has the American Petroleum Institute (API) seal on the container.

The owner’s manual for the 2002 Honda Civic indicates that your engine oil’s API seal also needs to have badging that says, “For Gasoline Engines.”

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How often to change the oil on a 2002 Honda Civic

Now that you know what kind of engine oil to get, it’s time to change your 2002 Honda Civic’s oil! Well, maybe.

According to Honda, the 2002 Civic will need an oil change about every 5,000 miles. However, sometimes that number isn’t exactly right. If you drive frequently with intense acceleration, tackle lots of steep hills, haul some heavy loads, or drive in difficult conditions, you might need an oil change even sooner.

And as a car ages, normal

wear and tear

can add up to more frequently-needed oil changes. That’s why car owners need to check their engine oil regularly. A good rule of thumb is to check it once a month or every other time you fill up the gas tank.

Check your engine oil level by inserting the dipstick for a reading. And, while you’re at it, check for a few tell-tale signs that you need an oil change, including:

Motor oil that appears dark brown or black instead of the tea-colored hue of healthy oil

Gritty or dirty-feeling oil

Any unusual noises coming from the engine when you drive

The smell of oil, smoke, or something burning in your car

A noticeable decline in your car’s performance

MORE: Are Hondas expensive to maintain?

How to change your oil and oil filter

If the time has come for an oil change, you can take it to a service center to get the job done. Or, you can save some money by doing the job yourself. You’ll just need a few supplies and, or course, some premium grade SAE 5W-20 engine oil, preferably Honda Motor Oil brand.

You’ll need the following supplies to get started: a filter wrench, socket wrench, drain pan, drain plug gasket, and replacement oil filter. When you’ve gathered everything, turn on your 2002 Honda Civic engine and let it run for five minutes or so. Then, turn the engine off,

pop the hood open

, and follow these steps:

Unscrew the oil fill cap.

Get underneath the car’s engine and take off the oil drain bolt and washer.

Position the drain pan so the old engine oil can drain into it.

Remove the old oil filter.

Install the new oil filter.

Put your oil drain bolt back on with the new drain plug gasket and tighten it to 29 lb-ft.

Fill the oil reservoir with your new engine oil.

After you’ve screwed the oil fill cap back on, turn the engine back on and allow it to warm up. Once it’s up to normal operating temperature, check your oil level with the dipstick. If it seems a little low, add more oil.

Leave the engine running as you look around the vehicle for any leaks. Check under the car and take a peek inside to make sure the

oil pressure light

is off. If all looks good, you can go ahead and shut off the engine!

Finally, you can dispose of your old engine oil, but it’s important to do so properly. Do not throw your oil in the trash or dump it out. Instead, put it in a sealed container and take it to an engine oil recycling center. This service is offered at many mechanic shops and car parts stores.

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