2009 Honda Civic Engine Oil Capacity

You can top off or change your 2009 Honda Civic’s engine oil at home, but you need to know which type of oil and how much to use.
Written by Mary Alice Morris
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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The 2009 Honda Civic, which holds 3.9 quarts of engine oil, was manufactured right in the middle of the model’s eighth generation. Now in its 11th generation, the Civic is as popular as ever thanks to its refined handling, excellent fuel economy, and reputation for reliability. 
If you own a 2009 Honda Civic or you’re looking to buy one, you’ll get to enjoy all these traits. That is as long as you take good care of your car. The brand’s tendency toward longevity only goes so far. A big component of how long your car lasts is how well you keep up with its maintenance schedule. 
To help you with that,
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is here with everything you need to know about the engine oil capacity of a 2009 Honda Civic. Plus, we'll give you some tips on how to lower your
Honda Civic insurance costs

2009 Honda Civic engine oil capacity

The 2009 Honda Civic’s engine oil capacity is 3.9 quarts. That means whenever you change the oil, you’ll need to buy 4 quarts and add all but a smidge. 
And if your engine oil is ever low, you’ll want to top it off so that the level is at or very close to 3.9 quarts. You can check the level using your oil reservoir's dipstick to ensure you’re in the safe operating range. 
In fact, it’s normal for your car to use a little oil between changes, so you’ll want to regularly check your oil level as part of your routine maintenance schedule. This will keep you from running your car on too little oil, which could ruin the engine. A good schedule to stick to is checking your oil once a month or every other gasoline fill-up.
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What kind of oil does a 2009 Honda Civic need?

Honda recommends you use premium-grade SAE 5W-20 Genuine Honda Motor Oil in your 2009 Civic. In a pinch, you can use SAE 5W-20 oil from another brand, such as Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil. 

How often to change the oil on a 2009 Honda Civic

While lots of vehicle manufacturers recommend you change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, Hondas are built a little differently. You’ll want to change your Civic’s engine oil about every 7,500 miles — so long as you’re using the recommended synthetic oil type. 
This gives you a little more range to work with than you’ll find in most cars, but it’s important to continue regularly checking your engine oil level. You should also inspect your engine oil quality when you check it to look for signs that you need an oil change. 
Here are some hints that your Civic needs an oil change regardless of what your odometer says:
  • Your engine oil is dark brown or black instead of the light brown or amber color that it should be. 
  • Your oil feels dirty or gritty if you rub it between your fingers. It should be smooth and clean.
  • Your car is producing an unusual smell.
  • You can tell your vehicle isn’t performing as well as usual.

How to change your oil and oil filter

You can take your car to your mechanic for an oil change when it’s time, or you can tackle the job at home. Just make sure you’ve got the right tools and supplies before starting. We’ve got instructions to help you handle the task below. 
First, make sure you’ve got 3.9 quarts of premium-grade Genuine Honda SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil. You also need to purchase a new oil filter and a new oil drain plug gasket. You’ll want a filter wrench, oil drain pan, and socket wrench, too.
Once you’ve got everything ready, start your car’s engine and let it run for five or so minutes to get the engine up to its normal operating temperature. Then, you can shut it off, pop open the hood, and get started with the following steps:
  • Unscrew and remove the oil fill cap.
  • Take your tools and drain pan, and crawl underneath your vehicle’s engine. Look for the oil drain bolt and old oil drain plug gasket. Remove them and let the oil drain out into the pan.
  • While the old oil continues draining, remove the old oil filter.
  • Once all the old oil has drained out, install your new oil filter.
  • Replace the oil drain bolt using your new oil drain plug gasket. Tighten the bolt to 29 lb-ft.
  • Add 3.9 quarts of new oil and double-check that it’s filled to the right level with your dipstick. 
After you’ve finished, you’ll want to start the engine again and let it run for a few minutes while you check under the hood and under your car for any leaks. If everything looks good, peek at your dashboard to ensure the oil light is off. You’re almost finished!
The last thing to do is clean up. Pour the old engine oil into a sealed container, and take it to an oil recycling center. This service is available at many parts stores and service centers. It’s extremely important that you do not dump your oil down the drain, on the ground, or in the garbage. It must be properly recycled. 
MORE: How much should an oil change cost?

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Once you’re satisfied with your oil change, you should take a few minutes to think about whether or not you’re satisfied with your
car insurance
. If you have any doubt, it might be time to comparison shop and find something better!
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