The 2010 Honda Fit is compact in size but scores big when it comes to safety ratings, interior comfort, and overall reliability. To keep it fit for the long run, you’ll want to know its engine oil capacity, which is 3.8 quarts.

How long your vehicle lasts will largely depend on how well it’s been cared for—which is why keeping up with

routine maintenance

is so important, even as it ages. That’s especially true with oil changes, which have a direct impact on your engine’s lifespan and performance.

Looking to cut down on your Honda Fit’s maintenance cost by taking care of your own oil change? Find your 2010 Honda Fit’s engine oil capacity and required oil type below—plus some bonus oil change tips!

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2010 Honda Fit engine oil capacity

The 2010 Honda Fit has an engine oil capacity of 3.8 quarts, or about 3.6 liters, including the filter.

Knowing your engine oil capacity gives you a sense of how much oil you’ll need to pick up at the auto parts store—having too much or too little oil circulating through your engine could cause expensive damage.

Keep in mind that, although the 2010 Honda Fit is equipped with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the “1.5 liters” here is actually referring to your engine’s displacement, which is something entirely different from your oil capacity.

What kind of oil does a 2010 Honda Fit need?

The 2010 Honda Fit requires 5W-20 engine oil.

It’s incredibly important to get your engine oil type right—using one that’s incompatible could cause serious damage to your engine.

“5W-20” is a viscosity grade that tells you how thick the motor oil is at different temperatures. Here, the “W” is short for winter. The “5” tells you about your oil’s thickness at low temperatures and how easily you’d be able to start your vehicle in cold weather conditions. The “20” refers to the oil’s viscosity once it reaches normal engine operating temperatures.

Synthetic oil is fine to use on the 2010 Honda Fit—and often more ideal since it performs better than conventional oil. Make sure it has the necessary viscosity grade and an API certification seal to confirm it meets the necessary quality standards set by the American Petroleum Institute.

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How often to change the oil on a 2010 Honda Fit

Knowing your engine oil capacity and oil type are certainly important—but how do you know when it’s actually time to change your engine oil?

If you’re using conventional oil, it’s generally recommended that you change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles between oil changes. Synthetic oil could extend that range to every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

Under more taxing driving conditions, however, it’s possible you might need to change your engine oil even sooner—such as if you spend a lot of time idling in traffic jams or frequently drive in dusty environments.

Since different environmental factors can affect when it’s the right time for an oil change, it’s best to regularly check your engine oil with your dipstick about once a month, or whenever you refuel.

If it’s past time for your 2010 Honda Fit to receive an oil change, here are some of the major signs you might notice:

Engine oil is now dark brown or black in color (fresh engine oil is light brown)

Engine oil has taken on a gritty texture

Declining performance or

gas mileage

Oil or burning odors from the engine

Oil change reminder,

check engine light

, low oil pressure light, or related indicator lights turn on

Strange new engine noises

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How to change your oil and oil filter

When it’s officially time to change your Honda Fit’s oil, you’ll want to gather some supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

Socket wrench

Oil filter wrench

Oil drain pan

At least 4 quarts of fresh engine oil

New washer for your drain bolt

Funnel

Gloves and protective eyewear

Jack stands (keeping best safety practices in mind if you use them)

Sealable container to recycle your used oil

To get started, park your vehicle on a level surface and let your engine run for a few minutes—just long enough to reach its normal operating temperature—then shut it off again. This will heat up the engine oil and help it drain faster.

After a few minutes, shut the engine off, open up your hood, and get underway with your oil change:

Unscrew the oil filler cap

Underneath your vehicle, place your drain pan under the engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer, allowing the old oil to empty into the pan

Remove the old oil filter and replace it with your new one, following its package instructions

Once the oil finishes draining, reinstall the oil drain bolt with a new washer and tighten the drain bolt to 29 pound-feet

Back at the hood of your Honda Fit, add fresh new engine oil to the proper fill level, then replace the oil filler cap

Once you’ve made it this far, you’ve taken care of the major steps! From here, it’s time for a quality assurance check:

Let your engine run a few minutes again so the oil can fill the new filter

Check for any leaks

Verify that any oil-related indicator lights have turned off

After turning off your engine and letting it cool, use your dipstick to check your oil level again and add more oil if necessary

Finally, remember that engine oil is an environmentally hazardous material, so you can’t just dispose of it anywhere—including your own trash can. Carefully transfer it to a sealed container and bring it to a designated recycling location that accepts used motor oil.

MORE: How much should an oil change cost?

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