is a reliable and affordable compact car, making it a top choice for many first-time car buyers. This peppy car also comes with an attractive and well-designed interior, as well as a good selection of body types to suit any driver. To help keep this popular car in tip-top condition, the first step is to learn the oil capacity before performing any maintenance.

The cost of ownership for a 2018 Honda Civic can add up quickly over the period you drive it—especially with the prices of maintenance and gas going up! One way to save on the expenses is to do engine oil changes for your 2018 Honda Civic at home. However, before you proceed, be sure to check your owner’s manual for the recommended oil type and capacity for your Civic.

If you’ve lost your owner’s manual for your 2018 Honda Civic or just want to quickly look up the oil capacity, we’ve got you covered.

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2018 Honda Civic engine oil capacity

To buy the right amount of engine oil, you will need to know the oil capacity of your 2018 Honda Civic. Be sure to pay extra attention as the oil capacity and the engine’s displacement are two different numbers:

Oil capacity is the amount of engine oil needed

Engine displacement is the volume that the cylinders occupy in the engine

The 1.5-liter intercooled turbo I-4 engine of your 2018 Civic has an oil capacity of 3.7 quarts (3.5 liters). Under or overfilling the oil can result in engine damage so be sure that you don’t confuse the two numbers above!

What kind of oil does a 2018 Honda Civic need?

Each car model requires a specific oil type for its engine to run smoothly. Honda recommends the use of Premium-grade 0W-20 oil in the 2018 Honda Civic.

Below is a breakdown of what this means:

The oil viscosity is indicated by the numbers. An oil with a higher number means a thicker oil.

The “W” stands for winter. This means the oil viscosity will change based on the temperature.

The number 0 before “W” means that the oil will act as a 0-weight oil at 0°F. The number 20 means that it acts as a 20-weight oil when warmed to 210°F. This multi-grade oil allows the engine to run smoothly in different temperatures, reducing wear and tear to the components.

The 2018 Civic can also take a high-quality synthetic oil as long as it meets the same requirements and has the API Certification Seal.

It is best to use the recommended oil type. Substituting with another oil could risk irreparable (and costly) damage to your engine and could void your warranty.

To follow the exact manufacturer’s recommendation, you will need

Honda Genuine

motor oil.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change oil on a 2018 Honda Civic

Once you’ve confirmed the 2018 Honda Civic’s oil capacity and type, you can move on to

change your oil

If you use conventional oil, Honda recommends an engine oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. As a benchmark, you can do an oil change every six months if you drive consistently.

You can wait longer between oil changes if you use synthetic oil since it has a longer service life. Experts recommend a synthetic oil change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

Another way to gauge if an oil change is needed is to check your oil level regularly. These signs indicate that you’re due for an oil change:

Dark brown or black engine oil—it should be light brown or amber

Coarse or gritty feel to the engine oil

Engine is making

abnormal sounds

You detect unusual smells, such as oil, smoke, or burning

Decreased vehicle performance

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

How to change your oil and oil filter

To do an oil change, you will need these tools: hydraulic jack, jack stands, 17mm box end wrench, funnel, drain pan, and filter wrench designed to remove the old oil filter. You will also need to get a replacement filter and four quarts of premium 0W-20 engine oil.

Before changing the oil, start the engine to warm up the oil. This will help the oil drain more easily when you open the drain plug. You can turn the engine off after five minutes and follow these steps:

Jack up the car and secure it with jack stands

Remove the oil fill cap at the top of the engine

Place the drain pan under the drain plug before removing the oil drain bolt and washer

Allow the old oil to drain completely into the drain pan

Clean the oil plug and surrounding areas

Tighten the oil drain bolt with a new washer to 30 ft-lb

Lower the car

Remove the old

oil filter

and install the new filter

Refill the engine with new oil and replace the fill cap—do not use the entire bottle.

After changing the oil, check the oil level with the dipstick to ensure it is between the fill lines. Then check for leaks by turning the engine on for a few minutes. If everything was done correctly, the

oil pressure light

on the dashboard should turn off.

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

The last step is cleaning up. Be sure to place the old oil in a sealed container and bring it to a local recycling facility. Do not dump the oil onto the ground or put it in your trash bin as this is extremely harmful to the environment.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Regular oil changes are important for keeping your 2018 Honda Civic in peak condition. Changing the oil yourself will also save you

time

and money!

If you want a less messy way to save on car expenses, you can try shopping for car insurance with the

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