Lauded for its class-leading highway EV range, chic futuristic vibe, and ridiculously comfortable interior, the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is one of the Japanese automakers’ fan-favorite makes. But, if you want to keep its high-tech hybrid engine purring, you’ll need to get familiar with its oil capacity.
While hybrid vehicles certainly have their differences from conventional gasoline-only engines, they have one important thing in common: they need oil changes. While a hybrid does have an electric battery that helps power it, it also still relies on a fuel-burning engine to get you from point A to point B. And, part of taking care of the fuel-burning engine part of your engine means regularly changing its oil.
Jerry
, the trustworthy super app
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savings is here to give you a crash course (no pun intended) on what you need to know about your 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid’s oil capacity. We’ll tell you all about what kind of and how much oil you need, how often to change it, how to change it at home, and give you our insiders tips on how to lower Honda Clarity insurance costs
! 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid engine oil capacity
Not all vehicles require the same amount of oil: a Hummer requires a good deal more oil than something smaller, like a MINI Cooper.
A 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has an oil capacity of 3.5 quarts (or 3.3 L). That is what the owner’s manual recommends, and it’s important not to deviate from the manufacturer’s recommendations (especially when it comes to engine oil!).
What kind of oil does a 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid need?
Similar to how not all vehicles need the same amount of oil, not all motor oils are the same. They’re graded on their viscosity (aka their thickness) and how that viscosity changes under different temperature conditions and different engines have different needs when it comes to viscosity.
For the 2018 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, Honda recommends that you use SAE 5W-20 motor oil for its routine oil changes.
If you’re not well-versed in the world of engine oils, allow us to translate this into everyday terms. The ‘W’ stands for winter, and the 5 next to it tells us that this oil will remain thin enough to flow well even in temperatures of 0°F. Likewise, the 20 at the end tells us that this oil will still flow well even at your engine’s ultra-hot operating temperature of 212°F.
SAE just stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, the entity that codes and grades different oil viscosities. When shopping for motor oil, always look and make sure that whatever you purchase has SAE’s stamp of approval. That way, you know you’re purchasing something that will work in your engine.
For the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, the owner’s manual specifically recommends using the Genuine Honda Synthetic Oil Blend 5W-20
. How often to change oil on a 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
Aside from knowing what kind and how much oil you need, you also need to know when to change your oil. Honda suggests you drain and refill the 2018 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Or, if you don’t drive all that much, set a reminder on your phone to change your oil once every six months.
But these are some pretty wide ranges, and anything can happen in between an oil change. If you notice any of the following signs, you should change your oil ahead of schedule:
Motor oil that needs changing is dark brown or black (Clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea. Dirty oil is like a cup of soda.)
Motor oil feels gritty, like someone mixed sand into it
New noises coming from the engine
Oil, smoke, or burning smells when you run your car
Decreased vehicle performance
MORE: Are Hondas expensive to maintain?
How to change your oil and oil filter
When it’s time for an oil change, you don’t necessarily need to make an appointment with a mechanic. Oil changes are easy enough to do in your own garage with just a few simple tools!
3.5 quarts of SAE 5W-20 motor oil
Safety goggles and gloves
To begin, run your engine until it reaches its normal operating temperature. In normal weather conditions, this should only take about five minutes, but if you’re attempting a winter oil change, run your car for at least 10 minutes.
Once that’s finished, open the hood and complete the following steps:
Locate the oil drain plug underneath your vehicle and remove the panel that covers it. To do this, disengage the eight fasteners by giving them a quarter turn with a flathead screwdriver. And make sure you’ve got your safety glasses and gloves on for this step!
Position the drain pan underneath the oil drain plug and remove the drain plug, allowing the old oil to drain into the drain pan.
Replace the drain bolt and tighten it to 30 lb-ft.
Remove the old oil filter with the filter wrench.
Install the new oil filter.
Under the hood, remove the oil fill cap and pour in your new oil. It helps to position the funnel in the mouth of the oil reservoir to help catch any spillage.
Afterward, run your engine for a couple of minutes to check for any leaks before checking the oil level with your dipstick—if it’s too low, you can add more oil. And if you’ve done the job right, the oil pressure light
on your dashboard should turn off. Last but not least, it’s time to clean up! Don’t just dump the old oil down a drain or put it in your garbage can. Pour it into a sealed container and bring it to your local recycling center for proper disposal.
Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance
If you’re regularly checking your engine oil levels, you should also regularly check up on your car insurance
policy to make sure you’re not overpaying for the coverage you need. That’s where Jerry
comes in. Our trustworthy super app
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