The 2019 Honda Civic delivers on everything a compact car should have: versatility, practicality, fun-to-drive factor, and compromise. You’ll want to keep your popular sedan in tip-top shape by knowing the engine oil capacity.

The Honda Civic is one of the most popular cars in America for good reason. Not only is it affordable at the dealership, but it’s also easy to find an even less expensive model used. Even maintenance costs are below average! If you want to save on ownership costs even further, there are some basic maintenance tasks you can do at home to cut costs.

To learn how to change your 2019 Honda Civic’s oil at home and find out what kind of oil you’ll need (plus the capacity), check out this awesome guide from

Jerry

, the world’s first super app for

car insurance

. We've even thrown in some tips that could help lower your

Honda Civic insurance costs

2019 Honda Civic engine oil capacity

First things first: how much engine oil does a 2019 Honda Civic need?

The 2019 Honda Civic has a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine with an oil capacity of 4.4 quarts or 4.2 liters. Make sure you’re putting the right amount of oil in the engine and that you’re not confusing the engine’s displacement with the capacity. The 2.0 L referenced in the engine type is the engine’s displacement, which is not the same as the capacity. The numbers are not interchangeable.

MORE: How much should an oil change cost?

What kind of oil does a 2019 Honda Civic need?

Okay, we know how much oil the Civic needs, but what about the oil type? There’s a wide variety of engine oil types available but you can’t just grab the first five-quart bottle you see! The oil type for your 2019 Honda Civic is premium grade 0W-20 oil, preferably Genuine Honda Motor Oil. This is the manufacturer’s recommendation, and it’s best to stick with what they say.

Now it’s time to decode what those letters and numbers mean. The numbers refer to the oil’s viscosity (or, how thick the oil is), and the “W” stands for winter. In the case of 0W-20, we know that the oil is relatively thin when cold, which improves efficiency during cold starts, and the 20 tells us that it stays thin at 212ºF.

An oil like this is a great choice because it performs well in cold weather, and the low viscosity means there will be less wear and tear on your engine.

If you prefer to use synthetic oil, Honda says that’s okay if the synthetic blend meets the same requirements. Look for premium-grade 0W-20 synthetic oil.

The real deal: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use

Genuine Honda Motor Oil

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change oil on a 2019 Honda Civic

Now that you’re an expert on the 2019 Honda Civic oil capacity and type, it’s finally time to change your oil.

First, you’ll need to double-check your mileage since your last oil change. If it’s too soon, you’ll be wasting money and oil! Honda recommends changing your oil every 7,500 miles in your 2019 Honda Civic. If you don’t drive very often, think about changing your oil every six months to keep your oil clean and functional.

You can go the distance between oil changes when you use synthetic oil, which can be changed every 7,500 miles to 10,000 miles.

However, the vast difference between these two recommendations means it’s best to keep an eye on your oil yourself. How? Check your oil level on a regular basis, like once a month or every other refuel, so you can catch the following signs that it’s time to change your oil:

Dirty oil is dark brown or black. Clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea.

Motor oil that needs to be changed looks like a cup of soda.

Motor oil ready for changing feels coarse or gritty.

If unfamiliar noises are coming from the engine, it’s time for a change.

Unusual smells, especially anything that smells like oil, smoke, or burning.

Changes in your vehicle’s performance.

MORE:

What you should know about the Honda Civic battery draining problem

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that it’s time for an oil change, let’s talk about how to change your oil. First, you’ll need the necessary

car tools and supplies

: a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench that can remove the old oil filter. You’ll also need a replacement filter and five quarts of premium 0W-20 engine oil.

First, you’ll need to run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature. This usually takes around five minutes. Once your engine comes up to temp, turn it off, open the hood, and do the following:

Remove the oil fill cap

Get underneath the engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer, draining the old oil into the drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and continue to let the oil drain

Install the new filter

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with your new oil and replace the fill cap

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.

Check that you’ve added enough oil to the engine with your dipstick. After you complete these steps, run your car for a few minutes and keep an eye out for any leaks. If you’re successful,

your car's oil pressure light

should turn off.

The last step is cleaning up after your oil change. It’s important not to dump the dirty oil on the ground or put it in the garbage can. Put it in a sealed container and take it to a recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Regular maintenance, like changing the oil, keeps your 2019 Honda Civic happy and healthy. Plus, you’re saving time and money by doing it at home!

But just like your engine, your insurance policy also needs regular maintenance to stay affordable and efficient. Try the

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The best part (besides saving an average of $800 per year) is that Jerry will automatically shop for new policies when it’s time so you continue to save! It does all this without long forms, phone calls, or endless paperwork.

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