The 2020 Honda Civic LX has been praised as a jack of all trades—having great handling, fuel economy, build quality, and customization options. And if you want to keep your Honda running for years to come, you need to learn how to change its oil.

Being a car owner is expensive, especially as we watch gas prices soar. That’s why so many people choose to save some money on maintenance costs by changing their Honda’s oil at home—but to truly save money, it needs to be done correctly.

Here with all the info to change your vehicle’s oil,

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2020 Honda Civic LX engine oil capacity

The first thing you need to figure out before breaking out your tools is how much oil your 2020 Honda Civic LX needs.

The 2020 Honda Civic LX has a 2.0L engine and an oil capacity of 3.4 quarts. You might be wondering: why are these numbers so different? Essentially, 2.0L refers to your Honda’s engine displacement, meaning the volume its cylinders take up in the engine. In comparison, your oil capacity tells you how much oil your engine uses and how much motor oil you need to purchase for an oil change.

Mixing these numbers can lead to underfilling your engine, which can cause long-term problems that are difficult to fix.

What kind of oil does a 2020 Honda Civic LX need?

Now that you have an idea of how much oil you need to purchase, you also need to determine what brand or oil type is compatible with your Honda. Simply taking the first bottle you see can lead to engine damage, so it’s crucial to stick to Honda’s recommendation of 0W-20 motor oil.

But what do those numbers and letters mean? The numbers tell you how viscous the oil is at certain temperatures, whereas the W stands for winter—meaning it works well in colder temperatures. The 0 tells you that the oil is less viscous at lower temperatures, and the 20 refers to its relative thinness at the engine’s high operating temperature.

These are some of our choices for your Honda Civic LX:

Genuine Honda Motor Oil – specifically premium-grade 0W-20

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-20

Valvoline - Advanced Full Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change oil on a 2020 Honda Civic LX

Now that you have the information to buy your motor oil, you also need to know when it’s time for an

oil change

Typically, a regular

car maintenance schedule

will recommend drivers change their Honda Civic LX’s oil every 7,500 miles. But in reality, the time between oil changes will depend largely on your driving habits. That’s why it’s good to get into the habit of checking on your engine after every other refuel. You should be looking out for the following signs that your Honda needs an oil change:

Grimy oil: When your motor oil is new, it should be light in color, almost amber. Dirty motor oil is dark brown or black and can feel coarse in texture. This is a sign of debris in your oil, and you should aim to change it as soon as possible to avoid engine damage.

Noises: Have you been hearing sudden noises that weren’t happening before? Look out for screeching sounds or

loud engine noises

as a sign you need to change your Honda’s oil.

Unfamiliar smells: Noticing a burning, oil, or

smoke smell from the engine

? This can indicate your Honda needs an oil change.

Performance issues

MORE:

The most common Honda problems

How to change your oil and oil filter

Once you’ve noticed your Honda needs an oil change, make sure you gather the following tools: a socket wrench, drain pan, filter wrench, new filter, and 0W-20 motor oil.

The first step is to start the engine to warm it up. This should take five minutes, but if you’re living in colder weather, it might take longer. Once your engine is ready, turn it off and

open the hood

Follow these steps:

Remove the oil fill cap and screw off the oil drain bolt and washer. Be ready with a drain pan to catch the oil as it drains

Replace the old filter

Screw the oil drain bolt and washer back on, and fill up the engine with oil

Use the dipstick to let you know when you’re done

Check for leaks by running the engine again

Dispose of your waste by bringing a container of the old oil to a recycling depot

If your

oil pressure light

has turned off, that’s a good sign! Congrats, you’ve changed your Honda’s oil!

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

And that’s it! If you want to keep saving money after changing your oil, consider using the

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