The 1997 Honda Accord is one of the most popular cars in the US for a reason—comfy interior, solid build, good gas mileage, and reliability are at your fingertips. That is, as long as you know the engine oil capacity and keep up with oil changes.

Honda Accords are as trusty as they are plentiful throughout the country. Their reliability and peppy performance stand the test of time when the engine is well taken care of. If you want to reap the benefits of this long-lasting vehicle, you’ll need to stay up to date-on regular maintenance. And a great way to save a little money on your maintenance costs is to DIY your oil changes!

Here with all the information, you’ll need for a successful oil change is

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. We’ll cover the engine oil capacity and the recommended oil type, and walk you through the process of changing your oil so you can head to your garage with confidence.

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1997 Honda Accord engine oil capacity

First things first—how much engine oil does the 1997 Honda Accord hold? The 2.2-liter engine of the 1997 Accord works with an engine oil capacity of 4.2 quarts or 3.9 liters.

Wait, huh? A 2.2-liter engine needs 3.9 liters of oil? Yes! The first liter value actually has nothing to do with the engine oil and instead details the volume of space the engine cylinders occupy. Call that the engine’s displacement. The engine oil capacity of 3.9 liters or 4.2 quarts tells us how much motor oil the engine needs for proper functionality. Take careful notes here!

What kind of oil does a 1997 Honda Accord need?

When prepping for your DIY oil change, you’ll need to make sure you get the correct kind of oil to put in your engine. Not just any oil will work with the 1997 Accord! Honda recommends you use premium grade 0W-20 motor oil in your vehicle.

If you aren’t already familiar with oil grades, let’s break this one down for a better understanding of your car’s needs. An oil grade describes the oil’s viscosity at the engine’s cold start temperature and the engine’s normal operating temperature, coming in at around 212°F.

So, for the 1997 Honda Accord, you’ll be looking for an oil that has a low viscosity, 0, at the cold start temperature, W standing for “winter”, and a higher but still relatively low viscosity, 20, at the engine’s hot normal operating temperature. These are the oil conditions your car’s engine is designed to work the best with, so it’s important to stick to this oil grade to avoid excess engine wear.

If you’d like some oil recommendations, try these:

The owner’s manual recommendation:

Genuine Honda Motor Oil 0W-20

To go longer between oil changes:

Mobil 1 Extended Performance Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-20

A high-quality synthetic option:

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 1997 Honda Accord

Before you head out to the garage with your new jug of 0W-20, ensure your Accord actually needs an oil change. Not sure when to call it?

Honda recommends an oil change for the 1997 Accord every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if you prefer to use conventional motor oil. If you opt for synthetic motor oil, you’re likely to get 7,500 to 10,000 miles before you need to change the oil.

Those are just general benchmarks, though, and you should also factor in your driving habits and the terrain you frequent. Folks who drive all the time will have to get their oil changed more often than folks who only bring their car out of the garage on special occasions. However you drive your Accord, you should check on the oil about once a month to ensure it’s still clean and functional.

Here are some symptoms of poor oil quality or low oil levels that could mean you need an oil change:

Dark brown to black oil. The oil should be closer to amber or light brown in color

Grittiness or sludge. The oil is contaminated if the texture looks gritty or sludgy rather than smooth

Engine noise. If your engine can’t get enough clean oil, you may experience engine knock, screeching, or other unfamiliar noises

Reduced engine performance. Have you noticed your gas mileage take a dip? Does your engine sputter when trying to accelerate?

Smoky, burning smell. Contaminated oil or low oil levels can produce a burning oily smell

MORE:

Are Hondas expensive to maintain?

How to change your oil and oil filter

If you’re receiving hints that your engine oil could use some change, gather these materials before heading to work:

Socket wrench

Drain pan

Filter wrench

New oil filter

4.2 quarts of 0W-20 motor oil

Get your engine to its normal operating temperature before you begin draining the old oil. You can take a short cruise through town or let your Accord idle in place for five to 20 minutes to get it warm enough. Just be sure to shut the vehicle down on a level surface before opening the hood and following these steps:

Remove the oil fill cap

Position yourself under the engine and use the socket wrench to remove the oil drain bolt and the drain pan to catch the old oil

Remove the used oil filter

Once all the old oil has drained away, install the new oil filter

Replace the oil drain bolt and clean the area of any excess oil

Pour 4.2 quarts of 0W-20 into the engine and replace the oil fill cap

Turn the engine back on for a few minutes to make sure nothing is leaking, and you’re done! Grab a sealable container to pour the old oil into and bring it to your local recycling center for disposal. Do not pour any oil in your trash or on the ground.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Keeping up with your oil changes can help to ensure longevity and health in your 1997 Honda Accord’s crucial systems and keep repair costs down. Another car maintenance task that needs regular attention is

car insurance

policy updates—and the nation’s top-rated insurance comparison app, Jerry, can make it even easier than an oil change.

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