The fact that there are still 1999 Honda Civics on the road says a ton about their manufacturing and reliability. If you wish to extend the life and get every last mile out of your Civic, you’ll need to learn about its engine oil capacity.

The thought of performing your own

oil change

might sound intimidating at first. But, once you understand the process, it can save you a serious amount of time and money. You can easily eliminate this recurring maintenance expense and make the change yourself if you browse your owner’s manual for the proper oil capacity and type.

That’s why

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1999 Honda Civic engine oil capacity

Before you start jacking up your car, you need to know exactly how much oil your Civic will need.

The 1999 Honda Civic has a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with an oil capacity of 3.2 quarts. The 1.6-liter part refers to the

engine displacement

and should not be mixed up with the oil capacity.

Displacement is the total volume of air and fuel swept into each cylinder during an engine cycle. Conversely, the oil capacity amount of oil the car needs to keep the engine operating smoothly. Understanding this difference will prevent you from severely under-filling your engine.

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

What kind of oil does a 1999 Honda Civic need?

Now that the oil capacity is out of the way, let’s go over the specific oil type your Civic will need. Your Honda will take 0W-20 engine oil. This is the original oil put into your Civic and the type Honda recommends you continue to use.

Let’s go over what these letters and numbers mean so you better understand what you’re putting into your vehicle. The “W” stands for winter, and the 0 before it means the oil remains very thin when the oil is under cold conditions. The 20 following the “W” means the oil has a moderate viscosity (thickness) when the engine is hot and running.

To put it simply, you want an oil thin enough to flow well during those cold morning start-ups and one that can lubricate all the engine parts while it is operating.

If you’d like some additional oil options, here are some alternatives to consider:

The genuine article:

Genuine Honda 0W-20 motor oil

The generic option:

Valvoline Full Synthetic SAE 0W-20 motor oil

For less frequent oil changes:

Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 motor oil

MORE: How to test an oil pump

How often to change oil on a 1999 Honda Civic

Now that you have a better understanding of your Civic’s oil capacity and type, let’s get ready to change the oil!

Honda suggests that you should change the oil on your 1999 Civic every 7,5000 miles to preserve the life of its engine. If you don't drive often or keep your mileage to a minimum, you’ll still want to change the oil every six months to prevent the oil from becoming sludge and causing complete engine failure.

Monitoring your engine’s oil level and keeping a record of its last oil change will keep you from missing this important maintenance task. Additionally, you should remain vigilant for these telltale signs that your car needs its oil changed:

The oil has become black or dark brown

The oil feels gritty or coarse

You hear strange noises coming from the engine

You smell smoke or burning under the hood

Your car’s performance has changed

MORE:

How to find your Honda Civic radio code

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Once you’re ready to change your oil, gather these materials: jacks, a socket wrench, a drain pan, a filter wrench, a new filter, and a rag. Lastly, be sure to have your new bottle of 0W-20 engine oil, and then follow these steps:

Jack up your Civic and position yourself under the engine

Place your oil pan beneath the oil drain plug

Unscrew the oil drain plug with your socket wrench, allowing the oil to drip out

Remove the old filter with your filter wrench

Wipe the filter mounting surface clean and install the new filter

Replace the oil drain bolt

Pop the hood and pour the correct amount of new oil into the engine

Congrats, you did it—we told you it wasn’t so bad! Confirm you refilled the proper amount of oil by checking the level on your dipstick, and then check that your oil pressure dashboard light is off. Lastly, turn your engine on and check for any leaks—if there aren’t any, you’re all set.

As for the cleanup, you should never dump your old, contaminated oil on the ground or into your garbage. Instead, pour it into a sealable container and bring it to a recycling center to be disposed of properly.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Now that you’ve saved some money by doing your oil change yourself, shop for low

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