If you drive a 2012 Honda Accord
, which has an oil capacity of 4.2 quarts, you already know that it’s a dependable daily driver that can also be a little punchy when you feel like tearing up the road a bit. In addition to being a little sporty and a whole lot sensible, the Honda Accord carries a reputation for dependability. If treated well, this sedan or coupe will last you many years, and if you choose to sell it, it will retain a significant resale value. However, that’s only if you keep up with regular maintenance—including changing the engine oil and topping it off when necessary.
To learn how and when to check and add oil, look over this guide from car insurance
comparison super app
and broker Jerry
. We’ll cover how much oil your Accord needs, as well as what type, when to change it, and how to check it. 2012 Honda Accord engine oil capacity
The 2012 Honda Accord has a 4.2-quart engine oil capacity for 4-cylinder models and a 4.5-quart oil capacity for V6 models. That’s how much you’ll add to your engine during a fresh change, and this is around the range where your oil level should remain under normal driving conditions.
It’s normal for the oil level to go down a little over time, but as long as you check it regularly to ensure it’s in the safe range, you should be okay. Check your engine oil about once a month, or at every other gas tank fill-up. If it’s ever lower than the indicated range on your dipstick, and you’re between oil changes, then you need to add a little more oil.
What kind of oil does a 2012 Honda Accord need?
Using the wrong kind of engine oil could destroy your engine, so it’s best to stick with what your manufacturer recommends. Honda suggests using Genuine Honda Premium Grade 0W-20 Motor Oil.
It may seem oddly specific, but that’s because all engine oils are not equal. They come in different viscosity weights and temperature grades depending on the engine they’re servicing. Your Honda Accord’s engine was made to run best with 0W-20 oil.
If you’re wondering what all the letters and numbers in your engine oil type stand for, here’s a quick guide:
The “0W” that you see above refers to your engine oil’s viscosity, or the fluid thickness, that it has in winter weather. The “W” stands for winter. A viscosity of 0 means that it’s very thin at low temperatures.
The 20 refers to your oil’s viscosity at the car’s normal operating temperature. Being rated 20 means your engine oil is still pretty viscous and thin at high temperatures.
How often to change the oil on a 2012 Honda Accord
Keeping the oil up to the right level isn’t enough. You also need to get regular oil changes
. The 2012 Honda Accord needs its oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Keeping to a regular schedule helps your car stay healthy because it prevents your engine from being damaged by grime and grit that can build up in old oil.
There are a few things to look for that may mean it’s time for an oil change, regardless of what your odometer reading says. Change your motor oil if you notice any of the following:
Your motor oil is dark brown or black instead of the light brown or amber color that it should be.
Your engine oil feels dirty or gritty. Good engine oil should be clean, clear, and smooth.
You notice an odd smell, unusual odors, weird sounds, or a reduced level of performance from your car.
How to change your oil and oil filter
If you see that it’s time to change the engine oil, you can certainly take it to a service center to get the job done. But if you’re a do-it-yourself type, you can also try changing your engine oil with these instructions.
First, gather everything you need, including 4.2 or 4.5 quarts of Genuine Honda Premium Grade 0W-20 Motor Oil. You’ll also need a filter wrench, a socket wrench, a drain pan, a new replacement oil filter, and a new oil drain plug gasket.
Start up the engine and let it run for around five minutes to make sure it gets up to its normal operating temperatures. Then, shut it off and do the following:
Remove the oil fill cap and set it somewhere safe.
Take the drain pan, filter wrench, socket wrench, new filter, and new gasket, and remove the oil drain bolt as well as the old oil drain plug gasket. Let the engine oil drain into your oil drain pan.
Take off the old oil filter
and let the oil continue draining out. Affix the new oil filter.
Put the old oil drain bolt back, this time using the new oil drain plug gasket. Tighten the bolt to 29 lb-ft.
Add 4.2 quarts of the new oil where you removed the oil fill cap, check the oil level, and if it looks good, replace the oil 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.
Once you’re all done, close the hood and get started on clean-up. You can dump the old engine oil into a sealed container and take it to a recycling center typically found in service centers and parts stores. Do not dump the oil out or put it in the trash. It needs to be disposed of properly by a recycling center.
Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance
After your oil change is done—whether you did it yourself or not—you can take a break and check out car insurance prices with the Jerry
app. It’s recommended that you shop for car insurance every six months to find the best deals, and the easiest way to do that is with Jerry. Just download the Jerry app, answer some basic questions, and look over the set of competitive car insurance quotes that they gather for you.
It only takes minutes, you can do it all from your mobile, and the average Jerry user saves more than $800 a year on car insurance
! “I felt like I was paying too much for my insurance policy, so I downloaded Jerry
. I literally only typed in 3 pieces of info and Jerry found my current insurance. In a few minutes, they pulled up 2 Progressive policies that showed $900 in savings over 6 months!” —Maeve J.
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