Changing your engine’s oil is an unavoidable part of car ownership. If you think your 2012 Honda Civic is due, don’t drop money on a mechanic—change your oil yourself, right in your driveway, and save yourself the time and dollars! Here to help you every step of the way is

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In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from how much oil your engine takes to a step-by-step on changing it, plus tips and tricks for saving money in the future.

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2012 Honda Civic engine oil capacity

The engine oil capacity in a

2012 Honda Civic

is 3.9 quarts

Without an oil filter, your oil tank will hold about 3.7 quarts—but we wouldn’t recommend skipping over your oil filter, as it plays a valuable role in keeping your engine oil clean—and thus protecting your engine from damage.

What kind of oil does a 2012 Honda Civic need?

Your 2012 Honda Civic’s oil capacity is 3.9 quarts—but what kind of oil should you be putting in there? Does it even matter?

Well, actually, yes, it does matter! Believe it or not, every engine is unique—even the standard 4-cylinder engine sported by your Honda Civic—and the type of oil you use to keep yours running can make a difference in your car’s overall performance.

Your car’s owner’s manual typically includes the type of oil to use recommended by your manufacturer. For a 2012 Honda Civic, that’s

Genuine Honda Motor Oil

—specifically, premium-grade 0W-20.

Most car manufacturers will recommend their own genuine oil—it is specially made for your type of car, after all—but that doesn’t mean you have to follow their advice. If you’re interested in engine oil alternatives but you’re not sure where to start, here’s what we’d recommend:

For an off-brand, high-quality synthetic blend:

SAE 0W-20

Whatever you choose, make sure you’re getting at least 3.9 quarts of it!

MORE:

How to test an oil pump

How often to change the oil on a 2012 Honda Civic

Now you know how much oil your Honda Civic holds, and what type of oil you should use—but how often do you need to be changing your engine oil?

A standard, industry rule-of-thumb is that you should be changing your engine oil every 3,000 miles or 6 months—whichever comes first. Synthetic oil blends, however, will typically last much longer—between 7,500 and 10,000 miles, or up to 12 months.

Since Honda recommends you use synthetic oil in your 2012 Civic, you’ll want to change your car’s engine oil every 7.5k miles or so.

Engine oil plays a key role in your car’s health, so it’s important to stay on top of your oil levels by checking them regularly. If you don’t, you may notice one or more of these problems arise:

Change oil or check engine light present on dashboard

Unusual odors, including smoke or burning smells

Loud engine noise

Changes in your car’s overall performance

If you’re seeing these signs, don’t wait—check your engine’s oil level and add more, if need be. In this next section, we’ll cover how you can change your engine oil and filter right in your driveway.

MORE: What you should know about the Honda Civic battery draining problem

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Ready to tackle your engine oil head-on? Before we get started, make sure you’re prepared with the following tools:

Premium-grade 0W-20 motor oil

An oil drain pan

A new

oil filter

and filter wrench

A funnel

A 17mm wrench and some spare rags

If your car’s been sitting in the garage or driveway, turn the engine on and let it warm up for about five minutes. Then turn your car back off, roll up your sleeves, and follow these steps:

Pop the hood and locate the oil fill cap (it’s usually black, with the oil grade printed on top)

Get underneath the engine and locate your oil drain bolt

Use your 17mm wrench to loosen and remove the drain bolt, then let the old oil drain into your drain pan (it may take several minutes for the oil to drain)

Remove your old filter and install the new oil filter (pro tip! Smear a thin layer of oil around the edges of your filter to create a tighter seal)

Reattach the drain bolt and secure it with a new washer

Refill the engine with your 0W-20 oil (use your funnel for easier pouring!)

Before you call it quits, use your dipstick to check the engine oil level—if you’ve added the right amount, the oil should mark the crosshatches on the dipstick. Once you’re done, screw the oil fill cap back on and let your car run for a few minutes to ensure there are no leaks.

You’re almost done! The last step is proper clean-up: make sure you’re disposing of your used engine oil responsibly—don’t just dump it out on the ground or throw it in the garbage. Make sure it’s in a sealed bag or container, and get rid of it at a

local recycling center

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.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance!

Now that you’re ready to change your oil at home and save money, why not do the same with your car insurance policy? With

Jerry

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From contacting your insurer to purchasing your new policy and even helping you cancel your old one, Jerry does it all. We’ll fill out the forms, make the phone calls, and automatically send you new quotes when your policy is up for renewal, so you can keep getting the coverage you need at the best price.

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