Whether you’re an experienced driver or new to life behind the wheel, every driver groans when the oil pressure light comes on. While you can take your car to a mechanic to get your oil changed, it’s actually pretty easy (and less expensive) to perform your oil change yourself.

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expert

Jerry

has seen a few oil changes, and we know how expensive car maintenance can be. More than just the

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across all platforms, Jerry can also help you change your oil yourself to avoid a hassle at your local mechanic. Here’s everything you need to know about changing the oil in your 2012 Honda Odyssey.

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2012 Honda Odyssey engine oil capacity

So, how much oil does a 2012 Honda Odyssey need?

The engine for a 2012 Honda Odyssey has an oil capacity of 4.5 quarts or 4.25 liters. The Honda Odyssey is one of the top 50 most popular cars on the market, and

regular maintenance

is important to keep everything running smoothly; you don't want to grind up your engine without proper lubrication.

What kind of oil does a 2012 Honda Odyssey need?

Now that we know how much oil a 2012 Honda Odyssey needs, let’s take a look at the best choices for oil types.

Not all engine oils are created equal– different engines will require different types of oil to keep everything working well. For your 2012 Honda Odyssey, you’ll want Honda Genuine Motor Oil SAE 0W-20. That’s what the Honda company recommends, and it’s good to stick to the manual’s recommendations when performing car maintenance.

But what does SAE 0W-20 mean? The numbers on an oil rating can be confusing, so let’s break it down.

Basically, oil types are rated by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) based on their viscosity. The goal is to have a lower viscosity in your oil since thinner oils provide more lubrication and don’t gunk up your gears. The numbers, therefore, refer to the viscosity rating of the oil at different temperatures.

The “W” in 0W-20 means “winter”, referring to the oil’s rating in winter temperatures. The lower the number before the W, the better the oil will perform in the cold. A “0W” rating means that the oil performs perfectly in the winter, much better than, say, a 10W oil.

The second number is the oil’s performance rating at high temperatures, so a 0W-20 oil will perform better in the heat of your engine than a 0W-40 would.

So, altogether, 0W-20 tells us that this oil maintains its thin viscosity in both cold and hot temperatures, from a chilling 0°F to a blazing 212°F in your engine.

If you can’t find Honda Genuine Motor Oil SAE 0W-20, the top oil recommended by Honda, there are a few alternatives you can use.

Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Engine Oil 0W-20

Castrol - EDGE® High Mileage 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

Or any oil with a similar rating to 0W-20. Full synthetic oils tend to be better for Honda engines since they require a pretty low viscosity. But you can use partial synthetic oil as long as you perform more frequent maintenance.

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How often to change oil on a 2012 Honda Odyssey

Now that we know which type of oil to buy, it’s time to

change your oil

– if you’re due for an oil change, of course.

It’s recommended that you change your oil every 3 years or 7,500 to 10,000 miles. But if you don’t drive often, every 6 months may be a better metric for your maintenance schedule, as oil will naturally degrade over time no matter how often you drive.

There are moments, however, when you may need to change your oil early. A lot can happen to your car in the time between oil changes, so checking your oil levels frequently is the best way to stay updated on your engine’s condition. You may need to change your oil early if you experience the following symptoms:

Your engine oil has changed color from light brown to dark brown or black

Your oil feels coarse or gritty

Sudden or loud noises coming from the engine

Strange smells (ex. oil, smoke, or burning)

A decrease in your vehicle’s performance

If you don’t feel like getting your hands dirty, you can always take your car to a mechanic to get your oil change done by a professional. Otherwise, it’s pretty easy to do it yourself at home, and much cheaper.

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Changing your oil yourself isn’t just for grease monkeys– it’s pretty easy to do at home, similar to changing your coolant or power steering fluid.

To change your oil, you’ll need a few materials. Grab a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench that can remove your old oil filter. Don’t forget your replacement oil, and a new oil filter. You can get any of these items off the shelf at your local auto parts store.

The first step of your oil change is to get your car up to operating temperature. In normal temperatures, you should only have to run the engine for a few minutes to get it up to speed. Once you’re there, turn your engine off, pop the hood, and follow these steps:

Remove the oil fill cap

Get underneath the engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer, allowing the old oil to drain into the drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and continue to let the oil drain

Install the new filter

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with your new oil and replace the cap

And voila! You’ve changed your oil. Check for leaks by running your engine once you’ve finished up. If your oil pressure light turns off, that’s a sign that you’ve done an oil change successfully!

Finally, don’t just leave the old oil lying on your garage floor—make sure you clean it up. Gather the oil into a container and bring it to a recycling depot.

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Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Just like with your engine oil, you can perform maintenance on your

car insurance

policy at home. With

Jerry

, it only takes a few minutes!

In two minutes or less, Jerry can get you a quote for the same coverage, but much cheaper. Jerry compares quotes from 50+ top insurance companies to get you the best bang for your buck. And it’s free! Just download the app, answer a few questions, and get a free, customized quote that could save you $800+ per year on car insurance.