How to Change The Oil in a 2001 Honda Civic So you've decided to change the oil by yourself. No more Mr. Mechanic nickel and dimeing you for odds and ends like air filters, nitrogen in your tires, and oil cleaning what-nots. You are now the master of your own car. But wait, you never held a wrench in your hands before. This guide will teach you how to change the oil in your Honda beater.
Tools and Equipment Here is the list of tools you'll need to change your oil: •
17mm Wrench
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Oil wrench or straps
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Jack
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Jack stands
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Oil drain pan
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Funnel
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Rag
These tools are absolutely necessary to have in order to do your oil. Hopefully, you have these tools already stored away in a toolbag or toolbox. If you don't have these tools, I'd suggest you hightail it to your local part store and get them now before continuing. Having a few other items will also make your job of changing the oil easier •
Flashlight
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Soap
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Cardboard
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Socket Wrench and sockets
Now these tools and equipment aren't completely necessary to change your oil however it will make your life easier. Now the most important part to changing your oil is actually having the oil and oil filter. Honda usually takes 5w30 oil. For a 2001 Civic I would get 5w30 High Mileage oil. If you could care less about your beater then regular 5w30 will be fine. Be sure to get the oil in the 5 quart bottles. While the Honda will take around 4.3-4.5 quarts having extra left over will be useful if your engine loses oil. In order to get the right filter you have to march down to an auto parts store and then asking the parts clerk for their oil filters. Once you get the needed part number for the filter grab it.
Changing the Oil This part of the section will require careful reading and being sure of yourself.
Jacking the Car up 1. Drive the Honda to flat ground preferably over concrete or asphalt. That way the ground will be able to hold up the car without the car shifting or sinking. DANGER: ALWAYS HAVE JACK STANDS. DO NOT TRUST THE JACK ITSELF 2. Take your jack and start lifting the car on the lower control arm or the pinch rail. In the Honda, the only visible point for the pinch rail is the lift point. Both places will safely lift the car. Once the car has been lifted, place your jack stand at either location opposite of the jack. Remove the jack and do it again on the other side but leave the jack it place.
3. Once you got both sides, give the car a good shake, if it falls, you have successfully destroyed your undercarriage and you shouldn't ever touch tools again. If the car remains solid then you have successfully lifted your Honda and can now start removing the oil.
Draining the Oil 1. Have that piece of cardboard? Now is the time to break it out, lay that cardboard out underneath the car, and lay down on it. Have that flashlight? Turn it on and find the oil drain plug. If you want you can also take that time to look underneath your engine. Find the drain plug and get your wrench out, it's time to drain the oil.
2. Gently loosen the plug but don't unscrew it all the way. If the plug doesn't give or if its really tight, stop what you're doing, tighten it back up, and head to a part store to get a new drain plug. 3. Look for the oil filter. The oil filter should be above the oil drain pan. It's time to remove that sucker. Be sure to place your drain pan underneath the oil filter. 4. If possible try to remove the oil filter by hand. Most shops will only lightly tighten it, however there are some Gorillas that tighten all the way. If you find you can't remove it by hand get your oil wrench out and use that to remove it. Be sure to see if the rubber gasket is on the oil filter, if it's not feel around the oil filter screw and remove the gasket. 5. Get your new filter and oil out. Dip your finger in the oil and smear it over the rubber gasket on the oil filter. Go ahead and put that sucker on. Once it gets tight one and a half turns will firmly secure it. 6. Once your oil filter is on, go ahead and unscrew the plug all the way. There should be a torrent of oil from the drain. If the oil looks like a chocolate milk shake then your gaskets have given out and coolant has gotten into your oil. This is bad, after the oil change is done take it to a shop. 7. Wait for around for a bit until the oil is dripping out of the drain hole. I'd wait it it drips every 1 or 2 seconds.
Filling her up 1. Is all the oil out? Good it's time to fill her up. Go ahead and put the oil drain plug back in. Make sure it's tightly on there. 2. Get your oil and start to pour it in the engine. Give her 4 quarts of oil and tighten the oil cap. 3. Go ahead and start the car and let it run for a minute. 4. Take a look underneath the car, if you see a puddle of oil you failed at tightening the oil drain plug or the filter. Re tighten everything down and make sure they are on tight. 5. Take the oil pan out, for the love of God don't leave it under there.
Finishing up 1. Time to take the jacks out. Remember do this gently, you only have one car. 2. Take a look at your dip stick. It should be way below the safe level needed for your engine. Go ahead and pour oil in the engine checking the oil dip stick. As long as you don't put in the whole 5 quarts the engine should be fine. 3. That's it, you successfully changed the oil. 4. Time to clean up, make sure you clean any oils spills with dishwashing soap or something that has a degreaser in it. Be sure to put your tools back where they belong. 5. Dispose your used oil through an automotive shop.