A Civic checks all the right boxes for the people who drive one: reliable handling, good gas mileage, a comfortable interior—the list goes on. If you’re planning to keep enjoying your own Honda Civic for years to come, it’s helpful to know its engine oil capacity.

To cut down on costs that can come with car maintenance, many drivers opt to save money by taking care of oil changes themselves. For the average car owner, once you know your oil capacity, what kind of oil you need, and the steps involved, changing your 2016 Honda Civic’s oil yourself is a pretty straightforward task.

For that reason,

Jerry

, the

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that helps you save on

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, is here to give you the rundown on what you need to know so you can do just that.

2016 Honda Civic engine oil capacity

Okay, first things first: how much engine oil does your 2016 Honda Civic need?

To find out, you’ll want to know your vehicle’s engine oil capacity.

What kind of engine your Honda Civic has, and as a result, what its engine oil capacity is like, will vary somewhat depending on your

trim level

. It’s likely going to be either a 1.5-liter engine or a 2.0-liter engine.

Don’t be fooled, though—these aren’t the liters that refer to your engine oil capacity! They actually refer to your engine displacement, which is the collective volume of your engine’s cylinders.

Here’s how much oil you’ll actually need: 1.5L engines will require 3.7 quarts of oil or 3.5 liters, while 2.0L engines will require 4.4 quarts or 4.2 liters.

If you’re unsure what type of engine you’re working with, you can always double-check the specifications found in your owner’s manual, your purchase or registration papers, or the information on the engine itself.

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What kind of oil does a 2016 Honda Civic need?

Just as important as how much engine oil your Honda Civic needs is what kind you should use. The right engine oil will keep your Civic running smoothly, but the wrong one could wreak all kinds of expensive havoc on your engine or other components.

The owner’s manual for a 2016 Honda Civic Sedan or Coupe recommends using premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil with an API certification seal on its container.

To break down what that means, the “0” refers to the oil's viscosity (thickness) when you start the engine, while the “20” refers to its viscosity at high temperatures. The “W” means that it’s been certified for winter conditions. “Detergent oil” means there are certain additives that reduce factors like sludge buildup to extend oil life.

Your owner’s manual also recommends Genuine Honda Motor Oil as a first pick, but you can also use a comparable commercial brand as long as it has the same specifications.

It’s also fine to use synthetic oil in your vehicle, as long as it has an API certification seal and the necessary viscosity.

Extra additives are not necessary for your vehicle, and the wrong kind could end up causing damage to your vehicle, so it’s probably better to avoid them.

What type of engine oil you pick is ultimately up to you, so here is the recommended oil from the owner's manual:

Honda’s top pick: If you prefer to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to a tee, opt for

Genuine Honda Motor Oil

MORE: How to do summer car maintenance

How often to change oil on a 2016 Honda Civic

For a 2016 Honda Civic, it’s recommended you

change your oil

about every 7,500 miles. However, you might need to change your oil more or less often than that, depending on how often you’re driving and how much work your engine has to put in during those driving conditions.

If you’re using synthetic oil, it’s possible you might be able to go even longer without needing an

oil change

Of course, changing your engine oil a little sooner than you might’ve needed to is better than changing it too late. Regardless of how many miles you’re putting on your car, Honda recommends having it changed at least twice annually.

To help you gauge how your engine oil is doing, be sure to check your oil level regularly. About once a month or so is a solid benchmark.

If you notice any of these signs, your Honda Civic might be overdue for an oil change:

Strange new

engine noises

Burning or oil scents coming from engine

Noticeable change in vehicle performance

Very low engine oil levels

Engine oil has taken on a darker color or grainy texture

Engine oil change indicator light has illuminated (and not just based on miles)

Check engine light has come on

MORE:

What you should know about the Honda Civic battery draining problem

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that you know what kind of engine oil your 2016 Honda Civic needs, how much, and how often to change it, it’s time to get to it!

Before you get started, here are a few items you’ll need:

Socket wrench

Philips head screwdriver

Filter wrench (specifically designed to remove old oil filters)

New washer for the drain bolt

Replacement filter

Fresh oil

Drain pan

Rubber gloves

Clean-up towel(s)

Once you’ve gathered everything you need, let your engine run for a few minutes until it reaches its normal operating temperature, then turn it off again. Once you’ve done that, you can lift up your hood and get your oil change underway:

Remove the engine oil fill cap

Underneath your vehicle, unscrew the Philips screws on your undercarriage’s protective cover

Locate and remove the drain bolt and washer, allowing the old engine oil to empty into the drain pan

Remove the old engine oil filter (detaching the gasket if it’s still stuck on the engine)

Wipe away any dirt and grime around the oil filter’s contact surface

Lightly lubricate your new oil filter’s gasket with engine oil if needed

Install new oil filter

Replace the old drain bolt using a new washer. Tighten it to 30 lb-ft

Refill the engine with new oil

Replace the engine oil fill cap

Once that’s taken care of, restart your engine and let it run for a few minutes to verify that nothing is leaking. You might want to delay replacing your undercarriage cover until after this step for this reason. If your

check engine

and

oil pressure lights

were illuminated before and are now off, those are good signs!

Finally, turn off your car and check your engine oil level with your dipstick, adding a little more oil if you need to.

Because it’s a hazardous material, don’t just dispose of your old engine oil anywhere when you’re done! Different cities have certain dropoff locations at recycling centers for old motor oil, as do certain car repair shops.

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.

Key Takeaway It’s pretty easy to change your oil yourself, but remember that old engine oil is a hazardous material. Do some quick research to figure out where you can safely drop your old oil off.

MORE:

9 questions to ask when comparing car insurance quotes

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Taking care of an oil change yourself can be so satisfying—and if you keep staying on top of your Honda Civic’s routine maintenance, your car will definitely pay you back in the long run.

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