When to change oil honda civic

Honda is the number two Japanese auto manufacturers in the United States, selling 1,445,894 cars last year alone. If you are a proud owner of one of those new Hondas, you may be wondering, how often do I need an oil change? You already know that an oil change is vital to keep your car running smooth. You just aren’t sure how often you need one. Or worse, what happens if you decide to skip getting one.

Not to fear! We are here to help you learn everything you need to know about maintaining your Honda.

How Often Do I Need an Oil Change?

The best place to look for an answer to this question is to look at your owner’s manual. This will tell you Honda’s recommendation for your specific model. If you have a newer car, then the old advice of every 3,000 miles is not accurate. For example, the owner’s manual for a Civic from 2016 states the oil needs changing every 7,500 miles or 12 months. Older Honda owners can still go by the old advice of changing your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles. This is especially important since your engine is older and therefore has more age, corrosion, and debris.

Change Your Oil More Often

Owning an older or high mileage vehicle isn’t the only reason to change your oil more often. If you put extra stress in your engine, then you should consider replacing your oil more often. Do you drive in very hot weather? Extreme temperatures affect the viscosity of your oil. This is how well it coats your engine components.

Another reason to change more often is if you make a lot of short trips. Think less than 5 miles for your trips. Starting and stopping a lot puts extra stress on your engine. If you tow a heavy trailer, you should take extra care of your engine. The additional weight and pull of the trailer add stress to your engine.

Letting your engine idle for long periods of time is a bad idea. It is not good for your engine, gas mileage, or the environment. If you end up idling for long periods of time you will also need to change your oil more often.

If any of these conditions apply to your driving, then you’ll probably need to change your oil closer to the 3,000-4,000 mark.

If you are unsure, look in your owner’s manual for “Severe conditions” driving maintenance. This will tell you what your model of Honda needs.

How Long Does It Take?

The answer to this depends on the method you choose for changing your oil. You can either do it yourself or take it to your local dealer.

DIY

If you change the oil in your car yourself, it can take a few hours. You need to head to your local auto parts store and buy oil and a new filter.

Then head home and wait for your engine and oil to cool. Once it is cool, put your car up on ramps and drain out the old oil. Be sure to catch it in a container for proper disposal later.

Put the plug back in the drain and change out the filter with the new one. Then pour in the new oil. Finish by taking your car off the ramps and let your car run for a few minutes to circulate the new oil.

Let the Pros Do It

If this sounds like too much work, you have the option of having the pros change your oil for you. All you need to do is make an appointment.

Show up at your appointment time and wait a quick thirty minutes. What’s even better is you can get other services done while you are there. Have your tires rotated and your brakes serviced too.

Honda Maintenance Minder

One of the biggest struggles owners have is to track when they need an oil change. It’s an easy mistake; you get caught up in life and changing your oil slips its way down the priority list.

This is where the maintenance minder comes in to save the day. When you get your oil changed the maintenance minder will start at 100%.

As you drive your vehicle, the percentage will gradually drop. Eventually, it will hit 0%. It is best to change your oil before it gets to zero.

What Happens When You Don’t Change Your Oil

Oil is the lubricant that protects the moving metal parts of your engine. As oil ages, it picks up debris and contaminants in your engine. This makes it less effective at lubricating.

You may also lose oil volume over time. Both of these things will cause your engine parts to come into contact. When this happens, your engine will run hotter.

Leave the old and dirty oil, and it will stop picking up debris and lubricating effectively. Eventually, your engine will overheat, and the components will warp.

You will have to replace your engine. This will easily cost you thousands of dollars.

Get Your Honda Oil Changed Today

By now, you should know the answer to the question, how often do I need an oil change? If you have a newer car, you can drive for a lot longer than those with older Hondas.

You also need to keep in mind the driving conditions and your driving style. If you put extra stress on your engine, you’ll want to change your oil more often.

If this all sounds stressful, relax, you bought a Honda. The maintenance minder has your back. Just check your oil’s status and change it when the life percentage starts to get low.

If you need help or have questions about your oil, we are happy to help! You can also schedule your Honda oil change today!

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