2021 Honda Civic Oil Capacity, Filter, and Oil Change Guide

The 2021 Honda Civic takes either 4.4 quarts (4.2 liters) of oil for the 2.0L naturally aspirated engine or 3.7 quarts (3.5 liters) for the 1.5L turbocharged engine, both including a filter change. As an ASE-certified master technician, I see these 10th-generation Civics in the shop daily. They are incredibly reliable, but sticking to the correct oil specifications and service intervals is key to keeping them on the road for years to come.

Below is everything you need to know to perform an oil change on your 2021 Honda Civic, from fluid specs to filter cross-references.

Quick answer

• Oil Capacity (with filter): 4.4 quarts (2.0L engine) / 3.7 quarts (1.5L Turbo engine)
• Recommended Oil Weight: 0W-20
• Oil Specification: API SP / ILSAC GF-6A (Synthetic highly recommended)
• OEM Oil Filter Part Number: Honda 15400-PLM-A02 (or 15400-PLM-A01)
• Aftermarket Oil Filters: Fram XG7317 (Ultra Synthetic), WIX 51356, Mobil 1 M1-110A

Capacity by engine option

The 2021 Honda Civic was offered with two main engine options (excluding the Type R). Make sure you know which engine is under your hood before buying your oil.

Note: The Civic Type R (2.0L Turbo K20C1) requires 5.7 quarts of 0W-20 oil.

Oil change interval

Honda utilizes a Maintenance Minder system that monitors driving conditions to calculate your oil life. However, physical mileage guidelines still apply based on your driving habits.

• Normal Duty: Follow the Maintenance Minder system. Typically, this will alert you to change the oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first.
• Severe Duty: If you frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic, make short trips under 5 miles, drive in extreme temperatures, or idle extensively, you should change your oil every 5,000 miles or 6 months.

Drain plug torque

• Drain Plug Torque: 30 lb-ft (40 Nm)
• Crush Washer: Always replace the 14mm aluminum crush washer (OEM part # 94109-14000) every time you remove the drain plug to prevent slow leaks.

How to change the oil

1. Warm up the engine: Run the engine for a few minutes to get the oil warm (but not scalding hot) so it drains faster and suspends contaminants.
2. Lift the vehicle: Safely raise and support the front of the vehicle using ramps or jack stands.
3. Remove the splash shield: Depending on the trim, you may need to drop the aluminum lower engine splash shield to access the drain plug and filter. This uses a mix of Phillips screws and quick-release Dzus fasteners.
4. Drain the oil: Place a catch pan under the oil pan, remove the 17mm drain plug, and let the oil completely drain.
5. Replace the filter: Unscrew the old oil filter. Lubricate the rubber gasket on the new filter with a dab of fresh oil, and install it hand-tight (usually 3/4 of a turn past gasket contact).
6. Reinstall drain plug: Fit a new 14mm crush washer to the drain plug and torque it to 30 lb-ft.
7. Refill and check: Add the correct amount of 0W-20 oil for your engine. Start the engine, let it run for 30 seconds to fill the new filter, turn it off, wait 3 minutes, and check the dipstick to ensure the level is at the upper mark.
8. Reset the Maintenance Minder: Turn the ignition on, navigate to the maintenance screen on the gauge cluster, and hold the reset button until the oil life resets to 100%.

Common issues / tips

• 1.5L Turbo Oil Dilution: The 1.5L turbocharged L-series engine has a known tendency for fuel to slip past the piston rings and dilute the engine oil, especially in cold weather or during frequent short trips. If your oil smells strongly of gasoline or the level on the dipstick is rising over time, change the oil immediately. Severe duty intervals (5,000 miles) are highly recommended for the 1.5L engine to combat this issue.
• Splash Shield Fasteners: The quarter-turn flathead fasteners holding the metal undertray are notorious for rusting, sticking, or breaking. Treat them with a little anti-seize when reinstalling so your next oil change goes smoothly.
• Direct Injection: Both engines are direct-injected. Using an oil that meets API SP and ILSAC GF-6A specifications is vital to prevent Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) and to minimize carbon buildup on the intake valves.

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