How to Change Oil and Oil Filter on Honda Civic – 5th Generation to Present (1992–2025+)
Detailed nuances + mini-instruction for every single generation
5th Generation (1992–1995) – EG/EH/EJ chassis
Engines: D15B, D16Z6, B16A
Oil: 5W-30 / 10W-30
Capacity with filter: 3.7 US qt / 3.5 litres
Filter: 15400-PLM-A01 or A02 (spin-on)
Filter location: front-right of the block, visible from above and below – easiest Civic ever made.
Mini-instruction:
1. No undertray at all → drive straight onto ramps.
2. Filter unscrews by hand 99 % of the time.
3. Drain plug faces rearward.
4. Fill from the top – valve cover has huge opening.
5. No oil life monitor → just change every 5,000–7,500 miles / 8,000–12,000 km.
6th Generation (1996–2000) – EK/EM/EJ, EK9 Type R
Engines: D16Y7/Y8, B16A2/B18C
Oil: 5W-30 (synthetic recommended for VTEC)
Capacity with filter: 3.8 US qt / 3.6 litres (D-series) | 4.2 US qt / 4.0 litres (B-series)
Filter: 15400-PLM-A02 (spin-on)
Filter location: front of block, slightly lower than 5th gen. On EK9 Type R there is a small heat shield – remove one 10 mm bolt first.
Mini-instruction:
1. Thin plastic undertray on some EX models – 6 plastic clips only.
2. Hot header is very close – use gloves or wait 15 min after driving.
3. B-series swapped cars use the same filter location as stock B16/B18.
4. Oil cap is on the passenger-side end of the valve cover – easy funnel access.
7th Generation (2001–2005) – EM2/ES/EP3
Engines: D17A, K20A3 (Si), K20A2 (EP3 Type R)
Oil: 5W-20 (2001–2003) → 0W-20 (2004–2005)
Capacity with filter: 4.4 US qt / 4.2 litres (D17 & K20A3) | 4.8 US qt / 4.5 litres (EP3 Type R)
Filter: 15400-PLM-A02 (spin-on)
Filter location: moved to the BACK of the engine (firewall side). Reach from underneath or remove passenger-side plastic cowl on EP3.
Mini-instruction:
1. Full plastic undertray – 6 × 10 mm bolts + clips.
2. Filter is almost vertical – oil runs down your arm → have rags ready.
3. First oil life monitor appears (2001+) → reset by holding trip button with key ON.
4. K20 EP3 Type R has oil cooler adapter – filter screws into the cooler, not the block.
8th Generation (2006–2011) – FD/FA/FG/FN/FK
Engines: R18A, K20Z3/Z4, L13A i-DSI
Oil: Honda Genuine 0W-20 only
Capacity with filter: 4.4 US qt / 4.2 litres (R18) | 4.6 US qt / 4.4 litres (K20 Si/Type R)
Filter: 15400-PLM-A02 (spin-on)
Filter location: front-left side of block (driver side on LHD) – very easy again.
Mini-instruction:
1. Large plastic undertray with service flap for drain plug.
2. Si & Type R have factory oil cooler adapter – filter screws into the adapter plate.
3. Reset oil life: turn key ON → press Select/Reset knob until oil life shows → hold 10 sec.
4. Drain plug is recessed – use a long 17 mm socket or wrench.
9th Generation (2012–2015) – FB/FG/FK
Engines: R18Z, K24Z7 (Si)
Oil: 0W-20 full synthetic (mandatory)
Capacity with filter: 4.4 US qt / 4.2 litres (all models)
Filter: 15400-PLM-A02 (still spin-on)
Filter location: front-right of block again – super accessible.
Mini-instruction:
1. Undertray has a square access door (two push clips) → no need to remove entire shield.
2. Drain plug and filter are perfectly aligned – fastest generation to service.
3. Oil life reset same as 8th gen.
10th Generation (2016–2021) – FC/FK, Type R FK8
Engines: L15B7 1.5T, LEB/LFA hybrid, K20C1 Type R
Oil: 0W-20 only
Capacity with filter:
- 1.5T & hybrid: 3.7 US qt / 3.5 litres
- 2.0L naturally aspirated (some markets): 4.2 US qt / 4.0 litres
- Type R FK8: 5.7 US qt / 5.4 litres
Filter: 15400-PFB-014 → CARTRIDGE (huge change!)
Filter location: rear of block, horizontal black plastic housing, passenger side.
Mini-instruction:
1. Remove large plastic undertray (10 × 10 mm bolts + clips).
2. Use 24 mm socket (2016–2018) or 27 mm (2019–2021) on the housing cap.
3. Replace ALL three small O-rings every time (cheap and prevents leaks).
4. Torque cap exactly 25 Nm / 18 ft-lb.
5. Type R has aluminum oil pan – do NOT overtighten drain plug → 40 Nm max.
11th & 12th Generation (2022–2025+) – FE/FL
Engines: L15C 1.5T, LFC 2.0 e:HEV hybrid
Oil: 0W-20 (2022–2023) → 0W-16 (2024+)
Capacity with filter: 4.0 US qt / 3.8 litres (1.5T) | 4.2 US qt / 4.0 litres (hybrid)
Filter: same 15400-PFB-014 cartridge
Filter location: identical to 10th gen – rear horizontal housing.
Mini-instruction:
1. Undertray has a huge removable service panel – easiest access since 9th gen.
2. Cap is now always 27 mm socket.
3. Hybrid models have the exact same cartridge layout – no difference.
4. Touchscreen reset: Settings → Vehicle → Maintenance → select Oil Life → Reset.
Do it right once per generation and you’ll never pay a dealer again.
