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Honda Accord: How to Change Your Oil

This step-by-step article will show you how to change the oil of your Honda Accord. Read on to learn how to do it yourself and save money.

By James Karuga - February 19, 2015

This article applies to the Honda Accord (1990-2002).

Experts recommend an oil change after every 3,000 miles. Oil is the life blood that ensures the engine components work smoothly together. Engines generate lots of heat during combustion and the oil helps to keep things cool. Changing the oil also prevents buildup of carbon deposits. This is especially true in instances where oil hasn't been changed for a while. Keeping the oil fresh will ensure a long life for the engine components in your Honda Accord.

Materials Needed

  • Oil drain pan
  • Clean rags
  • Car jack or ramp
  • Wheel chocks
  • 4-17 mm wrench
  • New engine oil

Step 1 – Prepare the Honda Accord for the oil change

Turn on your car to warm up the engine. This is vital because warm oil drains out more easily than cold oil. Run the engine for around ten minutes and shut it off. Put the car in park and engage the parking brake. As a safety precaution, put wheel chocks—or something similarly large and heavy—behind the rear wheels to avoid accidental motion.

Figure 1. The drain bolt on the oil pan should be labled as such.

Pro Tip

Raise the car a bit to the front with a jack or a ramp because the oil drain plug is under the car. This way it is easier to work under the car.

(Related Article: How to Jack Up Your Car - Honda-Tech.com)

Step 2 – Drain the oil

The oil drain plug is located directly beneath the engine (facing the rear of the car) on the driver's side. Place the oil drain pan (6 to 10 liters) under the plug. When the pan and the plug are cool, use the 17 mm wrench to unscrew the oil drain plug bolt in a counterclockwise motion. Remove the oil plug by hand once it is loose. Once the plug is removed, the oil will drain out within 10 to 15 minutes.

  • Figure 2. Drain the old oil.
  • Figure 3. Old oil in oil pan.

Pro Tip

Old oil with metal particles is an indication of metal rubbing against metal. This normally precedes massive engine failure caused by failing internal engine components. Take the car into a mechanic as soon as possible.

Step 3 – Check conditions of oil drain plug bolts and washers

Before re-installing the oil plug bolts check its condition. Bolts with rounded off edges should be replaced. The crush washer will also have to be replaced since it's a one-time use item. Luckily, they're really inexpensive.

Wipe the area on the oil pan that comes in contact with the washers. A clean, snug fit is critical to prevent oil leaks.

Once the bolts and washers are clean, put them back in place and tighten the oil drain plug. Tighten them by hand until snug, and then secure them with a wrench (torque 30 ft-lbs); that's enough force to "crush" the crush washer. Do not over tighten or removing the bolt will be difficult later on.

Figure 4. Drain plug washers.

Step 4 – Fill the engine with new oil

Double check the owner's manual for the correct grade of engine oil. Once the oil drain plug is closed, fill the Accord with 4-liters of synthetic, 10W-30 motor oil. Most Honda Accord owners recommend using Mobil engine oil as it increases fuel economy.

Figure 5. Use 4-liters of 10W-30 synthetic oil.

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