How to Check the Oil in a Honda Civic

by Jennifer Habersham

To keep your Honda Civic running smoothly and efficiently, regular car maintenance is a must. One of the simplest and cheapest things that you can do to keep your Honda Civic running smoothly for years, is to check your oil on a regular basis. Failing to check your oil can lead to dirty buildup and too little oil in your vehicle. If your oil levels are left too low for too long, this can cause irreparable damage to your Honda Civic's engine. Thanks to the brightly-colored dipstick handle in the Honda Civic's engine, beginning the process is effortless.

Step 1

Park your car on a flat surface. If your car is parked at an angle, you may have inaccurate results.

Step 2

Turn your car engine off. Pop the hood of your Honda Civic and latch it to the metal rod to prop it up.

Step 3

Pull the colored handle, located on the driver's side of the engine, completely out. This is the oil dipstick. The newer Honda Civics have orange handles. The older models may have different colored handles.

Step 4

Wipe the oil dipstick clean with your hand towel.

Step 5

Reinsert the dipstick, making sure to push it down as far as it will go. You shouldn't have to use any force.

Step 6

Remove the dipstick and read your oil level. The oil will adhere to the dipstick. Where it stops is how much oil you have in your tank. The dipstick will be labeled by quart level.

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