--- title: "2012-2015 Honda Civic Transmission Fluid & Coolant" description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2015 Honda Civic takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 5-speed automatic (2012-2013 and 2014-2015 Si-adjacent trims): Honda ATF DW-1, ~2.5-2.9 qt drain & fill. CVT (2014-2015 1.8L): Honda HCF-2 only. Do NOT use DW-1, ~3.6 qt drain & fill. 6MT (Si): Honda Genuine MTF, ~1.9 qt.. Coolant: Honda Long Life Blue Type 2 coolant (pre-mixed). First change ~10 years/100k mi (Maintenance Minder sub-code 5), then every 5 years.." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/fluids" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2015 Honda Civic Fluid Types and Capacities Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2015 Honda Civic takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 5-speed automatic (2012-2013 and 2014-2015 Si-adjacent trims): Honda ATF DW-1, ~2.5-2.9 qt drain & fill. CVT (2014-2015 1.8L): Honda HCF-2 only. Do NOT use DW-1, ~3.6 qt drain & fill. 6MT (Si): Honda Genuine MTF, ~1.9 qt.. Coolant: Honda Long Life Blue Type 2 coolant (pre-mixed). First change ~10 years/100k mi (Maintenance Minder sub-code 5), then every 5 years.. ## 2012-2015 Honda Civic fluid guide (High confidence) | System | Fluid type & capacity | | --- | --- | | Coolant | Honda Long Life Blue Type 2 coolant (pre-mixed). First change ~10 years/100k mi (Maintenance Minder sub-code 5), then every 5 years. | | Transmission | 5-speed automatic (2012-2013 and 2014-2015 Si-adjacent trims): Honda ATF DW-1, ~2.5-2.9 qt drain & fill. CVT (2014-2015 1.8L): Honda HCF-2 only. Do NOT use DW-1, ~3.6 qt drain & fill. 6MT (Si): Honda Genuine MTF, ~1.9 qt. | | Brake fluid | DOT 3 brake fluid; Honda recommends replacement every 3 years regardless of mileage | | Power steering | None (electric power steering) | Note: Plain washer fluid; no special spec ## Which Honda Civic model years does this cover? These fluids specifications apply to every Honda Civic built from 2012 through 2015, the 9th generation (FB/FG), compact sedan and coupe. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012) - [2013 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2013) - [2014 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2014) - [2015 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2015) ## What changed during the 2012-2015 Honda Civic | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Generation launch. A hybrid (1.5L IMA) and a natural-gas 1.8L were also sold 2012-2015 in small numbers, not covered in detail here. | | 2013 | Emergency refresh after poor reviews: new fascias, upgraded interior, standard rearview camera | | 2014 | CVT replaces the 5-speed automatic on 1.8L models; Touring-like EX-L Navi tops the range; Si gains 5 hp (205) | ## 2012-2015 Honda Civic fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a 2012-2015 Honda Civic take? 5-speed automatic (2012-2013 and 2014-2015 Si-adjacent trims): Honda ATF DW-1, ~2.5-2.9 qt drain & fill. CVT (2014-2015 1.8L): Honda HCF-2 only. Do NOT use DW-1, ~3.6 qt drain & fill. 6MT (Si): Honda Genuine MTF, ~1.9 qt.. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure. ### What coolant does a 2012-2015 Honda Civic use? Honda Long Life Blue Type 2 coolant (pre-mixed). First change ~10 years/100k mi (Maintenance Minder sub-code 5), then every 5 years.. ### What brake fluid does a 2012-2015 Honda Civic take? DOT 3 brake fluid; Honda recommends replacement every 3 years regardless of mileage. ## Sources - [AMSOIL product application guide, 2012 Civic 1.8L R18Z1 (oil capacity/viscosity)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2012/honda/civic/1-8l-4-cyl-engine-code-r18z1-6/) - [AMSOIL product application guide, 2014 Civic 2.4L K24Z7](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2014/honda/civic/2-4l-4-cyl-engine-code-k24z7-7/) - [Honda parts, 17220-R1A-A01 engine air filter, 2012-2015 Civic](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-engine-air-filter-17220r1aa01) - [Honda parts, 12290-R1A-A01 / 12290-R1Z-A01 spark plugs](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-spark-plug-12290r1za01) - [TirePressure.org, 2013 Honda Civic placard pressures by trim](https://tirepressure.org/honda/civic/2013) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 Honda Civic EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2013_Honda_Civic.shtml) - [Honda News, 2013 Civic Sedan specifications (fuel tank, curb weight)](https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-152f07edcfbf4ebeadde2b4f7ab8c01e-2013-honda-civic-sedan-specifications) - [AutoZone, 2013 Civic headlight bulb fitment (9006 low / 9005 high)](https://www.autozone.com/collision-body-parts-and-hardware/headlight/honda/civic/2013) - [9thGenCivic forum, ATF DW-1 drain & fill volume; Si spark plug spec](https://www.9thgencivic.com/threads/automatic-transmission-fluid-change.116481/) ## Other Honda Civic generations - [2022-2025 Honda Civic fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2022-2025/fluids) - [2016-2021 Honda Civic fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/fluids) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/fluids). ## More for the 2012-2015 Honda Civic - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/brakes) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.