--- title: "2012-2015 Honda Civic Oil Type: 0W-20, 3.9 qt" description: "The 2012-2015 Honda Civic takes 0W-20 engine oil, 3.9 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter Honda 15400-PLM-A02 (spin-on). Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/oil" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2015 Honda Civic Oil Type and Capacity The 2012-2015 Honda Civic takes 0W-20 engine oil, 3.9 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter Honda 15400-PLM-A02 (spin-on). Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents. **Quick answer**: The 2012-2015 Honda Civic (1.8L 4-cylinder (R18Z1)) takes 0W-20 engine oil, 3.9 quarts with a filter change (OEM filter Honda 15400-PLM-A02 (spin-on)). Other engines differ; see the tables below. ## 2012-2015 Honda Civic 1.8L 4-cylinder (R18Z1) oil (Verified) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 0W-20 | | Oil standard | API SN / ILSAC GF-5 (later API grades acceptable) | | Capacity (with filter) | 3.9 qt / 3.7 L | | Synthetic required | No (synthetic recommended) | | OEM filter | Honda 15400-PLM-A02 (spin-on) | | Aftermarket filters | Fram XG7317 (Ultra), Fram TG7317, Wix 57356 / 57356XP | | Change interval | Per Maintenance Minder (oil life %); typically 7,500-10,000 mi with synthetic. 12 months max. | | Drain plug torque | 29 ft-lbs | Note: Honda does not mandate full synthetic, but virtually all 0W-20 sold is synthetic. 3.9 qt is the with-filter capacity. Check the dipstick, the R18 is easy to overfill. ## 2012-2015 Honda Civic 2.4L 4-cylinder (K24Z7, Civic Si) oil (High confidence) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 0W-20 | | Oil standard | API SN / ILSAC GF-5 | | Capacity (with filter) | 4.2 qt / 4 L | | Synthetic required | No (synthetic recommended) | | OEM filter | Honda 15400-PLM-A02 (spin-on) | | Aftermarket filters | Fram XG7317 (Ultra), Wix 57356XP | | Change interval | Per Maintenance Minder; typically 5,000-7,500 mi driven hard. 12 months max. | | Drain plug torque | 29 ft-lbs | Note: Aftermarket guides quote 4.2-4.4 qt with filter; fill to 4.2 and verify on the dipstick. ## Which Honda Civic model years does this cover? These oil 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 oil: common questions ### How many quarts of oil does a 2012-2015 Honda Civic take? It depends on the engine. The 1.8L 4-cylinder (R18Z1) takes 3.9 quarts; The 2.4L 4-cylinder (K24Z7, Civic Si) takes 4.2 quarts, all figures include a new filter. ### What kind of oil does a 2012-2015 Honda Civic take? 0W-20 meeting API SN / ILSAC GF-5 (later API grades acceptable). Other engines in this vehicle may differ; see the table above. ### Can you use a different viscosity in a 2012-2015 Honda Civic? The factory specification is 0W-20 and no alternate grade is listed for this engine. Modern variable-valve-timing hardware is sized around the specified viscosity, so substituting a thicker oil is not a free choice. ### How often does a 2012-2015 Honda Civic need an oil change? Per Maintenance Minder (oil life %); typically 7,500-10,000 mi with synthetic. 12 months max.. Short trips, towing, extended idling, and dusty or very cold conditions all put the vehicle on the severe-service side of that interval. ### What oil filter does a 2012-2015 Honda Civic take? The OEM filter is Honda 15400-PLM-A02 (spin-on). Common equivalents: Fram XG7317 (Ultra), Fram TG7317, Wix 57356 / 57356XP. Torque the drain plug to 29 lb-ft. An overtightened plug strips an aluminium pan. ## 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 oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2022-2025/oil) - [2016-2021 Honda Civic oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/oil) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/oil). ## More for the 2012-2015 Honda Civic - [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) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/fluids) - [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.