---
title: "2016-2021 Honda Civic Transmission Fluid & Coolant"
description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2016-2021 Honda Civic takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: CVT: Honda HCF-2 only (NOT ATF DW-1). Owner's manual drain & fill is ~3.6 qt; change per sub-code 3 or every 25,000-50,000 mi for longevity. 6MT (2.0L, Si, Type R): Honda Genuine MTF, ~1.6-1.9 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/2016-2021/fluids"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 2016-2021 Honda Civic Fluid Types and Capacities

Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2016-2021 Honda Civic takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: CVT: Honda HCF-2 only (NOT ATF DW-1). Owner's manual drain & fill is ~3.6 qt; change per sub-code 3 or every 25,000-50,000 mi for longevity. 6MT (2.0L, Si, Type R): Honda Genuine MTF, ~1.6-1.9 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..

## 2016-2021 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 | CVT: Honda HCF-2 only (NOT ATF DW-1). Owner's manual drain & fill is ~3.6 qt; change per sub-code 3 or every 25,000-50,000 mi for longevity. 6MT (2.0L, Si, Type R): Honda Genuine MTF, ~1.6-1.9 qt. |
| Brake fluid | DOT 3 brake fluid; replace every 3 years (Maintenance Minder sub-code 7) |
| 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 2016 through 2021, the 10th generation (FC/FK), compact sedan, coupe, and hatchback. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years.

- [2016 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016)
- [2017 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2017)
- [2018 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2018)
- [2019 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2019)
- [2020 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2020)
- [2021 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2021)

## What changed during the 2016-2021 Honda Civic

| Years | What changed |
| --- | --- |
| 2016 | Generation launch (sedan/coupe, 2.0L and 1.5T). Two recalls hit the first year: piston pin snap rings (16V-074) and the electric parking brake software (16V-725). |
| 2017 | Hatchback, Si (205 hp), and Type R (306 hp) join the lineup |
| 2019 | Facelift: revised fascias, standard Honda Sensing, volume knob returns, new Sport sedan/coupe trim |
| 2021 | Final year; sedan/hatch only (coupe dropped after 2020, no 2021 Si) |

## 2016-2021 Honda Civic fluids: common questions

### What transmission fluid does a 2016-2021 Honda Civic take?

CVT: Honda HCF-2 only (NOT ATF DW-1). Owner's manual drain & fill is ~3.6 qt; change per sub-code 3 or every 25,000-50,000 mi for longevity. 6MT (2.0L, Si, Type R): Honda Genuine MTF, ~1.6-1.9 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 2016-2021 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 2016-2021 Honda Civic take?

DOT 3 brake fluid; replace every 3 years (Maintenance Minder sub-code 7).

## Sources

- [Motivx Tools, 2016-2018 Civic oil change guide (capacities by engine)](https://www.motivxtools.com/pages/2016-2017-2018-honda-civic-oil-change-guide)
- [AMSOIL product application guide, 2017 Civic 1.5L L15B7](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2017/honda/civic/1-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-l15b7-8-turbo/)
- [Honda parts, 17220-5AA-A00 (1.5T) and 17220-5BA-A00 (2.0L) air filters](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-air-filter-172205aaa00)
- [Honda parts, 12290-59B-003 spark plug (NGK ILZKAR8H8S), 2016-2021 Civic 1.5T](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-spark-plug-1229059b003)
- [Honda parts, 15400-PLM-A02 oil filter](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-oil-filter-15400plma02)
- [NHTSA recall 20V-314, Denso fuel pump (Part 573 report)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20V314-4001.PDF)
- [NHTSA recall 23V-858, expanded fuel pump recall (Part 573 report)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V858-1287.PDF)
- [NHTSA, 2016 Civic piston pin snap ring recall 16V-074 / SB 16-017](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2016/RCMN-16V074-0449.pdf)
- [Honda TSB 19-091, AC condenser 10-year warranty extension (NHTSA copy)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163799-0001.pdf)
- [WardsAuto, Honda extends warranty for 1.5L oil dilution (Civic/CR-V)](https://www.wardsauto.com/news/archive-wards-honda-extends-warranty-to-address-1-5l-gas-oil-dilution-problem/793295/)
- [TirePressure.org, 2017 Honda Civic placard pressures by trim](https://tirepressure.org/honda/civic/2017)
- [fueleconomy.gov, 2017 Honda Civic EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2017_Honda_Civic.shtml)
- [CivicX forum, brake rotor/caliper dimensions by trim](https://www.civicx.com/forum/threads/brake-info-thread.62520/)
- [Interstate Batteries, 2017/2019 Civic Group 51R fitment](https://www.interstatebatteries.com/products/m-51r/2017-honda-civic-l415l-standard)

## Other Honda Civic generations

- [2022-2025 Honda Civic fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2022-2025/fluids)
- [2012-2015 Honda Civic fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/fluids)

Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/fluids).

## More for the 2016-2021 Honda Civic

- [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/oil)
- [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/battery)
- [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/tires)
- [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/wipers)
- [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/filters)
- [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/bulbs)
- [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/brakes)
- [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/service-schedule)
- [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/common-problems)
- [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/oil-reset)
- [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/key-fob-battery)
- [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/specs)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.