--- title: "Honda Civic Transmission Fluid & Coolant" description: "How the Honda Civic fluids specification changed from 2012 to 2025, compared generation by generation. Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the Honda Civic takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: CVT (2.0L/1.5T): Honda HCF-2 only, ~3.6 qt drain & fill per sub-code 3. 6MT (Si, Type R, hatch manuals): Honda Genuine MTF. Hybrid e:CVT has no belt. Its fluid service follows the Maintenance Minder.. Coolant: Honda Long Life Blue Type 2 coolant (pre-mixed); hybrid has separate engine and power-unit cooling loops. First change ~10 years/100k mi, then every 5 years.." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/fluids" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # Honda Civic Fluid Types and Capacities The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Honda Civic fluids specification changed by year? | Model years | Transmission | Coolant | Brake | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [2022-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2022-2025/fluids) | CVT (2.0L/1.5T): Honda HCF-2 only, ~3.6 qt drain & fill per sub-code 3. 6MT (Si, Type R, hatch manuals): Honda Genuine MTF. Hybrid e:CVT has no belt. Its fluid service follows the Maintenance Minder. | Honda Long Life Blue Type 2 coolant (pre-mixed); hybrid has separate engine and power-unit cooling loops. First change ~10 years/100k mi, then every 5 years. | DOT 3 brake fluid; replace every 3 years (sub-code 7) | | [2016-2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/fluids) | 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. | Honda Long Life Blue Type 2 coolant (pre-mixed). First change ~10 years/100k mi (Maintenance Minder sub-code 5), then every 5 years. | DOT 3 brake fluid; replace every 3 years (Maintenance Minder sub-code 7) | | [2012-2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/fluids) | 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. | Honda Long Life Blue Type 2 coolant (pre-mixed). First change ~10 years/100k mi (Maintenance Minder sub-code 5), then every 5 years. | DOT 3 brake fluid; Honda recommends replacement every 3 years regardless of mileage | ## Full specifications by generation The fluids on a Honda Civic is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [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) - [2012-2015 Honda Civic Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/fluids) ## Honda Civic fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a Honda Civic take? CVT (2.0L/1.5T): Honda HCF-2 only, ~3.6 qt drain & fill per sub-code 3. 6MT (Si, Type R, hatch manuals): Honda Genuine MTF. Hybrid e:CVT has no belt. Its fluid service follows the Maintenance Minder.. 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 Honda Civic use? Honda Long Life Blue Type 2 coolant (pre-mixed); hybrid has separate engine and power-unit cooling loops. First change ~10 years/100k mi, then every 5 years.. ### What brake fluid does a Honda Civic take? DOT 3 brake fluid; replace every 3 years (sub-code 7). ## Sources - [Honda techinfo, 2025 Civic Sedan Hybrid owner's manual specifications (oil 0W-20, 4.2 qt with filter)](https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/AH/AT542525IOM/enu/details/131266047-16992.html) - [AMSOIL product application guide, 2025 Civic Type R 2.0L K20C1 (5.7 qt with filter)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2025/honda/civic/2-0l-4-cyl-engine-code-k20c1-2-turbo/) - [NHTSA recall 24V-744, steering gearbox worm wheel ('sticky steering')](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V744-4093.PDF) - [Honda News, American Honda recalls ~1.7M vehicles to repair steering gearboxes](https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/american-honda-recalls-approximately-17-million-vehicles-to-repair-steering-gearboxes) - [Honda News, 2025 Civic Sedan specifications (fuel tank, curb weight)](https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/release-c28e8d1efb94e520fef21ff3f800cb30-2025-honda-civic-sedan-specifications-features) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2025 Honda Civic EPA ratings (incl. hybrid)](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2025_Honda_Civic.shtml) - [Honda parts, 76620-T20-A01 wiper blade, 2022-2025 Civic](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-wiper-blade-76620t20a01) - [Honda parts, 17220-5BA-A00 air filter (2016-2026, 2.0L non-turbo)](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-air-filter-172205baa00) - [TireSize.com, 2023 Honda Civic OE tire sizes by trim](https://tiresize.com/tires/Honda/Civic/2023/) - [Civic11 forum, Touring sedan door-placard pressures (33/32)](https://www.civic11forum.com/threads/psa-check-your-tire-pressure.802/) - [Honda techinfo, 2022 Civic Maintenance Minder usage](https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/AH/AT202222IOM/enu/details/131229047-12935.html) ## Find your exact Civic - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012) More Honda Civic guides: - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/brakes) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.