So, what type of oil does the 2012 Honda Civic use?
SAE 0W-20, and you’ll use 3.9 liters when you fill up. But don’t just take our word for it. Double-check with your owner’s manual. There might be variations depending on your trim level and other options, so you want to make sure.
This answer leads to a few more questions, like what exactly does “SAE” mean, what does the W stand for, and is it beneficial for you to change your oil earlier? We’ll cover all of that below. Keep reading.
2012 Honda Civic: Reading Your Oil
SAE = Society of Automotive Engineers. This specifies that we use SAE measurements for your oil’s viscosity, not centipoises.
W = Winter. This specifies that the first half of the number measures your oil’s viscosity in cold conditions. The second half measures it when it’s hot. The higher the number, the thicker the oil.
To put the numbers in perspective, an SAE 20 would run at about 140-420 centipoises, or cps. SAE 40 runs between 650 and 900. Water flows at only 1 cps, honey at 10,000, and mustard at 70,000.
In other words, motor oil is quite thin compared to other substances. Peanut butter weighs in at a quarter million cps.
WD40 actually weighs in at 20 SAE. We don’t recommend using it instead of motor oil, but you can use SAE 0W-20 anywhere you’d use WD-40. In fact, Daisy recommends SAE 20 motor oil for lubricating the Red Ryder BB gun.
A Well-Oiled Machine
Keeping your Civic well-lubricated is the simplest path to the High Mileage Club. But what exactly does “well-lubricated” mean? Here are some tips:
- Consider using synthetic oil. With synthetic oil, you get fewer impurities, more consistent viscosity, and less frequent oil changes, between 7,500 and 10,000 miles instead of 3,500 to 5,000. Synthetic costs a bit more but can save you from costly repairs later.
- Check your oil once a month (or whenever you already have the hood open) to see if it’s dirty or needs topping up.
- Changing your oil early doesn’t necessarily extend your car’s lifespan, but it’s better than changing it late. And it’s not a bad idea to change it early if you’re about to take a long road trip.
It’s no exaggeration to say that keeping your vehicle well-oiled is the best thing you can do for it. Without proper oiling, you’ll have bare metal-on-metal friction that will wear out your parts much faster than if they were properly lubricated.