2013 Honda Civic Front Suspension Diagram

Honda Civic: General Information and Maintenance Schedule

Keeping up to date with the maintenance on your vehicle will reward you with reliable and efficient transportation.

This article applies to the Honda Civic (1996-2000).

Honda offers a maintenance schedule that serves as a good reference point for when you should have your vehicle serviced. Depending on the service needed, it can be done as a DIY. Other services may require you to take the vehicle into a dealer service center or a reputable auto shop. There are slightly different service recommendations for the conditions in which you drive your Honda Civic or Del Sol. Read on for more on maintenance schedule for normal driving and severe driving conditions.

Normal Driving Conditions

These are scheduled maintenance intervals for the majority of Honda owners. Folks who feel like they drive in extreme conditions should also check out the "severe duty" service schedule. Most owners, however, should fit the normal driving condition profile. Staying on top of scheduled maintenance is pretty easy in the Hondas from this era. They're not terribly complicated and their engine bays are fairly roomy for the size of their motor. Stay on top of maintenance and this car should stay alive well past 200,000 miles.

Regular Maintenance Items

Replace engine oil every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months (1 year)
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Inspect Supplemental Restraint System (air bag) 10 years after production
Visually inspect the following items every 15,000 miles, 42,000 km, or 12 months (1 year):

Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connection(s)

Scheduled Maintenance

15,000 MILES, 24,000 KM, OR 12 MONTHS (1 YEAR)

Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment

30,000 MILES, 48,000 KM, OR 24 MONTHS (2 YEARS)

Replace engine oil filter
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance at 30,000 miles (48,000 km) only
Replace spark plugs
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace transmission fluid (CVT)
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment

45,000 MILES, 72,000 KM, OR 36 MONTHS (3 YEARS)

Replace engine oil filter
Replace engine coolant
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment

60,000 MILES, 96,000 KM, OR 48 MONTHS (4 YEARS)

Replace engine oil filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace transmission fluid (CVT)
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment

75,000 MILES, 120,000 KM, OR 60 MONTHS (5 YEARS)

Replace engine oil filter
Replace engine coolant
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment

90,000 MILES, 144,000 KM, OR 72 MONTHS (6 YEARS)

Replace engine oil filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace transmission fluid (MT/AT/CVT)
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment

105,000 MILES, 168,000 KM, OR 84 MONTHS (7 YEARS)

Replace engine oil filter
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment

120,000 MILES, 192,000 KM, OR 96 MONTHS (8 YEARS)

Replace engine oil filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace transmission fluid (CVT)
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment

Severe Driving Conditions

Honda has few criteria for what they consider "severe driving conditions." Most regular drivers will encounter some of these conditions in the course of normal driving, but they should only consider this maintenance schedule if they endure them regularly. Likewise, anyone regularly driving their Honda Civic hard (racing, autocrossing, mountain driving) should adhere to this maintenance schedule as well.

Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezing temperatures, driving less than 10 (16 km) per trip
Driving in over 90°F (32°C) conditions
Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving
Driving with a car-top carrier, or driving in mountainous conditions
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads

Regular Maintenance Items

Replace engine oil and oil filter every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Inspect front and rear brakes every 7,5000 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Inspect Supplemental Restraint System 10 years after production
Visually inspect the following items every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months:

Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots

Visually inspect the following items every 15,000 miles, 42,000 km, or 12 months (1 year):

Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls
Vehicle underbody