1988 Honda Civic Oil Type & Capacity: 10W-30 (3.7 quarts)
The 1988 Honda Civic takes 10W-30 motor oil — 3.7 quarts with a filter change, per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
10W-30 — 3.7 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 2D Hatchback | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, 1.5 EE2, 4WD | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, 1.5 EE2, FWD, Automatic | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, 1.5 EE2, FWD, Standard | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, 1.6 EE4 | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| CRX DX, Automatic | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| CRX DX, Standard | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| CRX HF | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| CRX Si | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| DX, 2D Hatchback, Automatic | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| DX, 2D Hatchback, Standard | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| DX, 4D Sedan, Automatic | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| DX, 4D Sedan, Standard | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, Automatic | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, Standard | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Wagovan, Automatic | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Wagovan, Standard | SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.70 QTS. | — | — |
Complete Oil Change Bundle for 1988 Honda Civic
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More factory specs & repair guides for your Civic
🛞 1988 Honda Civic Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1988 Honda Civic Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1988 Honda Civic Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1988 Honda Civic Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
4.4 quarts (4.16 L) — 50/50 mixture of Genuine HONDA Antifreeze/Coolant and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1988 Honda Civic take?
The 1988 Honda Civic takes 10W-30 motor oil (SAE 10W-30/40 (Preferred), (-20Deg.F to Above 102Deg.F), 20W-40 (-5Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 30 (15Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F)), per the factory service manual.
What is the oil capacity of a 1988 Honda Civic?
The 1988 Honda Civic oil capacity is 3.7 quarts with a filter change.
How often should I change the oil in my 1988 Honda Civic?
Most 1988 Honda Civic owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Honda recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1988 Honda Civic?
Yes. 10W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1988 Honda Civic. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.