How do you change oil on a 96 Honda accord?

Answer 1

Start the engine and let run for 3 minutes if the engine is cold. This will warm the oil and allow it to flow more easily. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake with transmission in park for A/T and 1st gear for Manual. Jack up the left front side of the car at the jack point, just enough so you can get under the car, and (place a jack stand under the car). Raise the hood and remove the oil fill cap. Crawl under the car and using a socket or boxed end wrench remove the oil drain plug, 17 mm may be the correct size, and drain all the oil into a catch pan. Take a break while all the oil drains out. Wipe the area and the drain plug clean. Remove the drain plug washer and replace it with a 14 mm fiber washer. Install the drain plug an tighten to 20 lb/ft of torque. Do not over-tighten. Honda lists 30 lb/ft as the correct torque but if you tighten it to 30 lb/ft this will distort the oil pan, and it will eventually leak. For this reason I recommend you replace the metal washer with a fiber washer and only tighten to 20 lb/ft. It will not leak and will not distort the pan. Now find the oil filter, place the catch pan under the filter, and remove it by hand or with a filter wrench if necessary. Wipe the mounting surface clean. Get the new filter and apply oil to the gasket. This is critical so do not forget this step. Install the filter and tighten it 3/4 turn after it makes contact with the mounting surface. Tighten in no more or no less. Remove the jack stand, lower the car, and pour in the correct amount and the correct weight oil. 4.5 quarts of 5w30 oil is more than likely correct. Check your owner's manual to be sure. Make sure you use a quality name brand oil of the correct weight. Also make sure you use a quality name brand filter. Purolator, & Wix are quality filters that I recommend. Avoid store brand oil & filters, as you have no way of knowing who manufactured them. You can then start the engine, look for leaks, an let run for 1 minute. Shut down wait 1 hour and check the oil level. You should have no leaks and the oil level should be correct. Now dispose of that used oil at a place that takes used oil. Almost any place that sells oil will take your used oil. Do not pour on the ground as use oil is very toxic and will contaminated ground water. For more info and photos, look at my blog. I will post a link. There you will find more info with photos, and other DIY repairs. check the archives at the bottom left.