From buying a new vehicle to getting the right replacement parts, car owners should know what engines are in their rides. If you're a Honda Civic owner, then you might be wondering how to find out what powerplant pushes your car along. Wonder no more because we've done the research for your reading pleasure.
If you want to know the exact model of your Civic's engine, then you need to find its engine number. To locate your engine number, you can:
- Inspect your engine block
- Check your car's documents
- Refer to your owner's manual
- Check with your Honda dealer
You may also try decoding your VIN to get the engine number.
Would you like to know more details about finding your engine number? Do read on, and we will also give you helpful tips on how you can use your engine number and your VIN to learn more about your Civic.
What Engine Is In My Honda Civic?
As of June 2022, Honda has already released 11 generations of the Honda Civic. In fact, the Civic is Honda's longest-running model in its automotive segment. Because of its long history, the Civic has also received several types of engines during its five decades of evolution.
The Civic's engine changes not only between generations but also between trims. For example, the Honda USA offers two different engines across four of the 2022 Civic trims. The lower-end trims get a naturally-aspirated 2-liter engine, while higher trims get a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine.
For some Honda experts and enthusiasts, identifying a Civic engine is as simple as popping the hood. However, for many Civic owners, it's not so simple. This is where the engine number comes in. Using the engine number, you can know a lot more about the engine.
Find The Engine Number On The Engine Block
All car manufacturers use numbers to identify the engines that they produce. The engine number contains the motor code, the year, and manufacture location, as well as the engine type.
What differs among manufacturers is the physical placement of the number on the engine itself. During production, Honda places these numbers on the engine block. Here's a video that can help you find it:
Check Your Car's Registration And Insurance
Your DMV registration certificate does not include your engine number. However, in some countries, vehicle registration bodies and insurance companies require the car's engine number before processing. If you imported your Civic, then you can check these documents.
Refer To Your Owner's Manual
Your Honda dealership may have written or stamped your Civic's engine number on your owner's manual. If not, you may also try to browse a Civic manual online for the engine specifications. You might find the information you are looking for even without the engine number.
Check With Your Honda Dealer
If you bought your Civic this year, then your car's specifications are still the current ones posted on the Honda website. However, if you bought your Civic several years ago, then you can ask your Honda dealership for a little help.
How Do I Read My Honda Engine Number?
If you already know your Civic's engine number, congratulations! The hardest part is over. Now we will provide you with a list of Civic engines from the past years so you can check which one matches yours. We also took the liberty of specifying the Civic generations.
Many of the Civic's engine numbers are very similar because they use the same engine platform and displacement. However, the additional numbers may indicate engine improvement or tuning differences depending on the manufacturing country.
First Generation
The first Honda Civic debuted in Japan in 1972 in sub-compact hatchback, fastback, and station wagon body types. It took six years for the Civic to enter the U.S. in 1978. Below are the engine displacements as well as the corresponding engine numbers of the first-generation Civic:
- 1,169 cc EB1
- 1,237 cc EB2
- 1,237 cc EE
- 1,335 cc EJ
- 1,488 cc EC
- 1,488 cc ED
Second Generation
The second-generation Civic came out in 1979. This Civic was bigger than its predecessor, and it came in two trims with 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter engines, respectively. Below are the engine displacements as well as the corresponding engine numbers of the second-generation Civic.
- 1,335 cc EN1/EN4
- 1,335 cc EJ
- 1,488 cc EM
Third Generation
The third-generation Civic came in 1983 and ushered in the famous high-performance "Si" trims. The first Civic Si had a 1.6-liter engine and put out 118 h.p. While this is by no means powerful by today's standards, the first Civic nonetheless competed well against other "hot hatch" rivals.
Below are the third-generation Civic's different engine numbers as well as engine displacement figures.
- 1,187 cc ZA1/ZA2
- 1,342 cc EV/EV1
- 1,488 cc EW1/EW2
- 1,488 cc EW3/EW4
- 1,488 cc EW5
- 1,590 cc ZC
Fourth Generation
The fourth-generation Civic brought with it Honda's first variable valve timing and electronic lift control technology (VTEC) engine. This 1.6-liter double overhead cam (DOHC) engine produced 160 hp at a high redline of 7,600 rpm.
Below are the different engine sizes and engine numbers of the fourth-generation Civic, which came out in 1987.
- 1.3-liter D13B
- 1.4-liter D14A
- 1.5-liter D15B1
- 1.5-liter D15B2
- 1.6-liter D16A6
- 1.6-liter ZC SOHC
- 1.6-liter D16A9
- 1.6-liter B16A
Fifth Generation
The Civic kept increasing its dimensions, and when the fifth generation came out in 1991, it entered the compact car category for the first time. The fifth-generation Civic continued its sporty tradition, and this car still remains popular among Honda enthusiasts today.
The fifth-generation Civic also gained tremendous racing popularity in pop culture as it appeared in the first The Fast & The Furious movie.
Below are the fifth generation's engine sizes and engine numbers.
- 1.3-liter D13B2
- 1.5-liter D15B7
- 1.5-liter D15B2
- 1.5-liter D15B3
- 1.5-liter D15B8
- 1.5-liter D15Z1
- 1.5-liter D15Z3
- 1.6-liter D16A
- 1.6-liter D16A8/D16A9
- 1.6-liter D16Z6
- 1.6-liter D16Z9
- 1.6-liter B16A1/B16A2
- 1.8-liter B18B3
Sixth Generation
The sixth-generation Civic came to America in 1995 in coupe, sedan, and hatchback body types. In Europe, Honda also introduced a diesel-engine Civic called the Honda Domani. Below are the engines of the sixth-generation Civic.
- 1.3-liter D13B4
- 1.4-liter D14A3/D14A4/D14A7/D14A8
- 1.5-liter D15Z4/D15Z6
- 1.6-liter D16Y4
- 1.6-liter D16Y5/D16Y7/D16Y8
- 1.6-L B16A2
- 1.6-liter B16B
- 2.0-liter TD Diesel
Seventh Generation
While the previous Civic generations embodied a sporty tradition, the seventh-generation Civic gave a little more attention to passenger space and comfort. This generation, which debuted in late 2000, also introduced the first hybrid Civic engine.
- 1.3-liter LDA hybrid
- 1.4-liter D14Z6
- 1.5-liter D15Y3
- 1.5-liter D15Z6
- 1.6-liter D16V1
- 1.6-liter D16W7
- 1.6-L D16W9
- 1.7-liter D17A1
- 1.7-liter D17A6
- 1.7-L D17A2
- 1.7-liter CTDi diesel
- 2.0-liter K20A2 I4
- 2.0-liter K20A3 I4
Eighth Generation
From 2005 to 2012, Honda produced the eighth-generation Civic. This model used two different body platforms to cater to the body styles preferred by the North American, Asian, as well as European markets.
The engine numbers of the eighth-generation Civic are listed below.
- 1.3-liter LDA-MF5 hybrid
- 1.6-liter R16A1
- 1.8-liter R18A1
- 2.0-liter K20Z2
- 2.0-liter K20Z3
- 2.0-L K20A
Ninth Generation
The ninth-generation Civic, sold from 2011 to 2017, focused on fuel efficiency and affordability. While hybrid engines were certainly gas sippers, the ninth-generation Civic's gasoline engines also bumped up its fuel efficiency by three miles per gallon over the previous generation.
Below are the ninth-generation Civic's engine numbers and displacements.
- 1.5-liter LEA-MF6 hybrid
- 1.8-liter R18Z1 natural gas
- 1.6-liter R16A1
- 1.8-liter R18Z1
- 2.0-liter R20Z1
- 2.4-liter K24Z7
Tenth Generation
In 2015, Honda used an all-new platform to standardize the tenth-generation Civic's design globally. Moreover, Honda continued to make the Civic's gasoline engines more fuel-efficient and environment-friendly.
More Civic engines became smaller, but Honda compensated for power by turbocharging these powerplants. In some countries, Honda reintroduced a diesel-engine Civic.
- 1.6-liter N16 i-DTEC turbo diesel
- 1.0-liter P10A2 3-cylinder turbo
- 1.5-liter L15B7 turbo
- 1.6-liter R16B
- 1.8-liter R18Z1
- 2.0-liter K20C2
- 2.0-liter K20C1 turbo
Eleventh Generation
Honda released the eleventh-generation Civic in mid-2021 and continues to produce it until today. Unlike preceding generations that had several engine types, this model only came with two sizes for gasoline and one for a hybrid.
- 2.0-liter LFA1/LFB1/LFC2 hybrid
- 1.5-L L15B7 turbo
- 1.5-liter L15BG flex-fuel turbo
- 1.5-liter L15BJ turbo
- 1.5-L L15C turbo
- 1.5-liter L15CA turbo
- 2.0-liter K20C2
Why Is Engine Number Important?
Because the engine number serves as the engine's identification, it offers many benefits for car owners and buyers.
For owners, the engine number helps in identifying the correct engine replacement parts as well as maintenance products. For example, if you need to replace your Civic's head gasket, or you need to change your engine fluids, then your auto parts store may ask for your engine number.
Moreover, if you are looking to buy a pre-loved car, then you might want to find the engine number for due diligence. If you know the car's engine number, then you can cross-reference it to learn more about your potential purchase. With this information, you will know:
- If the engine matches the car's VIN, make, model, year, and trim
- The engine's manufacturing area
- The engine type, fuel, and displacement
- If replacement parts are still available
Is VIN The Same As Engine Number?
Even though some people mistakenly use them interchangeably, a vehicle identification number (VIN) is not the same as the engine number. However, if you decode your 17-character VIN, then you will find your engine number as well as other information:
- Manufacturer
- Place of manufacturing
- Car make, model, model year, body type, and trim
- Engine displacement
- Fuel type
- Transmission type
- Power output
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
Wrapping Up
You can get the most information about your Civic's engine using its engine number. Your engine number can be in your engine block, car's documents, manual, or your dealership's records. You can also decode your VIN to find your engine number.
Thank you very much for reading. We hope we were able to help you understand more about your Honda Civic's engine.
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