Second generation · SS/SL (1980–1983) · 1980–1983
1980Honda Civic
Larger and more angular, with continued CVCC lean-burn engines. US model years 1980–1983.
Photo: “File:1980 Honda Civic 3-door hatchback (2010-07-22).jpg” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1980 Honda Civic model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.
Documented lineup
Find your exact 1980 Civic
Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified
These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1980 model year
Overview
The 1980 Honda Civic belongs to the second-generation SS/SL. In US-market context, this year sits within a larger second generation with further-developed CVCC engines. Exact equipment, engine availability, and emissions calibration varied by body style, trim, state, and build date.
Specifications
- Engines
- 1.3 L CVCC inline-four
- 1.5 L CVCC inline-four
- Transmissions
- Manual, Hondamatic
- Body styles
- Three-door hatchback, Five-door wagon
Year over year
What changed
- All-new second-generation Civic launched for the US market.
Worth knowing
Notable
- 1980 is part of Honda's second-generation SS/SL; market-specific performance models should not be assumed to have been sold in the United States.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- For a 1980 Civic, condition and documented maintenance matter more than the nameplate's general reputation. Check the VIN for open recalls, confirm the installed engine and transmission, and compare service history with Honda's year-specific schedule.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1980 Civic on the road
Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.
Service desk
What this car needs & when
Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1980 Honda Civic. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.
- Service topics
- 9
- Factory intervals
- 9
- Fitment-scoped
- 9
- Exact references
- 1
Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.
Engine oil
Sourced interval available
US 1980 Civic 1300/1500 CVCC; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: Haynes — Honda Civic CVCC, 1980 thru 1981 Owners Workshop Manual · Routine maintenance, page 17 — every 7,500 miles · checked
Engine oil filter
Exact reference available
US 1980 Civic 1300/1500 CVCC; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids. Baldwin lists B156 for both cataloged Civic engine rows; this establishes fitment only, not a service interval.
Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 313, Honda 1980 Civic rows — Lube — B156 · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin B156
Qty. 1 · Spin-on engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for the 1980 Civic application; confirm the installed engine before ordering.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 313, Honda 1980 Civic rows — Lube — B156 · checked
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Spark plugs
Sourced interval available
US 1980 Civic 1300/1500 CVCC; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: Haynes — Honda Civic CVCC, 1980 thru 1981 Owners Workshop Manual · Routine maintenance, page 17 — inspect at 7,500 miles; renew at 15,000 miles · checked
Alternator drive belt
Sourced interval available
US 1980 Civic 1300/1500 CVCC; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: Haynes — Honda Civic CVCC, 1980 thru 1981 Owners Workshop Manual · Routine maintenance, page 17 — every 15,000 miles · checked
Engine air-cleaner element
Sourced interval available
US 1980 Civic 1300/1500 CVCC; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: Haynes — Honda Civic CVCC, 1980 thru 1981 Owners Workshop Manual · Routine maintenance, page 17 — every 15,000 miles · checked
Fuel filter and charcoal canister
Sourced interval available
US 1980 Civic 1300/1500 CVCC; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: Haynes — Honda Civic CVCC, 1980 thru 1981 Owners Workshop Manual · Routine maintenance, page 17 — every 30,000 miles · checked
Transmission oil or fluid
Sourced interval available
US 1980 Civic 1300/1500 CVCC; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: Haynes — Honda Civic CVCC, 1980 thru 1981 Owners Workshop Manual · Routine maintenance, page 17 — every 30,000 miles · checked
Engine coolant
Sourced interval available
US 1980 Civic 1300/1500 CVCC; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: Haynes — Honda Civic CVCC, 1980 thru 1981 Owners Workshop Manual · Routine maintenance, page 17 — every 30,000 miles or two years · checked
Brake hydraulic fluid
Sourced interval available
US 1980 Civic 1300/1500 CVCC; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: Haynes — Honda Civic CVCC, 1980 thru 1981 Owners Workshop Manual · Routine maintenance, page 17 — every 30,000 miles or two years · checked
Collect
Bring this model year home
Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.
Sources
Other Second generation years