Second generation · SS/SL (1980–1983) · 1980–1983
1981Honda Civic
Larger and more angular, with continued CVCC lean-burn engines. US model years 1980–1983.
Photo: “File:1981 Honda Civic 1300 (52269154333).jpg” by Rutger van der Maar / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
The 1981 model year
Overview
The 1981 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
- Second-generation Civic continued with 1.3- and 1.5-liter CVCC power.
Worth knowing
Notable
- 1981 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 1981 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 1981 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 1981 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
- 7
- Scheduled topics
- 7
- Applicability stated
- 7
- Exact references
- 1
Before ordering Identify 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 oilView intervals, applicability and sources
Engine oil
Sourced interval available
US 1981 Civic 1300 and 1500; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: American Honda 1981 LDV certification application — recommended customer maintenance · §06.02.01 customer schedule and §06.02.03-2 cost worksheet: 7,500/22,500/37,500-mile service · checked
Engine oil filterView intervals, applicability and sources
Engine oil filter
Exact reference available
US 1981 Civic 1300 and 1500; 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 1981 Civic rows — Lube — B156 · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin B156
Qty. 1 · Spin-on engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for the 1981 Civic application; confirm the installed engine before ordering.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 313, Honda 1981 Civic rows — Lube — B156 · checked
Search this part on Amazon
Valve clearanceView intervals, applicability and sources
Valve clearance
Sourced interval available
US 1981 Civic 1300 and 1500; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: American Honda 1981 LDV certification application — recommended customer maintenance · §06.02.03-3 and -5: 15,000- and 45,000-mile maintenance worksheets · checked
Transmission oil or fluidView intervals, applicability and sources
Transmission oil or fluid
Sourced interval available
US 1981 Civic 1300 and 1500; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: American Honda 1981 LDV certification application — recommended customer maintenance · §06.02.03-3 and -5: automatic-transmission fluid in the 15,000- and 45,000-mile worksheets · checked
Manual-transmission oil
Manual-transmission models only.
Source: American Honda 1981 LDV certification application — recommended customer maintenance · §06.02.03-4: manual-transmission oil in the 30,000-mile worksheet · checked
Engine air-cleaner elementView intervals, applicability and sources
Engine air-cleaner element
Sourced interval available
US 1981 Civic 1300 and 1500; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: American Honda 1981 LDV certification application — recommended customer maintenance · §06.02.03-4: air-cleaner element in the 30,000-mile worksheet · checked
Spark plugsView intervals, applicability and sources
Spark plugs
Sourced interval available
US 1981 Civic 1300 and 1500; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: American Honda 1981 LDV certification application — recommended customer maintenance · §06.02.03-4: spark plugs in the 30,000-mile worksheet · checked
Radiator coolantView intervals, applicability and sources
Radiator coolant
Sourced interval available
US 1981 Civic 1300 and 1500; verify engine and transmission before ordering parts or fluids.
Source: American Honda 1981 LDV certification application — recommended customer maintenance · §06.02.03-5: radiator coolant in the 45,000-mile worksheet · 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
Documented lineup
Find your exact 1981 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.
Browse 1 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list
No factory configuration matches those filters.