2004 Honda Pilot Oil Capacity
The 2004 Honda Pilot’s oil capacity is 5.1 quarts. You can use both conventional or synthetic oil as long as it meets the specifications
Written by Thidas Senanayaka
Reviewed by Bellina Gaskey
Honda’s 2004 Pilot has an oil capacity of 5.1 quarts with filter. Honda recommends API-certified 5W-20 conventional or synthetic motor oil for this vehicle.
If you still own a 2004 Pilot in good condition, chances are you’re trying to take the best care of it possible. Adhering to a regular oil change schedule can help you avoid damage to your engine and optimize your performance.
Did you know you could skip the trip to a mechanic and do the oil change by yourself?
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison app, has put together a guide to your Pilot’s oil capacities and best practices for engine oil. Read on to find out more about it—and how you can save on your Honda Pilot insurance costs
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Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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You will need 5.1 quarts or 4.8 liters of engine oil to fill out your 2004 Honda Pilot’s oil capacity at an oil change. Checking your engine oil should be part of your regular maintenance checks—Honda recommends you check your engine oil level every time you fill the fuel tank.
What kind of oil does a 2004 Honda Pilot need?
Honda specifies that you should use API-certified premium-grade 5W-20 detergent oil when servicing your 2004 Pilot’s engine. You can also use synthetic motor oil as long as it meets the same requirements of conventional motor oil (5W-20 rating and API certification).
API stands for the American Petroleum Institute, which certifies oil that meets the minimum performance standards that manufacturers have set out. The numbers represent the viscosity of the oil—that is, how easily it will flow.
The number to the left of the W represents how well the oil flows in cold temperatures, and the number on the right how well it flows in hot temperatures.
Detergent oils have additives in them that work to keep engines clean from any deposit and neutralize any acid build-up in the engine oil. They make it easier for the filtration system to remove any impurities that show up.
Honda prefers that you use Honda Motor Oil, but any API-certified 5W-20 oil should work. We’ve included some of your best oil options below:
Honda says your oil does not need any extra additives—this may adversely affect your engine or transmission’s performance and durability.
How often to change the oil on a 2004 Honda Pilot
Honda recommends replacing the engine oil in your Pilot every 7,500 miles if you’re using synthetic oil. If you’re using conventional oil, you shouldn’t go as long between oil changes—more like every 3,500 to 5,000 miles.
On top of this, you should be checking your engine oil roughly every other time you refill your gas tank. You can do so at the gas station using the dipstick: just wipe it clean, insert it back into the hole, and remove it to check your oil levels. If it is between the maximum and minimum marks, your levels are fine.
If the oil is dirty or dark, it’s probably a sign that your oil needs to be changed early. Here are some other signs to change your oil:
- Your check engine oil light is on
- A noticeable drop in fuel efficiency (you’re using more gas than usual for routine trips)
- Consistently stalling or overheating engine
How to change your oil and oil filter
Keep in mind that changing the oil and filter (which you should change every time you change your oil) requires a few specialized tools and some knowledge. You will likely need to raise your car so you can comfortably get under it. Beyond a jack and jack stands, you’ll need:
- A drain bolt wrench
- An oil filter-removal wrench (you’ll likely have to buy this from a dealer)
- A filter and drain pan to catch the old oil
You don’t need these, but gloves and a funnel can make the process easier. You’ll also need a replacement filter and at least 5.1 quarts of your chosen engine oil.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature (about five minutes in normal weather) and then turn it off.
- Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap.
- Remove the oil drain bolt and washer from the bottom of the engine. Drain the oil into the drain pan.
- Remove the oil filter—this will have oil in it too, so keep the drain pan underneath.
- Install the new filter by using the instructions that come with it.
- Put a new washer on the drain bolt and reinstall the drain bolt, tightening it to 29 lb-ft.
- Refill the engine with your chosen engine oil.
- Replace the oil fill gap and start the engine.
Once your engine has started, your oil pressure indicator light should go out within five seconds. You should also check for leaks. Once you’re done, turn the engine off and let it sit for a few minutes before using the dipstick to check the oil level. Add more oil if needed at this point.
And you’re done! Make sure you dispose of the oil at a recycling center—don’t put it into a garbage can or dump it on the ground, as this is harmful to the environment and usually illegal.
Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance
By doing all this yourself, you’re saving yourself the cost of a professional oil change, but that only accounts for a sliver of the expenses you’ll incur by owning a car. Another way you can save money is by using
Jerry
to make sure you’re getting the best rates possible on your 2004 Pilot insurance. You may have resigned yourself to paying more for a highly protective policy—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Jerry, a licensed insurance comparison app, takes a few pieces of information about you and your car and finds the best deals for you across dozens of top name-brand insurance providers.
If you already have a policy, Jerry can help you cancel it and switch to a new provider. The best part? The average Jerry user who switches saves over $800 a year on car insurance payments!
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