The 2006 Honda Pilot is a spacious, powerful, and reliable midsize SUV that can last drivers between 250,000 and 300,000 miles with proper care and maintenance. That being said, in order to practice proper care at home, you’ll need to be aware of your 2006 Pilot’s engine oil capacity.

Some cars are simply engineered to be more reliable than others. However, your own behavior as a car owner plays a big part in your vehicle’s reliability. For example, learning how to change the oil in your 2006 Honda Pilot at home is a great way to save time and money—and you’ll also ensure that your Pilot will be able to take you wherever you need to go for years to come.

Of course, in order to change your own oil at home, you’ll first need to crack open your Pilot’s owner’s manual to look up what kind of oil you should be using, as well as the model’s engine oil capacity.

Don’t know where you left your owner’s manual? No worries—we’ve got you covered!

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2006 Honda Pilot engine oil capacity

First things first: Every trim level of the 2006 Honda Pilot

midsize SUV

is equipped with the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine—which has an oil capacity of 4.5 quarts or approximately 4.3 liters.

Keep in mind, however, that your

engine’s displacement

—the 3.5-liter volume taken up by its six cylinders—is not the same thing as its oil capacity, which instead refers to the amount of oil needed to complete an oil change. Despite both of these measurements being made using liters as a metric, they refer to very different qualities of your Pilot’s engine and should not be considered interchangeable.

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What kind of oil does a 2006 Honda Pilot need?

Now that you know exactly how much oil you’re going to need to conduct an oil change on your 2006 Honda Pilot, you’ll next need to make sure you’re using the right kind of oil. Honda recommends the use of

Honda Pilot Engine Oil Genuine 5W-20 motor oil

for the 2006 Pilot.

But what exactly is 5W-20 motor oil—and what does it mean for your Pilot’s engine? The numbers in any given oil’s grade are a reference to its viscosity—or thickness—at different temperatures, while the “W” in the middle stands for winter. In the case of 5W-20 oil, the number 5 before the “W” suggests that the oil has a relatively low viscosity at 0°F, while the 20 that follows tells us that the oil’s viscosity is still relatively thin at a boiling hot 212°F.

Basically, all this means is that this particular oil type will function well regardless of whether it’s hot or cold outside, while the oil grade’s low viscosity ensures that your Pilot’s engine will experience less

wear and tear

than it would if you were using a thicker oil.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2006 Honda Pilot

Now that you’re an expert on the type and amount of oil your 2006 Honda Pilot needs, you’re ready to

change your oil

Honda recommends in the Pilot’s owner’s manual that drivers should be getting an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. For Pilot owners who drive less frequently than the average car owner, however, changing your oil once every six months may serve as a better barometer of your Pilot’s oil consumption.

That being said, you should

check your Pilot’s oil

at least once a month so that you can plan ahead for upcoming oil changes. Between oil checks, you should also keep an eye, ear, and even a nose out for the following signs that your oil might need to be changed ahead of schedule:

Dark brown or black motor oil (clean oil should be a light brown or amber color)

Coarse or gritty motor oil

Engine making strange or unfamiliar noises

Smells like oil, smoke, or burning emanating from your engine

Changes in your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

Does Honda have a self-driving car?

How to change your oil and oil filter

Thankfully, there’s nothing special, unique, or difficult about changing the oil in your 2006 Honda Pilot, which means that it’s a fairly simple process to complete on your own.

Before you get down and dirty, however, you’ll want to gather all of the necessary tools and materials for the oil change process: a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench, as well as a replacement oil filter and 4.5 quarts of premium 5W-20 motor oil.

To speed up the process of changing your oil, allow your Pilot’s engine to idle for about 5 minutes to allow the old oil to get up to its normal operating temperature—this will help the oil drain faster. Once your engine’s nice and toasty, switch off the ignition, pop the hood, and follow these steps:

Remove the oil fill cap

From below the engine, use your socket wrench to remove the oil drain bolt and washer

Catch the old oil using a drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and continue to let the oil drain

Install the new filter

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer

Refill the engine with 4.5 quarts (4.3 liters) of new 5W-20 motor oil and replace the oil fill cap

To ensure that you’ve used enough oil, pull out your dipstick and check your new oil level. After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

If you’re in the clear, replace the oil fill cap, and allow your engine to idle for a few minutes to check for any oil leaks. You’ll know you’ve successfully completed the oil change when your dashboard’s

oil pressure light

shuts off.

Finally, be sure to discard your old oil appropriately by pouring it into a sealed container and delivering it to a local recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Changing your vehicle’s oil at home is a great way to save both time and money on your Pilot’s

car repair

and maintenance costs over its lifetime. That being said, you can even further increase your vehicle’s reliability by investing in the most affordable

Honda car insurance costs

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