If you think you need to top off your 2008 Honda Accord’s oil, start here to find out the engine oil capacity and tips for doing an at-home oil change.

Written by Mary Alice Morris

Reviewed by Melanie Reiff

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

Table of Contents

2008 Honda Accord engine oil capacity
How often to change the oil on a 2008 Honda Accord
Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

The 2008 Honda Accord—with an oil capacity of 4.4 quarters—blurred the lines between practicality and fun. Available as a coupe or a sedan, the 2008 Accord ticked a lot of boxes as a great family car, a daily driver, and something sporty to take around tight curves.

Besides its versatility, the Honda Accord is also known for its longevity and long-standing resale value. These are wonderful characteristics for a vehicle, but it makes your routine maintenance upkeep all the more important. To get the most out of your Accord for the longest amount of time, you must keep the engine running well. A huge part of that task is maintaining an appropriate engine oil level and doing regular oil changes.

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2008 Honda Accord engine oil capacity

The 2008 Honda Accord has a 4.4-quart engine oil capacity for 2.4L models and a 4.5-quart oil capacity for Accords with the V6 engine.

As you drive your vehicle, the oil level will slightly diminish, and that’s normal. Just be sure to check your oil regularly—once a month or with every other gas tank fill-up is a good schedule—to ensure your engine oil is in the proper range. If it gets below the range noted on your oil dipstick, you’ll know it’s time to top it off.

What kind of oil does a 2008 Honda Accord need?

It’s really important to use the right kind of engine oil specified by Honda for your car. Engine oils are not all the same, and they come in different viscosity weights, which means they maintain a different liquid thickness at certain temperatures. Your car’s engine was designed to run with a particular type of oil, and for the 2008 Accord, it’s 5W-20.

Honda strongly recommends using premium grade Genuine Honda Motor Oil weighted at 5W-20. It's up to you whether you use synthetic or conventional oil.

If you’re curious about the way engine oils are graded, here’s what the numbers and letters in your oil type mean:

The “0W” in your oil type refers to the oil’s viscosity, or thickness, in winter weather. The 0 rates the viscosity level, and the W stands for winter.

The 20 at the end of your oil type indicates the viscosity level when your car’s engine is at its normal operating temperature, around 212°F. Being rated at 20 means the oil is still fairly viscous even at high temperatures.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2008 Honda Accord

Now that you know what kind and how much to use, you’re almost ready to tackle your 2008 Honda Accord’s

oil change

Changing your Accord’s engine oil is a task that must be done between every 3,000 to 5,000 miles as part of your

basic car maintenance schedule

. This will ensure your oil remains free from grit and grime that can clog up and damage your engine. It will help keep your car operating smoothly.

However, from time to time cars and their engines have some anomalies that may make an oil change necessary sooner than expected. That’s why it’s important to routinely check your engine oil. Something tough to spot, like worn-out oil gaskets or a vacuum leak, can make your car use oil up a lot quicker than expected.

Here are some hints that your car may need an oil change right now, no matter what the odometer says:

Your motor oil should be a light brown or amber color. Oil that is black or dark brown is old and needs to be changed.

Your oil should be smooth and clean. Dirty, gritty engine oil is another sign that you need a change.

If your car starts making odd noises, odd smells like smoke or oil, or it’s just not performing as well as usual, start by checking the oil level and quality.

MORE:

How to test an oil pump

How to change your oil and oil filter

You can always take your car into a service center to get the oil and filter changed, but it’s also a job you can do at home with the right tools. If you’re ready to take it on, here’s an easy how-to guide for changing your 2008 Accord’s motor oil.

Get your tools and materials together, including 4.2 quarts of Genuine Honda Premium Grade 0W-20 Motor Oil. Grab a filter wrench, a drain pan, a socket wrench, a new replacement oil filter, and a new oil drain plug gasket.

Start your Accord’s engine and let it run for five minutes or so to get it up to normal operating temperature. Then, shut the ignition off, open the hood, and follow the next steps:

Take off the oil fill cap and set it aside somewhere safe.

Get under your car, right under the engine with your drain pan, and locate and remove the oil drain bolt and old oil drain plug gasket, so the old oil can drain into the pan.

Remove the old oil filter as the oil finishes draining.

Put in the new oil filter.

Replace the oil drain bolt where it was, but this time use your new oil drain plug gasket. You can dispose of the old one. Tighten the bolt to 29 lb-ft.

Pour in 4.2 quarts of the new oil, check the oil level with the dipstick, then put the oil fill cap back on.

shouldn't take long to change the oil

, but 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.

Now it’s time to clean up! Pour your old engine oil into a sealed container and take it to an oil recycling center. You can find them at many parts stores and service centers. Do not dump dirty oil out on the ground or into the trash—it’s an environmental hazard, and in most places, it’s illegal.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Once your oil change is taken care of, you can kick back, relax, and put your feet up—while you shop for new car insurance.

Car insurance experts recommend

shopping for car insurance every six months

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