The 2008 Honda CR-V oil capacity is 4.4 quarts or 4.2 liters. If you use conventional oil, aim to do an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every six months.

The Honda CR-V is a great reliable compact SUV, but any car can only be as reliable as you make it. Knowing how and when to change your oil is an essential part of keeping your engine running smoothly for a long time.

In this article from

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—the

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—we’ll go over all the essential information regarding your 2008 Honda CR-V oil, including oil capacity, type, change interval, and steps for changing your oil at home. With Jerry, you can get the best tips for maintaining your Honda and for saving money on your

CR-V’s car insurance costs

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2008 Honda CR-V engine oil capacity

First, let’s get to the reason you came here in the first place: what is the engine oil capacity of a 2008 Honda CR-V?

The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that powers the 2008 Honda CR-V has an oil capacity of 4.4 quarts or 4.2 liters. This is the oil capacity when also changing the oil filter, which is recommended with every oil change.

Be sure not to confuse the engine displacement with the oil capacity. Engine displacement describes the volume of your engine’s pistons, and that is what “2.4-liter engine” refers to. Engine displacement is not the same as engine oil capacity, so the volumes are not interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a 2008 Honda CR-V need?

Now that you know how much oil to buy when you do an oil swap on your CR-V, let’s talk about what type of oil to purchase. For the 2008 Honda CR-V, Honda recommends using Honda Genuine 5W-20 motor oil, specified for gas-powered vehicles.

Not sure what 5W-20 means? That is the viscosity rating, or “oil weight”. The presence of two numbers tells you that it is a multigrade oil, meaning that it describes how the oil behaves at two different temperatures. The first number—the “5W”—refers to the oil’s viscosity at low temperatures (like 0 degrees F low), the W here stands for winter. The second number—the “20”—refers to the oil’s viscosity at normal operating temperatures of 212 degrees F.

In the case of 5W-20 oil, both values are relatively low, so the oil maintains a low viscosity through a wide range of temperatures, ultimately meaning less wear and tear on your engine.

What about conventional vs. synthetic? In the owner’s manual, Honda recommends using conventional oil, but also states that you can switch to synthetic so long as it is the same viscosity and meets the same API oil standards. Typically, you will want to pick an oil type and stick to it, though. So, if you want to switch to a 5W-20 synthetic oil, go for it!

Here are a few oil recommendations to help get you started on your search:

Honda Genuine 5W-20 motor oil

Mobil 1 5W-20 synthetic motor oil

Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage 5W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change oil on a 2008 Honda CR-V

Honda doesn’t specify a recommended change interval in the 2008 CR-V owner’s manual. As a rule of thumb, conventional oils should usually be replaced after 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first.

One of the benefits of switching to synthetic oil is that you can let a lot more mileage between oil changes. It’s typically recommended to change synthetic oils every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

Ultimately, the best practice is to simply check your oil every month or so to look for signs that it’s time for an oil change. Here are some of the most common signs that your oil is ready to be replaced:

Oil that is dark brown or black (clean oil is a transparent amber or light brown)

Oil that feels dirty, coarse, or gritty

Strange noises coming from the engine bay

Smells of oil, burning, or smoke

Reduction in your engine’s performance, most noticeably your fuel efficiency

MORE:

Oil change cost

How to change your oil and oil filter

Of course, you can always take your Honda to a mechanic or oil changer when it's time for a change. But if you have a bit of time to spare and want to save around $100, changing your oil yourself is a relatively straightforward DIY project.

You’ll need a socket wrench, a drain pan, a filter wrench, a new oil filter, and 4.4 quarts of 5W-20 motor oil.

Before you pop the hood, run your engine for a few minutes to bring it up to normal operating temperatures. This will help the oil drain better, but of course, will make the engine hot, so be careful. Once you’re ready, turn the engine off and follow these steps:

Remove the oil fill cap

Get under the engine, position the drain pan, and remove the oil drain bolt and washer, draining the oil into the pan

Remove the old oil filter and let the oil drain completely

Install the new filter

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with the fresh oil

Double check the fill level with your dipstick

Replace the oil fill cap

Run your engine for a couple of minutes and look for any leaks

Dispose of the old oil responsibly by bringing it to a local recycling center

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Regularly changing your oil is an important part of

vehicle maintenance

and a great way to save money on expensive repairs down the road. Regularly updating your

car insurance

is another surefire way to save money, but you’ll reap the rewards right away!

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