Your 2008 Honda Fit engine oil capacity is 3.8 quarts. Finish learning everything you need to know about changing your oil with this guide from Jerry.

Written by John Davis

Reviewed by Claire Beaney

Updated on Nov 15, 2022

Table of Contents

2008 Honda Fit engine oil capacity
How often to change the oil in a 2008 Honda Fit
Stay on top of regular insurance policy maintenance

The 2008 Honda Fit combines sporty handling with excellent fuel economy. The features of this little subcompact hatchback combine to make it a fantastic choice for cruising the highway or running errands in town. But to ensure that your Fit will last, you should know its engine oil capacity—3.8 quarts.

As a car owner, you're no stranger to the expenses tied to your vehicle. From spending money on regular maintenance to paying for insurance premiums and the rising price of fuel, it might seem like your car truly is a money-sink. You can reduce your maintenance costs by changing your oil at home, but don't forget to check your owner's manual for the oil capacity first.

If you've lost your manual or simply want extra help with your Honda Fit oil capacity, the

car insurance

super app,

Jerry

, has a guide for you. In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know before changing your oil, and we'll even include some tips for saving money on

Honda Fit car insurance

Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds

No spam · No long forms · No fees

Find insurance savings

2008 Honda Fit engine oil capacity

The 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that powers your 2008 Honda Fit holds 3.8 quarts or 3.6 liters of motor oil.

It's vital that you don’t confuse your

engine's displacement

—the 1.5-liter volume of space occupied by the cylinders—with its oil capacity, which is the amount of oil the engine holds for use as a lubricant.

The size of the engine and the amount of oil it can hold are not the same thing and should never be interchanged.

What kind of oil does a 2008 Honda Fit need?

Your engine oil capacity isn't the only thing you need to know before changing your oil. It's just as important to know the oil type. That's because not all motor oil is the same, and your Honda Fit takes a specific kind.

When you head to the parts store to buy your oil, look for SAE 5W-20. That's what Honda recommends putting in your 2008 Fit, and using the manufacturer's recommendation is always a wise decision.

If those letters and numbers seem a bit confusing, don't worry. We'll cover their meaning, too.

The numbers tell us how thick or viscous the oil is at opposite ends of the temperature spectrum. The "5" indicates how thick the oil is when it's cold—you can remember this one because of its placement next to the "W," which means winter—and the "20" represents its thickness when it's hot.

Smaller numbers mean that the oil is thinner, and the thinner the oil, the better it can move through the engine of your car.

If you're still feeling uncertain about what oil to buy, then go with

Honda Genuine Motor Oil 5W-20

. This is Honda's OEM motor oil and what your owner's manual recommends using in your 2008 Honda Fit.

MORE:

Honda Fit ground clearance

Are you getting ripped off on your car insurance? Find out in less than two minutes.

No long forms · No spam · No fees

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

How often to change the oil in a 2008 Honda Fit

Honda recommends changing the oil in your 2008 Fit every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you're an infrequent driver, however, you might find it easier to remember to change your oil every six months.

Since you might not change the oil for a long time, it's important to keep an eye on its condition and level. Make it a habit to check the oil every other time you fill up your gas tank. This will help you remember to do it. But, no matter what, you should check your oil at least once a month.

When you check your oil, keep an eye out for the following signs that it needs to be changed:

Oil that looks black, dark brown, or sludgy (clean oil is amber-tinted)

Oil with a gritty, dirty, or sandy texture

Bad smells coming from the engine, like oil, smoke, or burning

Engine performance has recently gotten worse

Engine is making new and strange sounds

MORE:

How to build a custom Honda Fit

How to change your oil and oil filter

After learning your Fit's oil type and capacity, it's time to get to work changing the oil. These are the tools you'll need:

Jack and jack stands, ramps, or something to lift the vehicle

A ratchet wrench with a 17-millimeter socket

A torque wrench

A drain pan

An oil filter wrench

A funnel

A rag or towel

Before you get started, turn the car on and allow it to run for around five minutes. This will warm the engine enough to cause the oil to drain more freely. Once the engine is warm, turn the car off, open the hood, and begin the process below.

Remove the oil fill cap and dipstick.

Crawl beneath your Fit and unscrew, then remove the oil drain plug. Use the drain pan to catch and collect the old oil.

While the oil drains, remove the old filter from its housing.

Use your finger to lubricate the gasket of the new filter with a thin layer of oil before screwing it into its housing. Screw the new filter into place only until it is snug.

Replace the drain plug and tighten it to 29 lb-ft.

Fill the engine up with fresh oil and then replace the fill cap.

After changing your oil, you should start your car and let the engine run for around 30 seconds before checking the oil level. This will offer you a more accurate result, and you can add more oil if you need to.

Your final step should be to recycle your old oil. You can do this by transferring it to the new oil bottle and returning it to the parts store for proper disposal.

MORE:

How long does an oil change take?

Stay on top of regular insurance policy maintenance

After successfully completing your oil change, you might find yourself craving even more savings. If that's the case, it might be time to reevaluate your current car insurance policy and find out if you're paying too much. That’s where

Jerry

, the

car insurance

super app, comes in.

In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request. No long forms, no calling around, no hard work.

The average Jerry user saves over $800 per year on car insurance!