Need a hand changing the oil on your CR-V? We’ve got you covered! This is our comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about the 2009 Honda CR-V’s engine oil capacity—including what kind of oil it takes, how much oil to use, and how to perform an oil change all by yourself.

2009 Honda CR-V engine oil capacity

All 2009 Honda CR-V trim levels—LX,

, and

EX-L

—are equipped with the same four-cylinder engine and have an engine oil capacity of 4.4 quarts. Regardless of which trim you drive, the oil capacity is the same.

The CR-V has been part of Honda’s vehicle lineup since 1997, and not all model years call for the same type of engine oil. That’s why it’s important to know which specific oil is right for the exact model year of your CR-V.

What kind of oil does a 2009 Honda CR-V need?

A 2009 CR-V uses

5W-20 Genuine Honda Motor Oil

, as recommended in the owner’s manual. CR-Vs from 2010 and above require a slightly different oil type—

0W-20 Genuine Honda Motor Oil

These numbers and letters might sound like a secret language, but it’s simple once you break it down! Here’s what they mean:

SAE stand for Society of Automotive Engineers. The SAE is responsible for creating universal oil classification codes, which means that engine oil sold all over the world is classified the same way.

The next set of numbers relates to an oil’s viscosity in cold temperatures (“W” stands for winter)—or, more simply, how thick an engine oil is. Oils coded as “0W” or “5W” have thin viscosities.

The numbers after the dash indicate an oil’s viscosity when it reaches a temperature of 212°F. “20” and “30” are some of the lowest numbers, which means that the oil will keep its thin viscosity when exposed to very hot temperatures.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change the oil on a 2009 Honda CR-V

The 2009 Honda CR-V owner’s manual states that you can use conventional or synthetic oil as long as it's 5W-20. Conventional oil should be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, whereas synthetic oil can last in your engine for upwards of 7,500 miles.

It’s pretty easy to get your hands on full synthetic oil these days and it’s generally the preferred oil type. Synthetic oil flows better and lasts much longer in your engine than conventional or synthetic blends.

To make sure your oil is pristine, it’s good practice to check your oil every month. If you see that the oil is very dark brown or gritty in texture it’s getting too dirty and needs to be changed. Letting dirty oil continue to circulate through the CR-V’s engine will result in black and sludgy oil that can cause serious damage.

You should also be vigilant of any performance-related signs that the engine oil needs changing. Common symptoms include:

A lagging or jumpy engine

Clunking noises coming from the engine

The smell of burning oil under the hood

Smoke coming from under the hood

If you notice any of these engine-related issues—your CR-V needs maintenance right away

MORE:

How long do Hondas last?

How to change your oil and oil filter

If you want to change your 2009 CR-V’s oil and filter but you’ve misplaced your manual—no problem!

First, get all of your equipment and supplies together. You’ll need:

Car jack and jack stands/ramps

Eye protection and gloves

17mm socket wrench

Oil filter wrench/ratchet

Oil drain pan

Shop towels

Funnel

Oil filter

New

crush washer

for oil drain plug

Five-quart container of 5W-20 synthetic engine oil

Park your CR-V on a level surface, strap on those gloves and safety glasses, and follow these steps:

Engage your emergency brake when you park your CR-V, then use the jack to raise the vehicle and secure it with the jack stands or ramps.

Using the socket wrench, loosen the oil drain plug on the underside of the engine and remove it by hand. Position the oil drain pan underneath the opening to catch the draining oil.

The oil will drain for a few minutes, during which you can replace the crush washer affixed to the oil drain plug. Then, reinstall the oil drain plug by carefully tightening it with your socket wrench to 29 lb-ft of torque.

With the oil filter wrench, loosen the oil filter and remove it. Oil will spill out, so place the oil drain pan directly below.

Before you install the new oil filter, thinly coat it with fresh oil. Make sure the O-ring from the old filter isn’t stuck to the filter housing and use your shop towel to wipe any dirt or debris from the filter housing area.

Screw in the new oil filter by hand.

Remove the engine oil cap under the hood and use the funnel to fill the engine with new oil.

Run the CR-V for 30 seconds to warm the clean engine oil and use the dipstick to check the oil level. As long as the dipstick shows the correct oil level, you’re done!

As for that drain pan full of dirty oil, make sure you dispose of it properly by taking it to a local auto shop or

nearby recycling center

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