You’ll want to check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the correct oil type and amount of oil you’ll need to complete the oil change. If you’ve misplaced the manual or just want a little extra instruction, you’re in good hands.

Jerry

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2020 Honda Pilot engine oil capacity

First thing’s first, let’s answer the big question: How much engine oil does your 2020 Honda Pilot need? The V6 powertrain that powers your Pilot requires 5.7 quarts or 5.39 liters of oil.

Make sure not to get your engine’s displacement confused with its oil capacity—these are not the same thing. Displacement is the measure of the volume of your Pilot’s cylinders (3.5 liters), while engine oil capacity is the amount of oil that is required to complete an oil change.

What kind of oil does a 2020 Honda Pilot need?

After determining how much oil your 2020 Honda Pilot requires, you’ll want to find the correct oil type. Don’t assume all oils are created equally! It’s important to consult your Pilot’s owner’s manual to understand the type of oil that Honda recommends.

Or… you can let us do that for you. Per the Pilot’s owner’s manual, Honda recommends using premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil with an API Certification seal on the container.

You’re strongly encouraged to adhere to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation to keep your SUV operating in top shape—but what exactly is premium grade 0W-20 detergent oil? Let’s break that down.

Engine oils are rated for viscosity and how well they hold up in cold temperatures. The “0” in 0W-20 is the oil’s viscosity when temperatures are cold, and the “W” stands for “winter.” The “20” explains how well the oil can take the heat of your SUV’s engine and warmer outside temperatures.

The API Seal indicates that the oil has met the energy requirements of the American Petroleum Institute.

According to its 0W-20 certification, your Pilot’s 0W-20 engine oil will perform well in cold temperatures. It has a thin viscosity, which is beneficial so there will be less wear and tear on your Pilot’s engine.

When looking for your Pilot’s engine oil, we suggest:

The genuine article: Per your Pilot owner’s manual recommendation, use Honda Pilot Engine Oil Genuine 44269ph.

For high-mileage vehicles: If you’re taking your Pilot on a long road trip, consider Honda Pilot Engine Oil 66788kf SAE 0W-20.

A high-quality synthetic blend: For a good synthetic option, try Honda Ultimate Full Synthetic Motor Oil.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

How often to change the oil on a 2020 Honda Pilot

Now that you know your 2020 Honda Pilot’s oil type and capacity, you want to change the oil yourself, yeah? Yeah!

But is it time? Honda's regular

car maintenance schedule

recommends changing your Pilot’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but if you're a low-mileage driver, every six months may be a better gauge. Keep in mind that if you used synthetic oil, these last longer. Most experts recommend changing synthetic oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

But these are just estimates. You’ll need to check your engine oil regularly to see if it needs to be changed. Look for the following signs that it’s time to change your oil:

Dark brown or black engine oil (clean oil is light brown or amber)

Coarse or

gritty engine oil

Changes in your SUV’s performance

Strange or

loud engine noises

Burning smells or

smoke from the engine

MORE:

2011 Honda oil capacity

How to change your oil and oil filter

Ready to roll up those sleeves and get to work? It’s time to change your Pilot’s oil!

You’ll want to round up a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench that’s designed to remove the old oil filter. You’ll also need your 5.7 quarts of 0W-20 oil (of course!)

First, run the engine for a few minutes to get your car’s operating temperature up. After about five minutes, turn off the engine,

open the hood

, and follow these simple steps:

Remove the oil fill cap.

Get under the engine and take off the oil drain bolt and washer. Let the old oil drain into the drain pan.

Remove the old oil filter, and continue to allow the oil to drain.

Install the new filter.

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

Refill the engine with the new oil, and replace the cap.

And voila! You’ve completed the oil change. Once you’re done, run your Pilot’s engine again to check for any leaks. The

oil pressure light

on your dashboard should turn off within a few minutes of completing the change.

Last but not least: how to clean up the old oil. Do not, we repeat, do not throw out the old oil in the garbage. Instead, put it in a sealed container and bring it to your local recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Have you taken a look at your

Honda Pilot’s car insurance cost

lately? Chances are, you could be saving money on your monthly premium.

Jerry

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Here’s how it works: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. 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

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