Combining efficient gas mileage with a spacious interior, the 2011 Honda CR-V offers everything you could need from a compact SUV. If you want to keep your car on the road for as long as possible, you’ll need to change its oil and understand its engine oil capacity.

Although the price tag of a used CRV may be inviting, the initial cost is just one piece of the financial puzzle. Unforeseen repairs and upkeep can put a financial strain on anyone, especially with an older vehicle more susceptible to maintenance. If you want to eliminate a recurring mechanic bill, you can start by changing your oil.

You will need to know your car’s oil capacity to do that. Don’t worry,

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2011 Honda CR-V engine oil capacity

Before you dive under your car, we need to go over exactly how much oil your CR-V needs.

This SUV is equipped with a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine, with an oil capacity of 4.2 quarts. Although the numbers can be easily mixed up, the 2.4-liter refers to the engine’s displacement, while the 4.2 quarts is its oil capacity.

Displacement is the total volume of air and fuel that gets swept into each cylinder during one engine cycle. Don’t confuse it with the oil capacity, which is the amount of oil an engine needs to operate smoothly. If you know this difference, you won’t mix them up and underfill your engine oil.

What kind of oil does a 2011 Honda CR-V need?

Now that you have a better understanding of your CR-V’s engine oil capacity, let’s discuss which oil type works the best.

When you go shopping for oil, you will see a ton of different oil options. You should look for Honda Genuine 0W-20 motor oil. This is the original oil put into your CR-V in the factory, and the kind Honda advises you to continue to use to get the most out of your engine.

The “W” stands for winter, and the 0 in front of it refers to its very thin grade while under cold conditions. The 20 following the “W” tells us this oil is a moderate viscosity (thickness) when the

engine is at its hot operating temperature

engine is at its hot operating temperature.

At its most basic, you want an oil that is thin enough to flow well during a cold morning start-up while remaining thick enough to cool the engine while it is running

If you prefer to weigh your options, here are some alternative oils to consider:

The genuine article: If you wish to follow Honda’s recommendation,

Honda 0W-20 motor oil

is the one for you.

For increased protection: If you put a lot of stress on your engine, you may want to consider a thicker Synthetic 10W-40 blend.

The genuine replacement: If you can’t find authentic Honda oil,

ACDelco 2021 Honda CR-V 0W-20

is the best replacement.

MORE:

Oil/fluid leak inspection cost

How often to change oil on a 2011 Honda CR-V

In order to keep your engine running at peak performance, Honda advises you to have your CR-V’s oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Regularly checking your oil level and keeping track of previous oil changes can ensure your engine is getting the fresh oil it needs on time. If you are not a frequent driver or just keep your mileage to a minimum, you should still change the oil every six months to prevent it from becoming sludge and causing total engine failure.

These are some additional signs that your CR-V is in need of an oil change:

Your oil has turned a dark brown or black color

The oil texture has become gritty or rough

Your engine is making unfamiliar sounds

There are

burning or smoke odors

coming from under the hood

Your car’s performance has noticeably changed

MORE:

How long is a Honda CR-V?

How to change your oil and oil filter

The time has finally come—let’s change that oil! Before you get started, make sure to gather the necessary materials: a socket wrench, drain pan, filter wrench, new filter, and rag. And, last but not least, you’ll need a five-quart bottle of0W-20 motor oil.

Begin by letting the engine run to get the current oil warm and flowing. After a few minutes, turn the engine off, pop your hood, and follow these steps:

Go underneath the engine and place the drain pan below the oil drain plug.

Remove the plug with your socket wrench, allowing the oil to drain out into the pan.

Locate the

oil filter

and unscrew it with your filter wrench, letting excess oil drain into the pan.

Clean the filter mount with the rag and install your replacement filter.

Tighten the oil drain plug back into place.

Refill the necessary amount of oil into the top of the engine.

To ensure you’ve done everything correctly, check your dipstick to make sure the correct amount of oil is in your engine, and confirm that your oil pressure dashboard light is not on. After that, turn the engine back on and verify that there are no leaks.

Finally, for cleanup, you should never dump the old oil onto the ground or into your garbage due to the contaminants it holds. Instead, pour it into a sealable container and give it to a recycling center for proper disposal.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Routine oil changes are just one way you can help keep your car on the road for many miles to come. Another—using

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