The 2013 Honda CR-V is an incredibly reliable SUV, having received an above-average four-out-of-five star reliability rating from J.D. Power. With proper care and regular maintenance, a 2013 CR-V can last for well over 300,000 miles, but keeping your Honda in tip-top shape will require you to know its engine oil capacity.

Your car’s reliability is as much a part of your behavior as a driver as it is a feat of the model’s engineering. You can help keep your 2013 Honda CR-V as reliable as possible, all while saving time and money on your automotive maintenance costs, by performing your own oil changes at home. But before you pop open the hood and get down and dirty changing your Honda’s oil, you’ll need to take a look at your owner’s manual to determine the correct oil type and capacity for your model.

If you’ve misplaced the manual, or if you’re looking to get all the oil change information you could ever need in one convenient spot, you’ve come to the right place.

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Honda CR-V insurance costs

2013 Honda CR-V engine oil capacity

Let’s get right to it: just how much oil do you need for a 2013 Honda CR-V?

All 2013 CR-Vs are powered by the same 2.4-liter I-4 engine, which has an oil capacity of 4.2 quarts, or 4.0 liters. But drivers beware! It’s easy to confuse your engine’s displacement—the 2.4-liter volume that the CR-V’s four cylinders take up—with its oil capacity, which refers to how much oil is required to complete an oil change. These numbers refer to very different properties of your Honda’s engine and should not be thought of as interchangeable.

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What kind of oil does a 2013 Honda CR-V need?

It’s one thing to know how much oil it takes to complete an oil change for a 2013 Honda CR-V, but another thing entirely to know what kind of oil you should be using. Unfortunately, there’s no one-stop shop when it comes to motor oil. That said, Honda recommends the use of Honda Genuine 0W-20 motor oil in the owner’s manual for the 2013 CR-V.

But what exactly is 0W-20 motor oil—and what does it mean for your CR-V’s engine? The numbers in any given oil’s grade are a reference to its viscosity—or thickness—at different temperatures, while the “W” in the middle stands for winter. In the case of 0W-20 oil, the number 0 before the “W” suggests that the oil has a relatively low viscosity at 0°F, while the 20 that follows tells us that the oil’s viscosity is still relatively thin when the engine reaches high temperatures.

All in all, this means that this particular type of oil is designed to perform well regardless of weather conditions, while its low viscosity rating means that your CR-V’s engine will experience less wear and tear compared to other, less suitable oil types.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2013 Honda CR-V

Now that you’re an expert on the type and amount of oil your 2013 Honda CR-V needs, you’re ready to

change your oil

Or are you? Honda recommends changing the oil in your 2013 CR-V once every 3,000 to 5,000 miles—assuming you’re using an appropriate oil type. That being said, if you drive less frequently than the average driver, you can probably get away with changing your oil closer to once every six months.

Of course, you should still keep an eye, ear, and even a nose out for any intermittent oil issues between your regularly scheduled oil changes. Checking your oil levels once a month is a great way to keep tabs on your oil level, but you should also be aware of the following signs that your oil might need to be changed ahead of schedule:

Dark brown or black motor oil (clean oil should be a light brown or amber color)

Coarse or gritty motor oil

Engine in making strange or unfamiliar noises

Smells like oil, smoke, or burning emanating from your engine

Changes in your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

How long is a Honda CR-V?

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that you know when you need to change your oil, you can finally get your hands dirty and begin the process. First, you’ll want to gather all of the necessary materials for an at-home oil change: a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench, as well as a replacement oil filter and 4.2 quarts of premium 0W-20 motor oil.

Allow your CR-V’s engine to idle for a few minutes before changing your oil. This will allow the old oil to reach its normal operating temperature, and it will drain faster as a result. Once your engine is all warmed up, you can switch off the ignition, pop the hood, and get started with these steps:

Remove the oil fill cap

From below the engine, use your socket wrench to remove the oil drain bolt and washer

Catch the old oil using a drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and continue to let the oil drain

Install the new filter

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer a

Refill the engine with 4.2 quarts (4.0 liters) of new 0W-20 motor oil and replace the oil fill cap

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

You can now use your dipstick to ensure that you’ve added enough oil to your engine. Assuming you’ve done everything correctly, your dashboard’s

oil pressure light

should shut off once you’re finished. Allow your engine to idle for a few minutes, keeping an eye out for any leaking oil.

Finally, be sure to discard your old oil appropriately by pouring it into a sealed container and delivering it to a local recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Congrats! You’ve just finished your first at-home oil change on your 2013 Honda CR-V! Changing your own oil at home is a great way to save both time and money on your automotive maintenance costs and to ensure that your CR-V will be by your side for years to come.

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