The 2021 Honda CR-V has an oil capacity of 3.7 quarts with the filter or 3.4 quarts without the filter. It’s recommended that you use either Honda 0W-20 genuine motor oil or API premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil.

Keeping up with your Honda’s maintenance routine is one of the best ways to prolong the car's life and preserve its health. Some types of upkeep, like replacing your spark plugs or repairing a transmission issue, may be tricky or expensive. However, changing your oil is an easy and cheap at-home fix.

When changing your oil, you must stick to the right amount and type of oil to prevent damaging your engine. That’s why

Jerry

, the

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super app that lowers your

Honda car insurance costs

, has put together a guide to your 2021 CR-V’s engine oil. From oil capacity to how frequently your Honda’s oil should be changed, here’s what you’ll need to know.

2021 Honda CR-V engine oil capacity

According to the

owner’s manual

, the 2021 Honda CR-V has an oil capacity of 3.7 quarts, or 3.5 liters, with the filter. Without the filter, it takes 3.4 quarts (3.2 liters) of oil to fill its turbocharged 1.5 L engine.

Note that while the engine’s displacement—1.5 liters—may seem related to the oil capacity, these numbers are not interchangeable. The engine displacement measures how much volume the Honda’s cylinders take up, but not how much oil the engine takes.

When determining how much oil any vehicle needs, look up the car's oil capacity in the owner’s manual rather than basing the quantity on the engine displacement volume.

What kind of oil does a 2021 Honda CR-V need?

Perhaps the most crucial step in changing your Honda’s oil is making sure that you’re using the correct oil type. Honda recommends that the 2021 CR-V gets either 0W-20 Honda genuine motor oil or 0W-20 API premium-grade detergent oil.

But what do these numbers mean? Essentially, 0W-20 is your Honda CR-V’s oil grade, which details your oil’s viscosity, or how thick it is. The first two digits signify its viscosity in low winter (W) temperatures, and the last two digits indicate its viscosity at the engine’s normal operating temperature.

The 2021 Honda CR-V takes an oil grade with a very thin viscosity in cold temperatures, which helps the oil continue to flow even when it’s below freezing. This helps protect your engine from rust, wear, and tear no matter what temperature it’s operating in. Detergent oil also helps keep your engine free of damaging sludge and debris by using additives to break them down.

Honda’s genuine motor oil is formulated specifically for your CR-V, but Honda says drivers can use premium conventional, synthetic, or synthetic blend alternatives as long as they have the same 0W-20 viscosity grade.

To stick with Honda's recommended engine oil, you can buy

Honda Genuine Motor Oil 0W-20

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Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change the oil on a 2021 Honda CR-V

Armed with knowledge of your 2021 Honda CR-V’s oil capacity and type, you’re officially ready to start

changing your own oil

If you’re using conventional oil, this is something you’ll need to do every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. But the synthetic oil most modern vehicles use can go a bit longer between changes—about 7,500 to 10,000 miles. Not driving your CR-V regularly? Consider changing your oil about every six months instead.

These mileage ranges are based on expert recommendations, but you can make certain you’re changing your oil at the right time by checking your oil level regularly—about once a month. Look out for the following signs that your oil needs changing:

The color is dark brown or black (clean oil is light brown or amber—think tea vs. coke).

The oil feels gritty or coarse.

Your engine has been making loud noises, particularly knocking or rumbling.

There is a burning or unusual oil smell—this means the engine is overheating.

The oil level on your dipstick is low.

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How to test an oil pump

How to change your oil and oil filter

If it looks like it’s time for an oil change, or you’re within that oil change mile range, here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Socket wrench

Drain pan

Filter wrench—designed for your Honda CR-V’s filter

Replacement filter

Five quarts of premium 0W-20 engine oil

Before you get started, run your engine for about five minutes to get it up to its normal operating temperature. Then shut it off, open the hood, and do the following:

Remove the engine fill cap.

Under your car, turn the Phillips head screws on the under cover counterclockwise, then remove the cover.

Remove the drain bolt and washer from the bottom of the engine, then drain the oil into the drain pan.

Remove the oil filter and allow the rest of the oil to drain out.

Install a new oil filter. Check that the filter gasket isn’t stuck to the engine contact surface first.

Place a new washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall it—tighten it to 30lb-ft.

Pour 3.7 quarts of new engine oil into the engine.

Replace the fill cap.

You’ll want to run your engine for a few minutes again once you’ve finished. Also inspect around and under your CR-V to ensure there’s no oil leaking from the drain bolt or filter.

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.

If all is well, turn off the engine, wait three minutes, then check your oil levels with the dipstick. Add more oil if necessary. If the levels look good, replace your under cover.

Pro tip: Make sure you don’t toss your old oil into the garbage can! Place it into a sealed container and discard it at a local recycling center instead.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Regularly changing your 2021 Honda CR-V’s oil on your own is both a cost-effective and easy way to protect your engine against damage.

A quality car insurance policy can do the same thing—and with

Jerry

’s help, finding a plan that lowers your

Honda CR-V car insurance costs

can be done in less time than it takes to warm up your engine!

As a

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, Jerry instantly tracks down the lowest rates available for your coverage needs from a pool of over 55 top insurers. Once you see a plan you like, all you have to do is select it through the app, and Jerry’s expert brokers will help take care of all the transition calls and paperwork.

On average, each Jerry user saves more than $800 a year on car insurance. And just like regular oil maintenance, Jerry performs regular premium comparison checks even after you’ve secured a policy to ensure you’re always paying the best price possible.

“When using
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