Oil Type for Honda CRV, Which One Should You Use?

Full synthetic oils are recommended for your Honda CRV. And the best synthetic oils are the 0W-20 and 0W-30. However, one should be careful while choosing the right oils for different models of Honda CRV. 0W-20 oil is suitable for CRV models with petrol engines. And 0W-30 oil is appropriate for diesel engines.

Selecting the suitable oil type is vital for an enjoyable ride on your Honda CRV. The perfect oil can give you a smooth drive with lots of benefits. Using the wrong oil type can ruin the Honda engine and other parts.

Thus the question arises, which oil type for Honda CRV & which one should you use?

The above part is just a summary. Now I will provide some other vital information in the next part.

Types of Oil for Honda CRV

Every vehicle demands oil according to its engine type and model. There are many types of oil available. All are not suitable for every vehicle. You can not just use any oil available in the market for the Honda CRV. You have to choose a specific one.

So, what is the best oil for Honda CRV?

0W-20 or 0W-30 motor oils are best for Honda CRV. [1] There will be frequent engine problems if you use oils other than these two. The engine condition will deteriorate and won’t last for a long time.

The manufacturer also recommends using only these two engine oils only. However, both of these oils are not suitable for every yearly model of the Honda CRV. You have to select the oil according to the type of model year. If you select the wrong one, problems will arise.

Type 1: 0W-20 

The first type of oil that you can use in the Honda CRV is 0W-20. It is a full synthetic oil. It protects the engine as well as is favorable for the cleanliness of the engine.

Anyway, there is a drawback to this oil. You can only use the 0W-20 oil in modern gasoline engines. This oil is not suitable for Honda CRV with diesel engines. So be careful about this aspect while selecting car oil.

High-quality 0W-20 reduces the chance of fuel economy loss. It means for 0W-20, the engine will consume less than other oil. The engine parts also get protection because of the oil. This oil has a longer life.

0W-20 has thicker forms which are known as 5W-20 and 10W-20. 5W-20 is suitable for hot weather. It will burn slower than 0W-20 due to its thicker viscosity.

The expense of oil will be high if you use 0W-20 in hot weather. So it is wise to use thicker oil like the 5W-20 in hot weather. It will save you bucks. 

Pros	Cons
Easily available.Reduce the chance of fuel economic loss.	Not suitable for diesel engines.

Type 2: 0W-30 

Another oil option for your Honda CRV is 0W-30. It comes in two forms, fully synthetic and semi-synthetic oils. The Most recommended oil for the Honda CRV is the full synthetic one. 

The flow of this oil is also quick and stable. The Honda engine consumes less amount of 0W-30 oil but provides great performance. It also has low weight and low viscosity. Thus this oil works great in preventing friction between the moving parts.

0W-30 is thicker than 0W-20 oil. At extremely high temperatures above 250 degrees, it works less yet provides proper lubrication and protection. It also helps in the engine cooling system.

0W-30 is usable for both diesel and gasoline engines. But you can not use it in other types of engines.

Pros	Cons
Suitable for both cold and hot temperatures.Can be usable in gasoline engines.Helps in the engine cooling system.	Doesn’t work well with excessively high temperatures.

Full synthetic 0W-20 and 0W-30 motor oils are mostly mentioned in manuals for Honda CRV. But you should use the specific one which is preferable for your model.

Summary:

Though two types of oils are available for the Honda CRV, both can not be used. Both 0W-30 and 0W-20 are synthetic oils. They have their benefits and drawbacks. However, the selection of oil must be made according to the car model.

Types of Oil Need for Honda CRV According to Their Models

There are different models of Honda CRV available in the market. They can be divided into two types on the basis of the engine. One with a petrol engine and the other with a diesel engine. 0W-20 is suitable for petrol engines and 0W-30 is usable for diesel engines respectively. 

I have collected the name of the required oil for all the models of the Honda CRV. Have a look at the table for a clear idea!

Model Year	Fuel	Required Oil
2002 – 2006	Diesel	0W-30
2002 – 2006	Petrol	0W-20
2007 -2012	Diesel	0W-30
2007 – 2012	Petrol	0W-20
2007 – 2012	Diesel	0W-30
2013 – 2018	Petrol	0W-20
2013 – 2018	Diesel	0W-30
2013 – 2018	Diesel	0W-30

Although all the information is collectively given here, you should check the manual before changing. Do not alter the oil without an expert’s opinion.

You can select the correct oil for your Honda CRV from the above table. However, there are much more details left about the oils. So go through the next sections to clear all of your doubts about the Honda CRV oil.

Oil Changing Process in Honda CRV

The oil changing process is the most vital thing in the routine maintenance of vehicles. When the oil level is low, it causes more friction and overheating issues. So, you need to maintain the process timely.

The oil-changing process [2] is also dependent on the oil used in vehicles. Some oils need to be changed within a short time. Some run for a long time. You need to be careful about the type of oil in this process. 

Required Apparatus

To change the oil, you need some instruments. You need to collect all the items before changing the oil. The instruments needed for this task are given below.

• Full synthetic oil or new oil
• Funnel
• Filter
• Oil filter
• Oil drain pan
• Wrench
• Hand gloves
• Mask

Make sure that you gather all these instruments before starting your work.

Procedures

First, you should take self-protection like wearing a mask and hand gloves. After safety precautions, you need to confirm that the engine is not heated up. You should rest the Honda for at least 30 minutes before changing the oil. Now let’s see the main procedure.

1. Pull the hood release switch beside the driver’s door.
2. Open the hood and raise. Use the hood arm to stable the hood.
3. Clockwise turn the oil fill cap and lose it.
4. Slide the jerk on the passenger side in the jerk point. Turn it clockwise and slightly raise that part.
5. You can take help from a jerk stand for safety.
6. Underneath the Honda, remove two 10mm bolts counter-clockwise.
7. Counter-clockwise remove 6 flat head clips. Remove the shield.
8. Place the oil drain pan under the oil reservoir.
9. Then lose the drain plug counter-clockwise. In the case of the 2001 model, no need to remove any bolts or head clips. This model is designed so you can directly drain the oil.
10. Remove the old oils. Then tighten back the drain plug clockwise.
11. Turn the oil filter counterclockwise. Set the drain pan under it. At this point, the filter will be removed and drained.
12. Now time to replace the old filter with a new one. Coat the filter gasket with new oil. Fix it tighter with your hand by turning it clockwise. Here you should not use the filter wrench because that can damage the filter.
13. Remove the oil fill cap and place a funnel. Pour the new oils.
14. Now pull the dipstick and clean it. Reinsert the dipstick to check the oil level. If the oil level is on the minimum indicator, then replace the dipstick. Oil level should be on the minimum to maximum level.
15. Clockwise turn the oil fill cap.
16. Start the engine for one minute to cycle the oil and check if any leakage is present.
17. Now lower the hood arm and the hood.
18. In the case of model 2017-2021, take the shield back. Fix the bolt and head clips back.
19. Remove the jerk and the jerk stand.

You might be afraid of leakage.  In that case, you can take your Honda to any repair shop or dealer. If any problem arises, the experts can deal with it at that moment.

How Often Oil Should be Changed?

You should change the oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. The oil-changing process has its benefits. You can protect the engine and parts by following this process. Unpleasant noise will come if the oil is not changed.

Summary:

For the synthetic oil, you should change it in between 7,500 to 10,000 miles. Not changing oil for a long time can create unpleasant noise and smell. There will be difficulties in the movement of Honda. It’s important to check and change the oil timely.

What If You Choose the Wrong Oil? 

The function of oil in the car engine is very significant. Oil provides the engine with proper lubrication. It is essential for engine life and smooth riding. Using any wrong oil in the engine will not serve these purposes. Rather it might create a ruckus inside the engine. [3]

Here are some of the negative effects of using the wrong oil with your Honda CRV.

1. The wrong oil will not be able to provide the engine with the necessary lubrication. So there will be more friction.
2. The engine might overheat due to the use of any wrong engine oil.
3. The engine will make excessive noise during its functioning. 
4. The possibility of transmission failure increases due to the use of the wrong oil.
5. Sometimes bad smells might come out of the engine.
6. The lifespan of the engine decreases.

All the problems given above are occurring for using the wrong oil. So, you should be more careful before changing the oil. The wrong oil can make you suffer a lot.

Summary:

There are several disadvantages of using the wrong oil. Some of them are very harmful to the car engine. The Honda CRV can get damaged in the long run due to the use of the wrong oil. So utmost care must be given while choosing the oil.

Do Brands Matter In The Case of Oils?

Yes, brands matter in the case of oils. There is always a difference in the oil quality between brands. Honda produces oils, especially for their vehicles. Honda 0W-20 synthetic oil is the best one for Honda CRV engines. This oil is mainly produced for Honda engines’ best working capability and engine protection.

It does not mean that you can not use other brands in your Honda CRV. There will remain differences, but you need to check some things while buying other brands. You should check the API (American Petroleum Institute) certificate. It describes the standard of the oil. [4]

Also, the ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturer Association) certification label is important. You need to check this label as well in other brands.

Summary:

Brands matter in the case of oil. The effectiveness of the oil varies with the manufacturing brand. It is better to use oil produced by the car manufacturer. Honda also produces synthetic oil for their engines. Check API and ACEA certificates for using other brands.

FAQs

Final Verdict

Now you know all about the oil type for Honda CRV & which one should you use.

Regular oil changes boost the Honda engine efficiency. But you must select the recommended oil according to your Honda CRV model. Take help from a professional if you are confused about choosing the oil.