🔧 CR-V - Engine Oil & Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter and drain plug washer, then refill with fresh oil in your CR-V. This keeps the engine lubricated, cool, and clean so it lasts longer and runs smoothly.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1–1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface; use a floor jack and jack stands—never rely on the jack alone.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool a bit; hot oil and exhaust parts can burn you.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves; oil can irritate skin and eyes.
• ⚠️ Chock the rear wheels so the CR-V cannot roll.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the serpentine belt and exhaust; clean spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Used oil and filters must be recycled; do not pour oil on the ground or in drains.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🛠️ Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• 🛠️ Jack stands (rated 3-ton, pair)
• 🛠️ Wheel chocks
• 🛠️ 3/8" drive ratchet
• 🛠️ 17mm socket
• 🛠️ 10mm socket
• 🛠️ 3/8" drive torque wrench (5–75 ft-lbs range)
• 🛠️ Oil filter wrench 65/67mm cup style (specialty)
• 🛠️ Drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity)
• 🛠️ Plastic funnel
• 🛠️ Flathead screwdriver
• 🛠️ Shop towels or rags
• 🛠️ Nitrile gloves
• 🛠️ Safety glasses
• 🛠️ Creeper or foam mat

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil (API SN or better) - Qty: 5 quarts
• 🔩 Engine oil filter (for 2.4L CR-V) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Engine oil drain plug crush washer (aluminum) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Disposable shop towels - Qty: 1 pack

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park the CR-V on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine run 3–5 minutes, then shut it off so the oil is warm but not too hot.
• Place wheel chocks behind both rear wheels.
• Position the floor jack under the front center jacking point and lift the front high enough to work comfortably.
• Place jack stands under the front pinch welds or frame points and lower the vehicle onto them securely.
• Give the CR-V a shake on stands before going under.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower engine cover

• Slide under the front of your CR-V with your 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• Remove the bolts holding the small front lower engine cover or access panel using the 10mm socket.
• If there are plastic clips, gently pry their centers up with a flathead screwdriver and remove them.
• Set the cover and hardware aside where you won’t lose them.

Step 2: Locate the drain plug and oil filter

• Under the engine, find the oil pan; it is the metal pan at the bottom of the engine.
• The drain plug is a single bolt at the lowest rear corner of the pan—this uses a 17mm socket.
• The oil filter is a spin-on canister mounted on the front side of the engine block, reachable from below.
• Study locations now so you don’t rush once oil flows.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Place the drain pan under the drain plug, slightly toward the rear (oil will shoot out a bit).
• Use the 17mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to carefully loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pushing it inward until you’re ready, then pull it away quickly so oil drains into the pan.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a drip. This may take 5–10 minutes.
• Wipe the drain plug and oil pan area with a shop towel.

Step 4: Install new crush washer and reinstall drain plug

• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug; it may be stuck, so use a flathead screwdriver if needed.
• Slide the new crush washer onto the drain plug, flat side against the bolt head.
• Thread the drain plug back into the oil pan by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to snug the plug.
• Attach your torque wrench with the 17mm socket and tighten the plug to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).
• Do not overtighten; the pan is aluminum.

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area; some oil will spill when you remove it.
• Place the oil filter wrench 65/67mm cup style on the filter, attach the 3/8" ratchet, and loosen the filter counterclockwise.
• Once loose, spin it off by hand; keep it upright if possible to reduce spills.
• Let any remaining oil from the filter area drain into the pan.
• Wipe the filter mounting surface on the engine with a shop towel.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket is not stuck to the engine; only one gasket should remain (on the new filter).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Take the new oil filter and pour a little fresh 0W-20 oil into it (about 1/3 full) if you can install it upright.
• Lightly coat the rubber gasket of the new filter with clean oil using your finger.
• Thread the new filter onto the engine by hand until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Once the gasket contacts the surface, tighten another 3/4 turn by hand. If using the oil filter wrench, tighten to about 16 Nm (12 ft-lbs).
• Hand tight plus 3/4 turn is usually enough.

Step 7: Clean up underneath and reinstall the cover

• Spray any oily areas around the drain plug or filter with a bit of brake cleaner and wipe with shop towels.
• Reinstall the lower engine cover or access panel using the 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet and any clips you removed.
• Check that no tools are left under the CR-V.

Step 8: Lower the vehicle

• Use the floor jack to raise the front slightly and remove the jack stands.
• Lower the CR-V gently back onto the ground.

Step 9: Refill the engine with fresh oil

• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap on top of the engine cover.
• Place the funnel in the filler hole.
• Pour in about 4.0 quarts of fresh 0W-20 oil slowly.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.
• Pull out the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert fully, then remove again to check the level. It should be between the marks, likely slightly low still—this is okay for now.

Step 10: Start the engine and check for leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for about 30–60 seconds.
• Look under the CR-V around the drain plug and filter for any leaks.
• If you see drips, shut off the engine and slightly tighten the leaking part using the appropriate tool: 17mm socket for drain plug or oil filter wrench for filter.
• Shut off the engine and wait 3–5 minutes for the oil to drain back to the pan.

Step 11: Final oil level check

• After waiting, pull the dipstick, wipe, reinsert, then pull it again.
• If the level is below the upper mark, add oil in small amounts (about 0.1–0.2 quart at a time) through the funnel, rechecking with the dipstick.
• For your CR-V, total capacity with filter is about 4.4 quarts, so you will usually have a small amount left from the 5th quart.
• The final level should be near the upper dot on the dipstick but not above it.

Step 12: Reset the Maintenance Minder (oil life)

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine can be off).
• Use the steering wheel i/Information button and SEL/RESET button to navigate.
• On the display, go to Menu > Vehicle Information > Maintenance Info.
• Select Maintenance Info, choose Yes to reset oil life, and confirm with the SEL/RESET button.
• Oil life should now show 100%.

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✅ After Repair

• Check under the CR-V again after your first short drive for any signs of oil leaks.
• Verify the oil level on the dipstick the next morning when the engine is cold and the car is level; adjust if needed.
• Make a note of the mileage and date for your next oil change interval.
• Take the used oil and filter to a recycling center or workshop that accepts used oil.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $70–$110 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35–$60 (parts only)

You Save: $35–$50 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4–0.7 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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