🔧 CR-V - Engine Oil & Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, install a new drain plug washer, and refill with fresh oil. This keeps your engine protected and helps it last longer.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool at least 20–30 minutes to avoid burns from hot oil and exhaust parts.
• ⚠️ Always support the front of your CR-V with jack stands, never rely only on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile or mechanic gloves to protect your eyes and skin from oil.
• ⚠️ Keep the work area level and use wheel chocks behind the rear tires so the vehicle cannot roll.
• ⚠️ Wipe up any spilled oil immediately; it is slippery and a fire hazard.
• ⚠️ Used oil and filters must be recycled—do not pour oil on the ground or in drains.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🛠️ Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• 🛠️ Jack stands (rated 2-ton or higher, Qty: 2)
• 🛠️ Wheel chocks
• 🛠️ 17mm socket
• 🛠️ 3/8" drive ratchet
• 🛠️ 3/8" drive torque wrench (ft-lb scale)
• 🛠️ Oil filter wrench (strap or cap type)
• 🛠️ Large drain pan (at least 8 liters / 2 gallons)
• 🛠️ Oil funnel
• 🛠️ Flathead screwdriver (medium)
• 🛠️ Plastic trim clip removal tool (specialty)
• 🛠️ Shop towels or rags
• 🛠️ Brake cleaner spray
• 🛠️ Safety glasses
• 🛠️ Nitrile or mechanic gloves
• 🛠️ Small flashlight

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 0W-20 synthetic engine oil (API SN or higher) - Qty: 5 quarts
• 🔩 Engine oil filter (for 2.4L engine) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Engine oil drain plug crush washer (aluminum) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Disposable gloves - Qty: 1 box
• 🔩 Shop towels - Qty: 1 pack

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📝 Park your CR-V on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake firmly.
• 📝 Let the engine cool until parts are warm, not hot. Warm oil drains faster.
• 📝 Gather tools and parts so you don’t have to crawl out mid-job.
• 📝 Turn off all lights and accessories; you do not need to disconnect the battery for this job.
• 📝 Plan where you will take the used oil and filter—most service stations or parts stores accept them for recycling.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Safely raise and support the front of the CR-V

• Place wheel chocks behind both rear tires.
• Use the floor jack on the front center jacking point (under the front subframe crossmember—check your owner’s manual picture to confirm spot).
• Lift until you have good access under the front.
• Place jack stands under the factory pinch welds or frame points on both sides, then slowly lower the CR-V onto the stands using the floor jack.
• Give the vehicle a firm push to confirm it is stable on the jack stands.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield access (if equipped)

• Slide the drain pan nearby so it’s ready.
• Use the flathead screwdriver or plastic trim clip removal tool to carefully pop out any plastic clips or turn any plastic screws on the front lower cover that block access to the oil drain plug and filter.
• Set clips and screws aside where you won’t lose them.

Step 3: Locate the drain plug and oil filter

• Crawl under the front: the oil pan is under the engine; the drain plug is a hex bolt on the bottom or rear side of the pan.
• The oil filter on the 2.4L is mounted toward the front of the engine, facing down slightly (look for a small cylindrical part, usually black or blue).
• Use the flashlight if visibility is poor.

Step 4: Drain the old engine oil

• Position the drain pan under the drain plug, slightly toward the direction you expect the oil to shoot out.
• Use the 17mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to carefully loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish unscrewing the plug by hand while pressing it inward until you’re ready, then pull it away quickly so oil flows into the pan.
• Let the oil drain until it is just a light drip—this may take 5–10 minutes.
• While it drains, wipe the drain plug threads clean with a shop towel and remove the old crush washer.

Step 5: Reinstall the drain plug with new crush washer

• Install the new crush washer onto the drain plug, flat side facing the oil pan.
• Thread the drain plug back into the oil pan by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to snug the plug.
• Attach the torque wrench with the 17mm socket and tighten the drain plug to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).
• Wipe any oil around the plug area with a shop towel.

Step 6: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter; some oil will spill when you remove it.
• Use the oil filter wrench to turn the filter counterclockwise and loosen it.
• Once loose, spin it off by hand and keep it upright to minimize spills.
• Let any remaining oil drain into the drain pan.
• Wipe the filter mounting surface on the engine with a shop towel. Make sure the old rubber gasket is not stuck there—only metal should remain.

Step 7: Install the new oil filter

• Take the new oil filter out of the box.
• Pour a little fresh oil into the new filter (about 1/4 full) to pre-wet it if the mounting orientation allows it.
• Use a clean finger and fresh oil to lightly coat the rubber gasket on the top of the new filter.
• Thread the new filter onto the engine by hand until the gasket just contacts the mounting surface.
• Then tighten a further 3/4 turn by hand. If you use the oil filter wrench, do not over-tighten; approximate torque is 16 Nm (12 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Clean up under the vehicle

• Spray a little brake cleaner on a shop towel and wipe any oily areas around the drain plug and filter.
• Confirm the drain plug and filter are both snug.
• If you removed any part of the splash shield, reinstall it now using the flathead screwdriver or plastic trim clip removal tool to put the clips back.

Step 9: Lower the CR-V back to the ground

• Use the floor jack to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands and slowly lower the vehicle to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks from behind the rear wheels.

Step 10: Add fresh engine oil

• Open the hood and secure it.
• Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine; twist it counterclockwise to remove.
• Place the funnel in the filler opening.
• Pour in about 4.2 quarts (4.0 liters) of 0W-20 oil to start.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.

Step 11: Start the engine and check for leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Look under the CR-V with the flashlight at the drain plug and oil filter for any dripping oil.
• If you see leaks, shut off the engine and slightly tighten the leaking part with the correct tool (17mm socket for the plug, oil filter wrench for the filter).
• Shut off the engine and wait at least 5 minutes so the oil drains back to the oil pan.

Step 12: Check and adjust the oil level

• Pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it clean with a shop towel, then reinsert fully and pull it out again.
• The oil level should be between the “LOW” and “FULL” marks, ideally near “FULL”.
• If it’s low, remove the oil cap and add oil using the funnel in small amounts (about 100–200 ml at a time), rechecking with the dipstick.
• The total capacity with filter is about 4.6 quarts (4.4 liters), so do not exceed this much.
• Once correct, reinstall the dipstick fully and close the oil cap firmly.

Step 13: Reset the Maintenance Minder (oil life)

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine can be off) so the dash lights are on.
• Use the steering wheel controls and go to Menu > Vehicle Settings > Maintenance Info on the instrument display.
• Select Oil Life, then select Reset and confirm when prompted.
• If your display is slightly different, follow the owner’s manual steps, but the idea is the same: reset the engine oil life to 100%.

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✅ After Repair

• 🔍 Check under the CR-V again after a short drive to confirm there are no oil drips at the drain plug or filter.
• 🔍 Verify the oil level again after the test drive and top up if needed.
• 🔍 Make sure the “Oil Life” or maintenance reminder now shows 100% or a fresh interval.
• 🔍 Pour the used oil from the drain pan into empty oil containers and take them, along with the old filter, to a recycling center or parts store.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$65 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$75 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections above to add everything to your cart.