For years, the Honda CR-V held the title of the most popular SUV in America. If you’re one of many who proudly drive a 2009 CR-V AC, you’ll need to know about its engine oil capacity to make sure it lives up to its potential.

Keeping up with maintenance is just part of being a responsible car owner. After all, the more you put into taking care of your CR-V, the longer it will last and the better it will drive.

Part of regular maintenance is, of course, changing your oil. But if you’re going to take on the task yourself, you need to know exactly how much oil your vehicle needs and which type of oil is best.

Thankfully, you can turn to

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Honda CR-V car insurance costs

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2009 Honda CR-V AC engine oil capacity

First things first: how much oil will you need for a 2009 Honda CR-V AC?

The 2.4L four-cylinder engine that comes standard on a 2009 CR-V has an oil capacity of 4.4 quarts, or 4.16 liters.

Sometimes, people confuse the engine’s displacement with the oil capacity, but the two numbers are not the same. The displacement, in this case, is 2.4 liters. This refers to the amount of space the four cylinders take up. The oil capacity, however, is the amount of oil you need for an oil change.

MORE: How much should an oil change cost?

What kind of oil does a 2009 Honda CR-V AC need?

Now it’s time to talk about exactly what kind of oil you’ll need for a 2009 Honda CR-V AC. This is more important than you might think!

If you’re wondering, “What’s the difference, really?” Well, if you use the wrong oil in your car, you might have to deal with some major fallout. It could be anything from a higher chance of an oil leak to your engine parts not being lubricated well enough, which can lead to oil burning and engine failure.

For the 2009 Honda CR-V AC, the manufacturer recommends Honda Genuine Motor Oil 0W-20. This is the oil you should try your best to use each time, as typically you can trust the manufacturer's recommendation above any others.

If you need a little help decoding those letters and numbers, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick rundown.

The numbers represent the viscosity of the oil, essentially describing how thick it is. The first number, 0, indicates the viscosity of the oil upon starting the vehicle when the engine is cold. The W signals winter certification, so the 0 placed before the W tells you that the oil has a low viscosity in cold weather.

The second number, 20, indicates the viscosity at higher temperatures. In this case, 20 still indicates a relatively low viscosity.

A low viscosity as indicated here typically means less wear and tear on your engine, which is great news for drivers. These low numbers and the winter certification also mean it fares well even in cold weather.

The oil recommended for the CR-V is synthetic, which means it's man-made. You can also use a synthetic oil blend, as long as it meets the same requirements (0W-20).

Here are three specific options for oil for a CR-V:

Go straight to the source: Take it from the folks at Honda themselves and use Honda Genuine Motor Oil 0W-20.

If you live in a warmer climate: You can use a higher viscosity oil, like 10W-40 synthetic grade oil.

Make the choice that's great for your engine: The 2021 Honda CR-V Engine Oil by ACDelco SAE 0W-20 is designed to help maintain engine cleanliness and optimize performance.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2009 Honda CR-V AC

When is it time to put all this knowledge to use and change your oil? That depends on your car.

For best performance, Honda recommends changing your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If six months pass, though, and you haven’t hit that benchmark, it’s probably a good idea to change the oil anyway.

There are some exceptions, though. If you use full synthetic oil, for instance, you can afford to go a little longer between oil changes. In fact, most experts recommend changing synthetic oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

Even with this schedule in mind, it’s a good idea to check your engine regularly. Here are some cues that it's time to change your oil:

The color of the oil is dark brown or black, rather than amber or light brown

The texture of your oil is gritty or coarse

The engine is making sounds that seem out of place

Your car smells of oil, smoke, or burning

Your oil warning light comes on

MORE:

How to test an oil pump

How to change your oil and oil filter

Let's get down to business, shall we? To change your oil, you’ll need a few

car tools and supplies

, like a socket wrench, a filter wrench to remove the old oil filter, and a drain pan, as well as a replacement filter and 0W-20 oil.

Make sure to run the engine for a bit to let it warm up to a typical driving temperature, then shut off the car and open the hood.

First, remove the oil fill cap. Then, go under the engine to take out the oil drain bolt and washer, and drain the oil into the pan. At this point, go ahead and take out the old oil filter.

Once all of the oil has drained, install the new filter, replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer, and tighten it. Finally, fill the engine with the new oil, and screw the fill cap back into place.

You can check to be sure you’ve added enough oil by using your vehicle’s dipstick and by making sure the oil light is turned off.

Oh, and don’t dispose of the oil in your garbage bin. Take it in a sealed container to a recycling center. That way your car and the earth are happy!

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

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