Maintenance -> Maintenance Under the Hood for Your Honda CR-V SUV 2023

Maintenance Under the Hood  
Maintenance Items Under the Hood  
Engine Oil Dipstick  
(Orange)  
Engine Oil Fill Cap  
Brake Fluid  
(Black Cap)  
Washer Fluid  
(Blue Cap)  
12-volt Battery  
Engine Coolant  
Reserve Tank  
Radiator Cap  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduOpening the Hood  
Opening the Hood  
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set  
the parking brake.  
2. Pull the hood release handle under the  
driver’s side lower corner of the dashboard.  
u The hood will pop up slightly.  
1Opening the Hood  
Hood Release Handle  
3
WARNING  
The hood support rod can become very hot  
due to heat from the engine.  
To ensure against possible burns, do not  
handle the metal section of the rod:  
Use the foam grip instead.  
Pull  
3. Push the hood latch lever (located under  
the front edge of the hood to the center) to  
the side and raise the hood. Once you have  
raised the hood slightly, you can release the  
lever.  
NOTICE  
Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are  
raised. The hood will strike the wipers, resulting in  
possible damage to the hood and/or the wipers.  
When closing the hood, check that the hood is  
securely latched.  
Lever  
If the hood latch lever moves stiffly, or if you can  
open the hood without lifting the lever, the latch  
mechanism should be cleaned and lubricated.  
4. Remove the support rod from the clamp  
using the grip. Mount the support rod in  
the hood.  
Support Rod  
Grip  
When closing, remove the support rod, and  
stow it in the clamp, then gently lower the  
hood. Remove your hand at a height of  
approximately 12 inches (30 cm) and let the  
hood close.  
Clamp  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduRecommended Engine Oil  
Recommended Engine Oil  
Use a genuine engine oil or another commercial engine oil of suitable type and  
viscosity (for the ambient temperature) as shown in the image that follows.  
1Recommended Engine Oil  
Engine Oil Additives  
Your vehicle does not require oil additives. In fact,  
they may adversely affect the engine performance  
and durability.  
Oil is a major contributor to your engine’s performance and longevity. If you drive  
the vehicle with insufficient or deteriorated oil, the engine may fail or be damaged.  
The following seal indicates the oil is energy  
conserving and that it meets the American Petroleum  
Institute’s latest requirements.  
Genuine Engine Oil  
Commercial Engine Oil  
Premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil  
with an API Certification Seal on the  
container  
Honda Genuine Motor Oil  
0W-20  
Ambient Temperature  
Ambient Temperature  
*1:Formulated to improve fuel economy.  
Synthetic oil  
You may also use synthetic motor oil if it is labeled with the API Certification Seal  
and is the specified viscosity grade.  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduOil Check  
Oil Check  
We recommend that you check the engine oil level every time you refuel.  
Park the vehicle on level ground.  
Turn off the power system. You can check the oil level without the engine having  
run beforehand. If the engine has been running, wait approximately three minutes  
before you check the oil.  
1Oil Check  
If the oil level is near or below the lower mark, slowly  
add oil, being careful not to overfill.  
1. Remove the dipstick (orange).  
2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or  
paper towel.  
3. Insert the dipstick back all the way into its  
hole.  
4. Remove the dipstick again, and check the  
level. It should be between the upper and  
lower marks. Add oil if necessary.  
Upper Mark  
Lower Mark  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduAdding Engine Oil  
Adding Engine Oil  
1. Unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap.  
1Adding Engine Oil  
2. Add oil slowly.  
NOTICE  
3. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and tighten  
it securely.  
4. Wait for three minutes and recheck the  
engine oil dipstick.  
Do not fill the engine oil above the upper mark.  
Overfilling the engine oil may result in leaks and  
engine damage.  
If any oil spills, wipe it away immediately. Spilled oil  
may damage the engine compartment components.  
Engine Oil  
Fill Cap  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduChanging the Engine Oil and Oil Filter  
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter  
You must change the engine oil and oil filter regularly in order to maintain the  
engine's lubrication. The engine may be damaged if they are not changed regularly.  
1Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter  
NOTICE  
You may damage the environment if you do not  
dispose of the oil in a suitable way. If you are  
changing the oil by yourself, appropriately dispose of  
the used oil. Put the oil in a sealed container and take  
it to a recycling center. Do not throw the oil away  
into a garbage can or onto the ground.  
Turning the power system on automatically starts the engine if the High Voltage  
battery charge level gauge shows two segments or less.  
2 High Voltage Battery Charge Level Gauge P. 127  
Change the oil and filter in accordance with the maintenance message on the driver  
information interface.  
1. Run the engine until it reaches normal  
operating temperature, and then turn the  
engine off.  
2. Open the hood and remove the engine oil  
fill cap.  
3. Remove the Phillips-head screws and  
slotted head screws by turning 90°  
counter-clockwise on the undercarriage  
and remove the under cover.  
Screw Under Cover  
4. Remove the drain bolt and washer from  
the bottom of the engine, and drain the  
oil into a suitable container.  
Drain Bolt  
Washer  
Continued  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduChanging the Engine Oil and Oil Filter  
5. Remove the oil filter and dispose of the  
1Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter  
remaining oil.  
6. Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to  
the engine contact surface.  
u If it is stuck, you must detach it.  
7. Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the  
contact surface of the engine block, and  
install a new oil filter.  
u Apply a light coat of new engine oil to  
the filter gasket.  
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil  
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.  
Oil Filter  
When installing the new oil filter, follow the  
instructions supplied with the oil filter.  
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The  
low oil pressure indicator should go off within five  
seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and check  
your work.  
8. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then  
reinstall the drain bolt.  
u Tightening torque:  
30 lbf∙ft (40 N∙m, 4.0 kgf∙m)  
9. Pour the recommended engine oil into the  
engine.  
Be sure to verify that the oil filter is designed for your  
vehicle. A genuine Honda oil filter is recommended  
for optimum lubrication flow and filtration properties  
to assure the reliability of the engine.  
u Engine oil change capacity (including filter):  
4.0 US qt (3.8 L)  
10. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely and  
start the engine.  
11. Run the engine for a few minutes, and  
then check that there is no leak from the  
drain bolt or oil filter.  
12. Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,  
and then check the oil level on the  
dipstick.  
u If necessary, add more engine oil.  
13. Reinstall the under cover in the same order  
it was removed.  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduCooling System  
Cooling System  
1Cooling System  
Specified coolant: Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2  
3
WARNING  
This coolant is premixed with 50% antifreeze and 50% water. Do not add any  
straight antifreeze or water.  
Removing the radiator cap while the  
engine is hot can cause the coolant to spray  
out, seriously scalding you.  
We recommend you check the engine coolant level every time you refuel. Check the  
reserve tank first. If it is completely empty, also check the coolant level in the  
radiator. Add the engine coolant accordingly.  
Always let the engine and radiator cool  
down before removing the radiator cap.  
Reserve Tank  
NOTICE  
1. Make sure the engine and radiator are  
cool.  
Genuine Honda engine coolant is a 50/50 mixture of  
antifreeze and water that can withstand freezing at  
temperatures as low as about -31°F (-35°C). If your  
vehicle is consistently subjected to temperatures below  
this, the concentration of antifreeze in the coolant  
should be increased. Consult a dealer for details.  
2. Check the amount of coolant in the reserve tank.  
u If the coolant level is below the MIN  
mark, add the specified coolant until it  
reaches the MAX mark.  
MAX  
MIN  
3. Inspect the cooling system for leaks.  
If Honda antifreeze/coolant is not available, you may use  
another major brand of non-silicate coolant as a  
temporary replacement. Check that it is a high quality  
coolant recommended for aluminum engines.  
Reserve  
Tank  
Continued use of any non-Honda coolant can result in  
corrosion, causing the cooling system to malfunction or  
fail. Have the cooling system flushed and refilled with  
Honda antifreeze/coolant as soon as possible.  
Do not add rust inhibitors or other additives to your  
vehicle's cooling system. They may not be compatible  
with the coolant or with the engine components.  
Continued  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduCooling System  
1Radiator  
Radiator  
NOTICE  
1. Make sure the engine and radiator are  
cool.  
2. Turn the radiator cap 1/8 turn counter-  
clockwise and relieve any pressure in the  
cooling system.  
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so you do not spill  
any. Clean up any spills immediately; they can  
damage components in the engine compartment.  
3. Push down and turn the radiator cap  
counter-clockwise to remove it.  
4. The coolant level should be up to the base  
of the filler neck. Add coolant if it is low.  
5. Put the radiator cap back on, and tighten it  
fully.  
Radiator Cap  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduTransmission Fluid  
Transmission Fluid  
1Transmission Fluid  
Specified fluid: Honda ATF DW-1  
NOTICE  
Have a dealer check the fluid level and replace if necessary.  
Do not mix Honda ATF DW-1 with other  
transmission fluids.  
Using a transmission fluid other than Honda ATF DW-1  
may adversely affect the operation and durability of  
your vehicle’s transmission, and damage the  
transmission.  
Do not attempt to check or change the transmission fluid yourself.  
Any damage caused by using a transmission fluid that  
is not equivalent to Honda ATF DW-1 is not covered  
by Honda’s new vehicle limited warranty.  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduBrake Fluid  
Brake Fluid  
1Brake Fluid  
Specified fluid: Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3  
NOTICE  
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not compatible with your  
vehicle's braking system and can cause extensive  
damage.  
Checking the Brake Fluid  
The fluid level should be between the MIN  
and MAX marks on the side of the reserve  
tank.  
Reserve  
Tank  
If the specified brake fluid is not available, you should  
use only DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid from a sealed  
container as a temporary replacement.  
Using any non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion  
and decrease the longevity of the system. Have the  
brake system flushed and refilled with Honda Heavy  
Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as soon as possible.  
MAX  
MIN  
If the brake fluid level is at or below the MIN mark,  
have a dealer inspect the vehicle for leaks or worn  
brake pads as soon as possible.  
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uuMaintenance Under the HooduRefilling Window Washer Fluid  
1Refilling Window Washer Fluid  
Refilling Window Washer Fluid  
Check the amount of window washer fluid by looking at the reservoir.  
If the level is low, fill the washer reservoir.  
NOTICE  
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water  
solution in the windshield washer reservoir.  
Antifreeze can damage your vehicle's paint. A  
vinegar/water solution can damage the windshield  
washer pump.  
Use only commercially available windshield washer  
fluid.  
Avoid prolonged use of hard water to prevent lime  
scale buildup.  
Pour the washer fluid carefully. Do not overflow the reservoir.  
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