When To Change Your Oil

The general rule of thumb nowadays for when to change your oil is between every 7,500 - 10,000 miles or once every 6 - 12 months for synthetic oil, and between every 3,000 - 5,000 miles or at least once per year for non-synthetic oil. Luckily, the Honda CR-V makes this guesswork much simpler thanks to its in built Maintenance Minder system on newer (2016+) models that will alert you when your oil is between 5% - 15%. Once alerted by the system, you will have ample notice on the status of your vehicles oil and can plan accordingly.

Synthetic vs. Non-Synthetic Oil

We mentioned both synthetic and non-synthetic oil above, but what exactly do they mean? Synthetic oil, just like non-synthetic oil, shares crude oils as a base. However in synthetic oil, this crude oil base is then chemically engineered to be more stable and resistant to high temperatures. It also has various additives that provide better stability and function. It is thanks to this extra refinement that synthetic oil is less viscous when coming in contact with the engines heat and allows it to last longer without needing to be changed. Non-synthetic oils meanwhile, are made up of unrefined crude oils, making them more likely to form sludge over long periods of time where it is exposed to the engines heat. This necessitates more frequent oil changes for non-synthetic oil vehicles.

Why Get My Oil Changed?

This is a little easier to answer if we first understand what oil does for the engine. Oil makes you Honda CR-V engine run efficiently by keeping it lubricated while in use. As the engine runs, it has many different parts moving and interacting with each other. This causes friction that can wear down and degrade these parts. From here is where oil comes in. It keeps these parts lubricated so when they collide as part of their function, less harmful friction is generated. Additionally, oil prevents dirt and debris from entering you engine, keeping harmful particles from affecting the rest of your engine system. If you don't get your oil changed, it will be unable to do these vital tasks, and your engine will slowly become damaged over time.

Next Steps

It is important when taking care of your Honda CR-V to always be keeping up to date with its maintenance, especially if your Honda CR-V's Maintenance Minder system has alerted you that it is time. Ignoring your cars general maintenance can lead to major problems later on as damaged parts may then also damage other nearby components, compromising the vehicles ability to drive. If your Honda CR-V's oil is running low, or you just haven't brought your car in for maintenance in a while, schedule using the link below and our team of expert technicians will make sure your ride stays safe and smooth.