Honda CR-V Engine Coolant Guide (All Models)
Honda CR-V models have various fluids, and each serves a unique purpose. The coolant is one of the most crucial fluids of these SUVs because, without it, the engine would fail or overheat. It is, therefore, important that you check and change the coolant during regular maintenance.
If you want to know the importance of the coolant to the engine’s well-being as well as how to change it, this article is for you. Also, you will know the different coolant types at the end of the article.
What is the Coolant?
Although engine coolant is usually referred to as antifreeze, the two are different.
The antifreeze fluid is made from propylene glycol or ethylene glycol, and it is a basic component of the coolant.
The coolant, on the other hand, is a blend of water and antifreeze, normally in the ratio of 50:50. It is important to note that not all cars use the 50:50 ratio; some may need a coolant made of 30% water and 70% antifreeze, especially when driving in extremely cold weather.
Engine coolant has several purposes, including:
- Preventing corrosion
- Preventing overheating
- Lubricating several moving parts of the engine
- Preventing damage to the water pump, cylinder head, engine block, and head gasket
Engine coolant keeps the motor cooler by transferring heat away from it. It runs back and forth from the engine to the radiator via a closed cooling system.
(Universal Technical Institute)
Checking the Level
You want to ensure that the CR-V’s coolant is at the correct level. If there is not enough coolant, the temperature gauge may start to rise into the hot zone (H). If the temperature gauge goes into the red, serious damage could occur, leading to engine failure and expensive repairs.
On the other hand, if you add too much coolant, the reservoir may overfill when it gets too hot. The reservoir is designed to receive the radiator’s overflow when it overheats. Putting too much fluid in the reservoir will cause it to overfill, which can lead to overflow and rupture of the radiator hose.
For these reasons, it is important to check the coolant level regularly.
The CR-V’s coolant reservoir is located on the left side of the engine bay in a large white container. The shape of the container will vary by CR-V generation, but in general, it will look similar. See the following picture.
Important! Before you check the coolant, make sure the engine is cold. Never open the reservoir cap or the radiator cap if the engine is still hot. When hot, coolant is under pressure, and opening the radiator cap can cause the fluid to spray, potentially resulting in serious burns. Allow the engine to cool down first.
Here are some easy steps to check the coolant:
- Park your SUV on level ground and apply the parking brake.
- Make sure the engine and radiator are cool.
- Open the hood and locate the coolant reservoir.
- Check the sides of the reservoir to see how much fluid is inside. If the reservoir is dirty, you may need a damp cloth to clean it.
When the engine is cold, the fluid should be between the LOW and MAX marks. At this point, it should be sufficient, and you shouldn’t need to top it up.
If the coolant is below the LOW mark, you need to add more fluid. Also, remember to check the hoses connecting the radiator and reservoir for leaks.
How Often to Change
It is advisable that you top off the coolant whenever it gets low. Honda also advises that you change the fluid occasionally. The process of changing engine coolant involves flushing out the old one and refilling the system with a fresh one.
According to Honda, you should inspect the engine coolant every 15,000 miles or 18 months as part of the CR-V maintenance schedule.
If you conduct an inspection and realize that the fluid appears contaminated, flush it from the system. But if its level has dropped, top it off with a fresh one.
To keep the engine protected, Honda recommends that you flush the coolant every 120 months or 100,000 miles.
Unlike antifreeze, where some have an extended life, coolant cannot be made to last longer.
Honda, however, offers an extended service formulation, which lasts 150,000 miles between changes. However, the maximum life of the fluid remains 10 years or 120 months.
Choosing the Correct Coolant Type
It’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your CR-V. There are many types and brands of coolant available, and each car may require a different type.
Fortunately, the coolant specifications recommended by the manufacturer for the CR-V are straightforward. The Honda CR-V requires Honda Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 for all generations, including the CR-V hybrid.
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.
If Honda antifreeze/coolant is unavailable, you can temporarily use a major brand of non-silicate coolant suitable for aluminum engines. However, prolonged use of non-Honda coolant can cause corrosion and damage the cooling system. Have the system flushed and refilled with Honda antifreeze/coolant as soon as possible.
Coolant Capacity
As I mentioned earlier, it is very important to put the right amount of coolant into your CR-V.
Here are some possible consequences if you don’t add enough coolant:
- Engine overheating, resulting in component damage
- Some components will not be lubricated and could be damaged
- Air gets into the radiator/cooling system
While coolant is crucial, you also want to make sure not to overfill the system, as this can also create problems, including:
- System leaks due to over-pressurization
- Liquid spilling onto other components, potentially causing electronic damage
For these reasons, it is important to fill the reservoir tank below the MAX line. The following is the total coolant capacity for the Honda CR-V based on information from Honda.
| Model Year | Gasoline Engine | Hybrid Engine |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.56 US gal (5.91 L) | 1.51 US gal (5.75 L) |
| 2024 | 1.56 US gal (5.91 L) | 1.51 US gal (5.75 L) |
| 2023 | 1.56 US gal (5.91 L) | 1.51 US gal (5.75 L) |
| 2022 | 1.62 US gal (6.12 L) | 1.46 US gal (5.52 L) |
| 2021 | 1.64 US gal (6.19 L) | 1.46 US gal (5.52 L) |
| 2020 | 1.64 US gal (6.19 L) | 1.46 US gal (5.52 L) |
| 2019 | 2.4 L Engine: 1.65 US gal (6.24 L) 1.5 L Engine: 1.64 US gal (6.19 L) | – |
| 2018 | 2.4 L Engine: 1.65 US gal (6.24 L) 1.5 L Engine: 1.64 US gal (6.19 L) | – |
| 2017 | 2.4 L Engine: 1.65 US gal (6.24 L) 1.5 L Engine: 1.64 US gal (6.19 L) | – |
| 2016 | 1.66 US gal (6.30 L) | – |
| 2015 | 1.66 US gal (6.30 L) | – |
| 2014 | 1.64 US gal (6.19 L) | – |
| 2013 | 1.64 US gal (6.19 L) | – |
| 2012 | 1.64 US gal (6.19 L) | – |
| 2011 | 1.56 US gal (5.9 L) | – |
| 2010 | 1.56 US gal (5.9 L) | – |
| 2009 | 1.32 US gal (5.0 L) | – |
| 2008 | 1.32 US gal (5.0 L) | – |
| 2007 | 1.32 US gal (5.0 L) | – |
| 2006 | 1.43 US gal (5.4 L) | – |
| 2005 | AT: 1.43 US gal (5.4 L) MT: 1.45 US gal (5.5 L) | – |
| 2004 | AT: 1.43 US gal (5.4 L) MT: 1.45 US gal (5.5 L) | – |
| 2003 | AT: 1.43 US gal (5.4 L) MT: 1.45 US gal (5.5 L) | – |
| 2002 | AT: 1.43 US gal (5.4 L) MT: 1.45 US gal (5.5 L) | – |
| 2001 | AT: 1.03 US Gal (3.9 L ) MT: 1.06 US gal (4.0 L) | – |
| 2000 | AT: 1.03 US Gal (3.9 L ) MT: 1.06 US gal (4.0 L) | – |
| 1999 | AT: 1.03 US Gal (3.9 L )* MT: 1.06 US gal (4.0 L)* | – |
| 1998 | AT: 1.03 US Gal (3.9 L )* MT: 1.06 US gal (4.0 L)* | – |
| 1997 | AT: 1.03 US Gal (3.9 L )* MT: 1.06 US gal (4.0 L)* | – |
*Unable to confirm the data, please check your CR-V owner’s manual.
Does Color Matter?
Coolant comes in various colors; however, these colors are not an active element in the chemical mixture of the fluid. Instead, they differentiate one coolant type from another.
For this reason, it is necessary that you pick the right coolant type since it directly affects the engine and cooling system; using the wrong type of coolant can damage the engine or cooling system.
Conclusion
You can prevent overheating in your CR-V by using the right type and amount of coolant.
You should also follow the recommended maintenance schedule to keep your cooling system working as it should.
It is important that you take care of your Honda CR-V to keep it performing at optimal levels.
To do that, check its reservoir regularly and top it off if necessary. Moreover, have a professional inspect your CR-V if you notice any problems.
