Honda CR-V & CR-V Hybrid Maintenance Schedule
Performing scheduled maintenance on your CR-V is essential for keeping your vehicle in top condition and ensuring its longevity.
The maintenance schedules for both the gasoline and hybrid Honda CR-V models are identical, with the same maintenance items for each. This guide applies to all model years and trim levels of the Honda CR-V.
In this article, I’ll cover the CR-V maintenance schedule based on mileage, the Maintenance Minder system, and additional maintenance for specific usage conditions.
By the end of the article, you’ll know when to bring your CR-V to the dealer for maintenance.
Maintenance Schedule By Mileage
One of the most common approaches is determining the service schedule based on mileage. Typically, manufacturers recommend servicing a vehicle every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. For the Honda CR-V, the recommended service interval is every 7,500 miles.
Here is a recommended service schedule based on mileage. Below are the different mileage intervals and the services that will take place at each interval.
| Mileage | Maintenance Items |
|---|---|
| 7,500 22,550 37,500 52,500 67,500 82,500 | – Oil and Filter Change – Brake Inspection – Fluid Inspections (Engine coolant, Transmission fluid, Brake fluid, Power steering fluid, Windshield washer fluid) – Tire Inspection – Tire Rotation |
| 15,000 45,000 75,000 105,000 | – Oil & Filter Change – Oil Drain Plug Replacement – Brake System Inspection – Fluid Inspections – Tire Inspection & Rotation – Undercarriage & Shocks Inspection – A/C & Heater System Inspection – Parking Brake Check – Lighting Fixtures Check – Steering System Inspection – Drive Shaft Bolt Inspection – Fuel System Inspection – Spark Plugs Replacement – A/C Filter Replacement |
| 30,000 60,000 90,000 120,000 | – Oil and Filter Change – Brake Inspection – Fluid Inspections (Engine coolant, Transmission fluid, Brake fluid, Power steering fluid, Windshield washer fluid) – Tire Inspection – Tire Rotation – PCV Valve Service – 12-V Battery Inspections & Replacement – Cable Cleaning – Differential Oil Replacement – Inspections on Fuel tank, gas cap gasket, fuel lines and connections, transfer case oil, and air elements – Propeller Shaft Lubrication – Wheel Bearing Lubrication |
Using the Honda CR-V Maintenance Minder
In addition to tracking mileage, the Maintenance minder system on your Honda CR-V will let you know when to visit the dealer for service.
The Maintenance Minder System uses an onboard computer that continuously monitors operating conditions like speed, engine temperature, ambient temperature, mileage usage, and overall vehicle use condition.
This system determines the optimal maintenance schedule for each vehicle’s specific conditions, as driving habits and environments vary from one vehicle to another.
You’ll see Maintenance Minder messages appear on the driver’s dashboard display (speedometer) whenever the oil life drops below 15%. These messages will show up each time you switch the power mode to ON, as shown below:
Other parts may need servicing in addition to the engine oil change recommendation. These service recommendations are displayed as codes, with letters indicating main maintenance items and numbers representing sub-items, for example, “A1234.”
Here’s what each of these codes means:
| Code | Maintenance Items |
|---|---|
| A | Replace engine oil |
| B | – Replace engine oil & oil filter – Inspect front and rear brakes – Check the expiration date for a temporary tire repair kit bottle – Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots – Inspect suspension components – Inspect Driveshaft boots – Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA®) – All fluid levels and condition of fluids – Exhaust system – Fuel lines and connections |
| 1 | Rotate tires |
| 2 | Replace air cleaner element and/or Replace dust and pollen filter |
| 3 | Replace transmission fluid |
| 4 | Replace spark plugs & Inspect valve clearance |
| 5 | Replace engine coolant |
| 6 | Replace rear differential fluid |
| 7 | Replace brake fluid |
So, should you go to the dealer immediately when you see a notification from the Maintenance Minder?
This system is designed to help you stay on top of routine maintenance. If you see a reminder, you can schedule service at a time that works best for you. However, if any urgent error messages appear on your CR-V’s dashboard, a dealer should check your vehicle as soon as possible.
While following the Maintenance Minder schedule is straightforward, certain situations may require you to service your vehicle sooner than usual. We will discuss these in more detail in the next section.
Special Circumstances
By following the recommended maintenance schedule, either based on mileage or as calculated by the Maintenance Minder system, Honda mechanics will regularly monitor your CR-V. This approach helps identify potential issues early on, preventing them from becoming more costly problems.
However, Honda’s owner’s manual provides an important note: in certain circumstances, CR-V owners should perform maintenance more frequently than recommended.
Here are some conditions that require more intensive maintenance than usual.
- Since the Maintenance Minder uses both mileage and other operational factors, vehicles that make very few trips may not display a Maintenance Minder for over 12 months. In such cases, you should change the engine oil at least once a year.
- Replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles if you drive in dusty conditions.
- If you primarily drive in areas with high soot concentrations from industrial activity or diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles.
- The Maintenance Minder generally recommends changing the transmission fluid between 55,000 and 60,000 miles. However, if you frequently drive in mountainous areas at low speeds, it’s best to change the transmission fluid sooner, every 47,500 miles, or every 3 years.
- If the Maintenance Minder doesn’t display a maintenance recommendation for item 7 (brake fluid replacement) within 36 months, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
As you can see above, certain circumstances require CR-V owners to perform maintenance earlier than scheduled.
As a vehicle owner, it’s important to recognize your driving habits and consult your Honda mechanic whenever possible to get the best maintenance advice for your CR-V.
Frequently Asked Question
Conclusion
Regular and timely maintenance gives your CR-V everything it needs to stay reliable and extend its lifespan.
With scheduled maintenance, your CR-V will be under the careful eye of a mechanic who can catch and address potential issues early, preventing them from turning into costly repairs.
What are your thoughts on the Honda CR-V maintenance schedule? Let’s discuss this in the comments!
