Honda CR-V Transmission Fluid Guide
For many people, especially those who are not automotive experts, only two fluids in cars need attention: gasoline and engine oil. In fact, today’s cars have many components that require lubrication to work properly, one of which is the transmission.
The transmission needs lubricating fluid to function properly. Like other fluids, this liquid needs to be checked and replaced regularly. This is usually listed in the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance guide. So, what does this mean for the Honda CR-V?
Before proceeding with this scheduled maintenance item, you must understand what transmission fluid to use and the procedures to follow.
In this article, I will cover various model years and what transmission fluid should be used for the CR-V. I will also illustrate how to check the CR-V transmission fluid and provide other useful information.
What Is Transmission Fluid?
Transmission fluid is a special lubricating oil that lubricates your CR-V transmission parts, such as transmission shafts, shifting gears, and gearboxes, ensuring that these components work properly and provide smooth shifting.
Shifting gears is a tough job for a car. The transmission system has many mechanical parts that move and contact each other while working, and the transmission fluid ensures the vehicle shifts gears easily and smoothly without damaging its parts.
Transmission fluid not only helps lubricate moving parts but also provides hydraulic force and friction so that parts can function properly. Additionally, it helps keep transmission temperatures cool.
The transmission is a vital part of a vehicle; without it, the car would not be able to move because the power produced by the engine is distributed to the wheels by the transmission. When the transmission has problems, the car cannot operate.
Transmission fluid is one of the most important fluids in your vehicle, considering its important role.
How to Check Your Transmission Fluid
One of the most common questions CR-V drivers ask is how to check the transmission fluid. We all know how important it is to monitor your car’s fluids.
The procedure for checking the transmission fluid varies depending on which Honda CR-V model you drive. Here are the guidelines you need to know:
2015 – 2025 Honda CR-V:
On the latest Honda CR-V models (2015-2025), there is no way to check the transmission oil yourself. The dipstick used to check the fluid level is not included. Instead, you need to contact your Honda dealer or mechanic if you have concerns about your CR-V’s transmission fluid.
You may have tried opening the hood to look for a dipstick to perform a transmission fluid level check but couldn’t find one, which is why you ended up at this article.
So, how will you know if your transmission fluid is still in good condition? In most situations, you don’t need to worry about the transmission fluid, but it still needs to be changed periodically. Keep reading for more information about the recommended transmission fluid change intervals.
1997 – 2014 Honda CR-V:
On older CR-Vs, you can monitor the transmission fluid’s condition using the dipstick.
See the picture below for the location of the transmission fluid dipstick.
Here’s how to check your transmission fluid:
- Park on level ground, and start the engine to warm up to normal operating temperature.
- Wait until the radiator fan starts, then turn off the engine and wait about 60 seconds before going to step 3.
- Locate the dipstick. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth or tissue.
- Fully insert the dipstick back into the tube and then pull it out again to check the fluid level.
If the fluid level is low or it appears dirty and has a burnt smell, it may be time to replace it.
(2013 Honda CR-V Owner’s Manual)
Signs That the Transmission Oil Needs to be Changed
Since you can’t manually check the transmission fluid in the new CR-V, a few signs indicate it may be low or dirty. Be aware of the following signs appear:
- Slow gear engagement: When the transmission fluid level is low, the pressure level will also decrease. This can cause your transmission to be slow when shifting gears. You may notice that the transmission takes a few seconds to engage. This is the time to check and replace your transmission fluid.
- Noises: If you hear strange transmission noises while driving, such as buzzing, whining, humming, or other unusual sounds, it could indicate something is wrong with the transmission fluid.
- Check engine light: The check engine indicator lighting up indicates various vehicle problems, including transmission issues. Visit a Honda dealership to read the engine codes and determine if the transmission is to blame.
- Maintenance Minder message: You will see Maintenance Minder messages on the information display at certain intervals. One of these messages is a warning to change the transmission fluid, indicated by the number code “3.”
How Often to Change
Honda Maintenance Minder recommended changing the transmission oil when your vehicle has traveled 90,000 km. This means you won’t be doing it too often.
However, if you drive in mountainous areas at low speeds or tow trailers, you should perform transmission fluid changes more often than the Maintenance Minder recommends.
If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission fluid changed every 25,000 miles (40,000 km) for a gasoline model and about 47,500 miles (76,000 km) or 3 years for a CR-V with a hybrid engine.
Transmission Fluid Replacement Cost
One of the concerns of CR-V owners is the cost of changing the brake fluid.
Thankfully, this type of maintenance is not too expensive, especially when compared to the cost of replacing a transmission due to neglecting the fluid replacement.
According to Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com), the cost of a transmission fluid change on a Honda CR-V ranges from $205 to $240. This includes an estimated cost of $92 to $107 for parts and $113 to $132 for labor.
Compatible Fluid Types
Just as the CR-V engine requires a specific type of oil to run properly, the transmission fluid must also be compatible. Using an incompatible fluid can cause damage, as there are various types of transmission fluids available for purchase.
Each vehicle has its own specifications for transmission fluid. For the CR-V, you can see these specifications in the chart below.
Here are the various types of transmission fluid for all years of the Honda CR-V.
| Model Year | CR-V Gasoline | CR-V Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Honda HCF-2 | Honda HEVF-Type 1 |
| 2024 | Honda HCF-2 | Honda HEVF-Type 1 |
| 2023 | Honda HCF-2 | Honda HEVF-Type 1 |
| 2022 | Honda HCF-2 | Honda ATF DW-1 |
| 2021 | Honda HCF-2 | Honda ATF DW-1 |
| 2020 | Honda HCF-2 | Honda ATF DW-1 |
| 2019 | Honda HCF-2 | – |
| 2018 | Honda HCF-2 | – |
| 2017 | Honda HCF-2 | – |
| 2016 | Honda HCF-2 | – |
| 2015 | Honda HCF-2 | – |
| 2014 | Honda ATF DW-1 | – |
| 2013 | Honda ATF DW-1 | – |
| 2012 | Honda ATF DW-1 | – |
| 2011 | Honda ATF DW-1 | – |
| 2010 | Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 2009 | Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 2008 | Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 2007 | Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 2006 | Manual: Honda MTF or SAE 10W-30 Automatic: Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 2005 | Manual: Honda MTF or SAE 10W-30 Automatic: Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 2004 | Manual: Honda MTF or SAE 10W-30 Automatic: Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 2003 | Manual: Honda MTF or SAE 10W-30 Automatic: Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 2002 | Manual: Honda MTF or SAE 10W-30 Automatic: Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 2001 | Manual: Honda MTF or SAE 10W-30 Automatic: Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 2000 | Manual: Honda MTF or SAE 10W-30 Automatic: Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 1999 | Manual: Honda MTF or SAE 10W-30 Automatic: Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 1998 | Manual: Honda MTF or SAE 10W-30 Automatic: Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
| 1997 | Manual: Honda MTF or SAE 10W-30 Automatic: Honda ATF-Z1 | – |
Fluid Capacity
Knowing how much transmission fluid the CR-V needs is important for both technical and economic reasons. This information can be found in the owner’s manual or in the table provided below.
| Model Year | CR-V Gasoline | CR-V Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2WD: 3.7 US qt (3.5 L) AWD: 4.1 US qt (3.9 L) | 2WD: 2.5 US qt (2.4 L) AWD: 3.0 US qt (2.8 L) |
| 2024 | 2WD: 3.7 US qt (3.5 L) AWD: 4.1 US qt (3.9 L) | 2WD: 2.5 US qt (2.4 L) AWD: 3.0 US qt (2.8 L) |
| 2023 | 2WD: 3.7 US qt (3.5 L) AWD: 4.1 US qt (3.9 L) | 2WD: 2.5 US qt (2.4 L) AWD: 3.0 US qt (2.8 L) |
| 2022 | 2WD: 3.9 US qt (3.7 L) AWD: 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 2.5 US qt (2.4 L) |
| 2021 | 2WD: 3.9 US qt (3.7 L) AWD: 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 2.5 US qt (2.4 L) |
| 2020 | 2WD: 3.9 US qt (3.7 L) AWD: 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 2.5 US qt (2.4 L) |
| 2019 | 2WD: 3.9 US qt (3.7 L) AWD: 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | – |
| 2018 | 2WD: 3.9 US qt (3.7 L) AWD: 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | – |
| 2017 | 2WD: 3.9 US qt (3.7 L) AWD: 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | – |
| 2016 | 2WD: 3.9 US qt (3.7 L) AWD: 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | – |
| 2015 | 2WD: 3.9 US qt (3.7 L) AWD: 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | – |
| 2014 | 2WD: 2.3 US qt (2.2 L) AWD: 2.7 US qt (2.6 L) | – |
| 2013 | 2WD: 2.3 US qt (2.2 L) AWD: 2.7 US qt (2.6 L) | – |
| 2012 | 2WD: 2.3 US qt (2.2 L) AWD: 2.7 US qt (2.6 L) | – |
| 2011 | 2WD: 2.6 US qt (2.5 L) 4WD: 2.6 US qt (2.5 L) | – |
| 2010 | 2WD: 2.6 US qt (2.5 L) 4WD: 2.6 US qt (2.5 L) | – |
| 2009 | 2WD: 2.7 US qt (2.6 L) 4WD: 2.6 US qt (2.5 L) | – |
| 2008 | 2WD: 2.7 US qt (2.6 L) 4WD: 2.6 US qt (2.5 L) | – |
| 2007 | 2WD: 2.7 US qt (2.6 L) 4WD: 2.6 US qt (2.5 L) | – |
| 2006 | Automatic 2WD: 3.1 US qt (2.9 L) Automatic 4WD: 3.3 US qt (3.1 L) Manual: 2.0 US qt (1.9 L) | – |
| 2005 | Automatic 2WD: 3.1 US qt (2.9 L) Automatic 4WD: 3.3 US qt (3.1 L) Manual: 2.0 US qt (1.9 L) | – |
| 2004 | Automatic 2WD: 3.1 US qt (2.9 L) Automatic 4WD: 3.3 US qt (3.1 L) Manual 2WD: 2.0 US qt (1.9 L) Manual 4WD: 2.0 US qt (1.9 L) | – |
| 2003 | Automatic 2WD: 3.1 US qt (2.9 L) Automatic 4WD: 3.3 US qt (3.1 L) Manual 2WD: 2.0 US qt (1.9 L) Manual 4WD: 2.0 US qt (1.9 L) | – |
| 2002 | Automatic 2WD: 3.1 US qt (2.9 L) Automatic 4WD: 3.3 US qt (3.1 L) Manual 2WD: 2.0 US qt (1.9 L) Manual 4WD: 2.0 US qt (1.9 L) | – |
| 2001 | Automatic 4WD: 3.1 US qt (2.9 L) Automatic 4WD: 2.9 US qt (2.7 L) Manual 2WD: 1.8 US qt (1.7 L) | – |
| 2000 | Automatic 4WD: 3.1 US qt (2.9 L) Automatic 4WD: 2.9 US qt (2.7 L) Manual 2WD: 1.8 US qt (1.7 L) | – |
| 1999 | 3.1 US qt (2.9 L)* | – |
| 1998 | 3.1 US qt (2.9 L)* | – |
| 1997 | 3.1 US qt (2.9 L)* | – |
Data sources: Honda.com
Benefits of Regular Transmission Oil Changes
We’ve often discussed the dangers of not changing transmission fluid, but what exactly are the benefits of timely transmission fluid changes? Is it really something you need to take seriously?
Here are the benefits of proper transmission fluid maintenance:
- Prevents damage to transmission parts
- Extends the lifespan of the transmission
- Reduces costs due to repair or replacement caused by transmission damage
- Good transmission conditions will improve fuel economy
- Enhances car acceleration thanks to smooth gear shifting
Wrapping Up
Your CR-V’s transmission is one of the most important components to protect. If the transmission is damaged, the car will practically not be able to function at all.
If this component is damaged due to lack of maintenance, it will cost much more to repair or replace. Therefore, you should know the correct transmission fluid for your CR-V.
Routine maintenance is a good investment to prevent greater costs in the future. By following all the guidelines, you ensure that the transmission will last for a very long time.
