Honda Pilot oil type and capacity by year
A 2011 Honda Pilot takes 5W-20 oil and holds 4.5 quarts with the filter, the same as every Pilot from 2008 to 2011. From 2012 to 2015 the Pilot takes 0W-20, still 4.5 quarts. The 2016–2022 Pilot takes 0W-20 and holds 5.7 quarts. Find your year below.
On this page (9 sections)
Pilot oil type and capacity by year
Each row is one model year, from Honda’s owner’s manuals. The capacity includes a new filter. Pour in a little less, wait a minute, check the dipstick, and top up to the upper mark.
| Year | Engine | Oil | Oil spec | Capacity | Oil change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3.5L V6 | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual |
| 2025 | 3.5L V6 | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual |
| 2024 | 3.5L V6 | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual |
| 2023 | 3.5L V6 | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual |
| 2022 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-206 | Honda Genuine Motor Oil or API Premium-grade | 5.7 qt (5.4 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year6 |
| 2021 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-206 | Honda Genuine Motor Oil or API Premium-grade | 5.7 qt (5.4 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year6 |
| 2020 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-206 | Honda Genuine Motor Oil or API Premium-grade | 5.7 qt (5.4 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year6 |
| 2019 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-206 | Honda Genuine Motor Oil or API Premium-grade | 5.7 qt (5.4 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year6 |
| 2018 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-206 | Honda Genuine Motor Oil or API Premium-grade | 5.7 qt (5.4 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year6 |
| 2017 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-206 | Honda Genuine Motor Oil or API Premium-grade | 5.7 qt (5.4 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year6 |
| 2016 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-206 | Honda Genuine Motor Oil or API Premium-grade | 5.7 qt (5.4 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year6 |
| 2015 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-204 | API Premium grade | 4.5 qt (4.3 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year3 |
| 2014 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-204 | API Premium grade | 4.5 qt (4.3 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year3 |
| 2013 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-204 | API Premium grade | 4.5 qt (4.3 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year3 |
| 2012 | 3.5L V6 | 0W-204 | API Premium grade | 4.5 qt (4.3 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year3 |
| 2011 | 3.5L V6 | 5W-202 | API Premium grade | 4.5 qt (4.3 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year3 |
| 2010 | 3.5L V6 | 5W-202 | API Premium grade | 4.5 qt (4.3 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year3 |
| 2009 | 3.5L V6 | 5W-202 | API Premium grade | 4.5 qt (4.3 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year3 |
| 2008 | 3.5L V6 | 5W-201 | API Premium grade | 4.5 qt (4.3 L) with filter | when Maintenance Minder shows it (book at 15% oil life), at least once a year1 |
2011 vs 2012: the switch to 0W-20
The 2009–2015 Pilot used the same 3.5-liter V6 throughout, and the fill stayed at 4.5 quarts. What changed was the grade: Honda’s 2011 manual lists 5W-20, and the 2012 manual lists 0W-20. A 2011 Pilot is not harmed by 0W-20 in the sense of thickness, since both are a 20 when hot, but the grade in your manual is the one Honda tested and warrants. Use it.
Why the 2016 Pilot takes more oil
The 3rd-generation Pilot got a new direct-injected V6, and its oil system holds 5.7 quarts with the filter, more than a quart more than before. If you move from an older Pilot to a 2016 or later, don’t buy oil by habit: one 5-quart jug is not enough for a change.
What the grade and spec mean
In 0W-20, the 0W is how the oil flows cold and the 20 is how thick it is at running temperature. A 0W oil gets to the cam and valvetrain faster on a winter start, which matters on a big V6 that sits outside overnight. Honda asks for Honda Genuine Motor Oil or a premium-grade detergent oil with the API certification seal; check for the API “donut” on the bottle.
Synthetic or conventional?
The Pilot manuals we checked don’t require synthetic. For a 2008–2011 Pilot, a conventional 5W-20 with the API seal is correct. For 2012 and later, most 0W-20 in US stores is synthetic or a blend. If you tow, full synthetic is a sensible choice, since a trailer keeps the oil hotter for longer.
How often to change the oil
Every Pilot on this page uses the Maintenance Minder. It counts oil life down and shows an A or B code at 15%. Short trips, cold starts, and hard driving bring that code sooner. Heavy towing is different: Honda Canada notes the system does not fully account for it, so a Pilot that pulls a trailer often should get its oil changed ahead of the code. Change it when asked, or at least once a year, then reset the display: Honda oil life reset.
For general guidance, see how often to change oil. The oil change due calculator tells you when the next change falls by date and mileage.
2023 and later Pilot
We couldn’t check a manual for the 4th-generation Pilot, so the table shows no number. The oil grade and capacity are on the Specifications pages of your owner’s manual and the grade is often printed on the oil filler cap.
FAQ
What kind of oil does a 2011 Honda Pilot take?
5W-20, 4.5 quarts with the filter, according to the 2011 Pilot owner’s manual.
How many quarts of oil does a Honda Pilot take?
4.5 quarts for 2008–2015 and 5.7 quarts for 2016–2022, with the filter.
Does a 2016 Honda Pilot take synthetic oil?
Honda specifies 0W-20 with the API seal, not synthetic by name. Most 0W-20 sold is synthetic, so in practice it usually is.
How often should I change the oil in a Pilot that tows?
Sooner than the Maintenance Minder asks. Honda Canada notes the Minder does not fully account for heavy trailer towing, so plan the change ahead of the code after heavy towing, and ask your dealer what interval suits the way you tow.
Milealot is an independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by American Honda Motor Co. Honda, Pilot, and Maintenance Minder are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to name the vehicles.
Sources
- 2008 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Service Information Summary and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2009 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Service Information Summary and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2011 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Service Information Summary and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2012 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Service Information Summary (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2013 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Specifications and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2016 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Specifications, maintenance, and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2020 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Specifications and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)