Quick answer: the 2008–2012 Honda Accord 2.4L four-cylinder takes 4.4 US qt (4.2 L) of oil with a filter change in 2008–2009 and 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) from 2010. The 3.5L V6 takes 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) in every year. Honda specifies 5W-20 through 2010 and 0W-20 for 2011–2012.
| Year | Engine | Oil capacity (with filter) | Oil type (owner’s manual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4.4 US qt (4.2 L) | 5W-20 |
| 2008 | 3.5L V6 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 5W-20 |
| 2009 | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4.4 US qt (4.2 L) | 5W-20 |
| 2009 | 3.5L V6 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 5W-20 |
| 2010 | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) | 5W-20 |
| 2010 | 3.5L V6 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 5W-20 |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) | 0W-20 |
| 2011 | 3.5L V6 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 0W-20 |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) | 0W-20 |
| 2012 | 3.5L V6 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 0W-20 |
Two things most sites get wrong: the four-cylinder capacity drops from 4.4 to 4.2 quarts starting with the 2010 model year, and the oil grade only changes from 5W-20 to 0W-20 in 2011. A single “4.4 quarts of 0W-20” answer is not right for every year of this generation.
Oil capacity by engine
The eighth-generation Accord (2008–2012) was sold in the U.S. with two engines: the 2.4-liter four-cylinder (144 cu-in, 2,354 cm³) and the 3.5-liter V6 (212 cu-in, 3,471 cm³). Honda lists three oil figures for each one in the Specifications section of the owner’s manual:
| Engine and years | Change with filter | Change without filter |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl, 2008–2009 | 4.4 US qt (4.2 L) | 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) |
| 2.4L 4-cyl, 2010–2012 | 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) | 4.0 US qt (3.8 L) |
| 3.5L V6, 2008–2012 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) |
The “change” amounts exclude the oil that stays inside the engine after draining, which is why they are lower than the total engine capacity printed in the same table. For a normal oil change, use the “with filter” number, add most of it, then top up while checking the dipstick.
Recommended oil type
- 2008, 2009 and 2010: “premium-grade 5W-20 detergent oil” displaying the API Certification Seal.
- 2011 and 2012: “premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil” displaying the API Certification Seal.
The API seal (the “starburst” on the front of the bottle) means the oil meets the American Petroleum Institute’s current requirements. Honda does not require a specific brand. Synthetic and synthetic-blend oils are fine as long as the viscosity grade and the seal match.
How to reset the oil life (Maintenance Minder)
After the oil change, reset the Maintenance Minder so the next service reminder is calculated from zero. This is the procedure in the 2008–2012 owner’s manuals for cars with the select/reset knob in the instrument panel:
- Turn the ignition switch to ON (II). You do not need to start the engine.
- Press the select/reset knob repeatedly until the engine oil life percentage appears on the information display.
- Press and hold the knob for about 10 seconds. The oil life and any maintenance codes will start blinking.
- Press and hold the knob for another 5 seconds. The codes disappear and oil life resets to 100%.
If you let go too early and the display stops blinking, start again from step 2.
Oil change tips for this Accord
- Check the level with the car on level ground and the engine off for a few minutes. Do not fill above the upper mark on the dipstick; Honda warns that overfilling can damage the engine.
- Honda’s manual shows the oil fill cap on top of the valve cover (pictures for both engines are in the “Adding Engine Oil” section).
- On the 2.4L, buying a 5-quart jug covers one change with some left over for topping up. The V6 also fits in a 5-quart jug.
- Follow the Maintenance Minder: the oil change interval depends on how you drive, so there is no fixed mileage in the manual.
Sources and how we checked
Every number on this page comes from Honda’s own owner’s manuals, published on Honda’s technical information server (techinfo.honda.com). We read the Specifications and Maintenance sections of each manual:
- 2008 Accord Sedan owner’s manual (specifications, 2.4L and V6; oil type)
- 2009 Accord Sedan owner’s manual (specifications pages 384 and 386; recommended oil page 316; Maintenance Minder reset pages 310–311)
- 2011 Accord Sedan owner’s manual (specifications pages 420–422; recommended oil page 352)
- 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Accord Coupe owner’s manuals
Honda does not publish the 2010 and 2012 sedan manuals on that server. For those two years the table uses the coupe manuals of the same year, which share the 2.4L and 3.5L engines with the sedan and match the sedan figures in every year we could compare (2008, 2009 and 2011). If your owner’s manual shows a different figure, follow your manual and let us know.
Last checked: October 20, 2026.
FAQ
How much oil does a 2008–2012 Honda Accord take?
With a filter change, the 2.4L four-cylinder takes 4.4 US quarts (4.2 L) in 2008–2009 and 4.2 US quarts (4.0 L) from 2010. The 3.5L V6 takes 4.5 US quarts (4.3 L) in every year from 2008 to 2012. Add the oil gradually and check the dipstick.
What oil does a 2008–2012 Honda Accord use?
Honda’s owner’s manuals call for API premium-grade 5W-20 for 2008–2010 models and 0W-20 for 2011–2012 models, with the API Certification Seal.
Can I use 0W-20 in a 2008, 2009 or 2010 Accord?
The original owner’s manuals for those years list 5W-20, so that is the grade we recommend. If you want to use 0W-20, ask a Honda dealer whether a later Honda recommendation applies to your VIN.
How do I reset the oil life on a 2008–2012 Accord?
With the ignition ON (II), press the select/reset knob until engine oil life shows, hold it about 10 seconds until the display blinks, then hold it another 5 seconds until oil life shows 100%.
Is the coupe different from the sedan?
Not for oil. In the owner’s manuals we checked, the 2.4L and 3.5L V6 Accord Coupe use the same capacity and oil grade as the sedan for the same year.
Looking for the newer model? See the 2013–2017 Honda Accord oil type and capacity.