--- title: "2012-2016 Honda CR-V Transmission Fluid & Coolant" description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2016 Honda CR-V takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 2012-2014 5-speed automatic: Honda ATF DW-1 (drain-and-fill takes ~2.5-3 qt; do 2-3 sequential drain/fills for a fuller exchange). 2015-2016 CVT: Honda HCF-2 CVT fluid ONLY. Do not substitute ATF or 'universal' CVT fluid; drain-and-fill ~3.9 qt (2WD) / ~4.5 qt (AWD), Maintenance Minder code 3.. Coolant: Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change ~10 years/100k mi per Maintenance Minder code 5, then ~5 years/60k.." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/fluids" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2016 Honda CR-V Fluid Types and Capacities Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2016 Honda CR-V takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: 2012-2014 5-speed automatic: Honda ATF DW-1 (drain-and-fill takes ~2.5-3 qt; do 2-3 sequential drain/fills for a fuller exchange). 2015-2016 CVT: Honda HCF-2 CVT fluid ONLY. Do not substitute ATF or 'universal' CVT fluid; drain-and-fill ~3.9 qt (2WD) / ~4.5 qt (AWD), Maintenance Minder code 3.. Coolant: Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change ~10 years/100k mi per Maintenance Minder code 5, then ~5 years/60k.. ## 2012-2016 Honda CR-V fluid guide (High confidence) | System | Fluid type & capacity | | --- | --- | | Coolant | Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change ~10 years/100k mi per Maintenance Minder code 5, then ~5 years/60k. | | Transmission | 2012-2014 5-speed automatic: Honda ATF DW-1 (drain-and-fill takes ~2.5-3 qt; do 2-3 sequential drain/fills for a fuller exchange). 2015-2016 CVT: Honda HCF-2 CVT fluid ONLY. Do not substitute ATF or 'universal' CVT fluid; drain-and-fill ~3.9 qt (2WD) / ~4.5 qt (AWD), Maintenance Minder code 3. | | Brake fluid | DOT 3 brake fluid (Honda recommends replacement every 3 years) | | Power steering | Honda power steering fluid (hydraulic PS on 2012-2014); 2015-2016 electric, none | | Differential | AWD rear differential: Honda Dual Pump Fluid II, Maintenance Minder code 6 (~15,000-30,000 mi; cheap insurance against rear-end moan on tight turns) | Note: Plain washer fluid; no special spec ## Which Honda CR-V model years does this cover? These fluids specifications apply to every Honda CR-V built from 2012 through 2016, the 4th generation (RM), compact crossover suv (fwd or real time awd). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 CR-V](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012) - [2013 CR-V](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2013) - [2014 CR-V](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2014) - [2015 CR-V](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2015) - [2016 CR-V](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2016) ## What changed during the 2012-2016 Honda CR-V | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Generation launch: K24Z7 2.4L, 5-speed automatic, FWD or Real Time AWD | | 2013 | Carries over unchanged from the 2012 redesign | | 2014 | Carries over unchanged; base price rises about $150 across the lineup | | 2015 | Major refresh: direct-injected Earth Dreams 2.4L (K24W9) + CVT, new Touring trim with 18-in wheels, Honda Sensing introduced on Touring | | 2016 | SE trim added; final year of the generation | ## 2012-2016 Honda CR-V fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a 2012-2016 Honda CR-V take? 2012-2014 5-speed automatic: Honda ATF DW-1 (drain-and-fill takes ~2.5-3 qt; do 2-3 sequential drain/fills for a fuller exchange). 2015-2016 CVT: Honda HCF-2 CVT fluid ONLY. Do not substitute ATF or 'universal' CVT fluid; drain-and-fill ~3.9 qt (2WD) / ~4.5 qt (AWD), Maintenance Minder code 3.. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure. ### What coolant does a 2012-2016 Honda CR-V use? Honda Long Life Type 2 coolant (blue, pre-mixed). First change ~10 years/100k mi per Maintenance Minder code 5, then ~5 years/60k.. ### What brake fluid does a 2012-2016 Honda CR-V take? DOT 3 brake fluid (Honda recommends replacement every 3 years). ### What differential fluid does a 2012-2016 Honda CR-V take? AWD rear differential: Honda Dual Pump Fluid II, Maintenance Minder code 6 (~15,000-30,000 mi; cheap insurance against rear-end moan on tight turns). ## Sources - [AMSOIL lookup, 2016 CR-V 2.4L K24W9 oil capacity 4.6 qt](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2016/honda/cr-v/2-4l-4-cyl-engine-code-k24w9-8/) - [College Hills Honda, 17220-R5A-A00 air filter (2012-2014 CR-V)](https://www.collegehillshonda.com/product/17220-R5A-A00.html) - [College Hills Honda, 17220-5LA-A00 air filter (2015-2016 CR-V)](https://www.collegehillshonda.com/product/17220-5LA-A00.html) - [HondaPartsNow. 80292-SDA-407 cabin filter fits 2007-2016 CR-V](https://www.hondapartsnow.com/oem-honda-cr_v-cabin_air_filter.html) - [TireSize.com, 2016 Honda CR-V OE fitments by trim](https://tiresize.com/tires/Honda/CR-V/2016/) - [AutoZone, Honda CR-V Group 51R battery application](https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery/honda/crv/b/group-size/51r) - [EricTheCarGuy, Honda 2.4L VTC actuator noise (TSB fix)](https://www.ericthecarguy.com/honda-2-4-l-vtc-actuator-noise/) - [CR-V Owners Club, 2015 CR-V vibration at idle, TSB 15-046](https://www.crvownersclub.com/threads/2015-honda-cr-v-vibration-at-idle.63138/) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2014 / 2016 CR-V EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2014_Honda_CR-V.shtml) ## Other Honda CR-V generations - [2023-2025 Honda CR-V fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2023-2025/fluids) - [2017-2022 Honda CR-V fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2017-2022/fluids) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/fluids). ## More for the 2012-2016 Honda CR-V - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/brakes) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/cr-v/2012-2016/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.