Types Of Gas A Honda CR-V Takes (All Generations)

We’ve talked extensively about the Honda CR-V, its performance, and its capabilities on this blog. However, to this day, we’ve yet to answer your questions regarding the fuel requirements of this car. Therefore, we’re going to change that today. Let’s see what kind of fuel this particular car needs:

All Honda CR-V manufactured between 2005 – Present-day with a gasoline engine or hybrid drivetrain use gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. CR-V manufactured between 1996 – 2004 use gasoline with an octane rating of 86 or higher.

This shouldn’t be a surprise to most Honda owners and we see similar octane requirements in smaller vehicles like the Fit to larger vehicles like the Odyssey or Honda Pilot.

However, that certainly doesn’t answer the question altogether. Below, we’ve outlined all questions you can have regarding the fuel of the CR-V. We’ll start by diving deeper into the question of what octane level is preferable and which ones are harmful. After that, we’ll discuss the ins- and outs of what kinds of gasoline can and can’t be used. We’ll also talk about the gas mileage and tank size of this car, and much more. Read on!

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Infographic explaining the different fuel types for a Honda CR-V

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Lower And Higher Octane Gasoline

As stated before, your CR-V either needs octane with a minimum octane level of 86 or 87, depending on the generation. However, many people wonder if they can also use fuel with a lower or higher octane rating and whether or not this is detrimental or beneficial for the car.

Using fuel with an octane rating lower than recommended is something that Honda strictly advises against. Doing so will result in heavy engine knocking (which we’ll talk about later). This means you’ll damage the fuel system, which will lead to costly repairs.

On the other hand, people wonder if using premium gasoline (with an octane of 87 or higher) isn’t a better overall decision. The assumption here is that premium fuel is better for the performance and longevity of the fuel system. The answer is that using premium gasoline will not benefit the CR-V in terms of performance and longevity (however, it is possible to use premium gasoline if no other is available).

This is because premium gasoline is only helpful for engines that are specifically designed to make use of this kind of fuel. Since the engines of the CR-V aren’t designed for premium gasoline, it is not capable of deriving any benefit from it.

Instead of spending money on premium gasoline for your CR-V, it’s recommended to stick with regular gasoline, and you’ll receive the same performance in both cases.

Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Honda CR-V

What Types Of Gasoline Can And Can’t Be Used?

Reformulated Gasoline

Reformulated gasoline is the gasoline that’s designed to burn cleaner and therefore emit fewer emissions. This type of gasoline first became mandatory in the state of California. Since then, it has grown in popularity and is now compulsory in 19 different regions of the United States.

Using reformulated gasoline is recommended by Honda since it’s not as harmful to air quality. Therefore, it’s a better and greener choice. Furthermore, reformulated gasoline doesn’t cost anything extra compared to non-reformulated gasoline. Finally, you’ll need no additional maintenance to the CR-V; gas mileage will stay the same, and so will performance.

Since there’s no downside and only the potential upside of emitting fewer emissions, Honda, therefore, recommends using this gasoline whenever it’s available.

Also read: Honda CR-V Transmissions: Overview, Problems, Fluids

Oxygenated Blends Or E-85

Another option you have to pick from is whether or not you can or should use oxygenated blends of gasoline such as E-10, E-15, or E-85. In this case, the ‘E’ stands for ethanol, and the number stands for the percentage of ethanol mixed into the gasoline.

Oxygenated blends with ethanol (or methanol) are commonly found in regions where the temperature drops to freezing. This is because these chemical components provide a more leisurely cold start for the engine, preferable. However, it’s good to know that not all oxygenated gasoline blends can be used with the CR-V.

Honda CR-V manufactured between 1996 – 2014 can use gasoline with a maximum percentage of 10% ethanol. CR-V manufactured after 2014 can use gasoline with a maximum ratio of 15% ethanol. Methanol is strictly forbidden for all generations of the Honda CR-V.

Gasoline with a percentage of 85% ethanol (also referred to as E-85) is only suitable for FlexFuel vehicles. No generation of the CR-V is FlexFuel, and therefore usage of this gasoline is strictly forbidden.

Gasoline With Added Materials

These days it’s possible to buy a wide variety of aftermarket fuel additives which, supposedly, increase the quality of the fuel. Some fuel additives promise to boost the octane level in the fuel, whereas others are supposed to help the fuel system clean itself from harmful deposits.

Even though all of this sounds promising, Honda strictly advises against the use of aftermarket fuel additives that contain harmful chemicals. The reason for this is that these fuel additives may contain metallic or silicone-based materials, which can harm the fuel system and increase the number of deposits left in the system.

Instead, it’s recommended that you buy gasoline from certified retailers that already contain the right amount of fuel additives such as cleaning agents and the right octane level. These types of gasoline can be bought at certified TOP TIER gasoline retailers. To find such an accredited retailer in your area, go to toptiergas.com.

However, there may be instances in which TOP TIER gas is not available in your region. In this case, you likely fill up at BP, Amoco, Walmart, or 7-Eleven. All these brands aren’t TOP TIER retailers and you need to add a detergent to your gasoline to keep your engine clean or deposits will build-up, reducing MPG and the lifespan of your fuel system.

In this case, we recommend you go with a product like Hot Shot’s Gasoline Extreme and Stiction Eliminator. Gasoline Extreme cleans the complete fuel system whereas Stiction Eliminator focuses on the sticky, gummy residue of burnt oil in the engine.

Furthermore, these products don’t contain metallics or silicon and are guaranteed to not void any warranty. It’s the best option if you can’t fill up with TOP TIER gas in the first place.

What If I Hear A Knocking Noise After Refilling

If you hear a knocking noise right after refilling the Honda CR-V, you’ve likely used gasoline with an octane rating that’s lower than recommended. Please keep in mind that a slight knocking noise is normal, especially in high-performance situations like driving uphill or towing.

However, a heavy knocking noise right after refilling is usually an indication of a significant problem. Stop the car immediately and call your dealer for assistance if this happens. Your car will need to be drained from its fuel, and the engine fuel filter will need to be replaced.

Continuing to drive with lower-than-recommended octane levels in your gasoline will result in significant damage that’s not covered under any form of warranty.

Does The Honda CR-V Have A Good Gas Mileage

Besides knowing what kind of gas a Honda CR-V uses, it’s also essential to know the gas mileage for each generation. We’ve outlined this below for each engine type.

2019 – Present-day

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
1.5 FWD	30	28	34
1.5 AWD	29	27	32
2.0 Hybrid	38	40	35

2016 – 2019

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
1.5 FWD	30	28	34
1.5 AWD	29	27	33
2.4 FWD	28	26	32
2.4 AWD	27	25	31

2014 – 2016

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
2.4 2WD	29	27	33
2.4 4WD	28	26	32

2011 – 2014

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
2.4 2WD	26	23	30
2.4 4WD	25	22	29

2010 – 2011

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
2.4 2WD	24	21	28
2.4 4WD	23	21	27

2007 – 2009

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
2.4 2WD	23	20	27
2.4 4WD	22	20	26

2004 – 2007

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
2.4 2WD	23	20	26
2.4 4WD	22	20	25

2002 – 2004

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
2.4 2WD	22	20	26
2.4 4WD	21	19	24

1996 – 2001

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
2.0 2WD	21	20	23
2.0 4WD	21	19	23

What’s The Gas Tank Size Of A Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V manufactured between 1996 – 2016 have a fuel tank size of 15.3 gallons or 58 liters of gasoline. CR-V manufactured between 2017 – Present-day have a fuel tank size of 14 gallons or 53 liters.

How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up A Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V manufactured from 2017 onwards with a 14-gallon fuel tank cost an average of $45,99 to fill up, assuming an average price per gallon of $3.285. Oklahoma is the cheapest state to fill up a CR-V, and a full tank costs $40,32. California is the most expensive state to fill up a CR-V with an average price of $65,20 for a full tank.

CR-V manufactured between 1996 – 2016 have a fuel tank size of 15.3 gallons and costs $50,26 to fill up, assuming an average price per gallon of $3.285. Oklahoma is the cheapest state to fill up a CR-V, and a full tank costs $44.06. California is the most expensive state to fill up a CR-V with an average price of $71.25 for a full tank.

Closing Thoughts

Understanding the fuel requirements and options for your Honda CR-V is crucial for maintaining its efficiency, longevity and preventing common problems.

Whether it’s selecting the right octane rating or opting for reformulated or oxygenated gasoline, the choices you make at the pump can have significant implications for your vehicle’s performance and environmental impact.

By sticking to Honda’s recommendations, avoiding aftermarket additives, and using certified TOP TIER gasoline, you can ensure that your CR-V runs smoothly while minimizing its ecological footprint. Remember, the right fuel not only enhances your driving experience but also contributes to the overall health of your vehicle. Safe driving and happy refueling!

Sources

Stefan K.

Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.

I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.

Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!

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