2008–2012 Honda Accord Oil Type & Capacity
Honda's owner's manuals for the 2008–2012 Accord call for 5W-20 (2008–2010), then 0W-20 (2011–2012). Capacity with a filter change: 2.4L 4-cylinder 4.4 US qt (4.2 L) for 2008–2009 and 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) for 2010–2012; 3.5L V6 4.5 US qt (4.3 L).
The 2.4L four-cylinder in this generation has three correct answers, and the model year decides which one applies. 2008 and 2009 cars take 5W-20 and hold 4.4 US qt (4.2 L) with a filter. For 2010 the grade stays at 5W-20, but the listed capacity drops to 4.2 qt (4.0 L). From 2011 the capacity holds at 4.2 qt and the grade moves to 0W-20, with the manual asking for a premium-grade oil.
The 3.5L V6 sits out most of this. It takes 4.5 qt (4.3 L) in every year from 2008 through 2012; only its grade follows the 2011 switch. A V6 owner needs the model year for the bottle and nothing else. A four-cylinder owner needs it for both the bottle and the pour.
| Year | Engine | Oil grade | Capacity with filter | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2.4L 4-cylinder | 5W-20 | 4.4 US qt (4.2 L) | 2008 manual |
| 3.5L V6 | 5W-20 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 2008 manual | |
| 2009 | 2.4L 4-cylinder | 5W-20 | 4.4 US qt (4.2 L) | 2009 manual |
| 3.5L V6 | 5W-20 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 2009 manual | |
| 2010 | 2.4L 4-cylinder | 5W-20 | 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) | 2010 manual |
| 3.5L V6 | 5W-20 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 2010 manual | |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cylinder | 0W-20 | 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) | 2011 manual |
| 3.5L V6 | 0W-20 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 2011 manual | |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cylinder | 0W-20 | 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) | 2012 manual |
| 3.5L V6 | 0W-20 | 4.5 US qt (4.3 L) | 2012 manual |
A 2010 shares one spec with each neighbor, never both
The two changes landed a year apart, and that is what catches people. A 2010 shares its 4.2 qt (4.0 L) fill with the 2011 and 2012 cars but not their oil. It shares its 5W-20 with 2008 and 2009 but not their capacity. Remember one change and the other slips past.
The capacity drop is small, 0.2 qt, so the risk isn't one bad fill. It's habit. Someone who learned on a 2008 and keeps pouring 4.4 qt into a 2011 is likely to read above the full mark every time. Pour to the figure for your year, let the oil drain down with the car level, and read the dipstick before adding anything.