Parts for your 2013 Honda Stream-Oil cap

2013 Honda Stream Oil Cap: Purpose, Care, and When to Replace

Yes, the 2013 Honda Stream uses a conventional engine oil filler cap. Technical references that cover this model and its engines (R18A 1.8L and R20A 2.0L petrol) include the Honda Owner’s Manual section on Adding Engine Oil and the R-series Engine Service Manual, both of which specify removing and refitting the oil filler cap during oil checks and changes, and note the cap’s sealing O-ring. Under the bonnet, it’s the black, screw-in cap on the rocker cover, commonly marked with the oil can symbol and the recommended grade (often 0W-20). So the oil cap is absolutely relevant and fitted on the 2013 Honda Stream.

This cap does more than just plug a hole. It seals the oil filler opening, keeping dust, moisture, and road grime out of the engine while helping maintain proper crankcase ventilation and pressure balance. It also doubles as the quick-access point for top-ups between services, so it needs to be easy to open yet seal tight when closed.

As part of regular servicing (typically every 10,000 km or 12 months in Australia and New Zealand, or as per the owner’s manual), the cap deserves a quick once-over. The rubber O-ring should be supple and uncracked, the threads clean, and the cap should seat snugly by hand. A tiny smear of clean engine oil on the O-ring helps it seal and release smoothly next time.

Signs it’s time to replace the cap or O-ring include oil weeping around the cap, a petrolly smell under the bonnet after a drive, visible cracks or warping, or a cap that won’t sit square. A missing or loose cap can spray oil across the engine bay, drop the oil level, and even upset idle quality due to unmetered air, so it’s not something to ignore.

When fitting a new cap, choose a genuine Honda item or a quality aftermarket unit specified for the Stream’s R18A/R20A engines. Hand-tighten only—no spanners needed. Turn it clockwise until the O-ring contacts, then give it a small extra twist so it’s firm, not forced. After topping up or an oil change, run the engine briefly and check for any weeping around the cap. Keeping this simple piece in good nick helps the Stream stay clean, quiet, and happy between services.

Where is the oil cap on a 2013 Honda Stream?

It sits on top of the engine’s rocker cover under the bonnet. On R18A 1.8L and R20A 2.0L petrol engines used in the 2013 Stream, the cap is a black plastic, screw-in type often marked with an oil can symbol and 0W-20. It’s central or slightly forward depending on the engine cover.

Can the car be driven without the oil cap?

Driving without the oil cap is unsafe. Oil can spray out, the engine can lose oil rapidly, and unmetered air can enter the crankcase causing a rough idle. If the cap is missing, shut the engine down and fit a correct replacement before driving. As a last resort, only move the vehicle a very short distance with a temporary cover and then replace the cap immediately.

How tight should the oil cap be on a Honda Stream?

Tighten the cap by hand until the O-ring seats, then a small additional twist to make it snug. No tools are required and overtightening can damage the threads or the cap seal. After an oil top-up or change, run the engine briefly and check around the cap for any weeping.