2003 HONDA ELEMENT oil level

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Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page .
162
163
231 234 256
230 251
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance219

To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil f ill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes and recheck the
oil level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection.
Pour the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
CONT INUED
Recommended Oil
A dding Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance221
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL

Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Engine Oil
Maint enance224
33 lbf·ft (44 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
4.4 US qt (4.2
) Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole.Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt and
tighten it securely.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your Honda dealer. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stif f er shif ting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
6.
5-speed Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance232
WASHER FILLER BOLT
Correct level

Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (Seeon page .)
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action. Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page ). Although oil
levelandoilpressurearenot
directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
1.
2.
4.
3.
162 221
301 Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed290
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .66, 291
............................
Jump Starting .285
..............................
Maintenance .240
............................
Specif ications .307
..............................
Bef ore Driving .157
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,50
.........................
Beverage Holders .110
.................................
Body Repairs .274 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 186
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 158
....................
Bulb Replacement .261
...........................................
Fluid .234
.......................................
Parking .111
.................
System Indicator . 66,294
........................
Wear Indicators .185
.............................
Braking System .185
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 158
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 77
........................
Brights, Headlights .76
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .261
..............................
Brake Lights .261
......................
Cargo Area Light .265
..............................
Ceiling Light .264
................
Front Parking Lights . 259
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 260
.................................
Headlights .258
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 263
...........................
Interior Lights .264
.................
License Plate Lights . 262
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 165
................................
Accessories .165
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 166
............................
Modif ications .166
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .86
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 113
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 222
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 54
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .236
..............
Air Conditioning System . 118
..............................
Maintenance .245
.........................................
Usage .118
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .120
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .249
.........................
Normal Driving .250
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .311
......................................
Antif reeze .225
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .68, 188
...................................
Operation .186
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 152
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .85 ..........................
Appearance Care .267
...................
Armrest, Driver’s Seat . 93
................................
Audio System .126
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 52
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 153
..............
Automatic Transmission . 178
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .306
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 231
.......................................
Shif ting .179
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 178
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 179
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 183
Index
A
B
I

CONT INUED
......................
Power Door Locks .87
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 308
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission .176
.......................................
Drive Belt .248
...........................................
Driving .171
....................................
Economy .164
.........................
In Bad Weather .189
................
In Foreign Countries . 312
........................
Driving Guidelines .172
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 246
..............................
Economy, Fuel .164
............
Emergencies on the Road . 275
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 285
...........
Brake System Indicator . 294
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 277
.....
Charging System Indicator . 291
..................
Checking the Fuses . 296
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 290
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 292
..................
Overheated Engine . 288
.........................
Emergency Brake .111
......................
Emergency Flashers .81 ......................
Emergency Towing .301
.......................
Emissions Controls .313
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 316
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 74
...................................
Drive Belt .248
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 177,182
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .66, 292
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 66,290
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 221
...............................
Overheating .288
............................
Specif ications .306
.......................................
Starting .174
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .311
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 313
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .60
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .21
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 268
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .271
...................................
Fan, Interior .118 Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .117
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 159
Filters ................................
Air Cleaner .236
.........................
Dust and Pollen .246
...............................................
Oil .223
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 232
................................
Shif ting the .176
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 81
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 277
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 231
..........................................
Brake .234
.........................................
Clutch .235
..............
Manual Transmission . 232
..........................
Power Steering .235
.......................
Rear Differential .233
..................
Windshield Washer . 230
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .143
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .99
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 312
Index
E
F
III

CONT INUED
...............................
Interior Lights .114
........................................
Introduction .i
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 279
.......................................
Jack, Tire .277
................................
Jump Starting .285
..................................................
Keys .83
..................................
Maintenance .207
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 219
.................................
Record .217-218
......................
Required Indicator .70
..........................................
Saf ety .208
.............................
Schedule .212-216
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 66,292
...................
Manual Transmission . 176
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 232
.........................
Meters, Gauges .65, 72
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 310........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .106
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 180
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 158
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .177
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 304
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 158
.........................................
Odometer .73
...............................
Odometer, Trip .73
..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 200
Oil ........................
Change, How to .223
......................
Change, When to .212
......................
Checking Engine .162
..............
Pressure Indicator . 66,290
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .222
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 86
.......................
Label, Certif ication .304
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 77
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 17,50
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 47
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .258
.......................................
Indicator .65
.........................................
Parking .76
..................................
Turn Signal .77
.....................................
Load Limit .168
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 85Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 85
............................
Fuel Fill Door .159
....................................
Glove Box .91
.................................
Power Door .87
........................................
Tailgate .90
........................
Low Coolant Level .163
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .69
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 66,290
................................
Lower Anchors .47
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 306
.........................................
Luggage .167
Index
LM K J N
O
V