2003 HONDA ELEMENT transmission

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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

Fluid Locations
Maint enance220
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
POWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
RADIATOR CAPBRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR CLUTCH FLUID
(5-speed Manual
Transmission only)
(Gray cap)

The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your vehicle
according to this chart.You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
Your Honda does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Honda, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less f uel.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
A dditives
222
Ambient Temperature

Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.Remove the radiator cap. Fill the
radiator with coolant up to the
base of the f iller neck.
Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the radiator f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine.
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
Check the level in the radiator,
add coolant if needed.
The cooling system capacity is:
9.
10. 11.
12.
13.14.
15.
16.
17.
With automatic transmission:
With manual transmission:
Maint enance
Cooling Syst em
229
1.43 US gal (5.4)
1.45 US gal (5.5
)

Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission as shown. To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a final time.If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it is not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
1.
2. 3.5.
4.
CONT INUED
Automatic Transmission
Maint enance
T ransmission Fluid
231
DIPSTICK UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK

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

The rear dif f erential should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the rear
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle on level
ground. Remove the dif f erential f luid
f iller bolt and washer, 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, slowly add Honda Dual Pump
Fluid 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.
Use only Honda Dual Pump Fluid.
Do not use Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF).
4WD models only
Rear Dif f erential Fluid
Maint enance233
Correct
level
FILLER BOLT WASHER

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule. Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.Brake System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance234
MIN
MAX