2003 HONDA ELEMENT maintenance

Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your vehicle. This
is especially important in areas
that use road salt in winter. It is
also a good idea in humid climates
and areas subject to salt air.
Vehicles equipped with ABS have
a sensor and wiring at each wheel.
Be careful not to damage them.
Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Honda. You can
help keep your vehicle f rom
corroding by perf orming some
simple periodic maintenance:
Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.
Two f actors normally contribute to
causing corrosion in your vehicle:
Moisture trapped in body cavities.
Dirtandroadsaltthatcollectsin
hollows on the underside of the
vehicle stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
Removal of paint and protective
coatings f rom the exterior and
underside of the vehicle. Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors
and body.
Check the f loor coverings f or
dampness. Carpeting and f loor
mats may remain damp f or a long
time, especially in winter. This
dampness can eventually cause
the f loor panels to corrode.Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
vehicle inspected and repaired
periodically.
1.
2.
Corrosion Prot ect ion
Appearance Care273

ÎÎ
ÎÎ
Î
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation306
Dimensions
Weights
Capacities Engine
169.3 in (4,300 mm)
71.5 in (1,815 mm)
70.4 in (1,788 mm)
101.4 in (2,575 mm)
62.1 in (1,577 mm)
62.3 in (1,582 mm)
1.88 US gal (7.1
)
1.90 US gal (7.2
)
3.3 US qt (3.1
)
7.6 US qt (7.2
)
2.0 US qt (1.9
)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating
1.43 US gal (5.4
)
3.1 US qt (2.9
)
1.45 US gal (5.5
)
6.9 US qt (6.5
)
5.6 US qt (5.3
)
4.2 US qt (4.0)
4.4 US qt (4.2)
15.9 US gal (60
)
Fuel tank
Engine oil Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs 9.7 : 1
144 cu-in (2,354 cm
)
3.43 x 3.90 in (87.0 x 99.0 mm) Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine
See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb (front
edge of rear door).
See spark plug maintenance
section page 239 .
0.145 US gal (0.55
)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
Engine
coolant
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Manual
transmission
fluid
Rear
differential
fluid (4WD)
Windshield
washer
reservoir
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
1.3 US qt (1.2
)
1.1 US qt (1.0)
2.4 US qt (2.3
)
2.3 US qt (2.2)
Approx.
Front
Rear
Change
Without filter
Total 1:
2:Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
4WD
2WD
Total 4WD
2WD
Change
Total 4WD
2WD
Change
Total
U.S. Vehicles
Canada
Vehicles
Automatic Transmission
Manual Transmission
1 2
2
Including filter

Î
ÎThe burning of gasoline in your
vehicle’s engine produces several by-
products. Some of these are carbon
monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen
(NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC).
Gasoline evaporating f rom the tank
also produces hydrocarbons. Con-
trolling the production of NOx, CO,
and HC is important to the environ-
ment. Under certain conditions of
sunlight and climate, NOx and HC
react to f orm photochemical ‘‘smog.’’
Carbon monoxide does not contri-
bute to smog creation, but it is a
poisonous gas. The United States Clean Air Act
sets standards f or automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
workandwhattodotomaintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page
.
In Canada, Honda vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specif ied in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manuf actured.
Your vehicle has a Positive
Crankcase Ventilation System. This
keeps gasses that build up in the
engine’s crankcase f rom going into
the atmosphere. The Positive Crank- case Ventilation valve routes them
from the crankcase back to the
intake manif old. They are then
drawn into the engine and burned.
The Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery (ORVR) system captures
the f uel vapors during ref ueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
f illed with activated carbon. While
driving, the f uel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned of f . As gasoline evaporates in the f uel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister f illed with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is of f . Af ter
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
211
The Clean Air Act
Crankcase Emissions Control
System
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery Evaporative Emissions Control
System
Emissions Cont rols
T echnical Inf ormation313

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(


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)
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.
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#
) This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
324
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

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
...............................
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

Î
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor....................................
Recovery .313
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 312
............................
Outside Mirrors .106
.......................................
Overdrive .181
....................
Overheating, Engine .288
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 219
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .311
..............................
Paint Touch-up .270
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 77
........................
Park Gear Position .179
...........................................
Parking .184
...............................
Parking Brake .111
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 66,294
.................................
Parking Lights .76
Parking Over Things that ....................................
Burn .184, 314
.............................
PGM-FI System .314
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 269
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 21
............................
Protecting Adults .13 ...
Additional Safety Precautions . 22
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 21
........................
Protecting Children .24
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .34
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 42
.........
Protecting Small Children . 38
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .46
.............................
Using LATCH .47
...................
Radiator Overheating . 288
.....
Radio/CD Sound System . 126,137
...........................
Readiness Codes .293
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 233
.......................................
Rear Doors .88
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 261
............................
Rear Seat Access .95
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .99
..........................
Rear View Mirror .106
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 81
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 80
...............
Reclining the Seat-Backs . 92
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 177
.............................
Reminder Lights .65 ............
Removing the Rear Seats . 101
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 236
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 246
..........................
Engine Coolant .227
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 223
..........................................
Fuses .296
................................
Light Bulbs .258
....................................
Schedule .210
................................
Spark Plugs .238
...........................................
Tires .253
.............................
Wiper Blades .242
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .53
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant .163, 225
...............................
Restraint, Child .24
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 180
...........................
Reverse Lockout .183
................................
Rotation, Tire .252
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 50
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 322
...........
Saf ety Checklist, Pre-Drive . 12
Index
R
P
S
VI

ÎCONT INUED
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .11
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .11
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 61
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 50
...............
Additional Information . 50
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 21
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .52
.....................................
Cleaning .271
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17,50
................................
Maintenance .53
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .50, 67
................................
Replacement .53
...................
System Components . 50
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 21
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .92
...............................
Serial Number .304
...........................
Service Intervals .212
...........................
Service Manual .323 .........
Service Station Procedures . 159
..................
Setting the Clock . 130,142
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 178
........................
Shif t Lock Release .183
..............................
Side Airbags .10, 56
....................
Cutof f Indicator .58, 67
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .260
...............................
Signaling Turns .77
..........................................
Skylight .107
..............
Removing and Storing . 108
.....................................
Snow Tires .254
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 268
........................
Sound System .126, 137
......................................
Spare Tire .276
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 238
....................
Specif ications Charts . 306
................................
Speed Control .153
...................................
Speedometer .72
.......................................
Spotlights .114
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 54
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 59
.............................
Airbag Service .59
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ...........
Indicator Light Works . 58
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 57How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .54
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 56
........................
SRS Components .54
.............................
SRS Indicator .57 ,67
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 86
..............
State Emissions Testing . 316
.......................
Starting the Engine .174
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .175
................
With a Dead Battery . 285
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 288
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .82
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 85
...........
Stereo Sound System . 126,137
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .266
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .10, 54
......................................
Servicing .59
.........................
SRS Indicator .57 ,67
...................
System Components . 54
..................................
Synthetic Oil .222
Index
VII