2003 HONDA ELEMENT check oil

See page .
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.
This light has two f unctions:
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
2. 1.
292
290
291 294
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
66
U.S. Canada

Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .158
.........................................
Gasoline .158
.........
Service Station Procedures . 159
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 159
....................
Opening the Hood .160
...............................
Oil Check .162
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 163
...............................
Fuel Economy .164
.....................
Vehicle Condition .164
...........................
Driving Habits .164
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 165
.............................
Carrying Cargo .167
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving157

Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the vehicle with f uel. Wait a
f ew minutes af ter turning the engine
of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle). Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube.
2.
1. 3.
Oil Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving162
DIPSTICK

Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
4. 219
225
212
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil A dding
Engine Coolant Owner Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
163
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANK

After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e. Check
the tires for damage and for proper
pressure. Driving of f -highway can be hard on a
vehicle. Bef ore you leave the
pavement, be sure all scheduled
maintenance and service has been
done, and that you have inspected
your vehicle. Pay special attention to
the condition of the tires, and use a
gauge to check the tire pressures. The f ollowing pages contain practical
tips on basic of f -highway operation.Of f -highway, the general rule is to
keep your speed low. Of course,
you’ll need enough speed to keep
moving forward. But at higher
speeds, you have less time to assess
conditions and make good decisions.
There’s also a greater chance of
sliding if you brake or turn too
quickly on wet soil, gravel, or ice. In
any situation, never go f aster than
conditions allow.
Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway. You may even dig
yourself into a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second gear (2) will
help get you to a smooth start on
snow and ice.Generally, the best of f -pavement
braking technique is to gently
depress the brake pedal, then
increase pressure as more braking is
needed. Avoid hard braking. Keep in
mind that you will usually need more
time and distance to brake to a stop
on unpaved surf aces.
If you need to brake hard because of
an emergency, apply steady, even
pressure to the brake pedal. Do not
pump the brakes; let the anti-lock
braking system pump them f or you.
If you pump the brakes, the anti-lock
cannot work as ef f iciently, and your
stopping distance may be increased.
With ABS
Driving T ips
Check Out Your Vehicle
Cont rolling Speed
A ccelerat ing and Braking
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving202

This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .208
.
Important Safety Precautions . 209
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 210
...
Required Maintenance Record . 217
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 219
..............................
Fluid Locations .220
......................................
Engine Oil .221
..................................
Adding Oil .221
....................
Recommended Oil .221
..............................
Synthetic Oil .222
....................................
Additives .222
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 223
.............................
Cooling System .225
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 225
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 227
....................
Windshield Washers .230
.......................
Transmission Fluid .231
..........
Automatic Transmission . 231
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .232
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 233
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 234
............................
Brake System .234
...........................
Clutch System .235
..............................
Power Steering .235
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .236 ....................................
Hood Latch .237
....................................
Spark Plugs .238
..............................
Replacement .238
............................
Specif ications .239
...........................................
Battery .240
.................................
Wiper Blades .242
..............
Air Conditioning System . 245
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 246
.......................................
Drive Belt .248
...............................................
Tires .249
......................................
Inf lation .249
Recommended Tire Pressures f or Normal ...........................
Driving .250
..................................
Inspection .251
..............................
Maintenance .251
.............................
Tire Rotation .252
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 253
......................
Wheels and Tires .254
..........................
Winter Driving .254
.............................
Snow Tires .254
............................
Tire Chains .255
.............................................
Lights .256
.....................
Headlight Aiming .258
........................
Replacing Bulbs .258
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .266
323
Maintenance
Maint enance207

Regularly maintaining your vehicle is
the best way to protect your
investment. Proper maintenance is
essential to your saf ety and the
saf ety of your passengers. It will also
reward you with more economical,
trouble-f ree driving, and help reduce
air pollution.Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by a Honda
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Maint enance
Maintenance Saf ety
208
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

µ
Î
Ì
Ì
ÌÎ
Maint enance212
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first.miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months 10
16
50
8070
112 110
176
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
20
32
30
4840
64 60
9680
128 100
160
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Service the following items at the recommended intervals.
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belt
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace rear differential fluid (4WD)
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 90
144
Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) or 8 years 120
192
24 4872
12 3660
M/T
A/T
:
: 211
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions