2003 HONDA ELEMENT oil dipstick

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

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)

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.

ÎÎ
Bulb Replacement
............................
Specif ications .307
...................................
Spotlights .264
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 259
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .258
............................
Capacities Chart .306
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 60
..........................
Cargo Area Light .115
.................................
Cargo Hooks .170
.............................
Carrying Cargo .167
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..........................
CD Changer .134, 147
..............................
CD Player .132, 145
...............................
Ceiling Pocket .112
........................
Certif ication Label .304
............................................
Chains .255
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .277
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 227
.................................
Changing Oil .223
........................................
How to .223
......................................
When to .212
...
Charging System Indicator . 66,291
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 173.....................................
Child Saf ety .24
.......................................
Child Seats .29
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 47
...........................
Lower Anchors .47
............
Tether Anchorage Point . 46
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 236
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .269
......................................
Exterior .268
.........................................
Fabric .271
..........................
Floor Covering .271
.......................................
Interior .271
...................................
Seat Belts .271
...........................................
Vinyl .271
....................................
Windows .272
.................
Clock, Setting the . 130,142
...................................
Clutch Fluid .235
........................
CO in the Exhaust .312
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 175
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 320
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 63
Coolant ........................................
Adding .225
....................................
Checking .163
.........................
Proper Solution .225
...................................
Replacing .227 ...................
Temperature Gauge . 74
....................
Corrosion Protection .273
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .313
............
Cruise Control Operation . 153
........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 320
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
.......................................
Dashboard .64
................
Daytime Running Lights . 77
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 322
........................
Def og and Def rost .124
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 81
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 124
....................................
Dimensions .306
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 76
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 231
..................................
Engine Oil .162
..........................
Directional Signals .77
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 185
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .224
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 87
Index
C
D
II