2003 HONDA ELEMENT oil temperature

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon
monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain your
vehicle properly.High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the under-
side. If you must sit in your parked vehicle,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows:
Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
With the tailgate/hatch open, air
f low can pull exhaust gas into your
vehicle’s interior and create a
hazardous condition. If you must
drive with the tailgate/hatch open,
openallthewindowsandsetthe
heating and cooling system as shown
below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety60
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

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

Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the f ilter.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1.
2.
4. 3.
CONT INUED
Changing the Oil and Filter
Engine Oil
Maint enance223
WASHER
OIL DRAIN BOLT OIL FILTER

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

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your vehicle’s air conditioning is a
sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualif ied mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to make
sure the air conditioning works
ef f iciently.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 307
On U.S. EX, and Canadian DX and EX
models
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance245
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.

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

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

Î
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 168
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .306
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 304
.............................
Vehicle Storage .266
.....................................
Ventilation .121
.................................................
VIN .304
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .271
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .222
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .273
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .275
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 308
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .158
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .271
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 224
.....................................
Tachometer .72
Tailgate ............................
Open Indicator .70
.................................
Opening the .90
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 261
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 275
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 308
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 313
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .311
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .315
.......................
Temperature Gauge .74
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 46
............................
Thef t Protection .152
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 315
..................
Time, Setting the . 130,142
....................................
Tire Chains .255
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 277
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .310
...............................................
Tires .249
..............................
Air Pressure .249
.........................
Checking Wear .251
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 308......................................
Inf lation .249
..................................
Inspection .251
..............................
Maintenance .251
...................................
Replacing .253
......................................
Rotating .252
...........................................
Snow .254
............................
Specif ications .307
................................
Tire Chains .255
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 277
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .191
...............
Behind a Motorhome . 198
................................
Emergency .301
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .231
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .232
..................
Fluid Selection . 231,232
..............
Identif ication Number . 304
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 178
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 176
.....................................
Treadwear .308
.......................................
Trip Meter .73
....................................
Turn Signals .77 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 61
..................
Warranty Coverages .321
Index
T U
V
W
VIII