2004 HONDA ELEMENT coolant

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to between the
MIN and MAX lines. Inspect the
cooling system f or leaks.Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
A dding Engine Coolant
160
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
—
—y
y
(+
y
y

When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal use.
The low washer
level indicator will light when the
level is low (see page ).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
3. 4. 5.
2.
1. 57
Canadian Models:
Maint enance
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Windshield Washers
161
RADIATOR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
—
—y
y
(+
y
y

Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). Using gloves or large heavy cloth,
turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator. 9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
11.
10.
195
113
195
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed191
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
—
—y
y
(+
y
y

ÎÎ ÎÎ Î
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation204
Dimensions
Weights
Engine
Capacities
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
)
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
)
9.7 : 1
144 cu-in (2,354 cm
)
3.43 x 3.90 in (87.0 x 99.0 mm)
0.145 US gal (0.55
)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)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs
Fuel tank
Engine oil
See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb (front
edge of rear door).
Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine Engine
coolant Automatic
transmission
fluid Manual
transmission
fluid Rear
differential
fluid (4WD)
Windshield
washer
reservoir
IZFR6K-11SKJ20DR-M11
Approx.
FrontRear
Change
Without filter
Total 1: 2:ChangeTotal
Change Total
Change
4WD
2WD
Total
4WD
2WD
ChangeTotal 4WD
2WD
ChangeTotal
U.S. Vehicles
Canada
Vehicles
NGK:
DENSO:
Automatic Transmission
Manual Transmission
1 22
Including filter
—
—y
y
(+
yy

Î
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care . 101
...................................
CD Changer . 100
.......................
CD Error Message . 102
.......
CD Changer Error Message . 103
.......................................
CD Player . 100
.................................
Ceiling Pocket . 86
........................
Certif ication Label . 202
...................................
Chains, . 176
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 181
.................................
Changing Oil . 158
........................................
How to . 158
......................................
When to . 149
...
Charging System Indicator . 54, 192
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 123
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 29
...................................
Child Seats . 37
.......
Important Saf ety Reminder . 29
..........................................
Inf ants . 34
............................
Large Children . 44
.........................................
LATCH . 37
...........................
Lower Anchors . 39
......................
Risks with Airbags . 30
.............................
Small Children . 36
.........................................
Tethers . 39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 43 ............
Where Should Child Sit? . 30
............
Cleaning the Body Panels . 165
..............................................
Clock . 105
.........................
Clock, Setting the . 105
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 164
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 211
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 124
..............................
Compact Spare . 180
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 214
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 51
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 160
....................................
Checking . 113
.........................
Proper Solution . 160
...................
Temperature Gauge . 59
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System . 209
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 56
............
Cruise Control Operation . 107
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 214
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 2, 52 Daytime Running Lights
.......................................
Indicator . 56
.................................
Dead Battery . 188
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 216
..........................
Def og and Def rost . 91
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 63
................
Def rosting the Windows . 93
....................................
Dimensions . 204
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 62
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 162
..................................
Engine Oil . 113
..........................
Directional Signals . 62
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 133
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 159
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 70
......................
Power Door Locks . 70
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 206
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission . 125
...........................................
Driving . 121
....................................
Economy . 114
........................
Driving Guidelines . 122
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 170
tires
Index
D
II
—
—y
y
(+
yy

CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 114
..................................
Emergencies . 179
............................
Jump Starting . 188
...........
Brake System Indicator . 194
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 181
.....
Charging System Indicator . 192
..................
Checking the Fuses . 196
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 63
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 192
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 193
..................
Overheated Engine . 190
.......................................
Towing . 195
...........................
Emergency Brake . 83
......................
Emergency Flashers . 63
.......................
Emissions Controls . 209
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 212 Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 59
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 126, 129
.............................. 186
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 54, 193
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 54, 192
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 157 ...............................
Overheating . 190
............................
Specif ications . 204
.......................................
Starting . 124
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 110
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 209
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 48
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 17
.....................................
Fan, Interior . 90
Features, Comfort and
................................
Convenience . 89
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 111
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 170
...............................................
Oil . 158
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 163
................................
Shif ting the . 125
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 63
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 181
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 162
..........................................
Brake . 164 .........................................
Clutch . 164
..............
Manual Transmission . 163
..........................
Power Steering . 165
..................
Windshield Washer . 161
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception . 97
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 77
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 63
Front Seat
......................................
Adjusting . 11
.........................................
Airbags . 22
.................................................
Fuel . 110
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 111
...........................................
Gauge . 58
................
Octane Requirement . 110
........................
Reserve Indicator . 56
........................
Tank, Filling the . 111
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 196
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 114
..........................................
Gasohol . 110
If it won’t start
Index
E
F
G
III
—
—y
y
(+
yy

.........................................
Gasoline . 110
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 56
...........................................
Gauge . 58
................
Octane Requirement . 110
........................
Tank, Filling the . 111
................
Gas Station Procedures . 111
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 59
...............................................
Fuel . 58
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 127
5-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission . 126
........................................
Glove Box . 87
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 166
................................................
Hatch . 71
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 63
Headlights
........................................
Aiming . 166
............
Daytime Running Lights . 62
..................
High Beam Indicator . 56
........................
Reminder Beeper . 62
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 166 ...................................
Turning on . 62
..............................
Head Restraints . 75
.......................
Heating and Cooling . 90
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 62
.......................
Hood, Opening the . 112
..............................................
Horn .3,60
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch . 164
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 202
Ignition
..............................................
Keys . 65
...........................................
Switch . 69
............
Timing Control System . 210
........................
Immobilizer System . 66
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators
..............
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) . 55
Brake (Parking and Brake
............................
System) . 54, 194
........................
Charging System . 54
.............................
Cruise Control . 56
DRL (Daytime Running
......................................
Lights) . 56
...................................
High Beam . 56 ........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 55
......................................
Low Fuel . 56
........................
Low Oil Pressure . 54
...........................
Side Airbag Of f . 55
...............................................
SRS . 55
Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning . 56
..............................
Washer Level . 57
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 53
...............................
Inf ant Restraint . 34
......................................
Inf ant Seats . 34
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
...........................
Lower Anchors . 39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 172
.........................
Normal Driving . 173
...................................
Inside Mirror . 82
.............................
Inspection, Tire . 174
............................
Instrument Panel . 53
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 63
........................................
Introduction . i
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 183
.......................................
Jack, Tire . 181
Index
H I
J
IV
—
—y
y
(+
yy

CONT INUED
................................
Jump Starting . 188
..................................................
Keys . 65
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 202
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 62
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 14, 19
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 166
.......................................
Indicator . 53
.........................................
Parking . 62
..................................
Turn Signal . 62
.....................................
Load Limit . 118
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 69
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 111
....................................
Glove Box . 87
.................................
Power Door . 70
........................................
Tailgate . 72
........................
Low Coolant Level . 113 .........................
Low Fuel Indicator . 56
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 54, 192
................................
Lower Anchors . 39
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 204
..............
Luggage, . 117
..................................
Maintenance . 147
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 151
.................................
Record . 154-155
......................
Required Indicator . 57
..........................................
Saf ety . 148
.............................
Schedule . 152-153
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 54, 193
...................
Manual Transmission . 125
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 163
.........................
Meters, Gauges . 53, 58
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting . 82
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 116
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 128
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 110
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds . 126 ...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 202
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 110
.........................................
Odometer . 58
...............................
Odometer, Trip . 58
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 143
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 158
......................
Change, When to . 152
......................
Checking Engine . 113
..............
Pressure Indicator . 54, 192
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart . 157
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery . 209
..............................
Outside Mirrors . 82
.......................................
Overdrive . 129
....................
Overheating, Engine . 190
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 151
Storing (Cargo)
Index
M N O
K L
V
—
—y
y
(+
yy