2004 HONDA ELEMENT radiator

On models without side airbagsOn models with side airbags On models with side airbags
Saf ety L abels
Driver and Passenger Saf ety50
HOOD
RADIATOR CAP
—
—y
y
(+
yy

Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange tab).
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube. 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.
1. 2. 3.
157
151160
4.
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
Oil Check
A dding OilEngine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
113
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARKLOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
—
—y

y
(+
y

y

µµ µ
µ
µ µ µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
. Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page .
113
113
161 166
162 164 172
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
151
—
—y

y
(+
y
y

Fluid Locations
Maint enance156
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
CLUTCH FLUID
(5-speed Manual
Transmission only)
(Gray cap)AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
POWER
STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange tab)
—
—y

y
(+
y

y

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

Î
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 63
........................
Park Gear Position . 127
...........................................
Parking . 131
.................................
Parking Brake . 83
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator . 54, 194
.................................
Parking Lights . 62
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 131
.............................
PGM-FI System . 210
.................
Power Socket Locations . 87
..............................
Power Windows . 81
..........................
Power Door Locks . 70
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children . 29
.......................
Protecting Inf ants . 34
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 44
.........
Protecting Small Children . 36
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers . 39
.............................
Using LATCH . 39 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 190
...............
Radio/CD Sound System . 94
...........................
Readiness Codes . 193
.......................................
Rear Doors . 70
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 169
............................
Rear Seat Access . 75
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding . 77
............................
Rear View Mirror . 82
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 63
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 61
...............
Reclining the Seat-Backs . 73
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 126
.............................
Reminder Lights . 53
...............
Removing the Rear Seats . 79
.......................
Remote Transmitter . 67
Replacement Inf ormation
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 170
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 158
..........................................
Fuses . 196
................................
Light Bulbs . 166
....................................
Schedule . 152
...........................................
Tires . 172
.............................
Wiper Blades . 171 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash . 21
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant . 113, 160
...............................
Restraint, Child . 29
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 128
...........................
Reverse Lockout . 130
......................................
Roof Rack . 119
................................
Rotation, Tire . 175
..................................
Saf ety Belts . 8, 19
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 216
.................................
Saf ety Features . 7
.........................................
Airbags . 10
..................................
Door Locks . 11
..........................
Head Restraints . 14
.......................................
Seat Belts . 8
...........
Seats and Seat-Backs . 11, 13
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 49
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts . 8, 19
...............
Additional Information . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
Index
R
P
S
VI
—
—y
y
(+
yy