2005 HONDA ELEMENT checking oil

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
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
1.
2.
3. 4.
170 173
164
Oil Check
A dding OilEngine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
126
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARKLOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to 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
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .162
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 163
....................
Maintenance Record .167
..............................
Fluid Locations .169
........................
Adding Engine Oil .170
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 171
..............................
Engine Coolant .173
....................
Windshield Washers .174
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 175
.......
Manual Transsmission Fluid . 176
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 177
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 178
............
Cleaning the Body Panels . 178
.............................................
Lights .179
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 185
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 185
.................................
Wiper Blades .186
...............................................
Tires .187
...................
Checking the Battery . 193
.............................
Vehicle Storage .194
237
Maintenance
Maint enance
161

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .128
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .69
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 87
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 171
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11, 23
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 23
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 29
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ......................
Indicator Works .28
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 27
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 26
........................
SRS Components .23
................
Air Conditioning System . 91
............................................
Usage .91
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .188
.........................
Normal Driving .188
......................................
Antif reeze .173
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .55, 148
...................................
Operation .147 ..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 116
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 69
......................
Armrests, Front Seat .74
..................................
Audio System .94
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 21
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 119
..............
Automatic Transmission . 141
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .222
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 175
.......................................
Shif ting .141
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 141
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 141
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 144
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .112
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .54, 209
............................
Jump Starting .205
..............................
Maintenance .193
............................
Specif ications .223
..............................
Bef ore Driving .121
..................................
Belts, Seat .10, 20
...........................
Beverage Holders .87 ...................................
Body Panels .178
..................................
Booster Seats .45
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 147
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 122
....................
Bulb Replacement .179
...........................................
Fluid .177
.........................................
Parking .83
.................
System Indicator . 54,211
........................
Wear Indicators .147
.............................
Braking System .146
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 122
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 63
........................
Brights, Headlights .62
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .182
..............................
Brake Lights .182
................
Front Parking Lights . 180
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 181
.................................
Headlights .179
............................
Specif ications .223
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 180
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .179
................................
Bungee Cords .133
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

Î
ÎÎ Î
............................
Capacities Chart .222
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 47
...............................
Carring Cargo .130
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care .113
...................................
CD Changer .112
.......................
CD Error Message .114
.......
CD Changer Error Message . 115
.......................................
CD Player .106
.................................
Ceiling Pocket .86
........................
Certif ication Label .220
............................................
Chains .192
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .197
.................................
Changing Oil .171
........................................
How to .171
......................................
When to .165
...
Charging System Indicator . 54,209
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 137
.....................................
Child Saf ety .30
Child Seats ......
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
...........................
Lower Anchors .39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
............
Cleaning the Body Panels . 178..............................................
Clock .117
.........................
Clock, Setting the .117
...................................
Clutch Fluid .177
........................
CO in the Exhaust .227
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 138
..............................
Compact Spare .196
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 234
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 51
Coolant ........................................
Adding .173
....................................
Checking .126
.........................
Proper Solution .173
...................
Temperature Gauge . 59
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .227
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 56
............
Cruise Control Operation . 119
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 234
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .4, 52
Daytime Running Lights ...................................
Indicator .56
.................................
Dead Battery .205 ............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 236
..........................
Def og and Def rost .91
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 63
................
Def rosting the Windows . 93
....................................
Dimensions .222
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 62
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 175
..................................
Engine Oil .126
..........................
Directional Signals .62
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 147
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .172
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 70
......................
Power Door Locks .70
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 224
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .139
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .135
....................................
Economy .127
........................
Driving Guidelines .136
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 185
Index
D
C
II

CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .127
............
Emergencies on the Road . 195
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 205
...........
Brake System Indicator . 211
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 197
.....
Charging System Indicator . 209
..................
Checking the Fuses . 212
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 63
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 209
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 210
..................
Overheated Engine . 207
...........................
Emergency Brake .83
......................
Emergency Flashers .63
......................
Emergency Towing .217
.......................
Emissions Controls .227
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 230
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 59
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 140,143
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .54, 210
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 54,209
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 170
...............................
Overheating .207 ............................
Specif ications .222
.......................................
Starting .138
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 227
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
.....................................
Fan, Interior .90
...........................................
Features .89
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 124
Filters .........................
Dust and Pollen .185
...............................................
Oil .171
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 63
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 197
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 175
..........................................
Brake .177
.........................................
Clutch .177
..............
Manual Transmission . 176
..........................
Power Steering .178
..................
Windshield Washer . 174
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception .98 ...........................
Folding Rear Seat .77
..........................
Four-way Flashers .63
..........................
Four-wheel Drive .136
............................
Front Airbags .11, 23
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .12
.........................................
Airbags .23
.................................................
Fuel .122
......................
Fill Door and Cap .124
...........................................
Gauge .58
................
Octane Requirement . 122
........................
Reserve Indicator .56
........................
Tank, Filling the .124
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .212
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 127
.........................................
Gasoline .122
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 56
...........................................
Gauge .58
................
Octane Requirement . 122
........................
Tank, Filling the .124
Index
E
F
G
INDEX
III

CONT INUED
....................................
Glove Box .87
.................................
Power Door .70
........................................
Tailgate .72
........................
Low Coolant Level .126
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .56
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 54,209
................................
Lower Anchors .39
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 139
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 222
.........................................
Luggage .130
..................................
Maintenance .161
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 164
.................................
Record .167-168
......................
Required Indicator .57
..........................................
Saf ety .162
.............................
Schedule .165-166
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 54,210
...................
Manual Transmission . 139
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 176
................................
Shif ting the .139
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 176
.........................
Meters, Gauges .53, 58
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .82 ...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 129
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 142
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 122
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .140
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 220
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 122
.........................................
Odometer .58
...............................
Odometer, Trip .58
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 157
Oil ........................
Change, How to .171
......................
Change, When to .165
......................
Checking Engine .126
..............
Pressure Indicator . 54,209
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .170
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .227 ..............................
Outside Mirrors .82
.......................................
Overdrive .143
....................
Overheating, Engine .207
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 164
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 63
........................
Park Gear Position .141
...........................................
Parking .145
.................................
Parking Brake .83
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 54,211
.................................
Parking Lights .62
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 145
................................
Playing a Disc .106
............
Playing the AM/FM Radio . 94
Playing the XM Satellite ..........................................
Radio .100
.............................
PGM-FI System .228
.................
Power Socket Locations . 87
..............................
Power Windows .81
..........................
Power Door Locks .70
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
TM
Index
M N
O
P
INDEX
V

Î
CONT INUED
.....................................
Snow Tires .191
..................................
Sound System .94
......................................
Spare Tire .196
......................................
Inf lating .196
............................
Specif ications .223
....................
Specif ications Charts . 222
................................
Speed Control .119
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 23
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 29
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ......................
Indicator Works .28
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 27
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 26
........................
SRS Components .23
.............................
SRS Indicator .27 ,55
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 69
..............
State Emissions Testing . 230
.......................
Starting the Engine .138
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .138
................
With a Dead Battery . 205
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 207Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment .64
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 69
.....................
Stereo Sound System .94
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .194
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .11, 23
......................................
Servicing .28
.........................
SRS Indicator .27 ,55
...................
System Components . 23
..................................
Synthetic Oil .171
Tailgate ............................
Open Indicator .57
.................................
Opening the .72
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 182
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 195
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 224
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 227
..........
State Emissions Testing . 230
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .229
.................................
Tire Labeling .226 .......................
Temperature Gauge .59
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
............................
Thef t Protection .116
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 229
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 64
..........................
Time, Setting the .117
....................................
Tire Chains .192
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 197
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .224
...............................................
Tires .187
..............................
Air Pressure .188
.........................
Checking Wear .189
..........................
Compact Spare .196
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 224
......................................
Inf lation .187
..................................
Inspection .189
..............................
Maintenance .189
...................................
Replacing .190
......................................
Rotating .190
...........................................
Snow .191
............................
Specif ications .223
................................
Tire Chains .192
Index
T
INDEX
VII

ÎÎ
ÎÎ
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 197
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .149
...............
Behind a Motorhome . 155
................................
Emergency .217
...
Equipment And Accessories . 151
.............................
Weight Limit .149
.............................
Trailer Loading .150
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .153
...........................
Traction Devices .192
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .175
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .176
..................
Fluid Selection . 175,176
..............
Identif ication Number . 220
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 141
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 139
.....................................
Treadwear .224
.......................................
Trip Meter .58
....................................
Turn Signals .62 Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .195
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 224
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .122
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 172
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 131
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .222
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 220
.............................
Vehicle Storage .194
........................................
Ventilation .92
.................................................
VIN .220
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .170
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 48
..................
Warranty Coverages .235
Washers, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 174
.....................................
Operation .61 Wheels
...............
Adjusting the Steering . 64
............
Alignment and Balance . 189
......................................
Wrench .198
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 81
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .63
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .61
.....................................
Def roster .91
.....................................
Washers .174
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .186
.....................................
Operation .61
....................................
Worn Tires .189
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 217
:U.S.only
: Canada only
Index
U
V
W
VIII