2005 HONDA ELEMENT maintenance schedule

2005 Element Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com. Contents


Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
........................................ .ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .4
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .7
Seat belts, SRS, and child protection
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column
Features ........................................................................\
...................................................................... 89
Climate, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control, and HomeLink
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................121
Fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .135
Engine and transmission operation
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................161
Schedules, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
..............................195
Flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fuses
Technical Information........................................................................\
............................................ .219
Vehicle specifications, tires, fuels, and emissions controls
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................233
Warranty and contact information
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................237
How to order
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
Fluid capacities and tire pressures
Owner's Identification Form

Congratulations! Your selection of a 2005 Honda Element was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.Calif ornia Proposition 65 WarningThis product contains
or emits chemicals known to the
State of Calif ornia to cause cancer
and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with one or
more recording devices commonly
ref erred to as event data recorders
or sensing and diagnostic modules.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.
Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual
helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves your investment.
When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your dealer’s staf f
is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your vehicle.
Your dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be pleased to answer
any questions and concerns. As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a
symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your vehicle, other
property, or the environment.
Introduction
WARNING:
i

µ
You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags are
designed to supplement seat belts,
not replace them. So even though
your vehicle is equipped with airbags,
make sure you and your passengers
always wear your seat belts, and
wear them properly (see page ).
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance (see page ). Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed, the greater the
risk, but serious injuries can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either.
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. Children age 12and under should
ride properly restrained in a back
seat. Infants and small children
should be restrained in a child seat.
Larger children should use a booster
seat and a lap/shoulder belt until
they can use the belt properly
without a booster (see pages ).
15
163
46
30
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition Control Your Speed
Don’t Drink and Drive Be Aware of Airbag Hazards Restrain All Children
8

µ
Canadian models onlyThis indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
This indicator comes on if any door
is not closed tightly. This indicator comes on if the
tailgate or the hatch is not closed
tightly. This indicator comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
f luid when you see this indicator
come on (see page ). Ref er to the maintenance schedules
f or normal and severe driving
conditions on pages
.
For the f irst 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
af ter the maintenance required
indicator is reset, it will come on f or
2 seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II).
Between 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
and 10,000 miles (16,000 km), this
indicator will come on f or 2 seconds
when you first turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), and then flash for
10 seconds. Hold the button for about 10
seconds until the indicator goes
of f . Press and hold the Select/Reset
button on the instrument panel,
then turn the ignition switch to
ON (II). Turn of f the engine.
Your dealer will reset this indicator
af ter completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
notdonebyyourdealer,resetthe
indicator as f ollows. If you exceed 10,000 miles (16,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
1.
2.
3.
174
165 166
Washer L evel Indicator
Maintenance Required
Indicator
Door-open Indicator Tailgate and Hatch Open
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
57

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
You may hear a knocking noise from
the engine if you drive the vehicle at
low engine speed (below about 1,000
rpm) in a higher gear. To stop this,
raise the engine speed by shif ting to
a lower gear. We recommend quality gasoline
containing detergent additives that
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits.
On vehicles with manual transmission
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
122

Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
schedule. See(see page
).
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible. The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible. Combine several short trips into
one.
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more f uel.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more f uel. Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
f uel. Use cruise control when
appropriate.
164
For example,
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
127

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service and that you inspect your
vehicle. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires and check the
tire pressure.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressure.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comf ort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second gear (2) will
help you have a smoother start on
snow and ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not pump
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.
Debris in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Because your vehicle has a high
center of gravity, driving over a large
obstacle, or allowing a wheel to drop
into a deep hole can cause your
vehicle to tip or roll over.
If you can’t clearly see all road
conditions or obstacles, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
do not try to
turn around
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember: A ccelerating and Braking
A voiding Obstacles
Driving on Slopes
158

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