2006 HONDA ELEMENT service

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.
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.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see
on page .
1.
2.
3. 4.
173
164
170
Oil Check
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
A dding Engine Oil
Service Station Procedures
128
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARKLOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ). The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition. Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use overdrive (O/D)
when towing a trailer on level roads.
Turn of f the overdrive (O/D) when
towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. 187
152
151
CONT INUED
Pre-T ow Checklist Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving
155

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
f or any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
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 pressures.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). 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 (2) gear will
help you have a smoother start on
snow or 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 conditions
or obstacles on a slope, 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

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working with the battery or compressed air.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Potential Vehicle HazardsCarbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts. Injury f rom moving parts.
162
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations, and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

µµ
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other vehicle parts. The load limit
is shown on the tire inf ormation
label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip, or in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Used primarily as a delivery
vehicle or taxi that is driven
mostly in stop-and-go traf f ic and/
or parked with the engine idling.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage
).
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
The maintenance schedule assumes
you will use your vehicle as normal
transportation for passengers and
their possessions. You should also
f ollow these recommendations:
Trailer towing, driving with a
loaded roof rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the maintenance schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
maintenance schedule f or severe
conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions. If you only
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the normal conditions
maintenance schedule.
Follow the
maintenance schedule f or severe
conditions.
124
OCCASIONALLY
Maintenance Schedule
Which Schedule to Follow
U.S. Owners Canadian Owners
Maint enance
163
NOTE:

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We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done. U.S. Vehicles:
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 .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed at the recommended time
or mileage period to ensure long-
term reliability.
Your authorized dealer knows your
vehicle best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your
warranties in ef f ect. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the maintenance record.
Check your warranty booklet f or
more inf ormation.
175
177
188
179
128
128
Maintenance Schedule
Servicing Your Vehicle Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.Owner’s Maintenance Checks
164

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Follow the normal maintenance
schedule if the severe driving
conditions specif ied in the severe
conditions maintenance schedule on
the next page do not apply.
NOT E: If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the normal conditions
maintenance schedule.
165
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
( (O
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Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)(
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Check inflation and condition once a month Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128
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Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years.
(
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Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km)
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years 150
240
140
224
130
208
120
192
110
176
100
160
90
144
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 190 )
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
1:
: 164
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions