2006 HONDA ELEMENT Owners Manual

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely. Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can af f ect the shif t quality.
Have the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
3. 4.
5.
1.
2. 6.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
175
DIPSTICK
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda manual transmission
f luid (MTF) until it starts to run out
of the hole. Reinstall the f iller bolt,
and tighten it securely.
Manual T ransmission Fluid
176
FILLER BOLT
Correct Level
WASHER

Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Replace the brake f luid according to
the time recommendation in the
maintenance schedule.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage. Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Low f luid can indicate a leak in the
clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
Manual Transmission only
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake FluidClutch Fluid
Maint enance
177
MAX
MIN MAX
MIN

Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL. A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment. To clean the gray composite body
panels, wash them with soap and
water only. Do not apply wax to the
panels; it will cause discoloration.
If equipped with body panels
Power Steering Fluid
Cleaning the Body Panels
Power Steering Fluid, Cleaning the Body Panels
178
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied mechanic.Open the hood.
If you need to change the
headlight bulb on the driver’s side,
remove the f ront end of the air
intake duct by pulling it out.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. Handle it by its steel base and
protect the glass f rom contact with
your skin or hard objects. If you
touch the glass, clean it with
denaturedalcoholandacleancloth.
1.
CONT INUED
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
179
AIR INTAKE DUCT
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way, and remove the bulb.Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
Reinstall the rubber weather seal.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘TOP.’’
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Install the f ront end of the air
intake duct.
The f ront parking/turn signal light
is next to the headlight bulb. On
the driver’s side, remove the f ront
end of the air intake duct by
pulling it out (see page ).
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
2.179
Replacing a Front Parking/Turn
Signal Light Bulb
Lights
180

Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
(Driver’s side)
Install the f ront end of the air
intake duct.Place a cloth between the trim of
the lens and the body, at the top of
the lens. Remove the front side
marker light assembly by caref ully
prying on the trim of the lens with
a small f lat-tip screwdriver.Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
1.
3.
4.
5.
2.
3.
6.
CONT INUED
Replacing a Front Side Marker
Light Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
181
SCREWDRIVER
CLOTH LIGHT
ASSEMBLY LIGHT ASSEMBLY
SOCKET

Put the socket back into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the light assembly back into
the body, bottom first. Push on the
top edge until it snaps into place.Open the hatch and the tailgate.
Remove the two mounting screws
with a Phillips-head screwdriver,
and remove the taillight assembly
f rom the body by pulling it back.Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Determine which of the three
bulbs is burned out: brake/
taillight, turn signal light or back-
up light.
1.
4.
5.
2.3.
4.
6.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
182
TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY
SCREW
SCREW
SOCKET
SOCKET
SOCKET