2007 HONDA ELEMENT check oil

Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
certif ication seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.Honda motor oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda motor oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API certif ication seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Install the engine oil
f ill cap, and tighten it securely. Wait
a f ew minutes, and recheck the oil
level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine. Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
189
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEALAmbient Temperature

Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Turn of f the engine and let it sit
f or several minutes, then check
the oil level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add more oil.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks. Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine, and check your work. Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter): Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
Check the oil f ilter to make sure its
gasket did not stick to the engine
block. A stuck gasket could cause an
oil leak. 4.
3. 5.
6.
7.
8.9.
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
191
OIL FILTER
4.4 US qt (4.2)
33 lbf·ft (44 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container, and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt and
tighten it securely.
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 stif f er shif ting. 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 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 Fluid
(MTF) until it starts to run out of the
hole. If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
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. If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
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 affect the shift quality.
Have the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 by
your dealer as soon as it is
convenient.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer. 5.
6.
T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
195
FILLER BOLT
Correct Level
WASHER

Let the vehicle sit for a minute.
Op en the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipsti ck (see page ). If
the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn off all electri cal
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Safely
pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page
).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action. 1.
2.
4. 3.
141
189
239
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
231
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .143
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .79
..............
Accessory Power Sockets .97
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .190
.........
Advice f or Pregnant Women .18
.............................
Airbag (SRS) . 11, 24
...
Airbags, Additional Information .24
...
Additional Safety Precautions .36
.............................
Airbag Service .35
How the Passenger Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .34
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .34
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .33
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .27
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .31
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .32
........................
SRS Components .24
..............
Air Conditioning System .102
.........................................
Usage .103
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .209 ......................................
Alignment .245
......................................
Antif reeze .192
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 61, 162
...................................
Operation .161
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 129
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 79
......................
Armrests, Front Seat .84
................................
Audio System .107
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 133
..............
Automatic Transmission . 155
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .244
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 194
.......................................
Shif ting .155
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 155
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 155
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 158
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .125
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 60, 231
............................
Jump Starting .227 ..............................
Maintenance .214
............................
Specif ications .245
..............................
Bef ore Driving .137
..................................
Belts, Seat . 10, 20
...........................
Beverage Holders .97
...................................
Body Panels .197
..................................
Booster Seats .52
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 161
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 138
....................
Bulb Replacement . 203
...........................................
Fluid .196
.........................................
Parking .93
.................
System Indicator . 60, 233
........................
Wear Indicators .161
.............................
Braking System .160
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 138
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 72
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

ÎÎÎ
............................
Capacities Chart .244
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .54
.............................
Carrying Cargo .145
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
.........................................
CD Care .126
...................................
CD Changer .125
.......................
CD Error Message .127
.......
CD Changer Error Message .128
.......................................
CD Player .119
.................................
Ceiling Pocket .96
........................
Certif ication Label .242 ............................................
Chains .213
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
.................................
Changing Oil .190
........................................
How to .190
......................................
When to .179
...
Charging System Indicator . 60, 231
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 151
.....................................
Child Saf ety .37
Child Seats ......
LATCH Anchorage System . 46
...........................
Lower Anchors .46
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 50
..........
Children, Protecting Larger . 51
............
Cleaning the Body Panels . 197
..............................................
Clock .130
.........................
Clock, Setting the .130
...................................
Clutch Fluid .197
........................
CO in the Exhaust .251
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 152
..............................
Compact Spare .218
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 258
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .192
....................................
Checking .141
.........................
Proper Solution .192 ...................
Temperature Gauge . 68
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .251
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 62
............
Cruise Control Operation . 133
................
Cup (Beverage) Holders . 97
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 258
...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard . 4, 58
............
Daytime Running Lights . 72
.......................................
Indicator .62
.................................
Dead Battery .227
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 260
........................
Def og and Def rost .105
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 73
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 105
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .196
....................................
Dimensions .244
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 71
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 194
..................................
Engine Oil .141
..........................
Directional Signals .71
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights .203
..............................
Brake Lights .203
................
Front Parking Lights . 200
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 201
.................................
Headlights .198
....................
High-mount Brake .204
....................
Rear License Plate . 204
............................
Specif ications .245
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 200
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .198
................................
Bungee Cords .148
Index
D
C
II

Î
CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .103
.........................................
Features .101
.................
First (1) Gear Position .157
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .139
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .206
...............................................
Oil .190
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .219
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .194
..........................................
Brake .196
.........................................
Clutch .197
................................
Differential .196
..............
Manual Transmission .195
..........................
Power Steering .197
..................
Windshield Washer .193
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .111
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .87
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..........................
Four-wheel Drive .150
..............................
Economy, Fuel .142
............
Emergencies on the Road .217
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .227
...........
Brake System Indicator .233
................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
.....
Charging System Indicator .231
..................
Checking the Fuses .234
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .73 .....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .231
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .232
..................
Overheated Engine .229
...........................
Emergency Brake .93
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .239
.......................
Emissions Controls .251
.............
Emissions Testing, State .254
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .68
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 154, 157
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 60, 232
.........................
Oil Lif e Display .179
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60, 231
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 189
...............................
Overheating .229
............................
Specif ications .244
.......................................
Starting .152
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 251
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 161
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .191
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor . 63
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 246
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .153
..
Drive Gear Positions, D and D . 156
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .149
....................................
Economy .142
........................
Driving Guidelines .150
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 206
3
Index
E F
INDEX
III
Won’t Start ..................................
225Floor Mats ......................................
205

CONT INUED
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle .221
.......................................
Jack, Tire .219
................................
Jump Starting .227
...............................
Keys and Locks .75
.......................
Label, Certif ication .242
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .71
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15, 21
...........
LATCH Anchorage System .46
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .198
.......................................
Indicator .59
.........................................
Parking .71
..................................
Turn Signal .71
....................................
Load Limits .146
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .79
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .79
....................................
Glove Box .97 ............................................
Hatch .81
.................................
Power Door .80
........................................
Tailgate .82
........................
Low Coolant Level .141
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .63
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60, 231
.
Low Tire Pressure Indicator . 64, 163
................................
Lower Anchors .46
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a .153
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .244
.........................................
Luggage .145
..................................
Maintenance .177
........................................
Minder .179
.........................
Minder Indicator .61
...
Owner Maintenance Checks .184
.................................
Record . 186-187
..........................................
Saf ety .178
.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . 60, 232
...................
Manual Transmission .153
...............
Checking Fluid Level .195
.....
Recommended Shif t Points .154
................................
Shif ting the .153
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .195 .........................
Meters, Gauges . 59, 66
.................................
Mirror, Vanity .99
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .92
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 144
Monitor, Door and Tailgate .............................................
Open .63
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 138
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 173
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 156
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 138
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .154
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 242
Index
N
O
M
J
K
L
INDEX
V