2007 HONDA ELEMENT Changing oil

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform 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. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .178
....................
Maintenance Minder .179
....................
Maintenance Record .186
..............................
Fluid Locations .188
........................
Adding Engine Oil .189
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .190
..............................
Engine Coolant .192
....................
Windshield Washers .193
.......................
Transmission Fluid .194
Automatic Transmission .......................................
Fluid .194
...
Manual Transsmission Fluid .195
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid .196
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .196
....................
Power Steering Fluid .197
............
Cleaning the Body Panels .197
.............................................
Lights .198
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .205
.....................................
Floor Mats .205
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .206
.................................
Wiper Blades .206
...........................................
Wheels .208
...............................................
Tires .208
...................
Checking the Battery .214
.............................
Vehicle Storage .215
261
Maintenance
Maint enance
177

Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display. The oil and f ilter collect
contaminants that can damage your
engine if they are not removed
regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil, it
displays the API certif ication seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the maintenance
minder display.
1.
2.
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
190
WASHER
OIL DRAIN BOLT

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.

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .218
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .225
................................
Jump Starting .227
..............
If the Engine Overheats .229
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .231
..........
Charging System Indicator .231
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .232
...............
Brake System Indicator .233
..............................................
Fuses .234
..............................
Fuse Locations .237
......................
Emergency Towing .239
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
217

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

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
Tailgete............................................
Locks .82
..............................
Open Monitor .63
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs .203
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .217
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .246
.....
Emissions Control Systems .251
..........
State Emissions Testing .254
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .253
.....................
Tensioners, Seat Belt .22
.......................
Temperature Gauge .68
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .50 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
..................................
(TPMS) .163
.......................................
Indicator .65
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .129
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .253
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel .74
..........................
Time, Setting the .130
....................................
Tire Chains .213
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .219
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .246
.................................
Tire Labeling .248
...............................................
Tires .208
..............................
Air Pressure .209
.........................
Checking Wear .210
..........................
Compact Spare .218
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .246
......................................
Inf lation .208
..................................
Inspection .210
.....
Low Pressure Indicator . 64, 163
..............................
Maintenance .211
...................................
Replacing .211
......................................
Rotating .211
...........................................
Snow .213
............................
Specif ications .245
................................
Tire Chains .213
...................
VSA and Tire Sizes .166 ...................
Tools, Tire Changing .219
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .167
................................
Emergency .239
...
Equipment And Accessories .169
.............................
Weight Limit .167
.....
Trailer, Driving Saf ely With a .171
.............................
Trailer Loading .168
...........................
Traction Devices .213
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .194
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .195
..................
Fluid Selection . 194, 195
..............
Identif ication Number .243
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 155
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 153
......................
Transmitter, Remote .77
...................................
Treadwear .246
.......................................
Trip Meter .66
....................................
Turn Signals .71
...................
Stereo Sound System . 107
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .215
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System . 11, 24
......................................
Servicing .35
.........................
SRS Indicator . 33, 61
...................
System Components . 24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .190
Index
T
VIII
Turn Signal and Hazard
Warning Indicators .................. 62

ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .217
..
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . 246
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .138
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .191 .......................................
XM Radio .113
..................................
Vanity Mirror .99
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .146
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .244
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .242
.............................
Vehicle Storage .215
.....................................
Ventilation .104
.................................................
VIN .242
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .189
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .165
.............................
VSA Of f Switch .166
VSA System and Activation
.....................................
Indicators .64 ............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .55
..................
Warranty Coverages . 259
Washers, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level .193
.....................................
Operation .70
...........................................
Wheels .208
...............
Adjusting the Steering .74
............
Alignment and Balance .211
..............................
Replacement .211
............................
Specif ications .212
...............................
Nut Wrench .220
Windows ..................
Operating the Power .91
..............................................
Rear .93
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .73
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .70
...................................
Def roster .105
.....................................
Washers .193
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .206
.....................................
Operation .70
....................................
Worn Tires .210 .....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing .239
:U.S.only
: Canada only
Index
INDEX
U
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X
IX