2007 HONDA ELEMENT checking oil

The information display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil life and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
information helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs for continued trouble-
free driving. Refer to page for
more information.
This
shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine’s
cooling system. 229
179
Gauges
Maintenance Minder
Temperature Gauge
68

Wait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before 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 for
info rmation on adding the proper
coolan t.
Refer to
on page for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
If
it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
1.
2.
3. 4.
189 192
184
Oil Check
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
A dding Engine Oil
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
141
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARKLOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN

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

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

Î
Oil........................
Change, How to .190
......................
Change, When to .179
......................
Checking Engine .141
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60, 231
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .189
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .251
..............................
Outside Mirrors .92
....................
Overheating, Engine .229
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks .184
..............
Panel Brightness Control .72
........................
Park Gear Position .155
...........................................
Parking .159
.................................
Parking Brake .93
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator . 60, 233
.................................
Parking Lights .71
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 159
................................
Playing a Disc .119
..........
Playing the AM/FM Radio . 107Playing the XM Satellite
..........................................
Radio .113
.............................
PGM-FI System .252
..........................
Power Door Locks .80
.................................
Power Mirrors .92
.................
Power Socket Locations . 97
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 197
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
........................
Preparing to Drive .151
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children .37
Protecting Inf ants and Small .......................................
Children .42
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 51
.....................
Using Booster Seat .52
...................
Radiator Overheating . 229
.............
Radio/CD Sound System . 107
..................
RadioThef t Protection . 129
Readiness Codes ........................... 254
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 196
.......................................
Rear Doors .81 ..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 203
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .87
............................
Rear View Mirror .92
.................................
Rear Windows .93
......................................
Def ogger .73
......................
Wiper and Washer .70
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 83
..............
Reclining the Front Seats . 86
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 154
...
Recommended Tire Pressures . 209
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
...............
Removing the Rear Seats . 89
.......................
Remote Transmitter .77
................
Remote Audio Controls . 132
Replacement Inf ormation ..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 206
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 190
..........................................
Fuses .234
................................
Light Bulbs .198
...........................................
Tires .208
.............................
Wiper Blades .206
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .23
..........
Reporting Saf ety Def ects . 260
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant . 141, 192
Index
R
P
VI