2007 HONDA ELEMENT coolant level

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .138
.................
Fuel Recommendation .138
.........
Service Station Procedures .139
....................................
Ref ueling .139
Opening and Closing the
.......................................
Hood .140
...................................
Oil Check .141
.............
Engine Coolant Check .141
...............................
Fuel Economy .142
...
Accessories and Modif ications .143
.............................
Carrying Cargo .145
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
137

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

̵
µµ
µ
µ
µ
However,
service at a dealer is not
mandato ry to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service facility or person
reset the display as previously
describe d. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work fill out the
maintenance record. Check your
warranty booklet for more
info rmation.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manufactu red to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their perfo rman ce and durability. U.S.
Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
pe rformed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
information display.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specified interval s. If
you are unsure of how to perform
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 fill the fuel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the fluid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and licen se plate lights monthly.
See page . 198
209
196
141
141
194
Maintenance Minder
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
184

Î
Î
Ì Ì
Î
Ì
ÎÎ
Maintenance Minder
185
: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Independent of the maintenance items in the information display, replace
the brake fluid every 3 years.
NOTE: 1:
2:
186
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, 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 Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds results in higher transmission temperatures.
This requires transmission fluid changes more
frequently than recommended by the maintenance
minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under
these conditions, have the transmission fluid
changed at 60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) .
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid (4WD models only)
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
Automatic transmission
61
1
2
Maintenance Minder

If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks. A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
192
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
carefully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill imme diately; it
could damage componen ts in the
engine compartm ent.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Fill
the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
Check
the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
The low washer
level indicator comes on when the
level is low (see page ).
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down. 4.
5.
2. 1.
3. 6.
63
On Canadian models:
Windshield Washers
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Maint enance
193
RADIATOR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
on page ).
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. Put
the radiator cap back on
tightl y. Run the engine, and check
the temperatu re gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark. 9.
8.
7. 6. 5.
11. 10.
239
239
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
230
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

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
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INDEX
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