2008 HONDA ELEMENT engine oil

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. 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.’’
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
193
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEALAmbient Temperature
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2008 Element

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
194
WASHER
OIL DRAIN BOLT
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2008 Element

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:
Make sure the oil f ilter gasket is
not stuck to the engine block. If it
is, remove it bef ore installing a
new oil f ilter. 4.
3. 5.
6.
7.
8.9.
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
195
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.
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2008 Element

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.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
6.
T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
199
Correct Level
WASHER FILLER BOLT
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). Do
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Useonly Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
notmixwithothertransmission fluids.
Using transmission fluid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission. Damage
resulting f rom the use of transmission
f luid other than Honda Genuine
ATF-Z1 is not covered by the Honda
shownintheillustration.
new vehicle warranty.
2008 Element

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 .222
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .223
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .229
................................
Jump Starting .231
..............
If the Engine Overheats .233
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .235
..........
Charging System Indicator .235
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .236
...............
Brake System Indicator .237
..............................................
Fuses .238
..............................
Fuse Locations .241
......................
Emergency Towing .243
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
221
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2008 Element

Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open 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
dipstick (see page ).If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
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.
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f 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 of f 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.
143
193
243
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
235
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.
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2008 Element

Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Specif ications
Technical Inf ormation
249
Capacities
Fuel tank
Engine oil
15.9 US gal (60
)
5.6 US qt (5.3
)
4.2 US qt (4.0)
4.4 US qt (4.2) Engine
coolant
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Manual
transmission
fluid
Rear
differential
fluid (4WD)
Windshield washer reservoir 4.8 US qt (4.5
)
1.3 US qt (1.2
)
1.1 US qt (1.0)
2.3 US qt (2.2)
2.4 US qt (2.3)
2.0 US qt (1.9
)
7.4 US qt (7.0)
7.6 US qt (7.2)
2.7 US qt (2.6
)
1.93 US gal (7.3
)
1.37 US gal (5.2)
1.90 US gal (7.2
)
1.35 US gal (5.1)
2.6 US qt (2.5
)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine
Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.6
)
Approx. Automatic
Transmission
Manual
Transmission
1:
2: Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
4WD
2WD
Total 4WD
2WD
Change
Total 4WD
2WD
Change
Total
Change
Including filter
Without filter
Total
2
2
1
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2008 Element

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .147
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .79
..............
Accessory Power Sockets .98
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .194
.........
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 .30
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .32
........................
SRS Components .24
..............
Air Conditioning System .102
.........................................
Usage .103
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .213 ......................................
Alignment .250
......................................
Antif reeze .196
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .61,168
...................................
Operation .167
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .131
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .79
......................
Armrests, Front Seat .84
................................
Audio System .107
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .22
.............
Automatic Speed Control .135
..............
Automatic Transmission .161
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .249
...............
Checking Fluid Level .198
.......................................
Shif ting .161
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .161
................
Shif t Lever Positions .161
....................
Shif t Lock Release .163
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .125
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60,235
............................
Jump Starting .231 ..............................
Maintenance .218
............................
Specif ications .250
..............................
Bef ore Driving .139
..................................
Belts, Seat .10,20
...........................
Beverage Holders .98
...................................
Body Panels .201
..................................
Booster Seats .52
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .167
.............
Break-in, New Linings .140
....................
Bulb Replacement .207
...........................................
Fluid .200
.........................................
Parking .93
.................
System Indicator .60,237
........................
Wear Indicators .167
.............................
Braking System .166
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .140
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .72
........................
Brights, Headlights .71
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
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2008 Element