2008 HONDA ELEMENT lock

A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
To clean the gray composite body
panels, wash them with soap and
water only. Do not apply wax to the
panels; it will cause discoloration.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL.
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.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
If equipped with body panels
Manual Transmission only
Cleaning the Body Panels
Power Steering Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid, Cleaning the Body Panels
Maint enance
201
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
MAX
MAX
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
\f—\f—y
\f
y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Install the f ront end of the air
intake duct.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
2.
Lights
Replacing a Front Parking/Turn
Signal Light Bulb
204
TAB
On all models except SC
On SC model
\f—\f—y
\f
y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Place a cloth between the trim of
the lens and the body, at the top of
the lens. Remove the front side
marker light assembly by caref ully
prying on the trim of the lens with
a small f lat-tip screwdriver.
The f ront parking/turn signal light
is next to the headlight bulb. On
the driver’s side, remove the f ront
end of the air intake duct by
pulling it out (see page ).
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Install the f ront end of the air
intake duct.
1. 2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. (Driver’s side)
202
CONT INUED
On all models except SC
Lights
Replacing a Front Side Marker
Light Bulb
Maint enance
205
SCREWDRIVER
CLOTH LIGHT
ASSEMBLY LIGHT ASSEMBLY
SOCKET
\f—\f—y
\f\fy
(+\fy\f
\fy
2008 Element

Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
The f ront side marker light is next
to the headlight bulb. On the
driver’s side, remove the f ront end
of the air intake duct by pulling it
out (see page ).
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the light assembly back into
the body, bottom first. Push on the
top edge until it snaps into place.
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Install the f ront end of the air
intake duct.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
1. 3.
2. 4.
5.
6.
4.
5.
6.
203On SC model
Lights
206
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f

y
2008 Element

Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
When reinstalling the taillight
assembly, f irst place the two pins
in the holes in place. Tighten the
two mounting bolts.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Open the hatch and the tailgate.
Remove the two mounting screws
with a Phillips-head screwdriver,
and remove the taillight assembly
f rom the body by pulling it back.
Determine which of the three
bulbs is burned out: brake/
taillight, turn signal light or back-
up light. 6.
7.
5.
3.
4.
1.
2.
Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Maint enance
207
SOCKET
SOCKET SOCKET
SCREW
SCREW
TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element

Open the hatch. Remove the light
assembly cover by pushing in on
the tabs on both sides and pulling
the cover down.
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is
working.
Put the lens back into the light
assembly, right side f irst. Push on
the lef t edge until it snaps into
place.
Using a cloth to prevent scratches,
insert a small f lat-tip screwdriver
between the lef t edge of the lens
and the housing. The lens will
come down.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket. 1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
Lights
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
208
COVER
TAB TAB
BULB
LENS
SCREWDRIVER
HOUSING
LENS
CLOTH
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element

If your seat belts get dirty, use a sof t
brush with a mixture of mild soap
and warm water to clean them. Do
not use bleach, dye, or cleaning
solvents. Let the belts air-dry bef ore
you use the vehicle.
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Press the brake pedal to make
sure the new bulb is working.
Put the socket back into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Put the cover back onto the light
assembly. Push it on until it locks
in place. The floor mats that came with your
vehicle hook over the f loor mat
anchors. This keeps the f loor mats
f rom sliding f orward, possibly
interf ering with the pedals, or
backwards, making the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective.
3.
4.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
If equipped
Cleaning the Seat Belts Floor Mats
Lights, Cleaning the Seat Belts, Floor Mats
Maint enance
209
LOOP
BULB
SOCKET
\f—\f—y
\f\fy
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element

Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield or the hatch glass.
Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal
reinf orcement along the back
edge, remove the metal
reinf orcement strips f rom the old
wiper blade, and install them in
the slots along the edge of the new
blade.
Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
If you are changing the rear wiper
blade, go to step 6.
Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grabbing the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull up f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder. 5.
6.
7.
4.
2.
3.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance
211
REINFORCEMENT BLADE
HOLDER
BLADE
LOCK TAB
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element