2008 HONDA ELEMENT 4WD

Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof . Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Your vehicle is equipped with a f our-
wheel drive (4WD) system. When
the system senses a loss of front-
wheel traction, it automatically
transf ers some power to the rear
wheels. This gives you better
traction and mobility.
You still need to exercise the same
care when accelerating, steering, and
brakingthatyouwouldinatwo-
wheel drive vehicle.
Your vehicle has a higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Four-wheel drive models
See page f or of f -highway drivingguidelines. 179
Driving Guidelines
156
——y
y
(+y

y
2008 Element

Î
Î
Ì Ì
Î
Ì
ÎÎ
Maintenance Minder
191
: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:
190
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 model only)
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
Automatic transmission
61
1
2
Maintenance Minder
\f—\f—y
\f
y
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element

Use Honda Dual Pump Fluid II only.
Do not use automatic transmission
fluid (ATF).
The rear dif f erential should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations shown on the
maintenance minder display. Have
your dealer replace the rear
dif f erential f luid.Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Replace the brake f luid according to
the time recommendation shown on
the maintenance minder display.
Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
4WD model only
Rear Dif f erential Fluid Brake Fluid
Rear Dif f erential Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
200
MAX
MIN
\f—\f—y
\f\fy
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
243
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the 4WD
system. It should be transported on a
f lat-bed truck or trailer.
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\fy
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
\f—\f—y
\f\fy
(+\fy\fy
2008 Element

On 4WD model only
Service Inf ormation Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Automatic Transmission Fluid:Brake Fluid:
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Manual Transmission Fluid:
SpareTirePressure:
Power Steering Fluid: Rear Differential Fluid:
15.9 US gal (60
)
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 87 or higher.
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
filter): Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an SAE 10W-30
or 10W-40 motor oil as a
temporary replacement (see page
).
Capacity (including differential):
2.0 US qt (1.9
) Front: 33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
Rear: 35 psi (240 kPa , 2.4 kgf/cm
)
Front/Rear: 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ). 1.1 US qt (1.0
)
Capacity: Honda Dual Pump Fluid II. Do not
use ATF.
4.4 US qt (4.2
) SC model All models except SC
193 199
201 200
——y

y
(+y
y
Oilchangecapacity(including
(see page 198 ).(Automatic
Transmission Fluid)
Honda ATF-Z1
2008 Element