2008 HONDA ELEMENT recommended oil

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Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
An under-inf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
191
CONT INUED
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page
).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately
Observe the speed limit
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Avoid excessive idling
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
193
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Bef ore Driving
145
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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
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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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CONT INUED
...............................
Keys and Locks .75 .................
Jacking up the Vehicle .225
.......................................
Jack, Tire .223
................................
Jump Starting .231
.......................
Label, Certif ication .246
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .71
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .16,21
...........
LATCH Anchorage System .46
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .202
.......................................
Indicator .59
.........................................
Parking .71
..................................
Turn Signal .71
....................................
Load Limits .150
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .79
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .79
....................................
Glove Box .98 ............................................
Hatch .81
........................................
Tailgate .82
........................
Low Coolant Level .143
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .63
................................
Lower Anchors .46
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a .159
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .249
.........................................
Luggage .149
..................................
Maintenance .183
.........................
Minder Indicator .61
...
Owner Maintenance Checks .190
..........................................
Saf ety .184
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .60,236
...................
Manual Transmission .159
...............
Checking Fluid Level .199
.....
Recommended Shif t Points .160
................................
Shif ting the .159
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .199 .................................
Mirror, Vanity .99
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .92
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .148
Monitor, Door and Tailgate
.............................................
Open .63
...................
Neutral Gear Position .162
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .140
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .160
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .246
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .140
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
....................
Of f -Highway Driving .179
Index
N
O
M
J
K
L
INDEX
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LowOilPressureIndicator....60,235
Minder ........................................ .185
PowerDoor..................................80
LowTirePressure Indicator....64, 169
.........................
Meters, Gauges .59,66
2008 Element

Î
Oil........................
Change, How to .194
......................
Change, When to .185
......................
Checking Engine .143
..............
Pressure Indicator .60,235
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .193
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .256
..............................
Outside Mirrors .92
....................
Overheating, Engine .233
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks .190
..............
Panel Brightness Control .72
........................
Park Gear Position .161
...........................................
Parking .165
.................................
Parking Brake .93
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .60,237
.................................
Parking Lights .71
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .165
................................
Playing a Disc .119
..........
Playing the AM/FM Radio .107 Playing the XM Satellite
..........................................
Radio .113
.............................
PGM-FI System .257
..........................
Power Door Locks .80
.................................
Power Mirrors .92
.................
Power Socket Locations .98
....................
Power Steering Fluid .201
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .18
........................
Preparing to Drive .157
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .13
...
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 .233
.............
Radio/CD Sound System .107
..................
RadioThef t Protection .131
................
Readiness Codes, State .259
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid .200
.......................................
Rear Doors .81 ..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement .207
..........................
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 .160
...
Recommended Tire Pressures .213
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
...............
Removing the Rear Seats .89
.......................
Remote Transmitter .77
................
Remote Audio Controls .134
Replacement Inf ormation
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter .210
................
Engine Oil and Filter .194
..........................................
Fuses .238
................................
Light Bulbs .202
...........................................
Tires .212
.............................
Wiper Blades .210
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .23
..........
Reporting Saf ety Def ects .264
Reserve Tank, Engine
...............................
Coolant .143,196
Index
R
P
VI
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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
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Oilchangecapacity(including
(see page 198 ).(Automatic
Transmission Fluid)
Honda ATF-Z1
2008 Element