2009 HONDA ELEMENT check oil

SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ 1
B
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ1and 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/VSA)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhaust system
＃
●Fuel lines and connections
＃
ꭧ 1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE ’’does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
＃ : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page248.
NOTE:
●Independent of the maintenance message in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.●Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (2 56,000 km).●Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
SymbolMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf 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
3●Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmiss ion
and transfer temperatures. This requires transmission
and transfer fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the maintenance minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the transmission and transfer fluid changed at
60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km) (For A/T only).
4●Replace spark plugs●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid (4WD model only)
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Minder
249
2009 Element

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover. Pour
in the oil slowly and carefully so you
do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not fill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.Recommended Engine Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
certification 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 preferred
5W-20 lubricant for your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda motor oil in your vehicle for
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API certification seal says
‘‘
For Gasoline Engines. ’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container's label.
5W-20 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
fuel economy.
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
CONTINUED
Adding Engine Oil
251
Maintenance
2009 Element

3. Remove the oil filter and let theremaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Make sure the oil filter gasket is
not stuck to the engine block. If it
is, remove it before installing a
new oil filter. 4. Install a new oil filter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean off any dirt and
dust on the connecting surface of a
new oil filter.
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
6. Refill the engine with the recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
4.4 US qt (4.2 L)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn off the
engine, and check your work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks. 9. Turn off the engine and let it sit for
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful 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.
OIL FILTER
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
253
Maintenance
2009 Element

Put a new washer on the filler bolt,
then reinstall the filler 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
Certification seal that says‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES ’’as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as soon
as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the maintenance minder (see page
243).
If you are not sure how to check and
add fluid, contact your dealer. Rear Differential Fluid
4WD models onlyThe rear differential should be
drained and refilled with new fluid
according to the time and distance
recommendations shown on the
maintenance minder display. Have
your dealer replace the rear
differential fluid.
Use Honda Dual Pump Fluid II only.
Do not use automatic transmission
fluid (ATF).
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Check the fluid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
There are up to two reservoirs,
depending on the model. They are:
●Brake fluid reservoir (all models)●Clutch fluid reservoir (manual
transmission only)
Replace the brake fluid according to
the time recommendation in the
maintenance minder schedule.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 fluid, from a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Transmission Fluid, Rear Differential Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid258
2009 Element

Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page201).An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page251).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving
(see Emergency Towing on page
303). Charging System Indicator
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn off 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.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
295
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
205
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
...................................
79
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
100
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
252
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
......
74
Advanced Airbags
........................
27
Airbag (SRS)
............................
9,22
Air Conditioning System
............
104
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
271,272
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
198
Antifreeze
...................................
254
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light
..................
59,225
Operation
................................
225
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
188
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.........................................
79
Audio System
.............................
109
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
20
Automatic Speed Control
...........
193 Automatic Transmission
............
219
Capacity, Fluid
........................
309
Checking Fluid Level
..............
256
Shifting
...................................
219
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
219
Shift Lock Release
...................
221
Automatic Transmission Fluid
...
256
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
192
B
Battery Charging System
Indicator
........................
58,295
Jump Starting
..........................
291
Maintenance
...........................
277
Specifications
..........................
310
Before Driving
...........................
197
Belts, Seat
................................
8,18
Beverage Holders
........................
99
Booster Seats
...............................
50
Brakes
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
225
Break-in, New Linings
.............
198 Bulb Replacement
...................
266
Fluid
.......................................
258
Parking
....................................
94
System Design
........................
224
System Indicator
...............
58,297
Wear Indicators
.......................
225
Braking System
..........................
224
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
198
Brightness Control, Instruments
..............................
72
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights
........................
266
Brake Lights
...........................
266
Daytime Running Lights
.........
262
Front Parking/Turn Signal Lights
..................................
263
Front Side Marker Lights
........
265
Headlights
..............................
261
High-mount Brake Lights
........
267
Rear Bulbs
..............................
266
Rear License Plate Lights
........
267
Side Turn Signal Lights
...........
264
Specifications
..........................
310
Taillights
.................................
266
Turn Signal Lights
..................
266
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
2009 Element

Bulbs, Halogen
..........................
261
Bungee Cords
............................
211
C
Capacities Chart
.........................
309
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
............
52
Cargo
.........................................
207
Cargo Area Light
..........................
96
Cargo Hook
................................
212
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
207
Carrying Cargo
..........................
207
CAUTION, Explanation of
............
iii
CD Care
.....................................
183
CD Error Messages
............
125,148
CD Player
...........................
119,140
Certification Label
......................
306
Chains, Tires
..............................
276
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
283
Changing Oil How to
....................................
252
When to
..................................
243
Charging System
Indicator
...........................
58,295
Check Fuel Cap Message
............
66 Checklist, Before Driving
...........
215
Child Safety
..................................
35
Booster Seats
...........................
50
Child Seats
....................
40,41, 42
Important Safety Reminders
.....
39
Infants
......................................
40
Large Children
.........................
49
LATCH
.....................................
44
Risks with Airbags
...................
36
Small Children
.........................
41
Tethers
....................................
48
Warning Labels
........................
37
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
36
Child Seats
.............................
35,42
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
44
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
48
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
268
Clock
..........................................
189
Clutch Fluid
...............................
258
Code, Audio System
...................
188
CO in the Exhaust
................
52,316
Cold Weather, Starting in
...........
216
Compact Spare Tire
....................
282
Controls, Instruments and
............
55
Coolant Adding
....................................
254 Checking
................................
201
Proper Solution
.......................
254
Temperature Gauge
.................
67
Cooler Box
...................................
98
Courtesy Light
.............................
96
Crankcase Emissions Control System
...................................
316
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
60
Cruise Control Operation
...........
193
Cruise Main Indicator
..................
60
Cup Holders
.................................
99
Customer Service
.......................
322
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3,56
Daytime Running Lights
..............
72
Daytime Running Lights Indicator
...................................
60
Dead Battery
..............................
291
Defects, Reporting Safety
...........
324
Defogger, Rear Window
...............
74
Dimensions
................................
308
Dimming the Headlights
..............
71
IndexII
2009 Element

DipstickAutomatic Transmission
.........
256
Engine Oil
...............................
201
Directional Signals
.......................
60
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
.......
225
Disc Care
...................................
183
Disc Changer Error Messages
...............................
126
Disc Player Error Messages
........................
125,148
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
253
Doors
Indicator
...................................
11
Locking and Unlocking
............
80
Power Door Locks
...................
80
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
311
Downshifting, Manual Transmission
..........................
217
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
213
Economy
.................................
202
Driving Guidelines
.....................
214
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
269 E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
202
Emergencies on the Road
..........
281
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
291
Brake System Indicator
.....
58,297
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
283
Charging System
Indicator
........................
58,295
Checking the Fuses
................
298
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
282
Hazard Warning Flashers
........
73
Jump Starting
..........................
291
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
........................
58,295
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
58,296
Overheated Engine
.................
293
Towing
....................................
303
Emergency Brake
........................
94
Emergency Flashers
....................
73
Emergency Towing
....................
303
Emissions Controls
....................
316
Emissions Testing
......................
319 Engine
Adding Engine Coolant
...........
254
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
67
If it Won ’t Start
........................
289
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
58,296
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
243
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
58,295
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
251
Overheating
............................
293
Specifications
..........................
308
Speed Limiter
..................
218,221
Starting
...................................
216
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
198
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
316
Exhaust Fumes
............................
52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by
....................................
16
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
105
Features, Comfort and Convenience
...........................
103
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
2009 Element