2009 HONDA ELEMENT transmission fluid

Using any non-Honda brake fluid can
cause corrosion and decrease the life
of the system. Have the brake
system flushed and refilled with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT
3 as soon as possible.
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle's
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.Brake Fluid
The fluid level should be between
the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.Clutch Fluid
On vehicles with manual transmissionThe fluid level should be between
the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If it is not, add brake
fluid to bring it up to that level. Use
the same fluid specified for the brake
system.
A low fluid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
MAX
MIN
MAX
MIN
Brake and Clutch Fluid
259
Maintenance
2009 Element

CapacitiesFuel tank Approx.
15.9 US gal (60 L)
Engine oil Change
ꭧ 1
Including filter 4.4 US qt (4.2 L)
Without filter 4.2 US qt (4.0 L)
Total 5.6 US qt (5.3 L)
Capacities
Engine
coolant Automatic
Transmission
Change
ꭧ2
1.35 US gal (5.1 L)
Total 1.90 US gal (7.2 L)
Manual
Transmission Change
ꭧ2
1.37 US gal (5.2 L)
Total 1.93 US gal (7.3 L)
Automatic
transmission
fluid Change
4WD 2.6 US qt (2.5 L)
2WD 2.7 US qt (2.6 L)
Total 4WD 7.6 US qt (7.2 L)
2WD 7.4 US qt (7.0 L)
Manual
transmission
fluid Change
2.0 US qt (1.9 L)
Total
4WD 2.4 US qt (2.3 L)
2WD 2.3 US qt (2.2 L)
Rear
differential
fluid (4WD) Change
1.1 US qt (1.0 L)
Total 1.3 US qt (1.2 L)
Windshield washer reservoir 4.8 US qt (4.5 L)
ꭧ1: Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
ꭧ2: Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the engine
Reserve tank capacity:
0.15 US gal (0.55 L)
Specifications
309
Technical Information
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

Filling the Fuel Tank
..................
199
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
269
Oil
...........................................
252
Flashers, Hazard Warning
...........
73
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
283
Floor Mats
.................................
268
Fluids Automatic Transmission
.........
256
Brake
......................................
258
Clutch
.....................................
258
Manual Transmission
..............
257
Power Steering
........................
260
Rear Differential
......................
258
Windshield Washer
.................
255
FM/AM Radio Reception
...........
186
Folding the Rear Seats
.................
88
Four-way Flashers
........................
73
Front Airbags
...........................
9,25
Front Seat Adjusting
..................................
83
Airbags
.................................
9,25
Fuel
............................................
198
Check Fuel Cap Message
........
66
Fill Door and Cap
....................
199
Gauge
......................................
66 Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
198
Oxygenated
.............................
198
Reserve Indicator
.....................
61
Tank, Filling the
......................
199
Fuel Economy
............................
202
Fuses, Checking the
..................
298
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
202
Gasohol
......................................
198
Gasoline
.....................................
198
Gauge
.................................
64,66
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
198
Tank, Refueling
.......................
199
Gas Station Procedures
..............
199
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature...
67
Fuel
..........................................
66
Odometer
.................................
65
Speedometer
............................
64
Tachometer
..............................
64
Trip meter
................................
66 Gearshift Lever Positions
Automatic Transmission
.........
219
Manual Transmission
..............
217
Glove Box
..................................
100
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
.................................
232
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.................................
232
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
261
Hatch
...........................................
81
Hazard Warning Flashers
............
73
Headlights Aiming
....................................
261
Daytime Running Lights
..........
72
High Beam Indicator
................
61
High Beams, Turning on
..........
71
Lights On Indicator
..................
61
Low Beams, Turning on
...........
71
Reminder Chime
......................
71
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
261
Turning on
...............................
71
Head Restraints
............................
85
IndexIV
2009 Element

LATCH Anchorage System
..........
44
Light Control Switch
....................
95
Lights Bulb Replacement
...................
261
Indicator
...................................
57
Interior
.....................................
95
Parking
....................................
71
Turn Signal
..............................
71
Load Limit
..................................
208
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)
......
79
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column
.......
79
Fuel Fill Door
..........................
199
Glove Box
...............................
100
Hatch
.......................................
81
Lockout Prevention
..................
81
Power Door
..............................
80
Tailgate
....................................
82
Low Coolant Level
......................
201
Lower Anchors
.............................
44
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
61
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
58,295
Lubricant Specifications Chart...
309
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
207 M
Maintenance
..............................
241
Main Items and Sub Items
......
246
Minder
....................................
243
Minder Indicator
......................
59
Owner's Maintenance Checks
................................
248
Safety
......................................
242
Schedule
.................................
249
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.......
296
Manual Transmission
.................
217
Checking Fluid Level
..............
257
Shifting
...................................
217
Manual Transmission Fluid
.......
257
Meters, Gauges
............................
64
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
198
Mirrors, Adjusting
........................
93
Modifications
.............................
206
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
206
N
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
198
Normal Shift Speeds
..................
218 NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
306
O
Odometer
.....................................
65
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
..............................
238
Off-Road Precautions
..................
238
Oil Change, How to
......................
252
Change, When to
....................
243
Checking Engine
....................
201
Life, Engine
.............................
243
Pressure Indicator
.............
58,295
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
...................................
251
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery
................................
316
ON (Ignition Key Position)
..........
79
Outside Mirrors
...........................
93
Outside Temperature Indicator
....
68
Overhead Console
......................
101
Overheating, Engine
..................
293
Owner's Maintenance Checks
....
248
IndexVI
2009 Element

Tools, Tire Changing
.................
283
Towing A Trailer
..................................
232
Emergency Wrecker
...............
303
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System
................................
227
Indicator
............................
63,228
Required Federal Explanation
.........................
314
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, Automatic
............................
256
Checking Fluid Level, Manual
................................
257
Fluid Selection
................
256,257
Identification Number
.............
306
Shifting the Automatic
.............
219
Shifting the Manual
.................
217
Treadwear
..................................
311
Trip Meter
...................................
66
Turn Signals
.................................
60
Turn Signals and Headlights
........
71 U
Unexpected, Taking Care of
the
..........................................
281
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (U.S. only)
..............................
311
Unleaded Gasoline
.....................
198
USB Flash Memory Device Error
Messages
...............................
182
Used Oil, How to Dispose of
......
253
V
Vanity Mirror
.............................
101
Vehicle Capacity Load
................
208
Vehicle Dimensions
...................
308
Vehicle Identification Number
...
306
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System....
230
VSA OFF Indicator
..................
230
VSA OFF Switch
.....................
231
VSA System Indicator
..............
62
Vehicle Storage
..........................
278
Ventilation
..................................
106 VIN
............................................
306
Viscosity, Oil
..............................
251
W
WARNING, Explanation of
...........
iii
Warning Labels, Location of
.........
53
Warranty Coverages (U.S. only)
.......................................
323
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level
........
255
Fluid Level Indicator (Canada only)
.....................................
61
Operation
.................................
70
Wheels
.......................................
271
Alignment and Balance
...........
274
Compact Spare
........................
282
Wrench, Nut
...........................
283
Windows Operating the Power
................
92
Rear, Defogger
.........................
74
Windshield Cleaning
...................................
70
Defroster
.................................
107
Washers
............................
70,255
IndexX
2009 Element

Gasoline:
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 87 or higher.
Fuel Tank Capacity:
15.9 US gal (60 L)
Recommended Engine Oil:
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page251).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.4 US qt (4.2 L)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid)
(see page256).Manual Transmission Fluid:
Honda Manual Transmission Fluid
preferred, or an SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 motor oil as a temporary
replacement (see page257).
Capacity (including differential):
2.0 US qt (1.9 L)
4WD models onlyRear Differential Fluid:
Honda Dual Pump Fluid II. Do not
use ATF.
Capacity:
1.1 US qt (1.0 L)
Power Steering Fluid:
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page260).Brake Fluid:
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page258).
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
All models except SCFront:
33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm
2)
Rear: 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm2)
SC modelFront/Rear:32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2)
Spare Tire Pressure: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm2)
Service Information Summary
2009 Element