2009 HONDA ELEMENT service

If the remaining engine oil life is 15
to 6 percent, you will see the engine
oil life indicator every time you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. The maintenance minder
indicator will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
above the‘‘OIL LIFE’’ message.
The 15 and 10 percent oil life
indicator reminds you that the time is
coming soon to take your vehicle in
for the required maintenance.
When the remaining engine oil life is
5 to 1 percent, you will see a
‘‘SERVICE ’’message along with the
same maintenance item code(s),
every time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
MAINTENANCE MINDER INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
ITEM CODE(S) ENGINE OIL LIFE
INDICATOR
U.S. model is shown.Maintenance Minder244
2009 Element

To change the information display
from the engine oil life display to the
odometer or the trip meter, press and
release the select/reset knob.
When the engine oil life is 0 percent
or negative distance traveled, the
maintenance minder indicator (
)
remains on even if you change the
information display.
Immediately have the service
performed, and make sure to reset
the display as described as follows. Maintenance Main Items and Sub
Items
All maintenance items displayed on
the information display are in code.
For an explanation of these
maintenance codes, see page249.Resetting the Engine Oil Life
Display
Your dealer will reset the display
after completing the required
maintenance service. You will see
‘‘
OIL LIFE 100% ’’on the information
display the next time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If maintenance service is done by
someone other than your dealer,
reset the maintenance minder as
follows:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position.
2. Press the select/reset knob repeatedly until the engine oil life
is displayed.
MAINTENANCE MAIN ITEM
MAINTENANCE SUB ITEM(S)
Maintenance Minder246
2009 Element

3. Press the select/reset knob forabout 10 seconds. The engine oil
life and the maintenance item
code(s) will blink.
4. Press the select/reset knob foranother 5 seconds. The
maintenance item code(s) will
disappear, and the engine oil life
will reset to ‘‘100. ’’ Important Maintenance
Precautions
If you have the required service done
but do not reset the display, or reset
the display without doing the service,
the system will not show the proper
maintenance intervals. This can lead
to serious mechanical problems
because you will no longer have an
accurate record of when
maintenance is needed.
Your authorized Honda dealer knows
your vehicle best and can provide
competent, efficient service.U.S. model is shown.
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
247
Maintenance
2009 Element

However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect. Maintenance may be done by
any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service facility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work fill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet for more
information.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manufactured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their performance and durability.U.S. Vehicles:
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are
‘‘certified’’to EPA
standards.
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with ＃will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the information
display.
Owner's Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If you
are unsure of how to perform any
check, turn to the appropriate page
listed.
●Engine oil level －Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page
201.●Engine coolant level －Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page201.●Automatic transmission －Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
256.●Brakes －Check the fluid level
monthly. See page258.●Tires －Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
271.●Lights －Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page261.
Maintenance Minder248
2009 Element

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

Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given for a conventional motor oil, it
displays the API certification seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
follow the oil and filter change
intervals shown on the maintenance
minder display.
Engine Oil Additives
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
affect the engine or transmission
performance and durability.Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
Always change the oil and filter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the information
display. The oil and filter collect
contaminants that can damage your
engine if they are not removed
regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
1. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood, and remove the engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
OIL DRAIN BOLT WASHER
Adding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter252
2009 Element

If you remove the driver's floor mat,
make sure to re-anchor it when you
put it back in your vehicle.
If you use non-Honda floor mats,
make sure they fit properly and that
they can be used with the floor mat
anchors. Do not put additional floor
mats on top of the anchored mats.Dust and Pollen Filter
This filter removes the dust and
pollen that is brought in from the
outside through the heating and
cooling system.
Have your dealer replace the filter
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
information display. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km) if you drive primarily in
urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air, or if
the flow from the heating and cooling
system becomes less than usual.Wiper Blades
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every 6 months.
Replace them if you find signs of
cracking in the rubber, areas that are
getting hard, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
1. Front:
Raise the wiper arm off the
windshield.
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the arms.
Rear:
Raise the wiper arm off the hatch
glass and hold it.
CONTINUED
Floor Mats, Dust and Pollen Filter, Wiper Blades
269
Maintenance
2009 Element

The compact spare tire pressure is:
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
For convenience, the recommended
tire sizes and cold tire pressures are
on a label on the driver's doorjamb.
For additional technical information
about your tires, see page311.
Tire Inspection
Every time you check inflation, you
should also examine the tires for
damage, foreign objects, and wear.
You should look for:
●Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
you find either of these conditions.●Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side of
the tire. Replace the tire if you can
see fabric or cord.●Excessive tread wear.
Your tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down, you will see a
1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide band across
the tread. This shows there is less
than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread left
on the tire.
A tire this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see three
or more tread wear indicators. Tire Service Life
The service life of your tires is
dependent on many factors,
including, but not limited to, driving
habits, road conditions, vehicle
loading, inflation pressure,
maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even
when the tires are not in use).
In addition to your regular
inspections and inflation pressure
maintenance, it is recommended that
you have annual inspections
performed once the tires reach five
years old. It is also recommended
that all tires, including the spare, be
removed from service after 10 years
from the date of manufacture,
regardless of their condition or state
of wear.
The last four digits of the TIN (tire
identification number) are found on
the sidewall of the tire and indicate
the date of manufacture (See
Tire
Labeling on page313).
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
CONTINUED
Tires
273
Maintenance
2009 Element