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
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
3. Pull the bulb straight out of itssocket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
4. Press the brake pedal to make sure the new bulb is working.
5. Put the socket back into the light assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
6. Put the cover back onto the light assembly. Push it on until it locks
in place. Cleaning the Seat Belts
If your seat belts get dirty, use a soft
brush with a mixture of mild soap
and warm water to clean them. Do
not use bleach, dye, or cleaning
solvents. Let the belts air-dry before
you use the vehicle.
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol. Floor Mats
If equippedThe floor mats that came with your
vehicle hook over the floor mat
anchors. This keeps the floor mats
from sliding forward, possibly
interfering with the pedals, or
backwards, making the front
passenger's weight sensors
ineffective.
BULB
SOCKET
LOOP
Lights, Cleaning the Seat Belts, Floor Mats268
2009 Element
Tire Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation, correct
wheel alignment helps to decrease
tire wear. If you find a tire is worn
unevenly, have your dealer check the
wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you feel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed from the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comfort and tire life. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.On vehicles with aluminum wheels,
improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle's aluminum wheels. Use
only Honda wheel weights for
balancing.Tire Rotation
To help increase tire life and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the information display.
Move the tires to the positions
shown in the illustration each time
they are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only front-to-
back.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a different
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of the wheels.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the
vehicle. Tire size and construction
can affect wheel speed and may
cause the ABS or VSA system to
activate.
Front
Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Tires274
2009 Element
DimensionsLength 169.9 in (4,316 mm)
ꭧ1ꭧ 2
170.4 in (4,328 mm)
ꭧ 3
Width 71.6 in (1,819 mm)
Height 70.4 in (1,788 mm)
ꭧ1,ꭧ 2
69.6 in (1,768 mm)
ꭧ3
Wheelbase 101.4 in (2,575 mm)
Track Front 62.1 in (1,577 mm)
ꭧ1,ꭧ 2
62.1 in (1,578 mm)
ꭧ3
Rear 62.3 in (1,582 mm)
ꭧ1,ꭧ 2
62.5 in (1,587 mm)
ꭧ3
Weights
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver's doorjamb (front edge
of rear door). Seating Capacities
Total 4
Front 2
Rear 2
Engine Type Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
i-VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine
Bore x Stroke 3.43 x 3.90 in (87.0 x 99.0 mm)
Displacement 144 cu-in (2,354 cm
3)
Compression ratio 9.7 : 1
Spark plugs NGK: IZFR6K-11
DENSO: SKJ20DR-M11
ꭧ 1: LX model
ꭧ 2: EX model
ꭧ 3: SC model
Specifications308
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
Rotation, Tire
.............................
274
S
Safety Belts
..............................
8,18
Safety Defects, Reporting (U.S. only)
.......................................
324
Safety Features
..............................
7
Airbags
......................................
9
Head Restraints
........................
13
Seat Belts
..............................
8,14
Seats & Seat-Backs
..............
11,12
Safety Labels, Location of
.............
53
Safety Messages
..........................
iii
Seat Adjustments
.........................
83
Seat Belts
.................................
8,18
Additional Information
.............
18
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
16
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
...........................
20
Cleaning
..................................
268
Lap/Shoulder Belt
..............
14,19
Maintenance
............................
20
Reminder Indicator and Beeper
.............................
18,58 System Components
................
18
Use During Pregnancy
.............
16
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt
..................................
14,19
Seats
............................................
83
Seats, Adjusting the
.....................
83
Sensors Driver's Seat Position Sensor
...
27
Front Passenger's Weight Sensors
................................
27
Impact Sensors
...................
22,23
Serial Number
............................
306
Service Intervals
.........................
243
Service Manual (U.S. only)
........
325
Service Station Procedures
........
199
Setting the Clock
........................
189
Shifting the Automatic Transmission
..........................
219
Shift Lever Position Indicators
...
219
Shift Lock Release
......................
221
Side Airbags
.................................
28
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
32
How Your Side Airbags Work..28
Off Indicator
.............................
32 Side Curtain Airbags
....................
30
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
30
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in
.......................
265
Signaling Turns
............................
60
Snow Tires
.................................
275
Sound System
............................
109
Spare Tire
..................................
282
Inflating
...........................
271,282
Specifications
..........................
310
Spark Plugs
................................
308
Specifications
.............................
308
Speed Control
............................
193
Speed Limiter
......................
218,221
Speedometer
................................
64
SRS, Additional Information
.........
22
Additional Safety Precautions
...
34
Airbag Service
..........................
33
Airbag System Components
.....
22
How the Side Airbag Off
Indicator Works
...................
32
How the SRS Indicator Works..31
How Your Front Airbags Works
..................................
25
How Your Side Airbags Work..28
IndexVIII
2009 Element