2009 HONDA ELEMENT oil viscosity

Fuel Economy FactorsThe following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:●Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)●Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic●Cold engine operation (engines are
more efficient when warmed up)●Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running●Improperly inflated tiresImproving Fuel EconomyVehicle MaintenanceA properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
information display (seeOwner's
Maintenance Checks on page248).
For example:
●Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page251).●Maintain proper tire inflation －
An underinflated tire increases
‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which reduces
fuel economy.●Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle －It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel
consumption.●Keep your vehicle clean －In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle's underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
economy.
Drive Efficiently●Drive moderately －Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuel
consumption.●Observe the speed limit －
Aerodynamic drag has a big effect
on fuel economy 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.●Always drive in the highest gear
possible －If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your fuel economy by up
shifting as early as possible.●Avoid excessive idling －Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).
CONTINUED
Fuel Economy
203
Before Driving
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

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

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