2009 HONDA ELEMENT wiper blades

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page325for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.Maintenance Safety
.....................
242
Maintenance Minder
..................
243
Fluid Locations
...........................
250
Adding Engine Oil
......................
251
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
.......................................
252
Engine Coolant
...........................
254
Windshield Washers
...................
255
Transmission Fluid
.....................
256
Automatic Transmission Fluid
...................................
256
Manual Transmission Fluid
....
257
Rear Differential Fluid
.................
258
Brake and Clutch Fluid
...............
258
Power Steering Fluid
..................
260
Cleaning the Body Panels
...........
260
Lights
..........................................
261
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
268
Floor Mats
..................................
268
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
269
Wiper Blades
..............................
269
Wheels
........................................
271
Tires
...........................................
271
Checking the Battery
..................
277 Vehicle Storage
...........................
278
Maintenance
241
Maintenance
2009 Element

On Canadian models:
The low washer
level indicator comes on when the
level is low (see page61).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antifreeze
can damage your vehicle's paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer fluid. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator fan comes on, then shut
off the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) before
doing step 2.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
from the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
3. Insert the dipstick all the way intothe transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be between
the upper and lower marks.
DIPSTICK
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK
Windshield Washers, Transmission Fluid256
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

2. Disconnect the blade assemblyfrom the wiper arm by pushing in
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
If you are changing the rear wiper
blade, go to step 6.
3. Remove the blade from its holder by grabbing the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull up firmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.
4. Examine the new wiper blades. Ifthey have no plastic or metal
reinforcement along the back
edge, remove the metal
reinforcement strips from the old
wiper blade, and install them in the
slots along the edge of the new
blade.
5. Slide the new wiper blade into theholder until the tabs lock.
6. Slide the wiper blade assembly onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm down against the windshield or the hatch glass.
LOCK TAB
BLADE
BLADE
REINFORCEMENT
Wiper Blades270
2009 Element

Oxygenated Fuels
......................
198
P
Panel Brightness Control
.............
72
Parking
......................................
223
Parking Brake
..............................
94
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator
...........................
58,297
Parking Over Things that Burn
................................
223,318
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
....
32
PGM-FI System
..........................
317
Playing a Disc
.....................
119,140
Playing an iPod
®.........................
162
Playing a PC card
.......................
149
Playing a USB Flash Memory Device
....................................
173
Playing the FM/AM Radio
...............................
110,127
Playing the XM
®Radio
........
113,132
Pollen Filter
...............................
269
Power Door Locks
.......................
80
Power Windows
...........................
92
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts
........
16 Preparing to Drive
......................
215
Protecting Adults and Teens
........
11
Additional Safety Precautions
...
16
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
16
Protecting Children
......................
35
General Guidelines
..................
35
Protecting Infants
.....................
40
Protecting Larger Children
......
49
Protecting Small Children
........
41
Using Child Seats with Tethers
.................................
48
Using LATCH
..........................
44
R
Radiator Overheating
.................
293
Radio/CD Sound System
...........
109
Radio Theft Protection
...............
188
Readiness Codes
........................
319
Rear Differential Fluid
................
258
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement
...........................
266
Rear Seat, Folding
........................
88
Rearview Camera and Monitor
..................................
196 Rear View Mirror
.........................
93
Rear Window Defogger
................
74
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
.....................................
70
Reclining the Front Seats
.............
87
Recommended Shift Speeds
.......
218
Refueling
....................................
199
Remote Audio Controls
..............
191
Remote Transmitter
.....................
77
Replacement Information Dust and Pollen Filter
.............
269
Engine Oil and Filter
...............
252
Fuses
......................................
298
Light Bulbs
.............................
261
Schedule
.................................
249
Tires
.......................................
274
Wiper Blades
..........................
269
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash
........................................
20
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
324
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant
............................
201,254
Restraint, Child
............................
35
Reverse Lockout
........................
217
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
2009 Element

Wipers, WindshieldChanging Blades
.....................
269
Operation
.................................
70
Worn Tires
.................................
273
Wrecker, Emergency Towing
....
303
X
XM
®Radio
..........................
113,132
Index
XI
INDEX
2009 Element