2010 HONDA ELEMENT engine oil

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 andFilter
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 removedregularly.
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 skilledtechnician.
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 Filter
252
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3. Remove the oil filter and let theremaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Make sure the oil filter gasket is
not stuck to the engine block. If it
is, remove it before installing a
new oil filter. 4. Install a new oil filter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean off any dirt and
dust on the connecting surface of a
new oil filter.
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m, 4.5 kgf·m)
6. Refill the engine with the recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
4.4 US qt (4.2 L)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn off the
engine, and check your work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks. 9. Turn off the engine and let it sit for
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container, and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
OIL FILTER
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
253
Maintenance
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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 page243).
If you are not sure how to check and
add fluid, contact your dealer. Rear Differential Fluid
4WD models only
The 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 temporaryreplacement.
Transmission Fluid, Rear Differential Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
258
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This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If
not, you will also find instructions on
getting your vehicle towed.Compact Spare Tire....................282
Changing a Flat Tire ...................
283
If the Engine Won't Start .............289
Jump Starting ..............................
291
If the Engine Overheats ..............293
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .........
295
Charging System Indicator .........295
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........296
Brake System Indicator ...............
297
Fuses .......................................... 298
Fuse Locations ............................
301
Emergency Towing .....................303
Taking Care of the Unexpected
281
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page 201). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other drivingmaneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 251).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving(see Emergency Towing on page
303). Charging System Indicator
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technicalassistance.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
295
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Table of Contents

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 AutomaticTransmission
Change
ꭧ21.35 US gal (5.1 L)
Total 1.90 US gal (7.2 L)
ManualTransmission Change
ꭧ21.37 US gal (5.2 L)
Total 1.93 US gal (7.3 L)
Automatictransmission 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)
ꭧ 1: Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
ꭧ 2: 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
Table of Contents

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 page 251).
Oil change capacity (including filter):
4.4 US qt (4.2 L)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid)
(see page 256).Manual Transmission Fluid:
Honda Manual Transmission Fluid
preferred, or an SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 motor oil as a temporary
replacement (see page 257).
Capacity (including differential):
2.0 US qt (1.9 L)
4WD models only
Rear 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 page 260).Brake Fluid:
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page 258).
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
All models except SC
Front:
33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm2)
Rear: 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm
2)
SC model
Front/Rear: 32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm2)
Spare Tire Pressure: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
Service Information Summary