2011 HONDA ELEMENT engine oil

ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange tab)
POWER
STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAPBRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
Fluid Locations19210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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
193
Maintenance
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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 Filter19410/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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
195
Maintenance
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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
....................
222
Changing a Flat Tire
...................
223
If the Engine Won't Start
.............
229
Jump Starting
..............................
231
If the Engine Overheats
..............
233
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
.........
235
Charging System Indicator
.........
235
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
........
236
Brake System Indicator
...............
237
Fuses
..........................................
239
Fuse Locations
............................
242
Emergency Towing
.....................
244
Taking Care of the Unexpected
221
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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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 145). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 193).
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
244). 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 technical
assistance.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
235
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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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 Change
ꭧ 2
1.35 US gal (5.1 L)
Total 1.90 US gal (7.2 L)
Automatic
transmission
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)
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)
ꭧ1: Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
ꭧ2: Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the engine Reserve tank capacity:
0.15 US gal (0.55 L)
Specifications
251
Technical Information
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A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
149
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
...................................
79
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
100
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
194
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
......
74
Advanced Airbags
........................
26
Airbag (SRS)
............................
9, 22
Air Conditioning System
............
104
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
212, 213
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
142
Antifreeze
...................................
196
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator
............................
59, 168
Operation
................................
167
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
132
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.........................................
79
Audio System
.............................
109
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
20
Automatic Speed Control
...........
137 Automatic Transmission
............
161
Capacity, Fluid
........................
251
Checking Fluid Level
..............
198
Shifting
...................................
161
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
161
Shift Lever Positions
...............
161
Shift Lock Release
...................
163
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
136
B
Battery Charging System
Indicator
........................
58, 235
Jump Starting
..........................
231
Maintenance
...........................
218
Specifications
..........................
252
Before Driving
...........................
141
Belts, Seat
................................
8, 18
Beverage Holders
........................
99
Booster Seats
...............................
50
Brakes
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
167
Break-in, New Linings
.............
142 Bulb Replacement
...................
206
Fluid
.......................................
199
Parking
....................................
94
System Design
........................
166
System Indicator
...............
58, 237
Wear Indicators
.......................
167
Braking System
..........................
166
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
142
Brightness Control, Instruments
..............................
72
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights
........................
206
Brake Lights
...........................
206
Daytime Running Lights
.........
203
Front Parking/Turn Signal Lights
..................................
204
Front Side Marker Lights
........
206
Headlights
..............................
202
High-mount Brake Light
.........
208
Rear Bulbs
..............................
206
Rear License Plate Lights
........
207
Side Turn Signal Lights
...........
204
Specifications
..........................
252
Taillights
.................................
206
Turn Signal Lights
..........
204, 206
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu