2011 HONDA ELEMENT 4WD

Your vehicle has a higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher off
the ground, it has a high center of
gravity that can cause it to roll over if
you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a significantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:●Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.●Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
●Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.●Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof.
Four-wheel drive modelsYour vehicle is equipped with a four-
wheel drive (4WD) system. When
the system senses a loss of front-
wheel traction, it automatically
transfers some power to the rear
wheels. This gives you better traction
and mobility.
You still need to exercise the same
care when accelerating, steering, and
braking that you would in a two-
wheel drive vehicle.See page 180 for off-highway drivingguidelines.
Driving Guidelines15810/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ 1
B
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ1and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect these items:●Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots●Suspension components●Driveshaft boots●Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhaust system
＃
●Fuel lines and connections
＃
ꭧ 1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE ’’does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
＃ : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page 190.
NOTE:
●Independent of the maintenance message in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.●Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).●Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
Symbol Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmission
and transfer temperatures. This requires transmission
and transfer fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the transmission and transfer fluid changed at
60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km).
4●Replace spark plugs●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid (4WD model only)
Maintenance Minder
TM
Maintenance Minder
191
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

If your vehicle needs to be towed, call
a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.On 4WD modelsThe only way you can safely tow
your vehicle is with flat-bed
equipment.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inform
them a flat-bed is required.Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the 4WD
system. It should be transported on a f
lat-bed truck or trailer.
On 2WD modelsThere are two ways to tow your
vehicle:Flat-bed Equipment
－ The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. This is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
Wheel-lift Equipment
－ The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the front tires and lift them off
the ground. The rear tires remain on
the ground. This is an acceptable
way to tow your vehicle. If, due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the front wheels on
the ground, do this:
●Start the engine.●Shift to D position and hold for 5
seconds, then to N.●Turn off the engine.●Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.●Release the parking brake.Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the all four wheels off
the ground.
Emergency Towing24410/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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 193).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.4 US qt (4.2 L)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Honda ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission fluid) (see page 198).
4WD models onlyRear 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 200).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 199).
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Front:
33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm
2)
Rear: 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm2)
Spare Tire Pressure: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm2)
Service Information Summary10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu