2011 HONDA ELEMENT air filter

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 page
267 for information on how to obtain a
copy, or see your dealer.Maintenance, replacement, or repair
of emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment or
individual using parts that are
‘‘
certified ’’to EPA standards.
Maintenance Safety
.....................
184
Maintenance Minder
TM
...............
185
Fluid Locations
...........................
192
Adding Engine Oil
......................
193
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
.......................................
194
Engine Coolant
...........................
196
Windshield Washers
...................
197
Automatic Transmission Fluid
....
198
Brake Fluid
.................................
199
Power Steering Fluid
..................
200
Cleaning the Body Panels
...........
201
Lights
..........................................
201
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
209
Floor Mats
..................................
209
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
210
Wiper Blades
..............................
210
Wheels
........................................
212
Tires
...........................................
212
Checking the Battery
..................
218
Vehicle Storage
...........................
219
Maintenance
183
Maintenance
10/08/06 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 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.
Floor Mats, Dust and Pollen Filter, Wiper Blades21010/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Parking Brake and Brake SystemIndicator
...........................
58, 237
Parking Over Things that Burn
................................
165, 260
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
....
32
PGM-FI System
..........................
259
Playing a Disc
............................
119
Pollen Filter
...............................
210
Power Door Locks
.......................
80
Power Socket Locations
.............
100
Power Steering Fluid
.................
200
Power Windows
...........................
92
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts
........
16
Preparing to Drive
......................
159
Proper Seat Belt Usage
................
14
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
.................
233
Radio/CD Sound System
...........
109
Radio Theft Protection
...............
132
Readiness Codes
........................
261
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement
...........................
206
Rear Seat, Folding
........................
88
Rearview Mirror
...........................
93
Rear Window Defogger
................
74
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
.....................................
70
Reclining the Front Seats
.............
87
Refueling
....................................
143
Reminder Indicators
.....................
58
Remote Audio Controls
..............
135
Remote Transmitter
.....................
77
Replacement Information Dust and Pollen Filter
.............
210
Engine Oil and Filter
...............
194
Fuses
......................................
239
Light Bulbs
.............................
202
Spark Plugs
.............................
250
Tires
.......................................
215 Wiper Blades
..........................
210
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash
........................................
20
Reporting Safety Defects
............
266
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant
............................
145, 196
Restraint, Child
............................
35
Reverse Gear Position
................
162
Rotation, Tire
.............................
215
S
Safety Belts
..............................
8, 18
Safety Defects, Reporting
...........
266
Safety Features
..............................
7
Airbags
.................................
9, 22
Door Locks
..............................
11
Head Restraints
........................
13
Seat Belts
........................
8, 14, 18
Seats & Seat-Backs
..............
11, 12
Safety Labels, Location of
.............
53
Safety Messages
..........................
iii
Seat Adjustments
.........................
83
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu