2011 HONDA ELEMENT checking oil

If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle's evaporative emissions
system, the malfunction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the fuel fill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine off, and check or
retighten the fuel fill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go off,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more information, see
page 236.Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page 233 for instructions and
precautions on checking the engine's
cooling system.
Maintenance Minder
™
The information display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil life and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
information helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs for continued trouble-
free driving. Refer to page 185 for
more information.
Gauges
67
Instruments and Controls
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Oil CheckWait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.1. Remove the dipstick (orange tab).
2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.
4. Remove the dipstick again, andcheck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see Adding Engine Oil on page 193.Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
Adding
Engine Coolant on page 196 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page 190 for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
MIN
MAX RESERVE TANK
Service Station Procedures
145
Before Driving
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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
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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
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Bulbs, Halogen
..........................
202
Bungee Cords
............................
155
C
Capacities Chart
.........................
251
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
............
52
Cargo
.........................................
151
Cargo Area Light
..........................
96
Cargo Hooks
..............................
156
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
151
Carrying Cargo
..........................
151
CAUTION, Explanation of
............
iii
CD Care
.....................................
127
Ceiling Light
................................
96
Certification Label
......................
248
Chains, Tires
..............................
217
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
223
Changing Oil How to
....................................
194
When to
..................................
185
Charging System Indicator
...........................
58, 235
Check Fuel Cap Message
............
66
Checklist, Before Driving
...........
159 Child Safety
..................................
35
Booster Seats
...........................
50
Child Seats
....................
40, 41, 42
Important Safety Reminders
.....
39
Infants
......................................
40
Larger Children
.......................
49
LATCH
.....................................
44
Risks with Airbags
...................
36
Small Children
.........................
41
Tethers
....................................
48
Warning Labels
........................
37
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
36
Child Seats
.............................
35, 42
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
44
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
48
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
209
Clock
..........................................
133
Code, Audio System
...................
132
CO in the Exhaust
................
52, 258
Cold Weather, Starting in
...........
160
Compact Spare Tire
....................
222
Controls, Instruments and
............
55
Coolant Adding
....................................
196
Checking
................................
145
Proper Solution
.......................
196 Temperature Gauge
.................
67
Cooler Box
...................................
98
Crankcase Emissions Control System
...................................
258
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
60
Cruise Control Operation
...........
137
Cruise Main Indicator
..................
60
Cup Holders
.................................
99
Customer Service
.......................
264
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 56
Daytime Running Lights
..............
72
Daytime Running Lights Indicator
...................................
60
Dead Battery
..............................
231
Defects, Reporting Safety
...........
266
Defogger, Rear Window
...............
74
Dimensions
................................
250
Dimming the Headlights
..............
71
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission
.........
198
Engine Oil
...............................
145
IndexII10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Directional Signals
.................
60, 71
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
.......
167
Disc Care
...................................
127
Disc Changer Error
Messages
...............................
126
Disc Player Error Messages
......
125
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
195
Doors Indicator
...................................
11
Locking and Unlocking
............
80
Power Door Locks
...................
80
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S.
Vehicles)
................................
253
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
157
Economy
.................................
146
Driving Guidelines
.....................
158
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
210
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
146
Emergencies on the Road
..........
221
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
231
Brake System Indicator
.....
58, 237 Changing a Flat Tire
...............
223
Charging System Indicator
........................
58, 235
Checking the Fuses
................
239
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
223
Hazard Warning Flashers
........
73
Jump Starting
..........................
231
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
........................
58, 235
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
58, 236
Overheated Engine
.................
233
Towing
....................................
244
Emergency Brake
........................
94
Emergency Flashers
....................
73
Emergency Towing
....................
244
Emissions Controls
....................
258
Emissions Testing
......................
261
Engine Adding Engine Coolant
...........
196
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
67
If it Won't Start
........................
229
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
58, 236
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
185
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
58, 235 Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
193
Overheating
............................
233
Specifications
..........................
250
Speed Limiter
..........................
163
Starting
...................................
160
Engine Coolant
..........................
196
Engine Number
.........................
249
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
142
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
258
Exhaust Fumes
............................
52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by
....................................
16
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
105
Features
.....................................
103
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
210
Oil
...........................................
194
Flashers, Hazard Warning
...........
73
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
223
Floor Mats
.................................
209
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
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LOCK (Ignition Key Position)
......
79
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column
.......
79
Fuel Fill Door
..........................
143
Glove Box
...............................
100
Hatch
.......................................
81
Lockout Prevention
..................
81
Power Door
..............................
80
Tailgate
....................................
82
Low Coolant Level
......................
145
Lower Anchors
.............................
44
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
61
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
58, 235
Lubricant Specifications Chart...
251
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
151
M
Maintenance
..............................
183
Main Items and Sub Items
......
188
Minder
....................................
185
Minder Indicator
......................
59
Owner's Maintenance Checks
................................
190 Safety
......................................
184
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
................................
58, 236
Meters, Gauges
............................
64
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
142
Mirrors, Adjusting
........................
93
Modifications
.............................
150
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
150
N
Neutral Gear Position
.................
162
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
142
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
248
O
Octane Requirement, Gasoline
.................................
142
Odometer
.....................................
65
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
..............................
180
Off-Road Precautions
..................
180 Oil
Change, How to
......................
194
Change, When to
....................
185
Checking Engine
....................
145
Life, Engine
.............................
185
Pressure Indicator
.............
58, 235
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
...................................
193
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery
................................
258
ON (Ignition Key Position)
..........
79
Opening the Tailgate
....................
82
Outside Mirrors
...........................
93
Outside Temperature Indicator
....
68
Overhead Console
......................
101
Overheating, Engine
..................
233
Owner's Maintenance Checks
....
190
Oxygenated Fuels
......................
142
P
Panel Brightness Control
.............
72
Park Gear Position
.....................
161
Parking
......................................
165
Parking Brake
..............................
94
IndexVI10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Sun Visor
...................................
100
Supplemental Restraint System
..............................
9, 22
Servicing
..................................
33
SRS Indicator
......................
30, 59
System Components
................
22
Synthetic Oil
..............................
194
T
Tachometer
..................................
64
Tailgate
........................................
82
Open Indicator
.........................
61
Opening the
.............................
82
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in
.....
206
Taking Care of the Unexpected
............................
221
Technical Descriptions DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
253
Emissions Control Systems
.....
258
Three Way Catalytic Converter
............................
260
Tire Labeling
...........................
255 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation
......................
256
Temperature Gauge
.....................
67
Tensioners, Seat Belts
..................
20
Tether Anchorage Points
.............
48
Theft Protection, Radio
..............
132
Three Way Catalytic Converter
...............................
260
Tilt the Steering Wheel
................
74
Time, Setting the
........................
133
Tire Chains
................................
217
Tire, How to Change a Flat
........
223
Tire Information
.........................
255
Tire Labeling
..............................
255
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
...........................
169, 256
Tires
..........................................
212
Air Pressure
............................
213
Chains
.....................................
217
Checking Wear
.......................
214
Compact Spare
........................
222
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
253
Inflation
...................................
212
Inspection
...............................
214 Labeling
..................................
255
Low Tire Pressure Indicator
........................
62, 169
Maintenance
...........................
215
Pressure Monitoring System
...
169
Replacing
................................
215
Rotating
..................................
215
Snow
.......................................
217
Specifications
..........................
252
Tools, Tire Changing
.................
223
Towing A Trailer
..................................
174
Emergency Wrecker
...............
244
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
..............................
169
Indicator
............................
63, 170
Required Federal Explanation
.........................
256
Transmission Checking Fluid Level
..............
198
Fluid Selection
........................
198
Identification Number
.............
248
Shifting the Automatic
.............
161
Treadwear
..................................
253
Trip Meter
...................................
66
CONTINUED
Index
IX
INDEX
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu