2011 HONDA ELEMENT oil 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
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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
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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
10/08/06 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

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
10/08/06 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

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