engine coolant HONDA ELEMENT 2005 1.G User Guide

When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
The low washer
level indicator comes on when the
level is low (see page ).
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
3.
4.
5.
2. 1. 57
On Canadian models:
Windshield Washers
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
174
RADIATOR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
9.
8.
7. 6. 5.
11. 10.
217
126
217
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
208
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

ÎÎ
ÎÎ
Î
Specif ications
222
Dimensions
Weights
Engine
Capacities
169.3 in (4,300 mm)
71.5 in (1,815 mm)
70.4 in (1,788 mm)
101.4 in (2,575 mm)
62.1 in (1,577 mm)
62.3 in (1,582 mm)
1.88 US gal (7.1
)
1.90 US gal (7.2
)
3.3 US qt (3.1
)
7.6 US qt (7.2
)
2.0 US qt (1.9
)
1.43 US gal (5.4
)
3.1 US qt (2.9
)
1.45 US gal (5.5
)
6.9 US qt (6.5
)
5.6 US qt (5.3
)
4.2 US qt (4.0)
4.4 US qt (4.2)
15.9 US gal (60
)
9.7 : 1
144 cu-in (2,354 cm
)
3.43 x 3.90 in (87.0 x 99.0 mm)
0.145 US gal (0.55
)1.3 US qt (1.2
)
1.1 US qt (1.0)
2.4 US qt (2.3
)
2.3 US qt (2.2)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs
Fuel tank
Engine oil
See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb (front
edge of rear door).
Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine Engine
coolant
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Manual
transmission
fluid
Rear
differential
fluid (4WD)
Windshield
washer
reservoir
IZFR6K-11
SKJ20DR-M11
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
Approx.
Front
Rear
Change
Without filter
Total 1:
2:
NGK:
DENSO: Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
4WD
2WD
Total 4WD
2WD
Change
Total 4WD
2WD
Change
Total
Automatic Transmission
Manual Transmission
1 2
2
Including filter

Î
ÎÎ Î
............................
Capacities Chart .222
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 47
...............................
Carring Cargo .130
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care .113
...................................
CD Changer .112
.......................
CD Error Message .114
.......
CD Changer Error Message . 115
.......................................
CD Player .106
.................................
Ceiling Pocket .86
........................
Certif ication Label .220
............................................
Chains .192
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .197
.................................
Changing Oil .171
........................................
How to .171
......................................
When to .165
...
Charging System Indicator . 54,209
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 137
.....................................
Child Saf ety .30
Child Seats ......
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
...........................
Lower Anchors .39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
............
Cleaning the Body Panels . 178..............................................
Clock .117
.........................
Clock, Setting the .117
...................................
Clutch Fluid .177
........................
CO in the Exhaust .227
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 138
..............................
Compact Spare .196
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 234
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 51
Coolant ........................................
Adding .173
....................................
Checking .126
.........................
Proper Solution .173
...................
Temperature Gauge . 59
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .227
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 56
............
Cruise Control Operation . 119
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 234
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .4, 52
Daytime Running Lights ...................................
Indicator .56
.................................
Dead Battery .205 ............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 236
..........................
Def og and Def rost .91
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 63
................
Def rosting the Windows . 93
....................................
Dimensions .222
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 62
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 175
..................................
Engine Oil .126
..........................
Directional Signals .62
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 147
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .172
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 70
......................
Power Door Locks .70
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 224
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .139
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .135
....................................
Economy .127
........................
Driving Guidelines .136
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 185
Index
D
C
II

CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .127
............
Emergencies on the Road . 195
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 205
...........
Brake System Indicator . 211
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 197
.....
Charging System Indicator . 209
..................
Checking the Fuses . 212
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 63
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 209
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 210
..................
Overheated Engine . 207
...........................
Emergency Brake .83
......................
Emergency Flashers .63
......................
Emergency Towing .217
.......................
Emissions Controls .227
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 230
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 59
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 140,143
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .54, 210
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 54,209
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 170
...............................
Overheating .207 ............................
Specif ications .222
.......................................
Starting .138
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 227
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
.....................................
Fan, Interior .90
...........................................
Features .89
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 124
Filters .........................
Dust and Pollen .185
...............................................
Oil .171
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 63
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 197
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 175
..........................................
Brake .177
.........................................
Clutch .177
..............
Manual Transmission . 176
..........................
Power Steering .178
..................
Windshield Washer . 174
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception .98 ...........................
Folding Rear Seat .77
..........................
Four-way Flashers .63
..........................
Four-wheel Drive .136
............................
Front Airbags .11, 23
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .12
.........................................
Airbags .23
.................................................
Fuel .122
......................
Fill Door and Cap .124
...........................................
Gauge .58
................
Octane Requirement . 122
........................
Reserve Indicator .56
........................
Tank, Filling the .124
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .212
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 127
.........................................
Gasoline .122
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 56
...........................................
Gauge .58
................
Octane Requirement . 122
........................
Tank, Filling the .124
Index
E
F
G
INDEX
III

ÎÎ
................
Gas Station Procedures . 124
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 59
...............................................
Fuel .58
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 141
..............
Manual Transmission . 139
........................................
Glove Box .87
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 179
................................................
Hatch .71
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 63
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .179
.......
Daytime Running Lights . 62
..................
High Beam Indicator . 56
........................
Reminder Beeper .62
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 179
...................................
Turning on .62
..............................
Head Restraints .75
.......................
Heating and Cooling .90
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 138
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 62
..
Hood, Opening and Closing the . 125..............................................
Horn .5,60
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .177
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 220
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .65
...........................................
Switch .69
............
Timing Control System . 228
........................
Immobilizer System .66
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 53
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .35
......................................
Inf ant Seats .35
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
...........................
Lower Anchors .39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 187
.........................
Normal Driving .188
...................................
Inside Mirror .82
.............................
Inspection, Tire .189
............................
Instrument Panel .53
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 63
.................................
Interior Lights .88
........................................
Introduction .i .................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 199
.......................................
Jack, Tire .197
................................
Jump Starting .205
..................................................
Keys .65
.......................
Label, Certif ication .220
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 62
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,20
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .179
.......................................
Indicator .53
.........................................
Parking .62
..................................
Turn Signal .62
....................................
Load Limits .131
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 69
............................
Fuel Fill Door .124
Index
H I
J
K
L
IV

CONT INUED
....................................
Glove Box .87
.................................
Power Door .70
........................................
Tailgate .72
........................
Low Coolant Level .126
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .56
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 54,209
................................
Lower Anchors .39
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 139
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 222
.........................................
Luggage .130
..................................
Maintenance .161
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 164
.................................
Record .167-168
......................
Required Indicator .57
..........................................
Saf ety .162
.............................
Schedule .165-166
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 54,210
...................
Manual Transmission . 139
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 176
................................
Shif ting the .139
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 176
.........................
Meters, Gauges .53, 58
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .82 ...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 129
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 142
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 122
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .140
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 220
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 122
.........................................
Odometer .58
...............................
Odometer, Trip .58
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 157
Oil ........................
Change, How to .171
......................
Change, When to .165
......................
Checking Engine .126
..............
Pressure Indicator . 54,209
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .170
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .227 ..............................
Outside Mirrors .82
.......................................
Overdrive .143
....................
Overheating, Engine .207
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 164
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 63
........................
Park Gear Position .141
...........................................
Parking .145
.................................
Parking Brake .83
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 54,211
.................................
Parking Lights .62
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 145
................................
Playing a Disc .106
............
Playing the AM/FM Radio . 94
Playing the XM Satellite ..........................................
Radio .100
.............................
PGM-FI System .228
.................
Power Socket Locations . 87
..............................
Power Windows .81
..........................
Power Door Locks .70
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
TM
Index
M N
O
P
INDEX
V

ÎÎ
...................
Radiator Overheating . 207
...............
Radio/CD Sound System . 94
...........................
Readiness Codes .230
.......................................
Rear Doors .70
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 182
............................
Rear Seat Access .75
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .77
............................
Rear View Mirror .82
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 63
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 61
...............
Reclining the Seat-Backs . 73
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 140
.............................
Reminder Lights .53
...............
Removing the Rear Seats . 79
.......................
Remote Transmitter .67 Replacement Inf ormation
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 185
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 171
..........................................
Fuses .212
................................
Light Bulbs .179
....................................
Schedule .165
...........................................
Tires .187
.............................
Wiper Blades .186
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .21
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant .126, 173
...............................
Restraint, Child .30
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 142
...........................
Reverse Lockout .144
......................................
Roof Rack .132
................................
Rotation, Tire .190
................................
Saf ety Belts .10, 20
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 236
.................................
Saf ety Features .9
.........................................
Airbags .11
.....................................
Seat Belts .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 48...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
................................
Satellite Radio .100
...................................
Seat Belts .10, 20
...............
Additional Information . 20
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .21
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15,20
................................
Maintenance .21
.....................
Reminder Light .20, 54
...................
System Components . 20
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .73
...............................
Serial Number .220
...........................
Service Intervals .165
...........................
Service Manual .237
...........
Service Station Procedure . 124
..........................
Setting the Clock .117
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 141
........................
Shif t Lock Release .144
....................................
Side Airbags .26
..........................
Cutoff Indicator .28
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .181
...............................
Signaling Turns .62
............................................
Skylight .83
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children .30
Protecting Inf ants and Small .......................................
Children .35
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 44
.....................
Using Booster Seat .45
Index
R
S
VI