check transmission fluid HONDA ELEMENT 2010 1.G Owners Manual

A
Accessories andModifications .......................... 205
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position) ................................... 79
Accessory Power Sockets ..........100
Additives, Engine Oil .................252
Adjusting the Steering Wheel ......74
Advanced Airbags ........................27
Airbag (SRS) ............................ 9, 22
Air Conditioning System ............104
Air Pressure, Tires ..............271, 272
Alcohol in Gasoline ....................198
Antifreeze ................................... 254
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light ..................59, 225
Operation ................................ 225
Anti-theft, Audio System .............188
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock ......................................... 79
Audio System ............................. 109
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners ...20
Automatic Speed Control ...........193Automatic Transmission
............
219
Capacity, Fluid ........................309
Checking Fluid Level ..............256
Shifting ................................... 219
Shift Lever Position Indicators ............................ 219
Shift Lever Positions ...............219
Shift Lock Release ...................221
Automatic Transmission Fluid ...256
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................192
B
Battery Charging System Indicator ........................ 58, 295
Jump Starting .......................... 291
Maintenance ........................... 277
Specifications .......................... 310
Before Driving ........................... 197
Belts, Seat ................................ 8, 18
Beverage Holders ........................99
Booster Seats ............................... 50
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...........225 Break-in, New Linings
.............198
Bulb Replacement ...................266
Fluid ....................................... 258
Parking .................................... 94
System Design ........................224
System Indicator ...............58, 297
Wear Indicators .......................225
Braking System .......................... 224
Break-in, New Vehicle ................198
Brightness Control, Instruments .............................. 72
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX

EngineAdding Engine Coolant ...........254
Coolant Temperature Gauge ....67
If it Won't Start ........................289
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ............................. 58, 296
Oil Life Indicator .....................243
Oil Pressure Indicator .......58, 295
Oil, What Kind to Use .............251
Overheating ............................ 293
Specifications .......................... 308
Speed Limiter ..................218, 221
Starting ................................... 216
Engine Coolant .......................... 254
Engine Number .........................307
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................198
Evaporative Emissions Controls .................................. 316
Exhaust Fumes ............................ 52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by .................................... 16
F
Fan, Interior ............................... 105Features
..................................... 103
Filters
Dust and Pollen .......................269
Oil ........................................... 252
Flashers, Hazard Warning ...........73
Flat Tire, Changing a .................283
Floor Mats ................................. 268
Fluids Automatic Transmission .........256
Brake ...................................... 258
Clutch ..................................... 258
Location .................................. 250
Manual Transmission ..............257
Power Steering ........................260
Rear Differential ......................258
Windshield Washer .................255
FM/AM Radio Reception ...........186
Folding the Rear Seats .................88
Four-way Flashers ........................73
Front Airbags ........................... 9, 25
Front Seat
Adjusting .................................. 83
Fuel ............................................ 198
Check Fuel Cap Message ........66
Economy ................................. 202
Fill Door and Cap ....................199Gauge
...................................... 66
Low Fuel Indicator ...................61
Octane Requirement ...............198
Reserve Indicator .....................61
Tank, Filling the ......................199
Fuel Economy ............................ 202
Fuses, Checking the ..................298
G
Gas Mileage, Improving .............203
Gasoline ..................................... 198
Gauge ...................................... 66
Low Fuel Indicator ...................61
Octane Requirement ...............198
Tank, Refueling .......................199
Gas Station Procedures ..............199
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature ...67
Fuel .......................................... 66
Odometer ................................. 65
Outside Temperature Indicator ............................... 68
Speedometer ............................ 64
Tachometer .............................. 64
Index
IV

Infant Seats.................................. 40
Tether Anchorage Point ...........48
Inflation, Proper Tire ..................271
Recommended Pressures .......272
Inside Mirror ............................... 93
Inspection, Tire .......................... 273
Installing a Child Seat ..................43
Instrument Panel ..........................57
Instrument Panel Brightness .......72
Instruments and Controls .............55
Interior Lights .............................. 95
Introduction ................................... i
iPod
®.......................................... 162
iPod®Error Messages ................172
J
Jacking up the Vehicle ...............283
Jack, Tire ................................... 283
Jump Starting ............................. 291
K
Keys ............................................. 75L
Label, Certification
.....................306
Lane Change, Signaling ...............71
Lap/Shoulder Belt .................14, 19
LATCH Anchorage System ..........44
Light Control Switch ....................95
Lights
Bulb Replacement ...................261
Indicator ................................... 57
Interior ..................................... 95
Parking .................................... 71
Turn Signal .............................. 71
Load Limit .................................. 208
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) ......79
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column .......79
Fuel Fill Door .......................... 199
Glove Box ............................... 100
Hatch ....................................... 81
Lockout Prevention ..................81
Power Door .............................. 80
Tailgate .................................... 82
Low Coolant Level ......................201
Lower Anchors ............................. 44Low Fuel Indicator
.......................61
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator ........................... 58, 295
Lubricant Specifications Chart ...309
Luggage, Storing (cargo) ...........207
M
Maintenance .............................. 241
Main Items and Sub Items ......246
Minder .................................... 243
Minder Indicator ......................59
Owner's Maintenance
Checks ................................ 248
Safety ...................................... 242
Schedule ................................. 249
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ................................ 58, 296
Manual Transmission .................217
Checking Fluid Level ..............257
Shifting ................................... 217
Manual Transmission Fluid .......257
Meters, Gauges ............................ 64
Methanol in Gasoline .................198
Mirrors, Adjusting ........................93
Index
VI

Tailgate........................................ 82
Open Indicator ......................... 61
Opening the ............................. 82
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .....266
Taking Care of the Unexpected ............................ 281
Technical Descriptions
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ............................. 311
Emissions Control Systems .....316
Three Way Catalytic
Converter ............................ 318
Tire Labeling ........................... 313
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation ...................... 314
Temperature Gauge .....................67
Tensioners, Seat Belts ..................20
Tether Anchorage Points .............48
Theft Protection, Radio ..............188
Three Way Catalytic
Converter ............................... 318
Tilt the Steering Wheel ................74
Time, Setting the ........................189
Tire Chains ................................ 276
Tire, How to Change a Flat ........283 Tire Information
.........................313
Tire Labeling .............................. 313
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........................... 227, 314
Tires .......................................... 271
Air Pressure ............................ 272
Chains ..................................... 276
Checking Wear .......................273
Compact Spare ........................282
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ............................. 311
Inflation ................................... 271
Inspection ............................... 273
Labeling .................................. 313
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator ........................ 62, 227
Maintenance ........................... 274
Pressure Monitoring System ...227
Replacing ................................ 274
Rotating .................................. 274
Snow ....................................... 275
Specifications .......................... 310
Tools, Tire Changing .................283
Towing A Trailer .................................. 232
Emergency Wrecker ...............303TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring
System) .............................. 227
Indicator ............................ 63, 228
Required Federal
Explanation ......................... 314
Transmission Checking Fluid Level,
Automatic ............................ 256
Checking Fluid Level, Manual ................................ 257
Fluid Selection ................256, 257
Identification Number .............306
Shifting the Automatic .............219
Shifting the Manual .................217
Treadwear .................................. 311
Trip Meter ................................... 66
Turn Signals ................................. 60
Turn Signals and Headlights ........71
U
Unexpected, Taking Care of the .......................................... 281
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (U.S. only) .............................. 311
Index
X

Your Vehicle at a Glance(main controls).................................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) ........................................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls (indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column) ....................................................55
Features (heating and cooling, audio, steering wheel, cruise control, and other convenience items) ......................103
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading) ....................................................................................... 197
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ........................................................................................................... 213
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage) ...........................................................241
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, jump starting, overheating, and fuses) ...................................................281
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ........................................................305
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information)........................321
Index .............................................................................................................................................................................. I
INDEX
Service Information Summary(fluid capacities and tire pressures) ............................................................... last page
Contents
1

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
325 for information on how to obtain a
copy, or see your dealer.
U.S. Vehicles:
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 .....................242
Maintenance Minder ..................
243
Fluid Locations ........................... 250
Adding Engine Oil ......................
251
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter ....................................... 252
Engine Coolant ........................... 254
Windshield Washers ...................255
Transmission Fluid .....................
256
Automatic Transmission Fluid ................................... 256
Manual Transmission Fluid ....257
Rear Differential Fluid .................
258
Brake and Clutch Fluid ...............258
Power Steering Fluid ..................
260
Cleaning the Body Panels ...........260
Lights .......................................... 261
Cleaning the Seat Belts ...............
268
Floor Mats .................................. 268
Dust and Pollen Filter .................
269
Wiper Blades .............................. 269
Wheels ........................................
271
Tires ........................................... 271
Checking the Battery ..................277Vehicle Storage
...........................
278
Maintenance
241
Maintenance

However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect. Maintenance may be done by
any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service facility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work fill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet for moreinformation.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manufactured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their performance and durability.U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked with
＃will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the informationdisplay.
Owner's Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If you
are unsure of how to perform any
check, turn to the appropriate pagelisted.
● Engine oil level －Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page201.
● Engine coolant level －Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 201. ●
Automatic transmission －Check
the fluid level monthly. See page256.
● Brakes －Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 258.
● Tires －Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page271.
● Lights －Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 261.
Maintenance Minder
248
Table of Contents

Symbol Maintenance Main ItemsA ●
Replace engine oilꭧ1
B ●
Replace engine oilꭧ1and 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＃
ꭧ1: 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 248.
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 filter
If 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) (For A/T only).
4 ●
Replace spark plugs
● Inspect valve clearance
5 ●
Replace engine coolant
6 ●
Replace rear differential fluid (4WD model only)
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Minder
249
Table of Contents

On Canadian models:The low washer
level indicator comes on when the
level is low (see page 61).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antifreeze
can damage your vehicle's paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer fluid. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator fan comes on, then shut
off the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) before
doing step 2.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
from the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
3. Insert the dipstick all the way intothe transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be between
the upper and lower marks.
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK LOWER MARK
Windshield Washers, Transmission Fluid
256
Table of Contents

5. If the level is below the lowermark, add fluid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower marks.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the enginecompartment.
Always use Honda Genuine
ATF-Z1 (automatic transmission fluid).
Use only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission fluid). Do not
mix with other transmission fluids.
Using transmission fluid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting from the use of
transmission fluid other than Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 is not covered by the
Honda new vehicle warranty.
6. Insert the dipstick all the way backinto the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the maintenance minder (see page 243).
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer. Manual Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle on level
ground. Remove the transmission
filler bolt, and carefully feel inside
the bolt hole with your finger. The
fluid level should be up to the edge
of the bolt hole. If it is not, add
Honda Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) until it starts to run out of thehole.
WASHER FILLER BOLT
Correct Level
CONTINUED
Transmission Fluid
257
Maintenance
Table of Contents