check oil HONDA ELEMENT 2011 1.G User Guide

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

Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page 145). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 193).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving
(see Emergency Towing on page
244). Charging System Indicator
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
235
Taking Care of the Unexpected
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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

Turn Signals
.................................
60
Turn Signals and Headlights
........
71
U
Unexpected, Taking Care of the
..........................................
221
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (U.S. only)
..............................
253
Unleaded Gasoline
.....................
142
Used Oil, How to Dispose of
......
195
V
Vanity Mirror
.............................
101
Vehicle Capacity Load
................
152
Vehicle Dimensions
...................
250
Vehicle Identification Number
...
248
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA OFF Indicator
..................
172
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
................................
172
VSA OFF Indicator
...................
62 VSA OFF Switch
.....................
173
VSA System Indicator
..............
62
Vehicle Storage
..........................
219
Ventilation
..................................
106
VIN
............................................
248
Viscosity, Oil
..............................
193
W
WARNING, Explanation of
...........
iii
Warning Labels, Location of
.........
53
Warranty Coverages
..................
265
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level
........
197
Operation
.................................
70
Wheels
.......................................
212
Adjusting the Steering
..............
74
Alignment and Balance
...........
215
Compact Spare
........................
222
Wrench, Nut
...........................
223
Windows Operating the Power
................
92
Rear, Defogger
.........................
74
Windshield Cleaning
...................................
70 Defroster
.................................
107
Washers
............................
70, 197
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades
.....................
210
Operation
.................................
70
Worn Tires
.................................
214
Wrecker, Emergency Towing
....
244
IndexX10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu