maintenance HONDA ELEMENT 2011 1.G User Guide

Information Display
The information display shows the
odometer, trip meter, engine oil life,
outside temperature (if equipped),
and maintenance item code(s).To switch the display, press and
release the select/reset knob
repeatedly. When you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, your last selection is
displayed.Odometer
The odometer shows the total
distance your vehicle has been
driven. It measures miles. It is illegal
under U.S. federal law to disconnect,
reset, or alter the odometer with the
intent to change the number of miles
indicated.
OUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR
ODOMETER TRIP METER A
ENGINE OIL
LIFE TRIP METER B
Gauges
65
Instruments and Controls
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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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Break-in Period
Help assure your vehicle's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:●Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.●Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.●Avoid hard braking for the first 200
miles (300 km).●Do not tow a trailer.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Fuel Recommendation
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine
damage.
We recommend using quality
gasoline containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely affect performance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation14210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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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Fuel Economy FactorsThe following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:●Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)●Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic●Cold engine operation (engines are
more efficient when warmed up)●Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running●Improperly inflated tiresImproving Fuel EconomyVehicle MaintenanceA properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
information display (seeOwner's
Maintenance Checks on page 190).
For example:
●Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page 193).●Maintain proper tire inflation －
An underinflated tire increases
‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which reduces
fuel economy.●Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle －It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel
consumption.●Keep your vehicle clean －In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle's underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
economy.
Drive Efficiently●Drive moderately －Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuel
consumption.●Observe the speed limit －
Aerodynamic drag has a big effect
on fuel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.●Avoid excessive idling －Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).●Minimize the use of the air
conditioning system －The A/C
puts an extra load on the engine
which makes it use more fuel. Use
the fresh-air ventilation when
possible.
CONTINUED
Fuel Economy
147
Before Driving
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Check Out Your Vehicle
Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
for any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
carefully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsafe.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
Remember
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving off-highway can be
hazardous if you fail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Accelerating and Braking
For better traction on all surfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway, and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the shift
lever in second (2) gear will help you
have a smoother start on snow or ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surfaces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not
‘‘pump ’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them for you. Avoiding Obstacles
Debris on the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Because your vehicle has a high
center of gravity, driving over a large
obstacle, or allowing a wheel to drop
into a deep hole can cause your
vehicle to tip or roll over.
Driving on Slopes
If you can't clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope before you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can safely drive on the slope, don't
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and find
that you cannot continue,
do not try to
turn around.
Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
following the same route you took up
the hill.
CONTINUED
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
181
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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All service items not detailed in this
section should be performed by a
certified technician or other qualified
mechanic.
Important Safety Precautions
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions before you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.●Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is off.●To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.●To reduce the possibility of fire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all fuel-related parts.
●Wear eye protection and protective
clothing when working with the
battery or compressed air.Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner's
manual.
Potential Vehicle Hazards●Carbon Monoxide poison from
engine exhaust.Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
●Burns from hot parts. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down before touching any parts.●Injury from moving parts. Do not
run the engine unless instructed to
do so.Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner's
manual.
Some of the most important safety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you should
perform a given task.
Maintenance Safety18410/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Your vehicle displays engine oil life
and maintenance service items on
the information display to show you
when you should have your dealer
do engine oil replacement and
indicated maintenance service.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life and displays it as a
percentage.Engine Oil Life Display
To see the current engine oil life,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, then press and release
the select/reset knob repeatedly
until the engine oil life indicator
appears.The remaining engine oil life is
shown on the display according to
this table:
Calculated Engine
Oil Life (%) Displayed
Engine Oil Life (%)
100% －91% 100%
90% －81% 90%
80% －71% 80%
70% －61% 70%
60% －51% 60%
50% －41% 50%
40% －31% 40%
30% －21% 30%
20% －16% 20%
15% －11% 15%
10% －6% 10%
5% －1% 5%
0% 0%
ENGINE OIL LIFE INDICATOR SELECT/RESET KNOB
CONTINUED
Maintenance Minder
TM185
Maintenance
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If the remaining engine oil life is 15
to 6 percent, you will see the engine
oil life indicator every time you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. The Maintenance Minder
indicator will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
above the‘‘OIL LIFE’’ message.
The 15 and 10 percent oil life
indicator reminds you that the time is
coming soon to take your vehicle in
for the required maintenance.
When the remaining engine oil life is
5 to 1 percent, you will see a
‘‘SERVICE ’’message along with the
same maintenance item code(s),
every time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
MAINTENANCE MINDER INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
ITEM CODE(S) ENGINE OIL LIFE
INDICATORMaintenance Minder
TM
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