brake HONDA ELEMENT 2011 1.G Owner's Guide

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

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. Check your
warranty booklet for more
information.
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.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 information
display.
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 page
listed.
●Engine oil level －Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page
145.●Engine coolant level －Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 145.●Automatic transmission －Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
198.
●Brakes －Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 199.●Tires －Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
212.●Lights －Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 201.
Maintenance Minder
TM
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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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ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange tab)
POWER
STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAPBRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
Fluid Locations19210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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 engine
compartment.
Always use Honda ATF DW-1
(automatic transmission fluid).
Use only Honda ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission fluid). Do not mix with
other transmission fluids.
Using transmission fluid other than
Honda ATF DW-1 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
ATF DW-1 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 185).
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer. Brake Fluid
Check the fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir monthly.
Independent of the Maintenance
Minder display, replace the brake
fluid every 3 years.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 fluid, from a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake fluid can
cause corrosion and decrease the life
of the system. Have the brake
system flushed and refilled with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT
3 as soon as possible.
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle's
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
CONTINUED
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Brake Fluid
199
Maintenance
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The fluid level should be between
the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.Power Steering Fluid
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The fluid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering fluid to the
UPPER LEVEL.Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering fluid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
MAX
MIN
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
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Replacing a Front Side Marker
Light Bulb1. Open the hood.To change the driver's side,
remove the front end of the air
intake duct by pulling it out (see
page 202).
2. Remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise. 3. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
4. Reinstall the socket into the light assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
5. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
6. Install the front end of the air intake duct. Replacing Rear Bulbs
1. Open the hatch and the tailgate.
Remove the two mounting screws
with a Phillips-head screwdriver,
and remove the taillight assembly
from the body by pulling it back.
2. Determine which of the four bulbs is burned out: brake/taillight, turn
signal light, side marker light, or
back-up light.
SCREW
SCREW
TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY
Lights20610/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

3. Turn on the parking lights andcheck that the new bulb is
working.
4. Put the lens back on the socket until it locks.
5. Slide the right side of the light assembly into the hole. Push on
the left side to latch the assembly
into place. Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
1. Open the hatch. Remove the light
assembly cover by pushing in on
the tabs on both sides and pulling
the cover down.
2. Remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of itssocket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
4. Press the brake pedal to make sure the new bulb is working.
SOCKET BULB
LENS
TABS
COVER
BULB SOCKET
Lights20810/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Snow Tires
If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as original tires. Mount snow tires on
all four wheels. The traction provided
by snow tires on dry roads may be
lower than your original tires. Check
with the tire dealer for maximum
speed recommendations.
Tire ChainsMount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or local
laws. Install them only on the front
tires.
Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, use only SAE Class‘‘S ’’
cable-type traction devices, with
rubber chain tensioners, on the front
tires. Use traction devices only when
required by driving conditions or local
laws. Make sure they are the correct
size for your tires. Metal link-type
‘‘ chains ’’should not be used.Traction devices that are the wrong size
or improperly installed can damage your
vehicle's brake lines, suspension, body,
and wheels. Stop driving if they are
hitting any part of the vehicle.
When installing cables, follow the
manufacturer's instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains.
Tires
217
Maintenance
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