steering HONDA ELEMENT 2004 1.G Owner's Manual

The ABS is self -checking each time
the vehicle is started and moved.
The ABS indicator will come on if
anything goes wrong. If the ABS
indicator comes on, the brakes still
work like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have a
dealer inspect your vehicle as soon
as possible.such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed f or the road and
weather conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also be shut
down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your Honda dealer as
soon as possible. Avoid sudden hard
braking which could cause the rear
wheels to lock up and possibly lead
to a loss of control.
it only helps with steering
control during braking. You should
always maintain a saf e f ollowing
distance f rom other vehicles. 194
A BS Indicator
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle;
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
Import ant Saf et y Reminders
134
ABS INDICATOR
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The total
weight of the trailer and everything
loaded in it must not exceed 1,500
lbs (680 kg). Towing a load that is
too heavy can seriously af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance.
It can also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
Theweightthatthe
tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10 percent of the trailer weight. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
Too much tongue load reduces f ront-
tire traction and steering control.
T otal T railer Weight:
Tongue Load:
Towing a Trailer
Driving136
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Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 3rd
gear on the manual transmission,
and turn off the overdrive (O/D)
mode on the automatic transmission.
Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes.
bottom
Trailer Driving Tips
Driving
Backing Up
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing Parking
Remember: It will take longer to
slow down and stop when towing
atrailer.
140
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Your Honda can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, it must be towed
with all f our wheels on the ground
(f lat towing).
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.Perf orm the f ollowing procedure
everyday immediately bef ore you
begin towing. Otherwise severe
automatic transmission damage will
occur.
Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ).
Start the engine.
Press on the brake pedal. Move
the shif t lever through all its
positions.
ShifttoD,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn it off.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
sockets are turned of f so you do
not run down the battery.
Release the parking brake.
If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
162
Do not overf ill.
Driving
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Ext ended T owing
141
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.
Failure to f ollow the above instructions
exactly will result in severe automatic
transmission damage. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported on a f lat-bed truck or
trailer.
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This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 148
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 149
....................
Maintenance Record . 154
..............................
Fluid Locations . 156
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 157
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 158
..............................
Engine Coolant . 160
....................
Windshield Washers . 161
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 162
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 164
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 165
............
Cleaning the Body Panels . 165
.............................................
Lights . 166
.......................................
Seat Belts . 170
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 170
.................................
Wiper Blades . 171
...............................................
Tires . 172
...................
Checking the Battery . 177
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 178
217
Maintenance
Maint enance147
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Follow the Normal Maintenance
Schedule if the severe driving
conditions specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance Schedule on
the next page do not apply.
NOT E: If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Maint enance
152
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
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Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)((OOrreevveerryy11yyeeaarr,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))
Check inflation and condition once a monthCheck oil and coolant at each fuel stop
10 16
2032304840645080 609670
112 80
128
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Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years.
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((OOrreevveerryy55yyeeaarrss,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km)
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then
every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years 150 240
140224
130208
120192
110176
100160
90
144
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 175 )
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
1:
: 150
1Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
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Follow the Severe Maintenance
Schedule if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per
trip or, in f reezing temperatures,
driving less than 10 miles (16 km)
per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over 90°F
(32°C)] conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced
roads.
T railer towing, driving with a roof
rack, or driving in mountainous
conditions.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions. Extensive idling or long periods of
stop and go driving, such as a taxi or
a commercial delivery vehicle.
Maint enance
For Canadian Owners
153
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
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10 16508070
112
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop 150240
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
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40 64
2032 609680
128
3048
Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km)
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then
every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
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Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3
years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000
km) or 2 years.
90
144 100 160 140224
130208
120192
110176
See dust and pollen filter on page for
replacement information under special
driving conditions.
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km)
(Use normal schedule except in dusty condition)
See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty, last column, page.
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 175 )
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brakes
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components, Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system , Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 1: 2:
: 150 170
1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
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Fluid Locations
Maint enance156
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
CLUTCH FLUID
(5-speed Manual
Transmission only)
(Gray cap)AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
POWER
STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange tab)
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Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL. A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
To clean the gray composite body
panels, wash them with soap and
water only. Do not apply any wax the
panels; it will cause discoloration.
Power Steering Fluid
Cleaning the Body Panels
Power Steering Fluid, Cleaning the Body Panels
Maint enance165
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires every 10,000 miles (16,000
km). Move the tires to the positions
showninthecharteachtimethey
are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only f ront-to-
back.The tires that came with your
vehicle were selected to match the
perf ormance capabilities of the
vehicle while providing the best
combination of handling, ride
comf ort, and long lif e.
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your vehicle can
reduce braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy. Using tires of a
dif f erent size or construction can
cause the ABS to work inconsistently.
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, then replace the two
f ront tires or the rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
Wheels:
Tires:
See page f or DOT tire quality
grading inf ormation, and page
f or tire size explanation.
208 206
CONT INUED
Tires
T ire Rotation Replacing T ires and Wheels
Wheels and T ires
Maint enance175
Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Front
16x61/2JJ
P215/70R16 99S
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
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