check engine HONDA ELEMENT 2007 1.G Owner's Guide

Let the vehicle sit for a minute.
Op en the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipsti ck (see page ). If
the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn off all electri cal
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.
Safely
pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
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
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page
).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action. 1.
2.
4. 3.
141
189
239
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
231
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn off as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
If
this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may feel no difference in
your vehicle’s performance, it can
reduce your fuel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damag e.
If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
fu el fill cap. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message on
the information display. Tighten the
cap until it clicks at least once.
Tightening the cap will not turn the
indicator off immediatel y; it can take
several days of normal driving. If
your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the malfunction
indicator lamp may also come on
with the ‘‘D’’ indicator. Tocheckiftheyareset,turnthe
ignitionswitchtotheON(II)
position,wi
thoutstartingtheengine.
Them alfunctionindicato rlampwill
comeonfo r20seconds.Ifi tthen
goesoff,thereadinesscodesareset.
Ifitblinksfi vetimes,thereadiness
codesarenotset.Ifpossible,donot
take your vehicle for a state
emissions test until the readiness
codes are set. Ref er to for more information
(see page ). If your vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes several
days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
Your vehicle has certain " readiness
codes" that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states and
provinces, part of the emissions testing is to make sure these codes
are set. If they are not set, the test
cannot be completed.
254
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Emissions
T esting
R
ea
d ines
sC

odes
232
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all oth er
accessories are off.
If
something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, check for a
blown fuse first. Determine from the
chart on pages and , or the
diagram on the f use box lid, which
f use or f uses control that device.
Check those f uses f irst, but check all
the f uses bef ore deciding that a
blown f use is the cause. Replace any
blown f uses, and check if the device
works.
The interior f use box is underneath
the steering column. To remove the
f use box lid, turn the knobs
counterclockwise and pull the lid out
of its hinges.
The vehicle’s f uses are located in
two f use boxes. The under-hood f use
box is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side. To
open it, push the tabs as shown.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box.
1.
2. 237 238
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
234
TAB
UNDER-HOOD
INTERIOR
KNOBS

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µ
(


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)
$
%

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# This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual complements the service manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
262
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .143
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .79
..............
Accessory Power Sockets .97
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .190
.........
Advice f or Pregnant Women .18
.............................
Airbag (SRS) . 11, 24
...
Airbags, Additional Information .24
...
Additional Safety Precautions .36
.............................
Airbag Service .35
How the Passenger Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .34
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .34
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .33
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .27
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .31
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .32
........................
SRS Components .24
..............
Air Conditioning System .102
.........................................
Usage .103
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .209 ......................................
Alignment .245
......................................
Antif reeze .192
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 61, 162
...................................
Operation .161
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 129
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 79
......................
Armrests, Front Seat .84
................................
Audio System .107
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 133
..............
Automatic Transmission . 155
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .244
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 194
.......................................
Shif ting .155
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 155
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 155
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 158
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .125
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 60, 231
............................
Jump Starting .227 ..............................
Maintenance .214
............................
Specif ications .245
..............................
Bef ore Driving .137
..................................
Belts, Seat . 10, 20
...........................
Beverage Holders .97
...................................
Body Panels .197
..................................
Booster Seats .52
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 161
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 138
....................
Bulb Replacement . 203
...........................................
Fluid .196
.........................................
Parking .93
.................
System Indicator . 60, 233
........................
Wear Indicators .161
.............................
Braking System .160
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 138
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 72
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

ÎÎÎ
............................
Capacities Chart .244
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .54
.............................
Carrying Cargo .145
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
.........................................
CD Care .126
...................................
CD Changer .125
.......................
CD Error Message .127
.......
CD Changer Error Message .128
.......................................
CD Player .119
.................................
Ceiling Pocket .96
........................
Certif ication Label .242 ............................................
Chains .213
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
.................................
Changing Oil .190
........................................
How to .190
......................................
When to .179
...
Charging System Indicator . 60, 231
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 151
.....................................
Child Saf ety .37
Child Seats ......
LATCH Anchorage System . 46
...........................
Lower Anchors .46
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 50
..........
Children, Protecting Larger . 51
............
Cleaning the Body Panels . 197
..............................................
Clock .130
.........................
Clock, Setting the .130
...................................
Clutch Fluid .197
........................
CO in the Exhaust .251
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 152
..............................
Compact Spare .218
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 258
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .192
....................................
Checking .141
.........................
Proper Solution .192 ...................
Temperature Gauge . 68
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .251
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 62
............
Cruise Control Operation . 133
................
Cup (Beverage) Holders . 97
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 258
...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard . 4, 58
............
Daytime Running Lights . 72
.......................................
Indicator .62
.................................
Dead Battery .227
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 260
........................
Def og and Def rost .105
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 73
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 105
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .196
....................................
Dimensions .244
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 71
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 194
..................................
Engine Oil .141
..........................
Directional Signals .71
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights .203
..............................
Brake Lights .203
................
Front Parking Lights . 200
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 201
.................................
Headlights .198
....................
High-mount Brake .204
....................
Rear License Plate . 204
............................
Specif ications .245
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 200
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .198
................................
Bungee Cords .148
Index
D
C
II

Î
CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .103
.........................................
Features .101
.................
First (1) Gear Position .157
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .139
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .206
...............................................
Oil .190
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .219
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .194
..........................................
Brake .196
.........................................
Clutch .197
................................
Differential .196
..............
Manual Transmission .195
..........................
Power Steering .197
..................
Windshield Washer .193
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .111
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .87
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..........................
Four-wheel Drive .150
..............................
Economy, Fuel .142
............
Emergencies on the Road .217
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .227
...........
Brake System Indicator .233
................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
.....
Charging System Indicator .231
..................
Checking the Fuses .234
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .73 .....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .231
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .232
..................
Overheated Engine .229
...........................
Emergency Brake .93
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .239
.......................
Emissions Controls .251
.............
Emissions Testing, State .254
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .68
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 154, 157
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 60, 232
.........................
Oil Lif e Display .179
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60, 231
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 189
...............................
Overheating .229
............................
Specif ications .244
.......................................
Starting .152
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 251
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 161
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .191
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor . 63
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 246
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .153
..
Drive Gear Positions, D and D . 156
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .149
....................................
Economy .142
........................
Driving Guidelines .150
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 206
3
Index
E F
INDEX
III
Won’t Start ..................................
225Floor Mats ......................................
205

Î
Oil........................
Change, How to .190
......................
Change, When to .179
......................
Checking Engine .141
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60, 231
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .189
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .251
..............................
Outside Mirrors .92
....................
Overheating, Engine .229
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks .184
..............
Panel Brightness Control .72
........................
Park Gear Position .155
...........................................
Parking .159
.................................
Parking Brake .93
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator . 60, 233
.................................
Parking Lights .71
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 159
................................
Playing a Disc .119
..........
Playing the AM/FM Radio . 107Playing the XM Satellite
..........................................
Radio .113
.............................
PGM-FI System .252
..........................
Power Door Locks .80
.................................
Power Mirrors .92
.................
Power Socket Locations . 97
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 197
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
........................
Preparing to Drive .151
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children .37
Protecting Inf ants and Small .......................................
Children .42
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 51
.....................
Using Booster Seat .52
...................
Radiator Overheating . 229
.............
Radio/CD Sound System . 107
..................
RadioThef t Protection . 129
Readiness Codes ........................... 254
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 196
.......................................
Rear Doors .81 ..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 203
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .87
............................
Rear View Mirror .92
.................................
Rear Windows .93
......................................
Def ogger .73
......................
Wiper and Washer .70
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 83
..............
Reclining the Front Seats . 86
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 154
...
Recommended Tire Pressures . 209
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
...............
Removing the Rear Seats . 89
.......................
Remote Transmitter .77
................
Remote Audio Controls . 132
Replacement Inf ormation ..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 206
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 190
..........................................
Fuses .234
................................
Light Bulbs .198
...........................................
Tires .208
.............................
Wiper Blades .206
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .23
..........
Reporting Saf ety Def ects . 260
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant . 141, 192
Index
R
P
VI