towing HONDA ELEMENT 2010 1.G Owners Manual

Cup Holders................................. 99
Customer Service .......................322
D
DANGER, Explanation of .............iii
Dashboard ............................... 3, 56
Daytime Running Lights ..............72
Daytime Running Lights
Indicator ................................... 60
Dead Battery .............................. 291
Defects, Reporting Safety (U.S. only) ....................................... 324
Defogger, Rear Window ...............74
Dimensions ................................ 308
Dimming the Headlights ..............71
Dipstick Automatic Transmission .........256
Engine Oil ............................... 201
Directional Signals .................60, 71
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .......225
Disc Care ................................... 183
Disc Changer Error
Messages ............................... 126Disc Player Error
Messages ........................ 125, 148
Disposal of Used Oil ...................253
Doors
Indicator ................................... 11
Locking and Unlocking ............80
Power Door Locks ...................80
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ................................ 311
Downshifting, Manual Transmission .......................... 217
Driver and Passenger Safety ..........5
Driving ....................................... 213
Economy ................................. 202
Driving Guidelines .....................214
Dust and Pollen Filter ................269
E
Economy, Fuel ........................... 202
Emergencies on the Road ..........281
Battery, Jump Starting .............291
Brake System Indicator .....58, 297
Changing a Flat Tire ...............283Charging System
Indicator ........................ 58, 295
Checking the Fuses ................298
Driving with a Flat Tire ...........282
Hazard Warning Flashers ........73
Jump Starting .......................... 291
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator ........................ 58, 295
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ............................. 58, 296
Overheated Engine .................293
Towing .................................... 303
Emergency Brake ........................94
Emergency Flashers ....................73
Emergency Towing ....................303
Emissions Controls ....................316
Emissions Testing ......................319
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX

Tailgate........................................ 82
Open Indicator ......................... 61
Opening the ............................. 82
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .....266
Taking Care of the Unexpected ............................ 281
Technical Descriptions
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ............................. 311
Emissions Control Systems .....316
Three Way Catalytic
Converter ............................ 318
Tire Labeling ........................... 313
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation ...................... 314
Temperature Gauge .....................67
Tensioners, Seat Belts ..................20
Tether Anchorage Points .............48
Theft Protection, Radio ..............188
Three Way Catalytic
Converter ............................... 318
Tilt the Steering Wheel ................74
Time, Setting the ........................189
Tire Chains ................................ 276
Tire, How to Change a Flat ........283 Tire Information
.........................313
Tire Labeling .............................. 313
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........................... 227, 314
Tires .......................................... 271
Air Pressure ............................ 272
Chains ..................................... 276
Checking Wear .......................273
Compact Spare ........................282
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ............................. 311
Inflation ................................... 271
Inspection ............................... 273
Labeling .................................. 313
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator ........................ 62, 227
Maintenance ........................... 274
Pressure Monitoring System ...227
Replacing ................................ 274
Rotating .................................. 274
Snow ....................................... 275
Specifications .......................... 310
Tools, Tire Changing .................283
Towing A Trailer .................................. 232
Emergency Wrecker ...............303TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring
System) .............................. 227
Indicator ............................ 63, 228
Required Federal
Explanation ......................... 314
Transmission Checking Fluid Level,
Automatic ............................ 256
Checking Fluid Level, Manual ................................ 257
Fluid Selection ................256, 257
Identification Number .............306
Shifting the Automatic .............219
Shifting the Manual .................217
Treadwear .................................. 311
Trip Meter ................................... 66
Turn Signals ................................. 60
Turn Signals and Headlights ........71
U
Unexpected, Taking Care of the .......................................... 281
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (U.S. only) .............................. 311
Index
X

Unleaded Gasoline.....................198
USB Flash Memory Device Error
Messages ............................... 182
Used Oil, How to Dispose of ......253
V
Vanity Mirror ............................. 101
Vehicle Capacity Load ................208
Vehicle Dimensions ...................308
Vehicle Identification Number ...306
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), System
VSA OFF Indicator ..................230
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System ................................ 230
VSA OFF Indicator ...................62
VSA OFF Switch .....................231
VSA System Indicator ..............62
Vehicle Storage .......................... 278
Ventilation .................................. 106
VIN ............................................ 306
Viscosity, Oil .............................. 251W
WARNING, Explanation of
...........iii
Warning Labels, Location of .........53
Warranty Coverages (U.S. only) ....................................... 323
Washer, Windshield
Checking the Fluid Level ........255
Fluid Level Indicator (Canada only) ..................................... 61
Operation ................................. 70
Wheels ....................................... 271
Adjusting the Steering ..............74
Alignment and Balance ...........274
Compact Spare ........................282
Wrench, Nut ........................... 283
Windows
Operating the Power ................92
Rear, Defogger ......................... 74
Windshield Cleaning ................................... 70
Defroster ................................. 107
Washers ............................ 70, 255
Wipers, Windshield
Changing Blades .....................269Operation
................................. 70
Worn Tires ................................. 273
Wrecker, Emergency Towing ....303
X
XM®Radio .......................... 113, 132
Index
XI
INDEX

Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and when the ignition switch
is turned to the START (III) position.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page 230).
If it comes on and stays on at any
other time, or it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. Take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked. Without VSA, your vehicle
still has normal driving ability, but
will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. See page 230
for more information on the VSAsystem.VSA OFF Indicator
It comes on as a reminder that you
have turned off the vehicle stability
assist (VSA) system.
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and when the ignition switch
is turned to the START (III) position.
See page 230 for more information
on the VSA system.Low Tire Pressure Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle's tires are significantly low onpressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page 282), and have the
flat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinflated,
call a professional towing service
(see page 303). For more
information, see page 227.
Instrument Panel Indicators
62
Table of Contents

However, carrying too much cargo, or
improperly storing it, can affect your
vehicle's handling, stability, stopping
distance, tires, and make it unsafe.
Before carrying any type of cargo, be
sure to read the following pages.
Load Limits
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 670 lbs (305 kg).
See Tire And Loading Information
label attached to the driver'sdoorjamb.Label Example
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in thismanual.Steps for Determining Correct LoadLimit
－
1. Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs. ’’on your vehicle's
placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
Carrying Cargo
208
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4. The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX ’’amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs. (1,400 －750 (5 ╳150) ＝650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of yourvehicle. Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, accessories, cargo,
and trailer tongue load must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the
driver's doorjamb.
Max Load (675 lbs) Passenger Weight (150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs) Cargo Weight
(375 lbs)
Max Load (675 lbs) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 3 = 450 lbs) Cargo Weight
(225 lbs)
Max Load (675 lbs) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs) Cargo Weight
(75 lbs)
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
209
Before Driving
Table of Contents

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important information
on parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist(VSA
®) system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and
facts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer or drive off-highway.
Driving Guidelines ......................
214
Preparing to Drive ......................
215
Starting the Engine .....................216
Manual Transmission .................
217
Automatic Transmission .............219
Parking .......................................
223
Braking System .......................... 224
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............225
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) ................................... 227
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System .....................230
Towing a Trailer .......................... 232
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines ............................... 238
Driving
213
Driving

If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, seeShift Lock Release on
page 221.
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop before shifting
into Park. You must also press the
release button to shift into Park. The
shift lever must be in Park before
you can remove the key from the
ignition switch.
Reverse (R) －Press the brake
pedal and press the release button to
shift from Park to reverse. To shift
from reverse to neutral, come to a
complete stop, and then shift. Neutral (N)
－Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop briefly with the
engine idling. Shift to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear. Drive (D)
－Use this position for
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 5) for your
speed and acceleration. You may
notice the transmission shifting up at
higher engine speeds when the
engine is cold. This helps the engine
warm up faster.
Drive (D3) －To use D3, press the
D3 button when the shift lever is in the ‘‘D ’’position. This position is
similar to D, except only the first
three gears are selected instead of all
five. Use D3 when towing a trailer in
hilly terrain, or to provide engine
braking when going down a steep
hill. D3 can also keep the
transmission from cycling between
third and fourth gears in stop-and-godriving.
Automatic Transmission
220
Table of Contents

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to tow
a trailer if you carefully observe the
load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
Break-In Period
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle's first 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page 198).
Be sure to read theOff-Highway
Driving Guidelines section on page
238 if you plan to tow off paved surfaces.
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
before starting to drive. Load Limits
Total Trailer Weight:
The maximum
allowable weight of the trailer and
everything in or on it must not
exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg). Towing a
trailer that is too heavy can seriously
affect your vehicle's handling and
performance. It can also damage the
engine and drivetrain.
Towing a Trailer
232
Table of Contents

Tongue Load:The weight that the
tongue of a fully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight. Too
much tongue load reduces front-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the trailer
unstable and cause it to sway. To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60% of the load
toward the front of the trailer and 40%
toward the rear, then re-adjust the
load as needed.
● Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is:
4,450 lbs (2,020 kg)
● Gross Axle Weight Rating(GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle axles is:
2,300 lbs (1,045 kg)
on the front axle
2,205 lbs (1,000 kg)
on the rear axle Checking Loads
The best way to confirm that all loads
are within limits is to check them at a
public scale. For public scales in your
area, check your local phone book,
or contact your trailer dealer or
rental agency for assistance.
If you cannot get to a public scale,
you can estimate the total trailer
weight by adding the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the
manufacturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.
If you normally pull the same load
each time you tow a trailer, you can
use a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge to check the
tongue load the first time you set up
a towing combination (a fully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions change.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
233
Driving
Table of Contents