tow HONDA ELEMENT 2004 1.G Owner's Manual

Only remove the fuse after you have
perf ormed the transmission shif ting
procedure, and the key is in the
ACCESSORY (I) position. Store the
f use in an obvious location (center
tray, coin pockets, etc) as a reminder
to re-install the fuse before driving
the vehicle.
When towing your Element f or long
periods, remove the 7.5A Accessory/
Radio f use to reduce the drain on the
battery. This fuse is located in the
interior f use box and is shown as
number 8 below.
If you tow an Element with an
automatic transmission, the
transmission f luid must be changed
every two years or 30,000 miles
(48,000 km), whichever comes f irst.
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving
Automatic Transmission
Ext ended T owing
142
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
ACC/RADIO FUSE
This f use MUST be re-installed bef ore
driving the vehicle. Failure to re-install
the f use may allow you to remove the
key with the transmission in gear.
Severe automatic transmission damage
will occur if the vehicle is not started
or shif ted f rom reverse to neutral and
then towed with the drive wheels on the
ground.
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Trailer towing, driving with a roof
top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions. Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep all the receipts
as proof of completion, and have the
person who does the work f ill out the
Maintenance Record. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done.
If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under ‘‘severe’’ conditions, you
should f ollow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Normal Conditions. According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Honda
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
U.S. Vehicles:
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Canadian Owners
Servicing Your Vehicle
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
150
NOTE:
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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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Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Replace them if you f ind signs of
cracking in the rubber, areas that are
getting hard, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
If you are changing the rear wiper
blade, go to step 6.
Front:
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal
reinf orcement along the back
edge, remove the metal
reinf orcement strips f rom the old
wiper blade, and install them in
the slots along the edge of the new
blade.
Rear:
Raise the wiper arm of f the hatch
glass and hold it.
1.
3.
2.
4.
CONT INUED
Maint enance
Wiper Blades
171
LOCK TABBLADE
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage
the hood and the arms.
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Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f uture corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your Honda dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Maint enance
Checking the Battery
177
TEST INDICATOR WINDOWThe battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normaloperation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the batterymaintenance.
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Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors. Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.If possible, run the engine
periodically until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles on and of f
twice). Pref erably do this once a
month.
If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your Honda
dealer perf orm the inspections called
f or in the 24 months maintenance
schedule (Normal Conditions) as
soon as you take it out of storage
(see page ). The replacements
called f or in the maintenance
schedule are not needed unless the
vehicle has actually reached that
time or mileage. 152
Maint enance
Vehicle Storage
178
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This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire . 180
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 181
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 186
................................
Jump Starting . 188
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 190
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 192
..........
Charging System Indicator . 192
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 193
...............
Brake System Indicator . 194
......................
Emergency Towing . 195
..............................................
Fuses . 196
..............................
Fuse Locations . 199
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed179
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Your vehicle has a compact spare
tire that takes up less space. Use this
sparetireasatemporaryreplace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put it back
on your vehicle as soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire:Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surfaces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire. Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare tire.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to f it
your vehicle. Do not use your
sparetireonanothervehicle
unlessitisthesamemakeand
model.
Thecompactsparetirehasashorter
tread lif e than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
Thecompactsparetireisnot
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed180
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
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If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or Reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Open the hatch and the tailgate.
The spare tire, jack, and tools are
under the cargo area f loor.
1. 2.
3. 4.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed181
TOOLS
SPARE TIRE
JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by thejack.
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Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page . Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
66
124 196
195
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed187
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