tow HONDA ELEMENT 2004 1.G Owner's Guide

Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). Using gloves or large heavy cloth,
turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator. 9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
11.
10.
195
113
195
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed191
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If the brake system
indicator comes on while
driving, the brake f luid
level is probably low. Press
lightly on the brake pedal if
it f eels normal. If it does
not, check the brake f luid
level the next time you stop
at a service station (see
page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. 164
195Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed194
Canada U.S.
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If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
an organization. Never tow your
vehicle with just a rope or chain. It is
very dangerous.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation. 141
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed195
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the 4WD
system. It should be transported on a
f lat-bed truck or trailer.
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Your new Honda is covered by these
warranties:
this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery. provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom a Honda dealer.
covers your new vehicle, except f or
the battery, emissions control
systems and accessories, against
def ects in materials and
workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s emis-
sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
inf ormation. a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
coveredfortheusefullifeof the
vehicle.
all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit.
genuine Honda Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other f actors.
Please read your warranty manual
f or details.
covers all genuine
Honda replacement parts against
def ects in materials and
workmanship. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2004 Honda Warranty Inf ormation
booklet that came with your vehicle
f or precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your Honda’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty inf or-
mation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2004 Warranty
Manual that came with your vehicle.
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit edWarranty Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant y
Emissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y
Accessory Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty Replacement Muf f ler L if et ime
Limited Warranty
Warranty Coverages
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions215
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CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 114
..................................
Emergencies . 179
............................
Jump Starting . 188
...........
Brake System Indicator . 194
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 181
.....
Charging System Indicator . 192
..................
Checking the Fuses . 196
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 63
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 192
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 193
..................
Overheated Engine . 190
.......................................
Towing . 195
...........................
Emergency Brake . 83
......................
Emergency Flashers . 63
.......................
Emissions Controls . 209
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 212 Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 59
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 126, 129
.............................. 186
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 54, 193
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 54, 192
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 157 ...............................
Overheating . 190
............................
Specif ications . 204
.......................................
Starting . 124
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 110
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 209
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 48
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 17
.....................................
Fan, Interior . 90
Features, Comfort and
................................
Convenience . 89
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 111
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 170
...............................................
Oil . 158
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 163
................................
Shif ting the . 125
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 63
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 181
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 162
..........................................
Brake . 164 .........................................
Clutch . 164
..............
Manual Transmission . 163
..........................
Power Steering . 165
..................
Windshield Washer . 161
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception . 97
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 77
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 63
Front Seat
......................................
Adjusting . 11
.........................................
Airbags . 22
.................................................
Fuel . 110
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 111
...........................................
Gauge . 58
................
Octane Requirement . 110
........................
Reserve Indicator . 56
........................
Tank, Filling the . 111
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 196
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 114
..........................................
Gasohol . 110
If it won’t start
Index
E
F
G
III
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.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 118
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 204
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 202 .............................
Vehicle Storage . 178
........................................
Ventilation . 92
.................................................
VIN . 202
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 157
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the . 179
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 206
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 110
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 159 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 49
..................
Warranty Coverages . 215
Washers, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level . 161
.....................................
Operation . 61
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 64
............
Alignment and Balance . 174
......................................
Wrench . 183
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 81
...........................
Rear, Def ogger . 63
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning . 61
.....................................
Def roster . 91
.....................................
Washers . 161
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades . 171
..........................
Time, Setting the . 105
....................................
Tire Chains . 176
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 181
...........................
Tire Inf ormation . 208
...............................................
Tires . 172
..............................
Air Pressure . 173
.........................
Checking Wear . 174
..........................
Compact Spare . 180
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 206
......................................
Inf lation . 172
..................................
Inspection . 174
..............................
Maintenance . 174
...................................
Replacing . 175
......................................
Rotating . 175
...........................................
Snow . 176
............................
Specif ications . 205
................................
Tire Chains . 176
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 181
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 135
...............
Behind a Motorhome . 141
................................
Emergency . 195
...
Equipment And Accessories . 137
.............................
Weight Limit . 135
.............................
Trailer Loading . 136
......................
Trailer Towing Tips . 139 Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 162
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual . 163
..................
Fluid Selection . 162, 163
..............
Identif ication Number . 202
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 127
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 125
.....................................
Treadwear . 206
.......................................
Trip Meter . 58
....................................
Turn Signals . 62
Index
U V W
VIII
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.....................................
Operation . 61
....................................
Worn Tires . 174
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 195
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
IX
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