emergency towing HONDA ELEMENT 2006 1.G Owners Manual

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 .196
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .197
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .203
................................
Jump Starting .205
..............
If the Engine Overheats .207
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .209
..........
Charging System Indicator .209
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .210
...............
Brake System Indicator .211
..............................................
Fuses .212
..............................
Fuse Locations .215
......................
Emergency Towing .217
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
195

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 the START (III)
position, 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 ).212
55
140 217
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
204

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 a 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. 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. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. 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.
9.
8.
7. 6. 5.
11. 10.
217
217
128 Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
208
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.

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.
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 (seeon page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
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. The brake system indicator
normally comes on when
you turn the ignition switch
to the ON (II) position, and
as a reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully
release the parking brake.
177 217Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
211
Canada U.S.

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. If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
217
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.

CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .129
............
Emergencies on the Road .195
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .205
...........
Brake System Indicator .211
................
Changing a Flat Tire .197
.....
Charging System Indicator .209
..................
Checking the Fuses .212
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .63
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .209
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .210
..................
Overheated Engine .207
...........................
Emergency Brake .83
......................
Emergency Flashers .63
......................
Emergency Towing .217
.......................
Emissions Controls .227
.............
Emissions Testing, State .230
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .59
......
Engine Speed Limiter .142,145
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .54,210
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .54,209
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .170
...............................
Overheating .207............................
Specif ications .222
.......................................
Starting .140
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .227
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
.....................................
Fan, Interior .91
...........................................
Features .89
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .126
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .185
...............................................
Oil .171
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .63
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .197
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .175
..........................................
Brake .177
.........................................
Clutch .177
..............
Manual Transmission .176
..........................
Power Steering .178
..................
Windshield Washer .174
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception .98...........................
Folding Rear Seat .77
..........................
Four-way Flashers .63
..........................
Four-wheel Drive .138
............................
Front Airbags .11,23
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .12
.........................................
Airbags .23
.................................................
Fuel .124
......................
Fill Door and Cap .126
...........................................
Gauge .59
................
Octane Requirement .124
........................
Reserve Indicator .56
........................
Tank, Filling the .126
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .212
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .129
.........................................
Gasoline .124
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .56
...........................................
Gauge .59
................
Octane Requirement .124
........................
Tank, Filling the .126
Index
E
F
G
INDEX
III

ÎÎ Î
Î
ÎÎ
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .133
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .222
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .220
.............................
Vehicle Storage .194
........................................
Ventilation .92
.................................................
VIN .220
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .170
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .151
................................
Emergency .217
...
Equipment And Accessories .153
.............................
Weight Limit .151
.............................
Trailer Loading .152
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .155
...........................
Traction Devices .192
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .175
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .176
..................
Fluid Selection .175,176
..............
Identif ication Number .220
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .143
..................
Shif ting the Manual .141
...................................
Treadwear .224
.......................................
Trip Meter .58
....................................
Turn Signals .62
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .195
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .224 ........................
Unleaded Gasoline .124
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .172
.............
WARNING, Explanation of .ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .48
..................
Warranty Coverages .235
Washers, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level .174
.....................................
Operation .61
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering .64
............
Alignment and Balance .189
...............................
Nut Wrench .198Windows
..................
Operating the Power .81
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .63
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .61
.....................................
Def roster .93
.....................................
Washers .174
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .186
.....................................
Operation .61
....................................
Worn Tires .189
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing .217
:U.S.only
: Canada only
Index
U V
W
VIII