manual transmission HONDA ELEMENT 2009 1.G Owner's Manual

If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe 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.
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 the
jack.1. Park the vehicle on firm, 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.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights, and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
3. Open the hatch and the tailgate.
4. The spare tire, jack, and tools areunder the cargo area floor.
TOOLS
SPARE TIRE
JACK
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
283
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element

Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:●You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.●You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
●Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the floor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, the shift
lever must be in Park or neutral.●Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged (see
Jump Starting
on page291).
●Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. See
Emergency Towing on page303.
If the headlights dim noticeably or go
out when you try to start the engine,
either the battery is discharged or
the connections are corroded. Check
the condition of the battery and
terminal connections (see page277).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page291).
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
289
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element

Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct
procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
You cannot start your vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:1. Open the hood, and check the physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or frozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze. Attempting
to jump start with a frozen battery can
cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electricalaccessories: heater, A/C, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in neutral (manual)
or Park (automatic), and set the
parking brake.
The numbers in the illustration
show you the order to connect the
jumper cables.
BOOSTER BATTERY
CONTINUED
Jump Starting
291
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element

The pointer of the vehicle's
temperature gauge should stay in the
midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or spray
coming from under the hood.Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road. Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake. Turn off all
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard lights.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood. 3. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the temperature gauge comes
down to the midpoint, then
continue driving.
4. If the temperature gauge stays at the red mark, turn off the engine.
CONTINUED
If the Engine Overheats
293
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element

The engine number is stamped into
the engine block.
The transmission number is on a
label on top of the transmission.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION NUMBER AUTOMATICTRANSMISSION NUMBER
ENGINE NUMBER
Identification Numbers
307
Technical Information
2009 Element

CapacitiesFuel tank Approx.
15.9 US gal (60 L)
Engine oil Change
ꭧ 1
Including filter 4.4 US qt (4.2 L)
Without filter 4.2 US qt (4.0 L)
Total 5.6 US qt (5.3 L)
Capacities
Engine
coolant Automatic
Transmission
Change
ꭧ2
1.35 US gal (5.1 L)
Total 1.90 US gal (7.2 L)
Manual
Transmission Change
ꭧ2
1.37 US gal (5.2 L)
Total 1.93 US gal (7.3 L)
Automatic
transmission
fluid Change
4WD 2.6 US qt (2.5 L)
2WD 2.7 US qt (2.6 L)
Total 4WD 7.6 US qt (7.2 L)
2WD 7.4 US qt (7.0 L)
Manual
transmission
fluid Change
2.0 US qt (1.9 L)
Total
4WD 2.4 US qt (2.3 L)
2WD 2.3 US qt (2.2 L)
Rear
differential
fluid (4WD) Change
1.1 US qt (1.0 L)
Total 1.3 US qt (1.2 L)
Windshield washer reservoir 4.8 US qt (4.5 L)
ꭧ1: Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
ꭧ2: Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the engine
Reserve tank capacity:
0.15 US gal (0.55 L)
Specifications
309
Technical Information
2009 Element

Exhaust Emissions Controls
The exhaust emissions controls
include three systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, and three
way catalytic converter. These three
systems work together to control the
engine's combustion and minimize
the amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
comes out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate from the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
PGM-FI SystemThe PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport fuel injection. It has three
subsystems: air intake, engine
control, and fuel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM) in
automatic transmission vehicles or
the engine control module (ECM) in
manual transmission vehicles uses
various sensors to determine how
much air is going into the engine. It
then controls how much fuel to inject
under all operating conditions.Ignition Timing Control SystemThis system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.Three Way Catalytic ConverterThe three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine's exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO
2), nitrogen
(N
2), and water vapor. Replacement Parts
The emissions control systems are
designed and certified to work
together in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Honda replacement parts or their
equivalent for repairs. Using lower
quality parts may increase the
emissions from your vehicle.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more
information.
Emissions Controls
317
Technical Information
2009 Element

Testing of Readiness Codes
If you take your vehicle for an
emissions test shortly after the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain‘‘readiness
codes ’’that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics for the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions. If the testing facility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle retested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle for retesting by
doing the following.
1. Make sure the fuel tank is nearly,
but not completely full (around
3/4).
2. Make sure the vehicle has been parked with the engine off for 6
hours or more.
3. Make sure the ambient temperature is between 40° and
95°F (4° and 35°C). 4. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine, and let it
idle for 20 seconds.
5. Keep the vehicle in Park (automatic transmission) or
neutral (manual transmission).
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm, and hold it there until the
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4 of the scale (about 3 minutes).
6. Without touching the accelerator pedal, let the engine idle for 20
seconds.
CONTINUED
Emissions Testing
319
Technical Information
2009 Element

DipstickAutomatic Transmission
.........
256
Engine Oil
...............................
201
Directional Signals
.......................
60
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
.......
225
Disc Care
...................................
183
Disc Changer Error Messages
...............................
126
Disc 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
...............
283
Charging 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 Engine
Adding Engine Coolant
...........
254
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
67
If it Won ’t Start
........................
289
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
58,296
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
243
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
58,295
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
251
Overheating
............................
293
Specifications
..........................
308
Speed Limiter
..................
218,221
Starting
...................................
216
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
198
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
316
Exhaust Fumes
............................
52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by
....................................
16
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
105
Features, Comfort and Convenience
...........................
103
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
2009 Element

Filling the Fuel Tank
..................
199
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
269
Oil
...........................................
252
Flashers, Hazard Warning
...........
73
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
283
Floor Mats
.................................
268
Fluids Automatic Transmission
.........
256
Brake
......................................
258
Clutch
.....................................
258
Manual Transmission
..............
257
Power Steering
........................
260
Rear Differential
......................
258
Windshield Washer
.................
255
FM/AM Radio Reception
...........
186
Folding the Rear Seats
.................
88
Four-way Flashers
........................
73
Front Airbags
...........................
9,25
Front Seat Adjusting
..................................
83
Airbags
.................................
9,25
Fuel
............................................
198
Check Fuel Cap Message
........
66
Fill Door and Cap
....................
199
Gauge
......................................
66 Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
198
Oxygenated
.............................
198
Reserve Indicator
.....................
61
Tank, Filling the
......................
199
Fuel Economy
............................
202
Fuses, Checking the
..................
298
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
202
Gasohol
......................................
198
Gasoline
.....................................
198
Gauge
.................................
64,66
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
198
Tank, Refueling
.......................
199
Gas Station Procedures
..............
199
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature...
67
Fuel
..........................................
66
Odometer
.................................
65
Speedometer
............................
64
Tachometer
..............................
64
Trip meter
................................
66 Gearshift Lever Positions
Automatic Transmission
.........
219
Manual Transmission
..............
217
Glove Box
..................................
100
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
.................................
232
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.................................
232
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
261
Hatch
...........................................
81
Hazard Warning Flashers
............
73
Headlights Aiming
....................................
261
Daytime Running Lights
..........
72
High Beam Indicator
................
61
High Beams, Turning on
..........
71
Lights On Indicator
..................
61
Low Beams, Turning on
...........
71
Reminder Chime
......................
71
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
261
Turning on
...............................
71
Head Restraints
............................
85
IndexIV
2009 Element