HONDA ELEMENT 2009 1.G Owners Manual

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

The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without affecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is referred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Honda part
or its equivalent.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on fire any
combustible materials that come
near it. Park your vehicle away from
high grass, dry leaves, or other
flammables.
A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine's
performance. Follow these
guidelines to protect your vehicle's
three way catalytic converter.●Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter ineffective.
●Keep the engine well maintained.●Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misfiring,
backfiring, stalling, or otherwise
not running properly.
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
Three Way Catalytic Converter318
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

7. Select a nearby lightly traveledmajor highway where you can
maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph
(80 to 97 km/h) for at least 20
minutes. Drive on the highway in
D (automatic) or 5th (manual). Do
not use cruise control. When
traffic allows, drive for 90 seconds
without moving the accelerator
pedal. (Vehicle speed may vary
slightly; this is okay.) If you cannot
do this for a continuous 90
seconds because of traffic
conditions, drive for at least 30
seconds, then repeat it two more
times (for a total of 90 seconds). 8. Then drive in city/suburban traffic
for at least 10 minutes. When
traffic conditions allow, let the
vehicle coast for several seconds
without using the accelerator pedal
or the brake pedal.
9. Make sure the vehicle has been parked with the engine off for 30
minutes.
If the testing facility determines the
readiness codes are still not set, see
your dealer.Emissions Testing320
2009 Element

Customer Service Information
....
322
Warranty Coverages
...................
323
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Vehicles)
.................................
324
Authorized Manuals
....................
325
Warranty and Customer Relations
321
Warranty and Customer Relations
2009 Element

Honda dealership personnel are
trained professionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisfaction, please discuss it with the
dealership's management. The
service manager or general manager
can help. Almost all problems are
solved in this way.
If you are dissatisfied with the
decision made by the dealership's
management, contact Honda
Customer Service.
U.S. Owners:American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, California 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 999-1009
Canadian Owners:CUSTOMER RELATIONS
Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-HONDA-9
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909Toronto (416) 287-4776In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816
Tel: (787) 620-7546
When you call or write, please give
us this information:●Vehicle identification number (see
page306)●Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle●Date of purchase●Odometer reading of your vehicle●Your name, address, and
telephone number●A detailed description of the
problem●Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you
Customer Service Information322
2009 Element

U.S. Owners
Your new vehicle is covered by these
warranties:New Vehicle Limited Warranty
－
covers your new vehicle, except for
the battery, emissions control
systems, and accessories, against
defects in materials and
workmanship.
Emissions Control Systems Defects
Warranty and Emissions
Performance Warranty
－ these two
warranties cover your vehicle's
emissions control systems. Time,
mileage, and coverage are
conditional. Please read your
warranty booklet for exact
information.
Original Equipment Battery Limited
Warranty
－ this warranty gives up to
100% credit toward a replacement
battery.
Seat Belt Limited Warranty
－ a seat
belt that fails to function properly is
covered by a limited warranty. Please
read your warranty booklet for
details.
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
－
all exterior body panels are covered
for rust-through from the inside for
the specified time period with no
mileage limit.
Accessory Limited Warranty
－
Honda accessories are covered
under this warranty. Time and
mileage limits depend on the type of
accessory and other factors. Please
read your warranty booklet for
details.
Replacement Parts Limited
Warranty
－ covers all Honda
replacement parts against defects in
materials and workmanship.
Replacement Battery Limited
Warranty
－ provides prorated
coverage for a replacement battery
purchased from your dealer.
Replacement Muffler Lifetime
Limited Warranty
－ provides
coverage for as long as the purchaser
of the muffler owns the vehicle.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2009 Honda warranty information
booklet that came with your vehicle
for precise information on warranty
coverages. Your vehicle's original
tires are covered by their
manufacturer. Tire warranty
information is in a separate booklet.
Canadian Owners
Please refer to the 2009 warranty
manual that came with your vehicle.
Warranty Coverages
323
Warranty and Customer Relations
2009 Element

If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual
problems between you, your dealer,
or American Honda Motor Co., Inc.To contact NHTSA, you may call the
Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov;
or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Vehicles)324
2009 Element

Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)The publications shown below can be purchased from Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:●Call Helm Inc. at (800)782-4356 (credit card orders only)●Go online at
www. helminc. com
If you are interested in other years or models, contact HelmInc.
at (800) 782-4356.Publication
Form Number Form Description
61SCV07 2009 Honda Element Service Manual
61SCV07EL 2009 Honda Element
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
61SCV30 2009 Honda Element Body Repair Manual
31SCV660 2009 Honda Element Owner's Manual
31SCV800 2009 Honda Element
Navigation System Owner's Manual
31SCVM40 2009 Honda Element Honda Service History
31SCVQ60 2009 Honda Element Quick Start Guide
HON-R Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Service Manual:
Covers maintenance and recommended procedures for
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
for the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
for most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual:
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit in
your vehicle.
Body Repair Manual:
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
325
Warranty and Customer Relations
2009 Element

326
2009 Element