TPMS HONDA ELEMENT 2009 1.G Owners Manual

ꭧ: The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.
DRL
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
INDICATOR (P.
60)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P.
61)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.
58,295)
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA)
INDICATOR
(P.
62)
VSA OFF
INDICATOR
(P.
62)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS) INDICATOR (P.
59) LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
(P.
58,295)
DOOR AND TAILGATE
OPEN INDICATOR (P.
61)SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR (P.
59)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.
60) SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.
59)LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
(P.
61)MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR (P.
59)SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR (P.
58)LIGHTS ON INDICATOR (P. 61)PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.
58,297)
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR (P.60)
TPMS INDICATOR
(P.
63) CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
(P.
60)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP (P.
58,296)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P.
62)
Instrument Panel
57
Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS; the
system that monitors tire pressure.
With this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
Instrument Panel Indicators
63
Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

Modifying Your Vehicle
Removing parts from your vehicle, or
replacing components with some
non-Honda components could
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:●Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit that
significantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.●Raising your vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit can affect
the handling and stability.
●Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components, and are not
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS).●Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's anti-lock brakes and
other systems.●Modifying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle's
safety features can make the
systems ineffective.
If you plan to modify your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Accessories and Modifications206
2009 Element

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important information
on parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA
®) system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and
facts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer or drive off-highway. Driving Guidelines
......................
214
Preparing to Drive
......................
215
Starting the Engine
.....................
216
Manual Transmission
.................
217
Automatic Transmission
.............
219
Parking
.......................................
223
Braking System
..........................
224
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
225
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
...................................
227
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
.....................
230
Towing a Trailer
..........................
232
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines
...............................
238
Driving
213
Driving
2009 Element

Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Each tire has its own pressure sensor
(not including the spare tire). If the
air pressure of a tire becomes
significantly low, the sensor in that
tire immediately sends a signal that
causes the low tire pressure indicator
to come on.
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
When the low tire pressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tires is
significantly underinflated. You
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure as indicated on
the vehicle's tire information placard.
If you think you can safely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly, and inflate the tire to
the recommended pressure shown
on the driver's doorjamb.
If the tire is flat, or if the tire pressure
is too low to continue driving, replace
the tire with the compact spare tire
(see page282). If you cannot make the low tire
pressure indicator go out after
inflating the tires to the specified
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible.
Driving on a significantly
underinflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
Because tire pressure varies by
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure indicator may
come on unexpectedly.
CONTINUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
227
Driving
2009 Element

For example, if you check and fill
your tires in a warm area, then drive
in extremely cold weather, the tire
pressure will be lower than
measured and could be underinflated
and cause the low tire pressure
indicator to come on. Or, if you
check and adjust your tire pressure
in cooler conditions, and drive into
extremely hot conditions, the tire
may become overinflated. However,
the low tire pressure indicator will
not come on if the tires are
overinflated.
Refer to page271for tire inflation
guidelines.
Although your tire pressure is
monitored, you must manually check
the tire pressures monthly.
Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold and
set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the vehicle
placard and this owner's manual (see
page310).
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Indicator
This indicator comes on and stays on
if there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system.
If this happens, the system will shut
off and no longer monitor tire
pressures. Have the system checked
by your dealer as soon as possible.
When you restart the vehicle with
the compact spare tire, the TPMS
indicator may also come on and stay
on after driving several miles
(kilometers). Changing a Tire with TPMS
If you have a flat tire, the low tire
pressure indicator will come on.
Replace the flat tire with the compact
spare tire (see page282).
Each wheel (except the compact
spare tire wheel) is equipped with a
tire pressure sensor mounted inside
the tire behind the valve stem. You
must use TPMS specific wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
qualified technician.
After you replace the flat tire with the
compact spare tire, the low tire
pressure indicator stays on. This is
normal; the system is not monitoring
the spare tire pressure. Manually
check the spare tire pressure to be
sure it is correct. After several miles
(kilometers) driving with the
compact spare tire, the TPMS
indicator comes on and the low tire
pressure indicator goes off.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)228
2009 Element

The low tire pressure indicator or the
TPMS indicator will go off, after
several miles (kilometers) driving,
when you replace the spare tire with
the specified regular tire equipped
with the tire pressure monitor
sensor.
Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a flat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Have the flat tire repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible.
As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmful interference, and(2) this device must accept any
interference received, includinginterference that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modifications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user'sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.
Operation is subject to the following twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
229
Driving
2009 Element

Wheels
Clean the wheels as you would the
rest of the exterior. Wash them with
the same solution, and rinse them
thoroughly.If equippedAluminum alloy wheels have a
protective clear-coat that keeps the
aluminum from corroding and
tarnishing. Cleaning the wheels with
harsh chemicals (including some
commercial wheel cleaners) or a stiff
brush can damage the clear-coat. To
clean the wheels, use a mild
detergent and a soft brush or sponge.Tires
To safely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inflated.
The following pages give more
detailed information on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced.
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.Inflation Guidelines
Keeping the tires properly inflated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread life, and riding
comfort.
●Underinflated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.●Overinflated tires can make your
vehicle ride more harshly, are
more prone to damage from road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) will warn you when a tire
pressure is low. See page227for
more information on the TPMS.
CONTINUED
Wheels, Tires
271
Maintenance
2009 Element

Even though your vehicle is
equipped with TPMS, we
recommend that you visually check
your tires every day. If you think a
tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure in each tire at least once a
month. Even tires that are in good
condition may lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm
2) per
month. Remember to check the
spare tire at the same time.
Check the air pressures when the
tires are cold. This means the vehicle
has been parked for at least 3 hours,
or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Add or release air, if needed, to
match the recommended cold tire
pressures. If you check air pressures when the
tires are hot [driven for several miles
(kilometers)], you will see readings 4
to 6 psi (30 to 40 kPa, 0.3 to 0.4
kgf/cm
2) higher than the cold
readings. This is normal. Do not let
air out to match the recommended
cold air pressure. The tire will be
underinflated.
You should get your own tire
pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier for you to tell if a
pressure loss is due to a tire problem
and not due to a variation between
gauges.
While tubeless tires have some
ability to self-seal if they are
punctured, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure. Recommended Tire Pressures
The following chart shows the
recommended cold tire pressures for
most normal and high-speed driving
conditions.
On all models except SC
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
for Normal Driving
P215/70R16 99S Front:
33 psi (230 kPa,
2.3 kgf/cm
2)
Rear:
35 psi (240 kPa,
2.4 kgf/cm2)
On SC model
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure for Normal Driving
P225/55R18 97H Front/Rear:
32 psi (220 kPa,
2.2 kgf/cm
2)
Tires272
2009 Element

It is best to replace all four tires at
the same time. If that is not possible
or necessary, replace the two front
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle's handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel's specifications
match those of the original wheels.
Also be sure you use only TPMS
specific wheels. If you do not, the tire
pressure monitoring system will not
work.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner's manual.
Wheel and Tire Specifications
Wheels:
(On all models except SC)16 x 6 1/2JJ(On SC model)18 x 7JJ
Tires:(On all models except SC)P215/70R16 99S(On SC model)P225/55R18 97H See page311for DOT tire quality
grading information, and page313
for tire size and labeling information.
Winter Driving
Tires marked
‘‘M ＋ S’’ or ‘‘All
Season ’’on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best performance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
Snow Tires
If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as original tires. Mount snow tires on
all four wheels. The traction provided
by snow tires on dry roads may be
lower than your original tires. Check
with the tire dealer for maximum
speed recommendations.
CONTINUED
Tires
275
Maintenance
2009 Element