weight HONDA ELEMENT 2011 1.G Owner's Manual

Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:●The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.●The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.●All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages 174 and 175).●The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.●All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
●Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated (see page 212),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.Driving Safely With a Trailer
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
below.
Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. D3 is the
proper shift lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See
‘‘
Driving on Hills
’’on the next
page for additional gear information.)
Towing a Trailer17810/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover. Pour
in the oil slowly and carefully so you
do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not fill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.Recommended Engine Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certification Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute's latest requirements.
Honda motor oil is the preferred
5W-20 lubricant for your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda motor oil in your vehicle for
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certification Seal says
‘‘
For Gasoline Engines. ’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container's label.
5W-20 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
fuel economy.
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
CONTINUED
Adding Engine Oil
193
Maintenance
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Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given for a conventional motor oil, it
displays the API Certification Seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
follow the oil and filter change
intervals shown on the Maintenance
Minder display.
Engine Oil Additives
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
affect the engine or transmission
performance and durability.Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
Always change the oil and filter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the information
display. The oil and filter collect
contaminants that can damage your
engine if they are not removed
regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
1. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood, and remove the engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
OIL DRAIN BOLT WASHER
Adding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter19410/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

5. Put the socket back into the lightassembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
6. Put the cover back onto the light assembly. Push it on until it locks
in place. Cleaning the Seat Belts
If your seat belts get dirty, use a soft
brush with a mixture of mild soap
and warm water to clean them. Do
not use bleach, dye, or cleaning
solvents. Let the belts air-dry before
you use the vehicle.
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol. Floor Mats
If equippedThe floor mats that came with your
vehicle hook over the floor mat
anchors. This keeps the floor mats
from sliding forward, possibly
interfering with the pedals, or
backwards, making the front
passenger's weight sensors
ineffective.
LOOP
Driver
’s seat
CONTINUED
Lights, Cleaning the Seat Belts, Floor Mats
209
Maintenance
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Tire Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation, correct
wheel alignment helps to decrease
tire wear. If you find a tire is worn
unevenly, have your dealer check the
wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you feel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed from the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comfort and tire life. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.On vehicles with aluminum wheels,
improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle's aluminum wheels. Use
only Honda wheel weights for
balancing.Tire Rotation
To help increase tire life and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the information display.
Move the tires to the positions
shown in the illustration each time
they are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only front-to-
back.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a different
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of the wheels.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the
vehicle. Tire size and construction
can affect wheel speed and may
cause the ABS or VSA system to
activate.
Front
Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
CONTINUED
Tires
215
Maintenance
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DimensionsLength 169.9 in (4,316 mm)
Width 71.6 in (1,819 mm)
Height 70.4 in (1,788 mm)
Wheelbase 101.4 in (2,575 mm)
Track Front 62.1 in (1,577 mm)
Rear 62.3 in (1,582 mm)
Weights Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached to the driver's doorjamb
(front edge of rear door). Seating Capacities
Total 4
Front 2
Rear 2
Engine Type Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
i-VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine
Bore x Stroke 3.43 x 3.90 in (87.0 x 99.0 mm)
Displacement 144 cu-in (2,354 cm
3)
Compression ratio 9.7 : 1
Spark plugs NGK: IZFR6K11 DENSO: SKJ20DR-M11
Specifications25010/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

FluidsAutomatic Transmission
.........
198
Brake
......................................
199
Location
..................................
192
Power Steering
........................
200
Windshield Washer
.................
197
FM/AM Radio Reception
...........
130
Folding the Rear Seats
.................
88
Four-way Flashers
........................
73
Front Airbags
...........................
9, 24
Front Seat Adjusting
..................................
83
Fuel
............................................
142
Check Fuel Cap Message
........
66
Economy
.................................
146
Fill Door and Cap
....................
143
Gauge
......................................
66
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
142
Reserve Indicator
.....................
61
Tank, Filling the
......................
143
Fuel Economy
............................
146
Fuses, Checking the
..................
239 G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
147
Gasoline
.....................................
142
Gauge
......................................
66
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
142
Tank, Refueling
.......................
143
Gas Station Procedures
..............
143
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature...
67
Fuel
..........................................
66
Odometer
.................................
65
Outside Temperature Indicator
...............................
68
Speedometer
............................
64
Tachometer
..............................
64
Trip meter
................................
66
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission
.......................
161
Glove Box
..................................
100
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
.................................
174 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
..........................
153, 174
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
202
Hatch
...........................................
81
Hazard Warning Flashers
............
73
Headlights Aiming
....................................
201
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
........
202
Turning on
...............................
71
Head Restraints
............................
85
Heating and Cooling
..................
104
High Altitude, Starting at
............
160
Hood, Opening and Closing the
..........................................
144
Horn
........................................
4, 69
IndexIV10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Seat Belts
.................................
8, 18
Additional Information
.............
18
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
16
Automatic Seat Belt
Tensioners
...........................
20
Cleaning
..................................
209
Lap/Shoulder Belt
..............
14, 19
Maintenance
............................
20
Reminder Indicator and Beeper
.............................
18, 58
System Components
................
18
Use During Pregnancy
.............
16
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt
..................................
14, 19
Seats
............................................
83
Head Restraints
........................
85
Seats, Adjusting the
.....................
83
Sensors Driver's Seat Position Sensor
...
26
Front Passenger's Weight Sensors
................................
26
Impact Sensors
........................
22
Serial Number
............................
248
Service Intervals
.........................
185
Service Manual
..........................
267
Service Station Procedures
........
143 Setting the Clock
........................
133
Shifting the Automatic Transmission
..........................
161
Shift Lever Position Indicators
...
161
Shift Lock Release
......................
163
Side Airbags
.................................
28
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
31
How Your Side Airbags Work..28
Side Curtain Airbags
....................
29
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
29
Side Marker Lights, Bulb Replacement in
.......................
206
Signaling Turns
............................
60
Snow Tires
.................................
217
Sound System
............................
109
Spare Tire
..................................
222
Inflating
...........................
212, 222
Specifications
..........................
252
Spark Plugs
................................
250
Specifications
.............................
250
Speed Control
............................
137
Speed Limiter
.............................
163
Speedometer
................................
64 SRS, Additional Information
.........
22
Additional Safety Precautions
...
33
Airbag Service
..........................
33
Airbag System Components
.....
22
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
31
How the SRS Indicator Works..30
How Your Front Airbags Work
....................................
24
How Your Side Airbags Work..28
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
29
SRS Indicator
.........................
30, 59
START (Ignition Key Position).....
79
Starting the Engine
....................
160
In Cold Weather at High Altitude
................................
160
With a Dead Battery
................
231
State Emissions Testing
.............
261
Steam Coming from Engine
.......
233
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
...............................
74
Anti-theft Column Lock
............
79
Buttons
...........................
135, 137
Stereo Sound System
..........
109, 110
Storing Your Vehicle
..................
219
IndexVIII10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu