light HONDA ELEMENT 2011 1.G Owner's Guide

Trailer LightsTrailer lights and equipment must
comply with federal, state, provincial,
territorial, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer dealer
or rental agency for the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed for
your vehicle.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle's electrical
system and affect your vehicle
warranty.
Additional Towing EquipmentMany states require special outside
mirrors when towing a trailer. Even if
they don't, you should install special
mirrors if you cannot clearly see
behind you, or if the trailer creates a
blind spot.Ask your trailer sales or rental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
177
Driving
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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.)
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This section explains why it is important
to keep your vehicle well maintained and
how to follow basic maintenance safety
precautions.
This section also includes instructions
on how to read the Maintenance Minder
messages on the information display,
and instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want to
purchase the service manual. See page
267 for information on how to obtain a
copy, or see your dealer.Maintenance, replacement, or repair
of emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment or
individual using parts that are
‘‘
certified ’’to EPA standards.
Maintenance Safety
.....................
184
Maintenance Minder
TM
...............
185
Fluid Locations
...........................
192
Adding Engine Oil
......................
193
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
.......................................
194
Engine Coolant
...........................
196
Windshield Washers
...................
197
Automatic Transmission Fluid
....
198
Brake Fluid
.................................
199
Power Steering Fluid
..................
200
Cleaning the Body Panels
...........
201
Lights
..........................................
201
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
209
Floor Mats
..................................
209
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
210
Wiper Blades
..............................
210
Wheels
........................................
212
Tires
...........................................
212
Checking the Battery
..................
218
Vehicle Storage
...........................
219
Maintenance
183
Maintenance
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However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect. Maintenance may be done by
any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service facility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work fill out your
Honda Service History. Check your
warranty booklet for more
information.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manufactured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their performance and durability.According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with
＃will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the information
display.
Owner's Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If you
are unsure of how to perform any
check, turn to the appropriate page
listed.
●Engine oil level －Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page
145.●Engine coolant level －Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 145.●Automatic transmission －Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
198.
●Brakes －Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 199.●Tires －Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
212.●Lights －Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 201.
Maintenance Minder
TM
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A low power steering fluid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.
Turning the steering wheel to full left or
right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Cleaning the Body PanelsIf equipped with body panelsTo clean the gray composite body
panels, wash them with soap and
water only. Do not apply wax to the
panels; it will cause discoloration.Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustments should be done by your
dealer or another qualified
technician.
CONTINUED
Power Steering Fluid, Cleaning the Body Panels, Lights
201
Maintenance
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Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. Handle it by its steel base and
protect the glass from contact with
your skin or hard objects. If you
touch the glass, clean it with
denatured alcohol and a clean cloth.Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.If you need to change the
headlight bulb on the driver's side,
remove the front end of the air
intake duct by pulling it out.
2. Remove the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
3. Remove the rubber weather seal by pulling on the tab.
4. Unclip the end of the hold-down wire from its slot. Pivot the wire
out of the way, then remove the
bulb.
AIR INTAKE DUCT
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5. Install the new bulb into the hole,making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
6. Install the rubber seal over the back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure one of the three arrows
on the rubber seal is facing up; it is
marked ‘‘
’’.
7. Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb.
8. (Driver's side) Install the front end of the air
intake duct. Replacing a Daytime Running
Light Bulb
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
3. Remove the bulb by turning it one- quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. Insert the new bulb into the hole, and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place. 5. Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
6. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
TAB
CONTINUED
Lights
203
Maintenance
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Replacing a Front Parking/Turn
Signal Light Bulb1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the socket from theheadlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
3. Remove the bulb from the socket by pushing the bulb in and turning
it counterclockwise until it
unlocks. 4. Install the new bulb in the socket
by pushing the bulb in and turning
it clockwise until it locks.
5. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working. Replacing a Side Turn Signal Bulb
1. If you are changing the bulb on the
driver's side, start the engine, turn
the steering wheel all the way to
the left, and turn off the engine. If
you are changing the bulb on the
passenger's side, turn the steering
wheel to the right.
2. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the three holding screws,
and remove the wheel arch
protector from the inner fender.
WHEEL ARCH PROTECTOR
SCREWS
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3. Use a flat-tip screwdriver toremove the holding clip from the
inner fender.
4. Pull the inner fender cover away from the fender.
5. Remove the socket from the turnsignal assembly by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.
6. Pull the burned out bulb straight out of its socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
7. Insert the socket back into the turn signal assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
8. Turn on the lights to make sure the new bulb is working. 9. Put the inner fender cover in place.
Install the holding clip.
Lock the clip in place by pushing
on the center.
Install the wheel arch protector
and tighten the screws securely.
CLIP
CONTINUED
Lights
205
Maintenance
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Replacing a Front Side Marker
Light Bulb1. Open the hood.To change the driver's side,
remove the front end of the air
intake duct by pulling it out (see
page 202).
2. Remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise. 3. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
4. Reinstall the socket into the light assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
5. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
6. Install the front end of the air intake duct. Replacing Rear Bulbs
1. Open the hatch and the tailgate.
Remove the two mounting screws
with a Phillips-head screwdriver,
and remove the taillight assembly
from the body by pulling it back.
2. Determine which of the four bulbs is burned out: brake/taillight, turn
signal light, side marker light, or
back-up light.
SCREW
SCREW
TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY
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