2004 HONDA ELEMENT maintenance

Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
youfindeitherof theseconditions.
Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see f abric or cord.
Every time you check inf lation, you
should also examine the tires f or
damage, f oreign objects, and wear.
Youshouldlookfor:
In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
Excessive tread wear. Your tires
have wear indicators molded into
thetread.Whenyouseea3/8
inch (10 mm) wide band running
across the tread, there is less than
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread lef t on
the tire. A tire this worn gives very
little traction on wet roads.
Replace the tire if you can see
threeormoretreadwear
indicators on the tire.
Tires
Maint enance
Tire Inspection
Tire Maintenance
174
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
On vehicles equipped with aluminum
wheels, improper wheel weights can
damage your wheels. Use only genuine
Honda wheel weights f or balancing.
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Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f uture corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your Honda dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Maint enance
Checking the Battery
177
TEST INDICATOR WINDOWThe battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normaloperation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the batterymaintenance.
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Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors. Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.If possible, run the engine
periodically until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles on and of f
twice). Pref erably do this once a
month.
If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your Honda
dealer perf orm the inspections called
f or in the 24 months maintenance
schedule (Normal Conditions) as
soon as you take it out of storage
(see page ). The replacements
called f or in the maintenance
schedule are not needed unless the
vehicle has actually reached that
time or mileage. 152
Maint enance
Vehicle Storage
178
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Î
ÎThe burning of gasoline in your
vehicle’s engine produces several by-
products. Some of these are carbon
monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen
(NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC).
Gasoline evaporating f rom the tank
also produces hydrocarbons. Con-
trolling the production of NOx, CO,
and HC is important to the environ-
ment. Under certain conditions of
sunlight and climate, NOx and HC
react to f orm photochemical ‘‘smog.’’
Carbon monoxide does not contri-
bute to smog creation, but it is a
poisonous gas. The United States Clean Air Act
sets standards f or automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
workandwhattodotomaintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page
.
In Canada, Honda vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specif ied in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manuf actured.
Your vehicle has a Positive
Crankcase Ventilation System. This
keeps gasses that build up in the
engine’s crankcase f rom going into
the atmosphere. The Positive Crank- case Ventilation valve routes them
from the crankcase back to the
intake manif old. They are then
drawn into the engine and burned.
As gasoline evaporates in the f uel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister f illed with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is of f . Af ter
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
The Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery (ORVR) system captures
the f uel vapors during ref ueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
f illed with activated carbon. While
driving, the f uel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned of f .
150
Emissions Cont rols
The Clean Air Act
Crankcase Emissions Control
System Evaporative Emissions Control
System
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery
T echnical Inf ormation209
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µµ
µ
( % ) $
%."#)
This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
218 NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.
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CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator . 54, 192
............................
Jump Starting . 188
..............................
Maintenance . 177
............................
Specif ications . 205
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 109
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
...........................
Beverage Holders . 87
...................................
Body Panels . 165
..................................
Booster Seats . 45
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 133
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 110
....................
Bulb Replacement . 166 ...........................................
Fluid . 164
.........................................
Parking . 83
.................
System Indicator . 54, 194
........................
Wear Indicators . 133
.............................
Braking System . 132
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 110
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 63
........................
Brights, Headlights . 62
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights . 169
..............................
Brake Lights . 169
................
Front Parking Lights . 167
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 168
.................................
Headlights . 166
............................
Specif ications . 205
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 167
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 166
............................
Capacities Chart . 204
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 48
..............................................
Cargo . 117
........................
Cargo, . 117
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 115
................................
Accessories . 115
............................
Modif ications . 116
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 69
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 87
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 157
.............................
Airbag (SRS) . 10, 22
................
Air Conditioning System . 91
............................................
Usage . 91
.........................
Air Outlets (Vents) . 92
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 172
.........................
Normal Driving . 173
......................................
Antif reeze . 160
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 55, 134
...................................
Operation . 133
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 104
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 69
......................
Armrests, Front Seat . 74
..................................
Audio System . 94
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 107 ..............
Automatic Transmission . 127
..........................
Capacity, Fluid . 204
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 162
.......................................
Shif ting . 127
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 127
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 127
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 130
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack . 106
how to carry
Index
A
B C
I
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CONT INUED
................................
Jump Starting . 188
..................................................
Keys . 65
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 202
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 62
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 14, 19
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 166
.......................................
Indicator . 53
.........................................
Parking . 62
..................................
Turn Signal . 62
.....................................
Load Limit . 118
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 69
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 111
....................................
Glove Box . 87
.................................
Power Door . 70
........................................
Tailgate . 72
........................
Low Coolant Level . 113 .........................
Low Fuel Indicator . 56
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 54, 192
................................
Lower Anchors . 39
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 204
..............
Luggage, . 117
..................................
Maintenance . 147
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 151
.................................
Record . 154-155
......................
Required Indicator . 57
..........................................
Saf ety . 148
.............................
Schedule . 152-153
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 54, 193
...................
Manual Transmission . 125
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 163
.........................
Meters, Gauges . 53, 58
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting . 82
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 116
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 128
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 110
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds . 126 ...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 202
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 110
.........................................
Odometer . 58
...............................
Odometer, Trip . 58
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 143
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 158
......................
Change, When to . 152
......................
Checking Engine . 113
..............
Pressure Indicator . 54, 192
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart . 157
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery . 209
..............................
Outside Mirrors . 82
.......................................
Overdrive . 129
....................
Overheating, Engine . 190
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 151
Storing (Cargo)
Index
M N O
K L
V
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CONT INUED
Automatic Seat Belt...............................
Tensioners . 20
.....................................
Cleaning . 170
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14, 19
................................
Maintenance . 21
.....................
Reminder Light . 19, 54
...................
System Components . 19
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14
........................
Seats, Adjusting the . 73
...............................
Serial Number . 202
...........................
Service Intervals . 152
...........................
Service Manual . 217
...........
Service Station Procedure . 111
..........................
Setting the Clock . 105
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 127
........................
Shif t Lock Release . 130
....................................
Side Airbags . 25
................................
Of f Indicator . 27
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement . 168
...............................
Signaling Turns . 62
............................................
Skylight . 83
.....................................
Snow Tires . 176
..................................
Sound System . 94 .....................................
Spare Tyre . 180
......................................
Inf lating . 180
....................
Specif ications Charts . 204
................................
Speed Control . 107
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
.............................
Airbag Service . 27
How the Side Airbag Of f
...........
Indicator Light Works . 27
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work . 22
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components . 22
.............................
SRS Indicator . 26, 55
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 69
..............
State Emissions Testing . 212
.......................
Starting the Engine . 124
................
With a Dead Battery . 188
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 190
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment . 64
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 69
.....................
Stereo Sound System . 94
....................
Storing Your Vehicle . 178 Supplemental Restraint
................................
System . 10, 22
......................................
Servicing . 27
.........................
SRS Indicator . 26, 55
...................
System Components . 22
..................................
Synthetic Oil . 158
Tailgate
............................
Open Indicator . 57
.................................
Opening the . 72
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 169
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 179
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 206
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 209
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter . 211
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 59
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
............................
Thef t Protection . 104
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 211
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 64
Index
T
VII
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