The ABS is self -checking each time
the vehicle is started and moved.
The ABS indicator will come on if
anything goes wrong. If the ABS
indicator comes on, the brakes still
work like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have a
dealer inspect your vehicle as soon
as possible.such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed f or the road and
weather conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also be shut
down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your Honda dealer as
soon as possible. Avoid sudden hard
braking which could cause the rear
wheels to lock up and possibly lead
to a loss of control.
it only helps with steering
control during braking. You should
always maintain a saf e f ollowing
distance f rom other vehicles. 194
A BS Indicator
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle;
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
Import ant Saf et y Reminders
134
ABS INDICATOR
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Only remove the fuse after you have
perf ormed the transmission shif ting
procedure, and the key is in the
ACCESSORY (I) position. Store the
f use in an obvious location (center
tray, coin pockets, etc) as a reminder
to re-install the fuse before driving
the vehicle.
When towing your Element f or long
periods, remove the 7.5A Accessory/
Radio f use to reduce the drain on the
battery. This fuse is located in the
interior f use box and is shown as
number 8 below.
If you tow an Element with an
automatic transmission, the
transmission f luid must be changed
every two years or 30,000 miles
(48,000 km), whichever comes f irst.
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving
Automatic Transmission
Ext ended T owing
142
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
ACC/RADIO FUSE
This f use MUST be re-installed bef ore
driving the vehicle. Failure to re-install
the f use may allow you to remove the
key with the transmission in gear.
Severe automatic transmission damage
will occur if the vehicle is not started
or shif ted f rom reverse to neutral and
then towed with the drive wheels on the
ground.
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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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Locate the jacking point nearest
thetireyouneedtochange.Itis
pointed to by an arrow molded into
the underside of the body. Place
the jack under the jacking point.
Turn the end bracket clockwise
until the top of the jack contacts
the jacking point. Make sure the
jacking point tab is resting in the
jack notch.Use the extension and wheel
wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the f lat tire is of f the
ground.
Wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully,itmaybehotfrom
driving.
Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them f ully.
Remove the wheel nuts and f lat
tire. Temporarily place the f lat tire
on the ground with the outside
surf ace of the wheel f acing up.
9.
10. 12.
13.
11.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed183
EXTENSION
WHEEL WRENCH
JACKING POINTS BRAKE HUB
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ÎÎ ÎÎ Î
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation204
Dimensions
Weights
Engine
Capacities
169.3 in (4,300 mm)
71.5 in (1,815 mm)
70.4 in (1,788 mm)
101.4 in (2,575 mm)
62.1 in (1,577 mm)
62.3 in (1,582 mm)
1.88 US gal (7.1
)
1.90 US gal (7.2
)
3.3 US qt (3.1
)
7.6 US qt (7.2
)
2.0 US qt (1.9
)
1.43 US gal (5.4
)
3.1 US qt (2.9
)
1.45 US gal (5.5
)
6.9 US qt (6.5
)
5.6 US qt (5.3
)
4.2 US qt (4.0)
4.4 US qt (4.2)
15.9 US gal (60
)
9.7 : 1
144 cu-in (2,354 cm
)
3.43 x 3.90 in (87.0 x 99.0 mm)
0.145 US gal (0.55
)4.8 US qt (4.5
)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
1.3 US qt (1.2
)
1.1 US qt (1.0)
2.4 US qt (2.3
)
2.3 US qt (2.2)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs
Fuel tank
Engine oil
See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb (front
edge of rear door).
Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine Engine
coolant Automatic
transmission
fluid Manual
transmission
fluid Rear
differential
fluid (4WD)
Windshield
washer
reservoir
IZFR6K-11SKJ20DR-M11
Approx.
FrontRear
Change
Without filter
Total 1: 2:ChangeTotal
Change Total
Change
4WD
2WD
Total
4WD
2WD
ChangeTotal 4WD
2WD
ChangeTotal
U.S. Vehicles
Canada
Vehicles
NGK:
DENSO:
Automatic Transmission
Manual Transmission
1 22
Including filter
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Î
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 118
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 204
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 202 .............................
Vehicle Storage . 178
........................................
Ventilation . 92
.................................................
VIN . 202
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 157
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the . 179
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 206
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 110
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 159 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 49
..................
Warranty Coverages . 215
Washers, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level . 161
.....................................
Operation . 61
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 64
............
Alignment and Balance . 174
......................................
Wrench . 183
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 81
...........................
Rear, Def ogger . 63
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning . 61
.....................................
Def roster . 91
.....................................
Washers . 161
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades . 171
..........................
Time, Setting the . 105
....................................
Tire Chains . 176
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 181
...........................
Tire Inf ormation . 208
...............................................
Tires . 172
..............................
Air Pressure . 173
.........................
Checking Wear . 174
..........................
Compact Spare . 180
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 206
......................................
Inf lation . 172
..................................
Inspection . 174
..............................
Maintenance . 174
...................................
Replacing . 175
......................................
Rotating . 175
...........................................
Snow . 176
............................
Specif ications . 205
................................
Tire Chains . 176
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 181
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 135
...............
Behind a Motorhome . 141
................................
Emergency . 195
...
Equipment And Accessories . 137
.............................
Weight Limit . 135
.............................
Trailer Loading . 136
......................
Trailer Towing Tips . 139 Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 162
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual . 163
..................
Fluid Selection . 162, 163
..............
Identif ication Number . 202
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 127
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 125
.....................................
Treadwear . 206
.......................................
Trip Meter . 58
....................................
Turn Signals . 62
Index
U V W
VIII
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