2005 HONDA ELEMENT coolant temperature

If your f uel cap is loose or missing, a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears as text in the odometer/trip
meter display after you start the
engine. Turn the engine of f and
conf irm the f uel cap is installed. If it
is, loosen the cap, then retighten it at
least 3 clicks. When you restart the
engine, the message appears again.
To clear the message, press and hold
the select/reset button until the
message is replaced the odometer/
trip meter display.This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine’s
cooling system.
If the system still detects a loose or
missing f uel cap, the malf unction
indicator lamp (MIL) comes on.
Turn the engine of f and check or
retighten the f uel cap at least 3 clicks.
The MIL goes out af ter 3 days of
normal driving once the cap is
tightened or replaced. If it does not
go out, have your dealer inspect the
vehicle. For more inf ormation, see
page .
210 207
Gauges
Check Fuel Cap Indicator
(odometer/trip meter message) Temperature Gauge
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59

Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield. The heater uses engine coolant to warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming f rom the
system.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reads normally.
When you select or ,
the system automatically switches to
f resh air mode and turns on the A/C.
The A/C indicator does not come on.
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the tailgate.
Turn the temperature control dial
all the way to the lef t.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed. Set the mode control dial to MAX
A/C.
The system automatically turns on
the A/C, selects and
switches to recirculation mode.
Make sure the temperature
control dial is all the way to the left.
Set the f an to the desired speed.you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
A/C, and setting the fan to
maximum speed in f resh air mode. Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The indicator in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Make sure the temperature
control dial is all the way to the left.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select f resh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
59 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To cool the interior with MAX A/C:
If the interior is very warm,
If equipped
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Using the A /C Using the Heater
Ventilation
(f resh air mode)
92

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Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per
trip or, in f reezing temperatures,
driving less than 10 miles (16 km)
per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over 90°F
(32°C)] conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced
roads. Extensive idling or long periods of
stop and go driving, such as a taxi or
a commercial delivery vehicle.
Follow the severe maintenance
schedule if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:
T railer towing, driving with a loaded
roof rack, or driving in mountainous
conditions.
166
Canadian Owners
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
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10
16 50
8070
112
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop 150
240
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
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40
64
20
32 60
9680
128
30
48
Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km)
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
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Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3
years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000
km) or 2 years.
90
144 100
160 140
224
130
208
120
192
110
176
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km)
(Use normal schedule except in dusty condition)
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
190)
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brakes
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Inspect the following items: Tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components, driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system , fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid Follow the maintenance
schedule for severe conditions. See dust and pollen filter on page for
replacement information under special
driving conditions.
See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty on page .
1:
2:
: 185
164
1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
9.
8.
7. 6. 5.
11. 10.
217
126
217
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
208
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

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............................
Capacities Chart .222
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 47
...............................
Carring Cargo .130
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care .113
...................................
CD Changer .112
.......................
CD Error Message .114
.......
CD Changer Error Message . 115
.......................................
CD Player .106
.................................
Ceiling Pocket .86
........................
Certif ication Label .220
............................................
Chains .192
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .197
.................................
Changing Oil .171
........................................
How to .171
......................................
When to .165
...
Charging System Indicator . 54,209
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 137
.....................................
Child Saf ety .30
Child Seats ......
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
...........................
Lower Anchors .39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
............
Cleaning the Body Panels . 178..............................................
Clock .117
.........................
Clock, Setting the .117
...................................
Clutch Fluid .177
........................
CO in the Exhaust .227
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 138
..............................
Compact Spare .196
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 234
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 51
Coolant ........................................
Adding .173
....................................
Checking .126
.........................
Proper Solution .173
...................
Temperature Gauge . 59
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .227
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 56
............
Cruise Control Operation . 119
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 234
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .4, 52
Daytime Running Lights ...................................
Indicator .56
.................................
Dead Battery .205 ............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 236
..........................
Def og and Def rost .91
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 63
................
Def rosting the Windows . 93
....................................
Dimensions .222
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 62
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 175
..................................
Engine Oil .126
..........................
Directional Signals .62
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 147
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .172
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 70
......................
Power Door Locks .70
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 224
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .139
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .135
....................................
Economy .127
........................
Driving Guidelines .136
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 185
Index
D
C
II

CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .127
............
Emergencies on the Road . 195
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 205
...........
Brake System Indicator . 211
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 197
.....
Charging System Indicator . 209
..................
Checking the Fuses . 212
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 63
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 209
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 210
..................
Overheated Engine . 207
...........................
Emergency Brake .83
......................
Emergency Flashers .63
......................
Emergency Towing .217
.......................
Emissions Controls .227
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 230
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 59
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 140,143
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .54, 210
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 54,209
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 170
...............................
Overheating .207 ............................
Specif ications .222
.......................................
Starting .138
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 227
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
.....................................
Fan, Interior .90
...........................................
Features .89
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 124
Filters .........................
Dust and Pollen .185
...............................................
Oil .171
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 63
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 197
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 175
..........................................
Brake .177
.........................................
Clutch .177
..............
Manual Transmission . 176
..........................
Power Steering .178
..................
Windshield Washer . 174
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception .98 ...........................
Folding Rear Seat .77
..........................
Four-way Flashers .63
..........................
Four-wheel Drive .136
............................
Front Airbags .11, 23
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .12
.........................................
Airbags .23
.................................................
Fuel .122
......................
Fill Door and Cap .124
...........................................
Gauge .58
................
Octane Requirement . 122
........................
Reserve Indicator .56
........................
Tank, Filling the .124
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .212
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 127
.........................................
Gasoline .122
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 56
...........................................
Gauge .58
................
Octane Requirement . 122
........................
Tank, Filling the .124
Index
E
F
G
INDEX
III

ÎÎ
................
Gas Station Procedures . 124
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 59
...............................................
Fuel .58
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 141
..............
Manual Transmission . 139
........................................
Glove Box .87
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 179
................................................
Hatch .71
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 63
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .179
.......
Daytime Running Lights . 62
..................
High Beam Indicator . 56
........................
Reminder Beeper .62
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 179
...................................
Turning on .62
..............................
Head Restraints .75
.......................
Heating and Cooling .90
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 138
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 62
..
Hood, Opening and Closing the . 125..............................................
Horn .5,60
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .177
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 220
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .65
...........................................
Switch .69
............
Timing Control System . 228
........................
Immobilizer System .66
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 53
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .35
......................................
Inf ant Seats .35
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
...........................
Lower Anchors .39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 187
.........................
Normal Driving .188
...................................
Inside Mirror .82
.............................
Inspection, Tire .189
............................
Instrument Panel .53
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 63
.................................
Interior Lights .88
........................................
Introduction .i .................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 199
.......................................
Jack, Tire .197
................................
Jump Starting .205
..................................................
Keys .65
.......................
Label, Certif ication .220
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 62
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,20
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .179
.......................................
Indicator .53
.........................................
Parking .62
..................................
Turn Signal .62
....................................
Load Limits .131
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 69
............................
Fuel Fill Door .124
Index
H I
J
K
L
IV