2005 HONDA ELEMENT tires

2005 Element Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com. Contents


Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
........................................ .ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .4
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .7
Seat belts, SRS, and child protection
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column
Features ........................................................................\
...................................................................... 89
Climate, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control, and HomeLink
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................121
Fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .135
Engine and transmission operation
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................161
Schedules, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
..............................195
Flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fuses
Technical Information........................................................................\
............................................ .219
Vehicle specifications, tires, fuels, and emissions controls
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................233
Warranty and contact information
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................237
How to order
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
Fluid capacities and tire pressures
Owner's Identification Form

The instrument panel has many
indicators that give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.
See page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more inf ormation, see page . This indicator has two f unctions:
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). It
reminds you and your passengers to
f asten your seat belts. A beeper also
sounds if you have not f astened your
seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II) bef ore f astening your seat belt,
the beeper sounds and the indicator
f lashes. If you do not f asten your
seat belt bef ore the beeper stops, the
indicator stops f lashing but remains
on.
If you continue driving without
f astening your seat belt, the beeper
sounds and the indicator f lashes
again at regular intervals.
If it stays on af ter you f ully release
the parking brake while the engine
is running, or if it comes on while
driving, there could be a problem
with the brake system. For more
inf ormation, see page .
2. 1.
210
209
209 211
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
54
U.S. Canada

Some examples are:Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer. Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with some
non-Honda components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Non-Honda wheels can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components.
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
129

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Cargo area side pockets
Door pockets Glove box
Ceiling pocket (EX model)
Seat-back pocket (EX model)
Cargo area
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages. Seat-back bungees (EX model)
Carrying Cargo
130
CARGO AREA SIDE POCKET DOOR POCKETS
CARGO AREA GLOVE BOX
CEILING POCKET
(EX model)
SEAT-BACK POCKET
(EX model)
SEAT-BACK BUNGEES
(EX model)

Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).Make sure the doors, hatch, and
tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
73
82 15
53
64
Preparing to Drive
Driving
137

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ). Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use overdrive (O/D)
when towing a trailer on level roads.
Turn of f the overdrive (O/D) when
towing a trailer in hilly terrain. (see
‘‘
’’ in the next column
f or additional gear inf ormation.)
149 150 187
CONT INUED
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving on Hills
Driving
153

Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently between 3rd and 4th
gears while going up a hill, turn of f
the overdrive (O/D) (see page ).If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 3rd
gear (manual transmission) or turn
of f the overdrive (O/D) (automatic
transmission). Do not ‘‘ride’’ the
brakes, and remember it will take
longer to slow down and stop when
towing a trailer.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed,
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
143
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ingBacking Up
Parking
154

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service and that you inspect your
vehicle. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires and check the
tire pressure.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressure.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comf ort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second gear (2) will
help you have a smoother start on
snow and ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not pump
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.
Debris in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Because your vehicle has a high
center of gravity, driving over a large
obstacle, or allowing a wheel to drop
into a deep hole can cause your
vehicle to tip or roll over.
If you can’t clearly see all road
conditions or obstacles, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
do not try to
turn around
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember: A ccelerating and Braking
A voiding Obstacles
Driving on Slopes
158