2006 HONDA ELEMENT steering wheel

Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you. Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard. Braking System Design
Braking System
148

Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your 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.
If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page . If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together
and the parking break is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also shut
down.
It only helps with steering
control during braking. such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change.
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.
211
55
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
ABS Indicator
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle. 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
Important Saf ety Reminders
150

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 to
sway. 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.
145
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ingBacking Up
Parking
156

Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL. A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment. To clean the gray composite body
panels, wash them with soap and
water only. Do not apply wax to the
panels; it will cause discoloration.
If equipped with body panels
Power Steering Fluid
Cleaning the Body Panels
Power Steering Fluid, Cleaning the Body Panels
178
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS to work inconsistently.
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires every 10,000 miles (16,000
km). Move the tires to the positions
shown in the illustration each time
they are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only f ront-to-
back. T ire Rotation Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
190
Front
Front
(Non-directional Tires
and Wheels) (Directional Tires
and Wheels)

CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .129
............
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 .142,145
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .54,210
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .54,209
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .170
...............................
Overheating .207............................
Specif ications .222
.......................................
Starting .140
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .227
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
.....................................
Fan, Interior .91
...........................................
Features .89
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .126
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 .138
............................
Front Airbags .11,23
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .12
.........................................
Airbags .23
.................................................
Fuel .124
......................
Fill Door and Cap .126
...........................................
Gauge .59
................
Octane Requirement .124
........................
Reserve Indicator .56
........................
Tank, Filling the .126
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .212
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .129
.........................................
Gasoline .124
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .56
...........................................
Gauge .59
................
Octane Requirement .124
........................
Tank, Filling the .126
Index
E
F
G
INDEX
III

Î
CONT INUED
..................................
Sound System .94
......................................
Spare Tire .196
......................................
Inf lating .196
............................
Specif ications .223
....................
Specif ications Charts .222
................................
Speed Control .120
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation .23
...
Additional Safety Precautions .29
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .28
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .27
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .26
........................
SRS Components .23
.............................
SRS Indicator .27,55
....
START (Ignition Key Position) .69
..............
State Emissions Testing .230
.......................
Starting the Engine .140
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .140
................
With a Dead Battery .205
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine .207
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment .64 .............
Anti-theft Column Lock .69
.....................
Stereo Sound System .94
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .194
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .11,23
......................................
Servicing .28
.........................
SRS Indicator .27,55
...................
System Components .23
..................................
Synthetic Oil .171
Tailgate ............................
Open Indicator .57
.................................
Opening the .72
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs .182
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .195
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .224
.....
Emissions Control Systems .227
..........
State Emissions Testing .230
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .229
.................................
Tire Labeling .226
.......................
Temperature Gauge .59
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .43 ............................
Thef t Protection .116
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .229
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel .64
..........................
Time, Setting the .117
....................................
Tire Chains .192
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .197
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .224
...............................................
Tires .187
..............................
Air Pressure .188
.........................
Checking Wear .189
..........................
Compact Spare .196
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .224
......................................
Inf lation .187
..................................
Inspection .189
..............................
Maintenance .189
...................................
Replacing .190
......................................
Rotating .190
...........................................
Snow .191
............................
Specif ications .223
................................
Tire Chains .192
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .197
Index
T
INDEX
VII

ÎÎ Î
Î
ÎÎ
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .133
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .222
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .220
.............................
Vehicle Storage .194
........................................
Ventilation .92
.................................................
VIN .220
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .170
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .151
................................
Emergency .217
...
Equipment And Accessories .153
.............................
Weight Limit .151
.............................
Trailer Loading .152
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .155
...........................
Traction Devices .192
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .175
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .176
..................
Fluid Selection .175,176
..............
Identif ication Number .220
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .143
..................
Shif ting the Manual .141
...................................
Treadwear .224
.......................................
Trip Meter .58
....................................
Turn Signals .62
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .195
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .224 ........................
Unleaded Gasoline .124
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .172
.............
WARNING, Explanation of .ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .48
..................
Warranty Coverages .235
Washers, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level .174
.....................................
Operation .61
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering .64
............
Alignment and Balance .189
...............................
Nut Wrench .198Windows
..................
Operating the Power .81
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .63
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .61
.....................................
Def roster .93
.....................................
Washers .174
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .186
.....................................
Operation .61
....................................
Worn Tires .189
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing .217
:U.S.only
: Canada only
Index
U V
W
VIII