2006 HONDA ELEMENT catalytic converter

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 several 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 .
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 how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. Driving
uphill or making turns can cause the
needle to f luctuate or the low f uel
indicator to come on early. The
needle returns to the bottom after
you turn of f the ignition.
210
207
Gauges
Temperature Gauge
Check Fuel Cap Indicator
(odometer/trip meter message)
Fuel Gauge
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Lock the doors and the hatch with
the key.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes. If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
147

Thediagramsinthissectiongive
you the dimensions and capacities of
your vehicle, and the locations of the
identif ication numbers. It also
includes inf ormation you should
know about your vehicle’s tires and
emissions control systems.................
Identif ication Numbers .220
................................
Specif ications .222
DOT Tire Quality Grading ......................
(U.S. Vehicles) .224
Unif orm Tire Quality ..................................
Grading .224
.................................
Treadwear .224
......................................
Traction .224
.............................
Temperature .225
.................................
Tire Labeling .226.......................
Emissions Controls .227
.....................
The Clean Air Act .227
Crankcase Emissions Control ....................................
System .227
Evaporative Emissions Control ....................................
System .227
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .227
...
Exhaust Emissions Controls .228
....................
PGM-FI System .228
Ignition Timing Control ................................
System .228
Three Way Catalytic ...........................
Converter .228
....................
Replacement Parts .228
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .229
..............
State Emissions Testing .230
T echnical Inf ormation
Technical Inf ormation
219

The PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport f uel injection. It has three
subsystems: air intake, engine
control, and f uel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM) in
automatic transmission vehicles or
the engine control module (ECM) in
manual transmission vehicles uses
various sensors to determine how
much air is going into the engine. It
then controls how much f uel to inject
under all operating conditions.The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work to-
gether in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Honda replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
qualitypartsmayincreasethe
emissions f rom your vehicle.
The exhaust emissions controls
include three systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, and three
way catalytic converter. These three
systems work together to control the
engine’s combustion and minimize
the amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
comes out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more informa-
tion.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor. This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
2
2
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement PartsPGM-FI System
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Ignit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Emissions Cont rols
228

The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is ref erred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Honda part
or its equivalent.Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter inef f ective.Keep the engine tuned-up.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on f ire any
combustible materials that come
near it. Park your vehicle away from
high grass, dry leaves, or other
f lammables. A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your vehicle’s three way
catalytic converter. Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Technical Inf ormation
229
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER

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