2007 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.
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.
Check your brakes af ter 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 and alert in your driving.Braking System Design
Braking System
160

If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock function of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conven tional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehic le 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 brake is fully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also shut
down. 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.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator.
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 drive at a safe
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.
233
233
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
ABS Indicator
Important Saf ety Reminders
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
162

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 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.
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.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D . When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to second
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
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.
bottom
3
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills Backing Up
Parking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
172

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .178
....................
Maintenance Minder .179
....................
Maintenance Record .186
..............................
Fluid Locations .188
........................
Adding Engine Oil .189
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .190
..............................
Engine Coolant .192
....................
Windshield Washers .193
.......................
Transmission Fluid .194
Automatic Transmission .......................................
Fluid .194
...
Manual Transsmission Fluid .195
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid .196
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .196
....................
Power Steering Fluid .197
............
Cleaning the Body Panels .197
.............................................
Lights .198
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .205
.....................................
Floor Mats .205
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .206
.................................
Wiper Blades .206
...........................................
Wheels .208
...............................................
Tires .208
...................
Checking the Battery .214
.............................
Vehicle Storage .215
261
Maintenance
Maint enance
177

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.
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. 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.
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.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
If equipped with body panels
Manual Transmission only
Cleaning the Body Panels
Power Steering Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid, Cleaning the Body Panels
Maint enance
197
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
MAX
MAX
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

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.
TheABSworksbycomparingthe
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the vehicle. Tire size
and construction can affect wheel
speed and may cause the system to
activate.
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the information display. Move the
tires to the positions shown in the
chart each time they are rotated. If
you purchase directional tires, rotate
only f ront-to-back.
In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
CONT INUED
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tire Rotation
T ire Maintenance
Tires
Maint enance
211
Front
Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
On vehicles with aluminum wheels,
improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s wheels. Use only Honda
wheel weights f or balancing.

Î
CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .103
.........................................
Features .101
.................
First (1) Gear Position .157
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .139
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .206
...............................................
Oil .190
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .219
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .194
..........................................
Brake .196
.........................................
Clutch .197
................................
Differential .196
..............
Manual Transmission .195
..........................
Power Steering .197
..................
Windshield Washer .193
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .111
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .87
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..........................
Four-wheel Drive .150
..............................
Economy, Fuel .142
............
Emergencies on the Road .217
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .227
...........
Brake System Indicator .233
................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
.....
Charging System Indicator .231
..................
Checking the Fuses .234
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .73 .....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .231
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .232
..................
Overheated Engine .229
...........................
Emergency Brake .93
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .239
.......................
Emissions Controls .251
.............
Emissions Testing, State .254
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .68
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 154, 157
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 60, 232
.........................
Oil Lif e Display .179
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60, 231
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 189
...............................
Overheating .229
............................
Specif ications .244
.......................................
Starting .152
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 251
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 161
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .191
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor . 63
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 246
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .153
..
Drive Gear Positions, D and D . 156
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .149
....................................
Economy .142
........................
Driving Guidelines .150
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 206
3
Index
E F
INDEX
III
Won’t Start ..................................
225Floor Mats ......................................
205

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
...............................
Restraint, Child .37
..................
Reverse Gear Position .156
......................................
Roof Rack .147
................................
Rotation, Tire .211
................................
Safety Belts . 10, 20
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting .260
.................................
Saf ety Features .9
.........................................
Airbags .11
.....................................
Seat Belts .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .55
..............................
Saf ety Messages .iii
................................
Satellite Radio .113
...................................
Seat Belts . 10, 20
...............
Additional Information .20
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .22
.....................................
Cleaning .205
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15, 21
................................
Maintenance .22
.....................
Reminder Light . 20, 60
.............
Replacing Af ter a Crash .23
...................
System Components .20
...............
Use During Pregnancy .18 ...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt .15
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .83
.............
Second (2) Gear Position . 157
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .44
...............................
Serial Number .242
...........................
Service Intervals .185
...........................
Service Manual .261
...........
Service Station Procedure . 139
..........................
Setting the Clock .130
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 155
........................
Shif t Lock Release .158
....................................
Side Airbags .31
................................
Of f Indicator .34
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .201
...............................
Signaling Turns .71
............................................
Skylight .93
.....................................
Snow Tires .213
................................
Sound System .107
......................................
Spare Tire .218
......................................
Inf lating .218
............................
Specif ications .245
....................
Specif ications Charts . 244
................................
Speed Control .133
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 24
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 36.............................
Airbag Service .35
How the Passenger Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .34
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .34
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 33
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .27
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 31
How Your Side Curtain Airbags .........................................
Work .32
........................
SRS Components .24
.............................
SRS Indicator . 33, 61
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 79
..............
State Emissions Testing . 254
.......................
Starting the Engine .152
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .152
................
With a Dead Battery . 227
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 229
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .74
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 79
Index
INDEX
S
VII