2007 HONDA ELEMENT Owners Manual

Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
on page ).
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. Put
the radiator cap back on
tightl y. Run the engine, and check
the temperatu re 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.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark. 9.
8.
7. 6. 5.
11. 10.
239
239
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
230
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.

Let the vehicle sit for a minute.
Op en the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipsti ck (see page ). If
the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn off all electri cal
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Safely
pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page
).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action. 1.
2.
4. 3.
141
189
239
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
231
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn off as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
If
this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may feel no difference in
your vehicle’s performance, it can
reduce your fuel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damag e.
If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
fu el fill cap. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message on
the information display. Tighten the
cap until it clicks at least once.
Tightening the cap will not turn the
indicator off immediatel y; it can take
several days of normal driving. If
your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the malfunction
indicator lamp may also come on
with the ‘‘D’’ indicator. Tocheckiftheyareset,turnthe
ignitionswitchtotheON(II)
position,wi
thoutstartingtheengine.
Them alfunctionindicato rlampwill
comeonfo r20seconds.Ifi tthen
goesoff,thereadinesscodesareset.
Ifitblinksfi vetimes,thereadiness
codesarenotset.Ifpossible,donot
take your vehicle for a state
emissions test until the readiness
codes are set. Ref er to for more information
(see page ). If your vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes several
days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
Your vehicle has certain " readiness
codes" that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states and
provinces, part of the emissions testing is to make sure these codes
are set. If they are not set, the test
cannot be completed.
254
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Emissions
T esting
R
ea
d ines
sC

odes
232
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will feel the brake
pedal go down much farther before
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it to wed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and carefully.
If
the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake fluid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it feels normal.
If it does, check the brake fluid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. The brake system indicator
normally comes on when
you turn the ignition switch
to the ON (II) position, and
as a reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully
release the parking brake.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
196 239Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
233
Canada U.S.

Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all oth er
accessories are off.
If
something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, check for a
blown fuse first. Determine from the
chart on pages and , or the
diagram on the f use box lid, which
f use or f uses control that device.
Check those f uses f irst, but check all
the f uses bef ore deciding that a
blown f use is the cause. Replace any
blown f uses, and check if the device
works.
The interior f use box is underneath
the steering column. To remove the
f use box lid, turn the knobs
counterclockwise and pull the lid out
of its hinges.
The vehicle’s f uses are located in
two f use boxes. The under-hood f use
box is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side. To
open it, push the tabs as shown.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box.
1.
2. 237 238
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
234
TAB
UNDER-HOOD
INTERIOR
KNOBS

Check the smaller f uses in the
under-hood f use box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse box by
pulling out each one with the f use
puller provided in the under-hood
fuse box.Look f or a blown wire inside the
f use. If it is blown, replace it with
one of the spare f uses of the same
rating or lower.
Check each of the large f uses in
the under-hood f use boxes by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these f uses
requires a Phillips-head
screwdriver.
3. 4. 5.
CONT INUED
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
235
FUSE
BLOWN BLOWN
FUSE PULLER

If the replacement fuse of the
same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious
electrical problem in your vehicle.
Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit and have your vehicle
checked by a qualified technician.
If the radio fuse is removed, the
audio system will disable itsel f. The
nexttimeyouturnontheradioyou
will see ‘‘CODE’’ in the freque ncy
display. Use the preset buttons to
enter the f ive-digit code (see page ).
If you cannot drive the vehicle
without f ixing the problem, and you
do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse
of the same rating or a lower rating
f rom one of the other circuits. Make
sureyoucandowithoutthatcircuit
temporarily (such as the accessory
power socket or radio).
If you replace the blown f use with a
spare f use that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
f use with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.
6.
129
On EX and SC models
Fuses
236
Replacing a f use with one that has a
higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a
replacement f use with the proper rating
f or the circuit, install one with a lower
rating.

Î
Î
´
´
´ Î
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
CONT INUED
No.
Circuits Protected
Amps.
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 Power Window Relay
AMP
Accessory, Radio
Rear Wiper
Meter
Not Used
IG2 Daytime running lights
SRS
Remote Control Mirrors
LAF Heater
B Ignition Relay
Fuel Pump
Front Accessory Power Socket
Turn Signal Lights
Front Wiper
Not Used
Passenger’s Power Window
Driver’s Power Window
Not Used
Not Used
7.5 A
20 A
7.5 A 10 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 10 A
10 A
20 A
15 A
15 A
15 A
7.5 A 20 A
20 A
20 A
1
2
3
4
5 10 A
10 A
10 A Not Used
BACC
B Daytime running lights /
TPMS
IG1 ACG
Not Used 1 : Canadian models
1
1
Fuse Locations
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
237
INTERIOR FUSE BOX