2007 HONDA ELEMENT cooling

Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
POWER DOOR
LOCK SWITCHMIRROR CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
A/T model is shown. HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION AIRBAGS
(P.11, 24)
(P.92)
(P.80)
(P.91)
(P.153)PARKING BRAKE
(P.93)
(P.102)
INSTRUMENT PANEL
GAUGES(P.66)
(P.59)
(P.140) (P.155)

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. Carbon
monoxide should not enter the
vehicle in normal driving if you
maintain your vehicle properly and
f ollow the inf ormation on this page.High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the
underside. Select the f resh air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconf ined area, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows: With the tailgate or hatch open, air
f low can pull exhaust gas into your
vehicle’s interior and create a
hazardous condition. If you must
drive with the tailgate or hatch open,
openallthewindowsandsetthe
heating and cooling system as shown
below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
54
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

Î
Î
: If equipped
Control Locations
58
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS
AUDIO
SYSTEM
(P.102) (P. 133)
PARKING BRAKE
(P.93)
(P.80)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P.107)
INSTRUMENT PANEL
GAUGES
(P.59)
(P.66)
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER BUTTON VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST(VSA)
SYSTEM ON/OFF
SWITCH
A/T model is shown. POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
(P.91) MIRROR CONTROLS REMOTE AUDIO CONTROLS
(P.132)
(P.92)
(P.133) (P.166)
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P.140)

The information display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil life and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
information helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs for continued trouble-
free driving. Refer to page for
more information.
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. 229
179
Gauges
Maintenance Minder
Temperature Gauge
68

The outside air intakes for the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep this
area clear of leaves and other debris.
Thesystemshouldbeleftinfresh
air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in reci rculation
mode, parti cularly with the A/C off,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to recirc ulation mode when
driving through dusty or smoky
conditions, then return to fresh air
mode.
Use the mode control dial to select
the vents the air flows from. Some
air will flow from the dashboard
vents in all modes.
Tu
rning this dial clockwise increases
the temperature of the airflow.
Tu
rn this dial clockwise to increase
the fan speed and airflow.
This button turns the air
conditioning on and off. The
indicatorinthebuttonisonwhen
the A/C is on.
When the recirculation indicator is
on, air from the vehicle’s interior is
sent throughout the system again.
When the indicator is off, air is
brought in from the outside of the
vehicle (fresh air mode). The
system automatically
turns on the A/C and
switches to recirculation mode. Air
flows from the center and side vents
in the dashboard.
Air flows from the center
and corner vents in the dashboard.
Airflow is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
floor vents.
Air flows from the floor
ve nts. When you select , the
system automatically switches to
f resh air mode.
Airf low is divided between
the f loor vents and the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
This button turns the rear window
def ogger on and of f (see page ).
73
CONT INUED
Rear Window Def ogger Button
Mode Control Dial
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button T emperature Control Dial
Fan Control Dial A ir Flow Controls
Recirculation Button
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Features
103

When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition. Your
vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated (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 affect your
vehicl e’s handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ). The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. 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 D position when
towing a trailer on level roads. D is
the proper shif t lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See ‘‘ ’’ on the next
page f or additional gear inf ormation.)
208
167 168
CONT INUED
3
Pre-T ow Checklist Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving on Hills
Driving
171

If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks. A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
192
RESERVE TANK
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.

The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
carefully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill imme diately; it
could damage componen ts in the
engine compartm ent.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Fill
the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
Check
the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
The low washer
level indicator comes on when the
level is low (see page ).
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down. 4.
5.
2. 1.
3. 6.
63
On Canadian models:
Windshield Washers
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Maint enance
193
RADIATOR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.