2007 HONDA ELEMENT emergency towing

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .218
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .225
................................
Jump Starting .227
..............
If the Engine Overheats .229
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .231
..........
Charging System Indicator .231
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .232
...............
Brake System Indicator .233
..............................................
Fuses .234
..............................
Fuse Locations .237
......................
Emergency Towing .239
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
217

Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
In
this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to
on page . Do
you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the low fuel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page ).
Ifyoufindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualified technician to find
the problem (see
on page ).
62 234
239
152
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
226

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.

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.

The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required. If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
239
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the 4WD
system. It should be transported on a
f lat-bed truck or trailer.

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
Tailgete............................................
Locks .82
..............................
Open Monitor .63
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs .203
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .217
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .246
.....
Emissions Control Systems .251
..........
State Emissions Testing .254
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .253
.....................
Tensioners, Seat Belt .22
.......................
Temperature Gauge .68
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .50 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
..................................
(TPMS) .163
.......................................
Indicator .65
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .129
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .253
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel .74
..........................
Time, Setting the .130
....................................
Tire Chains .213
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .219
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .246
.................................
Tire Labeling .248
...............................................
Tires .208
..............................
Air Pressure .209
.........................
Checking Wear .210
..........................
Compact Spare .218
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .246
......................................
Inf lation .208
..................................
Inspection .210
.....
Low Pressure Indicator . 64, 163
..............................
Maintenance .211
...................................
Replacing .211
......................................
Rotating .211
...........................................
Snow .213
............................
Specif ications .245
................................
Tire Chains .213
...................
VSA and Tire Sizes .166 ...................
Tools, Tire Changing .219
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .167
................................
Emergency .239
...
Equipment And Accessories .169
.............................
Weight Limit .167
.....
Trailer, Driving Saf ely With a .171
.............................
Trailer Loading .168
...........................
Traction Devices .213
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .194
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .195
..................
Fluid Selection . 194, 195
..............
Identif ication Number .243
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 155
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 153
......................
Transmitter, Remote .77
...................................
Treadwear .246
.......................................
Trip Meter .66
....................................
Turn Signals .71
...................
Stereo Sound System . 107
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .215
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System . 11, 24
......................................
Servicing .35
.........................
SRS Indicator . 33, 61
...................
System Components . 24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .190
Index
T
VIII
Turn Signal and Hazard
Warning Indicators .................. 62

ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .217
..
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . 246
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .138
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .191 .......................................
XM Radio .113
..................................
Vanity Mirror .99
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .146
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .244
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .242
.............................
Vehicle Storage .215
.....................................
Ventilation .104
.................................................
VIN .242
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .189
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .165
.............................
VSA Of f Switch .166
VSA System and Activation
.....................................
Indicators .64 ............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .55
..................
Warranty Coverages . 259
Washers, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level .193
.....................................
Operation .70
...........................................
Wheels .208
...............
Adjusting the Steering .74
............
Alignment and Balance .211
..............................
Replacement .211
............................
Specif ications .212
...............................
Nut Wrench .220
Windows ..................
Operating the Power .91
..............................................
Rear .93
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .73
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .70
...................................
Def roster .105
.....................................
Washers .193
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .206
.....................................
Operation .70
....................................
Worn Tires .210 .....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing .239
:U.S.only
: Canada only
Index
INDEX
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