2008 HONDA ELEMENT engine

The inf ormation display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil lif e and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
inf ormation helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs f or continued trouble-
f ree driving. Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.
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.
233185
Gauges
Maintenance Minder
Temperature Gauge
68
\f—\f—y

y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your dealer.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undrivable.
If you have lost your key and cannot
start the engine, contact your dealer.
The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the immobilizer
system indicator should come on f or
afewseconds,thengooff.If the
indicator starts to blink, it means the
system does not recognize the
coding of the key. Turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK (0) position,
remove the key, reinsert it, and turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position again.
The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key.
These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
immobilizer system. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.
Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
See page for an explanation of the
remote transmitter’s operation. 77 Immobilizer System
Keys and Locks, Immobilizer System
76
Always take the ignition key with you
whenever you leave the vehicle alone.
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f\f
y
2008 Element

µ
µ
µ
µ If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key.
You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, push it in slightly. If
your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shif t lever must
also be in park.
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III).
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
CONT INUED
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
ST A RT (III)
LOCK (0)
Ignition Switch
Remote Transmitter, Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols
79
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

µµ
If the MAIN switch is OFF, the
passenger’s window cannot be raised
or lowered. Keep the MAIN switch
off whenyouhavechildreninthe
vehicle so they do not injure
themselves by operating the
passenger’s window unintentionally. To open/close the driver’s
window, push the window switch
f irmly down or up to the second
detent, and release it. The window
will automatically go up or down all
the way. To stop the window, pull/
push on the window switch brief ly. If the driver’s
window senses any obstacle while it
is closing automatically, it will
reverse direction, and then stop. To
close the window, remove the
obstacle, then use the window switch
again.
If the power windows do not operate
properly af ter resetting, have your
vehicle checked by your dealer. Pull and hold the driver’s window
switch to close the window
completely, then hold the switch
f or about 2 seconds.
Start the engine. Push down and
hold the driver’s window switch
until the window is f ully open.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position to raise or lower either
window. To open the window, push
the switch down and hold it. Release
the switch when you want the
window to stop. Pull back on the
switchandholdittoclosethe
window. If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, or the
driver’s window f use is removed, the
AUTO f unction may be disabled. If
this happens, the power window
system will need to be reset af ter
reconnecting the battery or installing
the fuse.
1.
2.
AUTO AUTO REVERSE
Power Windows
Inst rument s and Cont rols
91
DRIVER’S WINDOW SWITCH
MAIN SWITCH
Closing a power window on
someone’s hands or fingers can
cause serious injury.
Make sure your passenger is
away from the window before
closing it.
\f—\f—y

y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

Turn of f the engine, and set the
parkingbrake.Thenpulldownthe
lever, squeeze both sides of the pivot
while pushing up the red tab in the
lever, and pull the lever assembly
away from the ceiling.Push up the rear of the skylight.
Standing on the tailgate with the
hatch down, hold both sides of the
skylight and pull it toward you to
remove it f rom the vehicle roof .
To remove the skylight:
Skylight
94
Bef ore lif ting the skylight, make sure
the roof of the vehicle is dry. Rain or
remaining water af ter car-washing may
get into the f rame of the skylight. In
winter, remove the buildup of snow on
the roof .
If you try to tilt up the skylight in
below-f reezing temperatures, or when
it is covered with snow or ice, you can
damage it.
The maximum weight on the tailgate is
440 lbs (200 kg).
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield. The heater uses engine coolant to warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming f rom the
system.
When you select or ,
the system automatically switches to
f resh air mode and turns on the A/C.
The A/C indicator does not come on.
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then discharges
it through vents near the tailgate. Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reading returns to normal.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The indicator in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select f resh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Set the mode control dial to MAX
A/C.
The system automatically turns on
the A/C, selects and
switches to recirculation mode.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
A/C, and setting the fan to
maximum speed in f resh air mode.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
68
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
To cool the interior with MAX A/C:
If the interior is very warm,
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Using the A/C
Using the Heater
Ventilation
(f resh air mode)
104
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f
\fy
2008 Element

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .140
.................
Fuel Recommendation .140
.........
Service Station Procedures .141
....................................
Ref ueling .141
Opening and Closing the
.......................................
Hood .142
...................................
Oil Check .143
.............
Engine Coolant Check .143
...............................
Fuel Economy .144
...
Accessories and Modif ications .147
.............................
Carrying Cargo .149
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
139
\f—\f—y

y
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
You may hear a knocking noise from
the engine if you drive the vehicle at
low engine speed (below about 1,000
rpm) in a higher gear. To stop this,
raise the engine speed by shif ting to
a lower gear.
We recommend quality gasoline
containing detergent additives that
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 % ethanol by
volume and up to 15 % MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
On vehicles with manual transmission
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
140
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element