2008 HONDA ELEMENT tire pressure

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Driving Guidelines .156
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Preparing to Drive .157
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Starting the Engine .158
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Manual Transmission .159
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Automatic Transmission .161
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Parking .165
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Braking System .166
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Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .167
Tire Pressure Monitoring
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System (TPMS) .169
Vehicle Stability Assist ............................
(VSA) System .171
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Towing a Trailer .173
Of f -Highway Driving
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Guidelines .179
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer or drive off-
highway.
Driving
Driving
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2008 Element

Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).Make sure the doors, hatch, and
tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
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4. 5.
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10. 59
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Preparing to Drive
Driving
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2008 Element

Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor (not including the spare tire).
If the air pressure of a tire becomes
signif icantly low, the sensor in that
tire immediately sends a signal that
causes the low tire pressure
indicator to come on.
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly, and inf late the tire to
the recommended pressure shown
on the driver’s doorjamb.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
If you cannot make the low tire
values, have your dealer check theBecausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure indicator may
come on unexpectedly.
For example, if you check and f ill
your tires in a warm area, then drive
in extremely cold weather, the tire
pressure will be lower than
measured and could be underinflated
and cause the low tire pressure
check and adjust your tire pressure
maybecomeoverinflated.However,
Refer to page for tire inflation
guidelines.
thetirepressuresmonthly.
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212
CONT INUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Indicator
Driving
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as soon as possible, and inflate them
systemassoonaspossible.
incoolerconditions,anddriveinto
extremelyhotconditions,thetireLowTirePressure
Whenthelowtirepressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tires is
to theproperpressureasindicatedon
signif icantly underinf lated. You
thevehicle’stireinformationplacard.
should stop and check your tires
pressure indicator go out after
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
Under-inflationalsoreducesfuel
indicatortocomeon.Or,ifyou
thelowtirepressure indicator will
not come on if the tires are
monitored,youmustmanuallycheck
overinf lated.
Althoughyourtirepressureis
2008 Element

Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold and
set to the recommended inf lation
pressure as specif ied in the vehicle
placard and this owner’s manual (see
page ).
If you see this message, the system
is of f and is not monitoring the tire
pressures. Have the system checked
by your dealer as soon as possible.
This indicator comes on and stays on
if there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system.
When you restart the vehicle with
thecompactsparetire,theTPMS
indicator may also come on and stay
on after driving several miles
(kilometers).Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a f lat tire. If used, you will have to
dealer as soon as possible.
After you replace the flat tire with
Each wheel (except the compact
sparetirewheel)isequippedwitha
tire pressure sensor mounted inside
must use TPMS specif ic wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
qualif ied technician.
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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.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Changing a T ire with T PMS
Tire Pressure Monitoring
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pressure to be sureitiscorrect.

After several miles (kilometers)

driving with the compact spare tire,
the TPMS indicator comes on and the
Manually checkthesparetire
System(TPMS)Indicator
Ifyouhaveaflattire,thelowtire
pressure indicator will come on.
thecompactsparetire,thelowtire
Replace the flat tire with the compact
yourtiresservicedbyyourdealeror
sparetire(seepage 222).
pressure indicator stays on. This
low tire pressureindicatorgoesoff.
monitoring thesparetirepressure.
thetirebehindthevalvestem.You
is normal; the system is not
Thelowtirepressure or the TPMS
AsrequiredbytheFCC:
indicator will go off, after several
miles (kilometers) driving, when
you replace the spare tire with the
specif ied regular tire equipped with
Havetheflattirerepairedbyyour
the tire pressure monitor sensor.
replacethetirepressuresensor.
2008 Element

CONT INUED
The VSA system indicator (see page) comes on and stays on when
there is a problem with the VSA
system. The VSA activation indicator
will also come on.
If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e, and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer.
If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surf aces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes. When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. You will also see
the VSA activation indicator blink.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA activation indicator blink (see
page ).
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Changes or modif ications not expressly approved 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.Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
VSA A ctivation Indicator
Driving
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Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA) System
2008 Element

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
f or any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway, and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second (2) gear will
help you have a smoother start on
snow or ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not ‘‘pump’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.
Debris in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Because your vehicle has a high
center of gravity, driving over a large
obstacle, or allowing a wheel to drop
into a deep hole can cause your
vehicle to tip or roll over.
If you can’t clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
do not try to
turn around
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember A ccelerating and Braking A voiding Obstacles
Driving on Slopes
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U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
inf ormation display.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service f acility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work f ill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability.
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Maintenance Minder
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
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2008 Element

Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort.Underinf lated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,are
more prone to damage f rom road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated.
The f ollowing pages give more
detailed inf ormation on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced.
Clean the wheels as you would the
rest of the exterior. Wash them with
thesamesolution,andrinsethem
thoroughly.
Aluminum alloy wheels have a
protective clear-coat that keeps the
aluminum f rom corroding and
tarnishing. Cleaning the wheels with
harsh chemicals (including some
commercial wheel cleaners) or a stif f
brush can damage the clear-coat. To
clean the wheels, use a mild
detergent and a sof t brush or sponge.
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) warns you when a tire
pressure is low. See page f or
more information.169
If equipped
T ires Inf lation Guidelines
Wheels
Wheels, Tires
212
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.
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