2008 HONDA ELEMENT check engine

Insert the key in the shift lock
release slot.
Push down on the key while you
pressthereleasebuttononthe
shif t lever and move the shif t lever
out of Park to neutral.
Put a cloth on the edge of the shif t
lock release slot cover next to the
shif t lever. Using a f lat-tip
screwdriver, caref ully pry on the
edge of the cover to remove it. Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot, then reinstall the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the right side. Press
the brake pedal, and restart the
engine.
If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by your dealer.
3. 4. 5.6.
Automatic Transmission
164
COVER
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element

Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, conf using
drivers behind you.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.Braking System Design
Braking System
166
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f

y
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.
222
212
CONT INUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Indicator
Driving
169
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f
y

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

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 % of the total
trailer weight. Too much tongue
load reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
Be sure to read the
on page
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy
can seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
179
Driving Of f -
Highway Guidelines section
CONT INUED
Load Limits
Tongue Load:
T otal T railer Weight:
Towing a Trailer
Driving
173
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .184
....................
Maintenance Minder .185
..............................
Fluid Locations .192
........................
Adding Engine Oil .193
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .194
..............................
Engine Coolant .196
....................
Windshield Washers .197
.......................
Transmission Fluid .198
Automatic Transmission .......................................
Fluid .198
...
Manual Transsmission Fluid .199
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid .200
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .200
....................
Power Steering Fluid .201
............
Cleaning the Body Panels .201
.............................................
Lights .202
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .209
.....................................
Floor Mats .209
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .210
.................................
Wiper Blades .210
...........................................
Wheels .212
...............................................
Tires .212
...................
Checking the Battery .218
.............................
Vehicle Storage .219
265
Maintenance
Maint enance
183
\f—\f—y
\f\f
y
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element

̵
µµ
µ
µ
µ
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.
143
143
198 200
213
202
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
190
\f—\f—y
\f

y
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element

Î
Î
Ì Ì
Î
Ì
ÎÎ
Maintenance Minder
191
:See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Independent of the maintenance items in the information display, replace
the brake fluid every 3 years.
NOTE: 1:
2:
190
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds results in higher transmission temperatures.
This requires transmission fluid changes more
frequently than recommended by the maintenance
minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under
these conditions, have the transmission fluid
changed at 60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) .
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid (4WD model only)
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
Automatic transmission
61
1
2
Maintenance Minder
\f—\f—y
\f
y
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element

The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Install the engine oil
f ill cap, and tighten it securely. Wait
a f ew minutes, and recheck the oil
level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine. Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
certif ication seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Honda motor oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda motor oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API certif ication seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
193
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEALAmbient Temperature
\f—\f—y
\f
y
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element