2008 HONDA ELEMENT catalytic converter

This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.Your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The f irst time a leak is detected
a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears on the information display.If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the select/reset knob.
The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
will appear each time you restart the
engine until the system turns the
message of f . 236
Gauges
Fuel Gauge Check Fuel Cap Message
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
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Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Lock the doors and the hatch with
the key.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
165
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µ
Thediagramsinthissectiongive
you the dimensions and capacities of
your vehicle and the locations of the
identif ication numbers. It also
includes inf ormation you should
know about your vehicle’s tires and
emissions control systems.
................
Identif ication Numbers .246
................................
Specif ications .248
DOT Tire Quality Grading
......................
(U.S. Vehicles) .251
Unif orm Tire Quality ..................................
Grading .251
.................................
Treadwear .251
......................................
Traction .251
.............................
Temperature .252
.................................
Tire Labeling .253
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Required .............
Federal Explanation .254
.......................
Emissions Controls .256
.....................
The Clean Air Act .256
Crankcase Emissions Control
....................................
System .256
Evaporative Emissions Control ....................................
System .256
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .256
...
Exhaust Emissions Controls .257
....................
PGM-FI System .257
Ignition Timing Control
................................
System .257 Three Way Catalytic
...........................
Converter .257
....................
Replacement Parts .257
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .258
........................
Emissions Testing .259
T echnical Inf ormation
Technical Inf ormation
245
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The PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport f uel injection. It has three
subsystems: air intake, engine
control, and f uel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM) in
automatic transmission vehicles or
the engine control module (ECM) in
manual transmission vehicles uses
various sensors to determine how
much air is going into the engine. It
then controls how much f uel to inject
under all operating conditions.The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work to-
gether in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Honda replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
qualitypartsmayincreasethe
emissions f rom your vehicle.
The exhaust emissions controls
include three systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, and three
way catalytic converter. These three
systems work together to control the
engine’s combustion and minimize
the amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
comes out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems. The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more informa-
tion.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
2
2
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement PartsPGM-FI System
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Ignit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Emissions Cont rols
Technical Inf ormation
257
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The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is ref erred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Honda part
or its equivalent.Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter inef f ective.Keep the engine well maintained.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on f ire any
combustible materials that come
near it. Park your vehicle away from
high grass, dry leaves, or other
f lammables. A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your vehicle’s three way
catalytic converter. Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
258
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
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ÎÎ
CONT INUED
...................
Stereo Sound System .107
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .219
Supplemental Restraint
................................
System .11,24
......................................
Servicing .35
.........................
SRS Indicator .33,61
...................
System Components .24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .194
Tailgate
............................................
Locks .82
..............................
Open Monitor .63
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs .207
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .221
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .251
.....
Emissions Control Systems .256
....................
Emissions Testing .259
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .258
.....................
Tensioners, Seat Belt .22
.......................
Temperature Gauge .68
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .50 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
..................................
(TPMS) .169
.......................................
Indicator .65
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .131
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .258
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel .74
..........................
Time, Setting the .132
....................................
Tire Chains .217
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .223
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .251
.................................
Tire Labeling .253
...............................................
Tires .212
..............................
Air Pressure .213
........................................
Chains .217
.........................
Checking Wear .214
..........................
Compact Spare .222
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .251
......................................
Inf lation .212
..................................
Inspection .214
.....
Low Pressure Indicator .64,169
..............................
Maintenance .215
...................................
Replacing .215
......................................
Rotating .215
...........................................
Snow .216
............................
Specif ications .250
...................
VSA and Tire Sizes .172 ...................
Tools, Tire Changing .223
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .173
................................
Emergency .243
...
Equipment And Accessories .175
.............................
Weight Limit .173
.....
Trailer, Driving Saf ely With a .177
.............................
Trailer Loading .174
...........................
Traction Devices .216
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .198
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .199
..................
Fluid Selection .198,199
..............
Identif ication Number .247
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .161
..................
Shif ting the Manual .159
......................
Transmitter, Remote .77
...................................
Treadwear .251
.......................................
Trip Meter .66
....................................
Turn Signals .71
Index
T
VIII
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