2008 HONDA ELEMENT cooling

2008 Element Online Reference Owner's Manual
Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety .............................................................................................................................. iii Important Handling Information .................................................................................................................... iv
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) .................................................................................................... 4
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) .................................................... 7
Instruments and Controls
(indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column)
............................................ 57
Features (heating and cooling
, audio, steering wheel, and cruise control)
........................................................... 101
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ..................................................................... 139
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ................................................................................................ 155
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 183
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) ............................. 221
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 245
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 261
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ......................................................................................... 265
Index ............................................................................................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
1 00X31-SCV-6502

Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
POWER DOOR
LOCK SWITCHMIRROR CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
A/T model is shown. HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (P.92)
(P.80)
(P.91) PARKING BRAKE
(P.93)
(P.102)
INSTRUMENT PANEL
GAUGES (P.66)
(P.59)
(P.142) (P.161)
(P.159) DRIVER’S FRONT
AIRBAG
(P.11,27)
PASSENGER’S
FRONT AIRBAG
(P.11,34)
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Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. Carbon
monoxide should not enter the
vehicle in normal driving if you
maintain your vehicle properly and
f ollow the inf ormation on this page.High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the
underside. Select the f resh air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconf ined area, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows:
With the tailgate or hatch open, air
f low can pull exhaust gas into your
vehicle’s interior and create a
hazardous condition. If you must
drive with the tailgate or hatch open,
openallthewindowsandsetthe
heating and cooling system as shown
below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
54
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
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Î
Î
: If equipped
Control L ocations
58
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLSCRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.102)
PARKING BRAKE
(P.93)
(P.80)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P.107)
INSTRUMENT PANEL
GAUGES
(P.59)
(P.66)
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER BUTTON VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST(VSA)
SYSTEM ON/OFF
SWITCH
A/T model is shown.
POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
(P.91)
MIRROR CONTROLS REMOTE AUDIO CONTROLS
(P.92)
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE(P.134)
(P.172)
(P.135)
(P.135)
(P.142)
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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
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The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep this
area clear of leaves and other debris.
Thesystemshouldbeleftinfresh
air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to recirculation mode when
driving through dusty or smoky
conditions, then return to fresh air
mode.
Use the mode control dial to select
the vents the air flows from. Some
air will f low f rom the dashboard
vents in all modes.
Turning this dial clockwise increases
the temperature of the airflow.
Turn this dial clockwise to increase
the fan speed and airflow.
This button turns the air
conditioning on and of f . The
indicatorinthebuttonisonwhen
the A/C is on.
When the recirculation indicator is
on, air f rom the vehicle’s interior is
sent throughout the system again.
When the indicator is off, air is
brought in f rom the outside of the
vehicle (fresh air mode). The system automatically
turns on the A/C and
switches to recirculation mode. Air
f lows f rom the center and side vents
in the dashboard.
Air flows from the center
and corner vents in the dashboard.
Airf low is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
f loor vents.
Air f lows f rom the f loor
vents. When you select , the
system automatically switches to
f resh air mode.
Airf low is divided between
the f loor vents and the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
This button turns the rear window
def ogger on and of f (see page ).
73
CONT INUED
Rear Window Def ogger Button
Mode Control Dial
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
T emperature Control Dial
Fan Control Dial
A ir Flow Controls
Recirculation Button
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Features
103
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When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use D position when
towing a trailer on level roads. D is
the proper shif t lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See ‘‘ ’’ on the next
page f or additional gear inf ormation.)
173174 212
CONT INUED
3
Pre-T ow Checklist Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving on Hills
Driving
177
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If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
196
RESERVE TANK
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.
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