2008 HONDA ELEMENT fuel pressure

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

ÎThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
:
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
(P.61)
(P.64)
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST(VSA) SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.61)
(P.65)
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR (P.61)
LIGHT ON INDICATORSEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR (P.60)
(P.62)
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.62) SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR
(P.64)
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
(P.64) (P.63)
(P.63)
(P.60)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P.63)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATORDOOR AND TAILGATE
OPEN MONITOR (P.63)TPMS INDICATOR
(P.60,236)
(P.60,237)
(P.60,235)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS) INDICATOR (P.61)
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2008 Element

Close the f uel f ill door.
Screw the f uel f ill cap back on
until it clicks at least once. If you
do not properly tighten the cap,
the malf unction indicator lamp
maycomeon(seepage).You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK FUEL
CAP’’ message on the inf ormation
display.
even though the tank is not f ull,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery
system. The system helps keep
f uel vapor f rom going into the
atmosphere. Try f illing at another
pump. If this does not f ix the
problem, consult your dealer.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top of f ’’ the tank. Leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
Park with the driver’s side closest
to the service station pump.
Outside of the vehicle, open the
f uel f ill door by pulling its notched
edge.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
1.
2.
3.4.
5.
6.
236
If the f uel nozzle keeps clicking of f
Ref ueling
Quick Start Guide
Fuel Recommendation, Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
141
Stop the engine, and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
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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.
222
212
CONT INUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Indicator
Driving
169
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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

̵
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
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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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2008 Element

Î
CONT INUED
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .167
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .195
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor .63
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .251
Downshif ting, Manual
.............................
Transmission .159
..
Drive Gear Positions, D and D .162
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
...........................................
Driving .155
....................................
Economy .144
........................
Driving Guidelines .156
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .210
..............................
Economy, Fuel .144
............
Emergencies on the Road .221
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .231
...........
Brake System Indicator .237
................
Changing a Flat Tire .223
.....
Charging System Indicator .235
..................
Checking the Fuses .238
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .73 .....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .235
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .236
..................
Overheated Engine .233
...........................
Emergency Brake .93
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .243
.......................
Emissions Controls .256
........................
Emissions Testing .259
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .68
......
Engine Speed Limiter .160,163
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .60,236
.........................
Oil Lif e Display .185
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .60,235
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .193
...............................
Overheating .233
............................
Specif ications .248
.......................................
Starting .158
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .256
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .18 ...................................
Fan, Interior .103
.........................................
Features .101
.................
First (1) Gear Position .163
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .141
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .210
...............................................
Oil .194
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .223
.....................................
Floor Mats .209
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .198
..........................................
Brake .200
.........................................
Clutch .201
................................
Differential .200
..............
Manual Transmission .199
..........................
Power Steering .201
..................
Windshield Washer .197
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .111
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .87
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
3
Index
E F
INDEX
III
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CONT INUED
...............................
Keys and Locks .75 .................
Jacking up the Vehicle .225
.......................................
Jack, Tire .223
................................
Jump Starting .231
.......................
Label, Certif ication .246
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .71
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .16,21
...........
LATCH Anchorage System .46
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .202
.......................................
Indicator .59
.........................................
Parking .71
..................................
Turn Signal .71
....................................
Load Limits .150
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .79
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .79
....................................
Glove Box .98 ............................................
Hatch .81
........................................
Tailgate .82
........................
Low Coolant Level .143
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .63
................................
Lower Anchors .46
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a .159
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .249
.........................................
Luggage .149
..................................
Maintenance .183
.........................
Minder Indicator .61
...
Owner Maintenance Checks .190
..........................................
Saf ety .184
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .60,236
...................
Manual Transmission .159
...............
Checking Fluid Level .199
.....
Recommended Shif t Points .160
................................
Shif ting the .159
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .199 .................................
Mirror, Vanity .99
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .92
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .148
Monitor, Door and Tailgate
.............................................
Open .63
...................
Neutral Gear Position .162
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .140
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .160
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .246
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .140
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
....................
Of f -Highway Driving .179
Index
N
O
M
J
K
L
INDEX
V
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LowOilPressureIndicator....60,235
Minder ........................................ .185
PowerDoor..................................80
LowTirePressure Indicator....64, 169
.........................
Meters, Gauges .59,66
2008 Element