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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Specif ications
248
Dimensions Seating Capacities Engine
Weights 169.3 in (4,300 mm)
62.5 in (1,587 mm)
62.3 in (1,582 mm)
62.1 in (1,578 mm)
62.1 in (1,577 mm)
101.4 in (2,575 mm)
70.4 in (1,788 mm)
71.5 in (1,815 mm)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track 170.9 in (4,341 mm)
170.3 in (4,326 mm)
69.4 in (1,763 mm)Total
Front
Rear
4
2
2
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
i-VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine 3.43 x 3.90 in (87.0 x 99.0 mm) 144 cu-in (2,354 cm
)
9.7 : 1
IZFR6K-11
SKJ20DR-M11
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached to the driver’s doorjamb (front
edge of rear door). NGK:
DENSO:
Front
Rear
1:
2:
3:LX model
EX model
SC model
1, 2
3
1, 2
31
3
2
1, 2
3
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2008 Element