2009 HONDA ELEMENT cooling

1. Make sure the engine and radiatorare cool.
2. Relieve any pressure in the cooling system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
3. Remove the radiator cap by pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. 4. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pour the coolant slowly and
carefully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
5. Put the radiator cap back on and tighten it fully.
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank. Fill it to halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle's
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Windshield Washers
Check the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.On U.S. models:
Check the reservoir's
fluid level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached to
the cap.
RADIATOR CAP
LEVEL GAUGE
CONTINUED
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
255
Maintenance
2009 Element

If you remove the driver's floor mat,
make sure to re-anchor it when you
put it back in your vehicle.
If you use non-Honda floor mats,
make sure they fit properly and that
they can be used with the floor mat
anchors. Do not put additional floor
mats on top of the anchored mats.Dust and Pollen Filter
This filter removes the dust and
pollen that is brought in from the
outside through the heating and
cooling system.
Have your dealer replace the filter
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
information display. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km) if you drive primarily in
urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air, or if
the flow from the heating and cooling
system becomes less than usual.Wiper Blades
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every 6 months.
Replace them if you find signs of
cracking in the rubber, areas that are
getting hard, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
1. Front:
Raise the wiper arm off the
windshield.
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the arms.
Rear:
Raise the wiper arm off the hatch
glass and hold it.
CONTINUED
Floor Mats, Dust and Pollen Filter, Wiper Blades
269
Maintenance
2009 Element

●Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made from
a porous material such as cotton.
Non-porous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.●If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches full
operating temperature (the cooling
fans cycle on and off twice).
Preferably, do this once a month.
Vehicle Storage
279
Maintenance
2009 Element

5. Look for any obvious coolantleaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see Emergency
Towing on page303).
6. If you don't find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
7. If there was no coolant in the reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower before
checking the radiator.
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.
8. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. 9. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. If you do not have the proper
coolant mixture available, you can
add plain water. Remember to
have the cooling system drained
and refilled with the proper
mixture as soon as you can.
10. Put the radiator cap back on tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see Emergency
Towing on page303).
11. If the temperature stays normal, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has gone
down, add coolant to the MAX
mark. Put the cap back on tightly.
If the Engine Overheats294
2009 Element

UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected1 30 A Condenser Fan
2 15 A Small Light
3 7.5 A Interior Light
4 20 A Cooling Fan Motor
5 15 A Hazard
6 15 A FI ECU No. Amps. Circuits Protected
7 15 A Horn, Stop
8 15 A DBW
9 10 A Back Up
10 30 A VSA Motor
11 20 A Rear Defroster
12 40 A Heater Motor No. Amps. Circuits Protected
13 40 A Power Window Main
14 40 A Option
15 15 A Left Headlight
16 15 A Door Lock
17 15 A Right Headlight
18 30 A VSA F/S
19 100 A Battery
20 50 A IG1 Main
21 － 25 7.5 A －30 A
Spare Fuses
Fuse Locations302
2009 Element

Heating and Cooling
..................
104
Hood, Opening and Closing the
..........................................
200
Horn
............................................
69
Hydraulic Clutch
........................
258
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
...................................
306
Ignition Keys
.........................................
75
Switch
......................................
79
Immobilizer System
.....................
76
Important Safety Precautions
.........
6
Indicators, Instrument Panel
........
57
ABS (Anti-lock Brake)
..............
59
Brake (Parking and Brake System)
.........................
58,297
Charging System
..............
58,295
Cruise Control
..........................
60
Cruise Main
.............................
60
Door and Tailgate Open
...........
61
DRL (Daytime Running Lights)
..................................
60 High Beam
...............................
61
Key (Immobilizer System)
.......
60
Lights On
.................................
61
Low Fuel
..................................
61
Low Oil Pressure
..............
58,295
Low Tire Pressure
.............
62,227
Maintenance Minder
.........
59,243
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
58,296
Passenger Airbag Off
...............
32
Seat Belt Reminder
.............
18,58
Side Airbag Off
....................
32,59
SRS
.....................................
31,59
TPMS
................................
63,228
Turn Signal and Hazard Warning
...............................
60
VSA OFF
..................................
62
VSA System
.............................
62
Washer Level
...........................
61
Individual Map Lights
..................
95
Infant Restraint
............................
40
Infant Seats
..................................
40
Tether Anchorage Point
...........
48
Inflation, Proper Tire
..................
271
Recommended Pressures
.......
272
Inside Mirror
...............................
93 Inspection, Tire
..........................
273
Installing a Child Seat
..................
43
Instrument Panel
..........................
57
Instrument Panel Brightness
.......
72
Instruments and Controls
.............
55
Interior Lights
..............................
95
Introduction
...................................
i
iPod
®Error Messages
................
172
J
Jacking up the Vehicle
...............
283
Jack, Tire
...................................
283
Jump Starting
.............................
291
K
Keys
.............................................
75
L
Label, Certification
.....................
306
Lane Change, Signaling
...............
71
Lap/Shoulder Belt
.................
14,19
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX
2009 Element