2009 HONDA ELEMENT towing

Trailer LightsTrailer lights and equipment must
comply with federal, state, provincial,
territorial, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer dealer
or rental agency for the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed for
your vehicle.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle's electrical
system and affect your vehicle
warranty.
Additional Towing EquipmentMany states, Canadian provinces and
territories require special outside
mirrors when towing a trailer. Even if
they don't, you should install special
mirrors if you cannot clearly see
behind you, or if the trailer creates a
blind spot.Ask your trailer sales or rental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
235
Driving
2009 Element

Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:●The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.●The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.●All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages232and233).●The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.●All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
●Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated (see page271),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.Driving Safely With a Trailer
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
below.
Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use the D position
when towing a trailer on level roads.
D3 is the proper shift lever position
to use when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain. (See
‘‘
Driving on Hills
’’on the
next page for additional gear
information.)
Towing a Trailer236
2009 Element

Making Turns and BrakingMake turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance for braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.Driving on HillsWhen climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the road
to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shifts
frequently while going up a hill, shift
to D3.If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in place
by pressing on the accelerator, as
this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shift down to second
gear. Do not
‘‘ride ’’the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
down and stop when towing a trailer.
Handling Crosswinds and BuffetingCrosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Backing UpAlways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing
up. Grip the
bottom
of the steering
wheel, then turn the wheel to the left
to get the trailer to move to the left,
and turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.
ParkingFollow all normal precautions when
parking, including firmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer's tires.
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page303.
Towing a Trailer
237
Driving
2009 Element

SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ 1
B
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ1and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect these items:●Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots●Suspension components●Driveshaft boots●Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)●All fluid levels and condition of fluids●Exhaust system
＃
●Fuel lines and connections
＃
ꭧ 1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE ’’does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
＃ : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page248.
NOTE:
●Independent of the maintenance message in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.●Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (2 56,000 km).●Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
SymbolMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmiss ion
and transfer temperatures. This requires transmission
and transfer fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the maintenance minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the transmission and transfer fluid changed at
60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km) (For A/T only).
4●Replace spark plugs●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid (4WD model only)
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Minder
249
2009 Element

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If
not, you will also find instructions on
getting your vehicle towed.Compact Spare Tire
....................
282
Changing a Flat Tire
...................
283
If the Engine Won't Start
.............
289
Jump Starting
..............................
291
If the Engine Overheats
..............
293
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
.........
295
Charging System Indicator
.........
295
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
........
296
Brake System Indicator
...............
297
Fuses
..........................................
298
Fuse Locations
............................
301
Emergency Towing
.....................
303
Taking Care of the Unexpected
281
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element

If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights, and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
3. Open the hatch and the tailgate.
4. The spare tire, jack, and tools areunder the cargo area floor.
TOOLS
SPARE TIRE
JACK
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
283
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element

Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:●You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.●You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
●Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the floor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, the shift
lever must be in Park or neutral.●Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged (see
Jump Starting
on page291).
●Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. See
Emergency Towing on page303.
If the headlights dim noticeably or go
out when you try to start the engine,
either the battery is discharged or
the connections are corroded. Check
the condition of the battery and
terminal connections (see page277).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page291).
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
289
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element

The Starter Operates Normally
In this case, the starter motor's speed
sounds normal, or even faster than
normal, when you turn the ignition
switch to the START (III) position,
but the engine does not run.●Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page60).●Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer toStarting the
Engine on page216.
●Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the low fuel indicator may
not be working.●There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see
page298).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find the
problem (see Emergency Towing
on page303).
If the Engine Won't Start290
2009 Element