2009 HONDA ELEMENT fuel

On vehicles with navigation systemThe navigation system will also
disable itself. The next time you turn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN before
it can be used. Refer to the
navigation system manual.Vehicle Storage
If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
●Fill the fuel tank.●Wash and dry the exterior
completely.●Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.●Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic).
●Block the rear wheels.●If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.●Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).●Disconnect the battery.●Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield.●To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
Checking the Battery, Vehicle Storage278
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

If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine's emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may feel no difference in
your vehicle's performance, it can
reduce your fuel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
fuel fill cap. You will also see a
‘‘ CHECK FUEL CAP ’’message on
the information display. Tighten the
cap until it clicks at least once.
Tightening the cap will not turn the
indicator off immediately; it can take
several days of normal driving. If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn off as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
If you keep driving with the malfunction
indicator lamp on, you can damage
your vehicle's emissions controls and
engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your vehicle's warranties.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the malfunction
indicator lamp may also come on
with the
‘‘D ’’indicator.
Readiness CodesYour vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes ’’that are part of the on-board
diagnostics for the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If the battery in your vehicle has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes may be erased. It can take
several days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malfunction indicator lamp will
come on for 20 seconds. If it then
goes off, the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks five times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle for an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to Emissions Testing for more
information (see page319).
Malfunction Indicator Lamp296
2009 Element

INTERIOR FUSE BOXNo. Amps. Circuits Protected1 － Not Used
2 10 A Rear Accessory Power Socket
3 10 A Daytime Running Lights/ TPMS
4 10 A ACG
5 － Not Used No. Amps. Circuits Protected
6 7.5 A Power Window Relay
7 20 A AMP
ꭧ
8 7.5 A Accessory, Radio
9 10 A Rear Wiper
10 7.5 A Meter
11 － Not Used No. Amps. Circuits Protected
12 7.5 A Daytime Running Lights
13 10 A SRS
14 10 A Remote Control Mirrors
15 20 A LAF Heater
16 15 A Ignition Relay
17 15 A Fuel Pump
18 15 A Front Accessory Power Socket
19 7.5 A Turn Signal Lights
20 20 A Front Wiper
21 － Not Used
22 20 A Passenger's Power Window
23 20 A Driver's Power Window
24 － Not Used
25 － Not Used
ꭧ : If equipped
CONTINUED
Fuse Locations
301
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element

The diagrams in this section give you
the dimensions and capacities of
your vehicle and the locations of the
identification numbers. It also
includes information you should
know about your vehicle's tires and
emissions control systems.Identification Numbers
...............
306
Specifications
..............................
308
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
311
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
...............................
311
Treadwear
...............................
311
Traction
..................................
311
Temperature
...........................
312
Tire Labeling
..............................
313
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation
.........................
314
Emissions Controls
.....................
316
The Clean Air Act
....................
316
Crankcase Emissions Control System
................................
316
Evaporative Emissions Control
System
................................
316
Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery
.............................
316
Exhaust Emissions
Controls
..............................
317 Three Way Catalytic
Converter
................................
318
Emissions Testing
.......................
319
Technical Information
305
Technical Information
2009 Element

CapacitiesFuel tank Approx.
15.9 US gal (60 L)
Engine oil Change
ꭧ 1
Including filter 4.4 US qt (4.2 L)
Without filter 4.2 US qt (4.0 L)
Total 5.6 US qt (5.3 L)
Capacities
Engine
coolant Automatic
Transmission
Change
ꭧ2
1.35 US gal (5.1 L)
Total 1.90 US gal (7.2 L)
Manual
Transmission Change
ꭧ2
1.37 US gal (5.2 L)
Total 1.93 US gal (7.3 L)
Automatic
transmission
fluid Change
4WD 2.6 US qt (2.5 L)
2WD 2.7 US qt (2.6 L)
Total 4WD 7.6 US qt (7.2 L)
2WD 7.4 US qt (7.0 L)
Manual
transmission
fluid Change
2.0 US qt (1.9 L)
Total
4WD 2.4 US qt (2.3 L)
2WD 2.3 US qt (2.2 L)
Rear
differential
fluid (4WD) Change
1.1 US qt (1.0 L)
Total 1.3 US qt (1.2 L)
Windshield washer reservoir 4.8 US qt (4.5 L)
ꭧ1: Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
ꭧ2: Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the engine
Reserve tank capacity:
0.15 US gal (0.55 L)
Specifications
309
Technical Information
2009 Element

Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is provided by
a separate telltale, which displays the
symbol
‘‘TPMS ’’when illuminated.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect
or signal low tire pressure as
intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a
variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function
properly.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
－Required Federal Explanation
315
Technical Information
2009 Element

The burning of gasoline in your
vehicle's engine produces several by-
products. Some of these are carbon
monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen
(NOx), and hydrocarbons (HC).
Gasoline evaporating from the tank
also produces hydrocarbons.
Controlling the production of NOx,
CO, and HC is important to the
environment. Under certain
conditions of sunlight and climate,
NOx and HC react to form
photochemical‘‘smog. ’’Carbon
monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas. The Clean Air Act
The United States Clean Air Act
ꭧsets
standards for automobile emissions. It
also requires that automobile
manufacturers explain to owners how
their emissions controls work and
what to do to maintain them. This
section summarizes how the
emissions controls work.
ꭧIn Canada, Honda vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specified in an
agreement with Environment Canada,
at the time they are manufactured.Crankcase Emissions Control
SystemYour vehicle has a positive crankcase
ventilation system. This keeps gasses
that build up in the engine's crankcase
from going into the atmosphere. The
positive crankcase ventilation valve
routes them from the crankcase back
to the intake manifold. They are then
drawn into the engine and burned.
Evaporative Emissions Control
System
As gasoline evaporates in the fuel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister filled with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is off. After
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery
The onboard refueling vapor
recovery (ORVR) system captures
the fuel vapors during refueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
filled with activated carbon. While
driving, the fuel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned off.
Emissions Controls316
2009 Element