2009 HONDA ELEMENT tow

Check the condition of the battery
monthly by looking at the test indicator
window. The label on the battery
explains the test indicator's colors.
Check the terminals for corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To remove
it, cover the terminals with a solution of
baking soda and water. It will bubble
up and turn brown. When this stops,
wash it off with plain water. Dry off the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to help
prevent future corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualified technician.
WARNING:Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle's
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative (－ ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
If your vehicle's battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting may be lost. To reset the
time, see page189.
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt
you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
On EX and SC modelsIf your vehicle's battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself. The next
time you turn on the radio, you will
see ‘‘ENTER CODE ’’in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see page
188).
NEGATIVE TERMINAL
TEST INDICATOR
WINDOW
POSITIVE TERMINAL
CONTINUED
Checking the Battery
277
Maintenance
2009 Element

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

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

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

Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page201).An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page251).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving
(see Emergency Towing on page
303). Charging System Indicator
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
295
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element