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.
The malfunction indicator lamp may
also come on with the
‘‘D ’’indicator. Readiness Codes
Your 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.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp23610/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
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
...............
248
Specifications
..............................
250
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
253
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
...............................
253
Treadwear
...............................
253
Traction
..................................
253
Temperature
...........................
254
Tire Labeling
..............................
255
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) -Required Federal
Explanation
.........................
256
Emissions Controls
.....................
258
The Clean Air Act
....................
258
Crankcase Emissions Control System
................................
258
Evaporative Emissions Control
System
................................
258
Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery
.............................
258
Exhaust Emissions
Controls
..............................
259 Three Way Catalytic
Converter
................................
260
Emissions Testing
.......................
261
Technical Information
247
Technical Information
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
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 Change
ꭧ 2
1.35 US gal (5.1 L)
Total 1.90 US gal (7.2 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)
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
251
Technical Information
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
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 sets
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.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 Controls25810/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Bulbs, Halogen
..........................
202
Bungee Cords
............................
155
C
Capacities Chart
.........................
251
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
............
52
Cargo
.........................................
151
Cargo Area Light
..........................
96
Cargo Hooks
..............................
156
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
151
Carrying Cargo
..........................
151
CAUTION, Explanation of
............
iii
CD Care
.....................................
127
Ceiling Light
................................
96
Certification Label
......................
248
Chains, Tires
..............................
217
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
223
Changing Oil How to
....................................
194
When to
..................................
185
Charging System Indicator
...........................
58, 235
Check Fuel Cap Message
............
66
Checklist, Before Driving
...........
159 Child Safety
..................................
35
Booster Seats
...........................
50
Child Seats
....................
40, 41, 42
Important Safety Reminders
.....
39
Infants
......................................
40
Larger Children
.......................
49
LATCH
.....................................
44
Risks with Airbags
...................
36
Small Children
.........................
41
Tethers
....................................
48
Warning Labels
........................
37
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
36
Child Seats
.............................
35, 42
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
44
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
48
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
209
Clock
..........................................
133
Code, Audio System
...................
132
CO in the Exhaust
................
52, 258
Cold Weather, Starting in
...........
160
Compact Spare Tire
....................
222
Controls, Instruments and
............
55
Coolant Adding
....................................
196
Checking
................................
145
Proper Solution
.......................
196 Temperature Gauge
.................
67
Cooler Box
...................................
98
Crankcase Emissions Control System
...................................
258
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
60
Cruise Control Operation
...........
137
Cruise Main Indicator
..................
60
Cup Holders
.................................
99
Customer Service
.......................
264
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 56
Daytime Running Lights
..............
72
Daytime Running Lights Indicator
...................................
60
Dead Battery
..............................
231
Defects, Reporting Safety
...........
266
Defogger, Rear Window
...............
74
Dimensions
................................
250
Dimming the Headlights
..............
71
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission
.........
198
Engine Oil
...............................
145
IndexII10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
FluidsAutomatic Transmission
.........
198
Brake
......................................
199
Location
..................................
192
Power Steering
........................
200
Windshield Washer
.................
197
FM/AM Radio Reception
...........
130
Folding the Rear Seats
.................
88
Four-way Flashers
........................
73
Front Airbags
...........................
9, 24
Front Seat Adjusting
..................................
83
Fuel
............................................
142
Check Fuel Cap Message
........
66
Economy
.................................
146
Fill Door and Cap
....................
143
Gauge
......................................
66
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
142
Reserve Indicator
.....................
61
Tank, Filling the
......................
143
Fuel Economy
............................
146
Fuses, Checking the
..................
239 G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
147
Gasoline
.....................................
142
Gauge
......................................
66
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
142
Tank, Refueling
.......................
143
Gas Station Procedures
..............
143
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature...
67
Fuel
..........................................
66
Odometer
.................................
65
Outside Temperature Indicator
...............................
68
Speedometer
............................
64
Tachometer
..............................
64
Trip meter
................................
66
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission
.......................
161
Glove Box
..................................
100
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
.................................
174 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
..........................
153, 174
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
202
Hatch
...........................................
81
Hazard Warning Flashers
............
73
Headlights Aiming
....................................
201
Daytime Running Lights
..........
72
High Beam Indicator
................
61
High Beams, Turning on
..........
71
Lights On Indicator
..................
61
Low Beams, Turning on
...........
71
Reminder Chime
......................
71
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
202
Turning on
...............................
71
Head Restraints
............................
85
Heating and Cooling
..................
104
High Altitude, Starting at
............
160
Hood, Opening and Closing the
..........................................
144
Horn
........................................
4, 69
IndexIV10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Gasoline:
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 87 or higher.
Fuel Tank Capacity:
15.9 US gal (60 L)
Recommended Engine Oil:
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page 193).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.4 US qt (4.2 L)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Honda ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission fluid) (see page 198).
4WD models onlyRear Differential Fluid:
Honda Dual Pump Fluid II. Do not
use ATF.
Capacity:
1.1 US qt (1.0 L)
Power Steering Fluid:
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page 200).Brake Fluid:
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page 199).
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Front:
33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm
2)
Rear: 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm2)
Spare Tire Pressure: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm2)
Service Information Summary10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu