2011 HONDA ELEMENT tow

If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For further important fuel-related
information for your vehicle, or
information on gasoline that does not
contain MMT, visit Owner Link atowners.honda.com
.Refueling
1. Park with the driver's side closest to
the service station pump.
2. Outside of the vehicle, open the fuel fill door by pulling its notched edge.
Gasoline is highly flammable and
explosive. You can be burned or
seriously injured when handling
fuel.●Stop the engine and keep heat,
sparks, and flame away.●Handle fuel only outdoors.●Wipe up spills immediately.
3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly. You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door. 4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel
nozzle automatically clicks off. Do
not try to ‘‘top off ’’the tank. This
leaves some room in the fuel tank for
the fuel to expand with temperature
changes.
If the fuel nozzle keeps clicking off
even though the tank is not full,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle's fuel vapor recovery system.
The system helps keep fuel vapor
from going into the atmosphere. Try
filling at another pump. If this does
not fix the problem, consult your
dealer.
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on until it clicks at least once. If you do not
properly tighten the cap, the
malfunction indicator lamp may
come on (see page 236). You will
also see a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’
message on the information display.
6. Close the fuel fill door.
Fuel Recommendation, Service Station Procedures
143
Before Driving
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Oil CheckWait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.1. Remove the dipstick (orange tab).
2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.
4. Remove the dipstick again, andcheck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see Adding Engine Oil on page 193.Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
Adding
Engine Coolant on page 196 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page 190 for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
MIN
MAX RESERVE TANK
Service Station Procedures
145
Before Driving
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Load Limits
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 670 lbs (305 kg).
See Tire And Loading Information
label attached to the driver's
doorjamb.Label Example
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
－
1. Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle's
placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
Carrying Cargo15210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

4. The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX ’’amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 －750 (5 ╳150) ＝650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, accessories, cargo, and trailer
tongue load must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver's doorjamb.
Max Load (670 lbs) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
(68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo Weight
(370 lbs)
(169 kg)
(305 kg)Max Load (670 lbs) Cargo Weight
(220 lbs)
(101 kg)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 3 = 450 lbs)
(68 kg x 3 = 204 kg)
(305 kg)Max Load (670 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
(68 kg x 4 = 272 kg) Cargo Weight
(70 lbs)
(33 kg)
(305 kg)
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
153
Before Driving
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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important information on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA
®) system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and
facts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer or drive off-highway. Driving Guidelines
......................
158
Preparing to Drive
......................
159
Starting the Engine
.....................
160
Automatic Transmission
.............
161
Parking
.......................................
165
Braking System
..........................
166
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
167
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
...................................
169
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
.....................
172
Towing a Trailer
..........................
174
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
...............................
180
Driving
157
Driving
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Shift Lever Position IndicatorsThese indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shift
lever is in.
The‘‘D ’’indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
flashes while driving (in any shift
position), it indicates a possible
problem in the transmission. Avoid
rapid acceleration, and have the
transmission checked by your dealer
as soon as possible. Shifting
To shift from any position, press
firmly on the brake pedal, push the
release button, and pull the lever
toward you. You cannot shift out of
Park when the ignition switch is in
the LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)
position.
To shift from:
Do this:
PtoR Press the brake pedal, and
press the shift lever release
button.
RtoP
Press the shift lever release
button.
NtoR
Dto2 2to1
1to2
Move the shift lever.
2toD
DtoN
NtoD RtoN
D3 to D Press the D
3button.
DtoD3
Park (P) －This position
mechanically locks the transmission.
Use Park whenever you are turning
off or starting the engine. To shift out
of Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and press the release button on
the shift lever. Make sure your foot is
off the accelerator pedal.
RELEASE BUTTON
D3 BUTTON SHIFT LEVER
CONTINUED
Automatic Transmission
161
Driving
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If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, seeShift Lock Release on
page 163.
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop before shifting
into Park. You must also press the
release button to shift into Park. The
shift lever must be in Park before
you can remove the key from the
ignition switch.
Reverse (R) －Press the brake
pedal and press the release button to
shift from Park to reverse. To shift
from reverse to neutral, come to a
complete stop, and then shift. Neutral (N)
－Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop briefly with the
engine idling. Shift to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear. Drive (D)
－Use this position for
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 5) for your
speed and acceleration. You may
notice the transmission shifting up at
higher engine speeds when the
engine is cold. This helps the engine
warm up faster.
Drive (D3) －To use D3, press the
D3 button when the shift lever is in
the ‘‘D ’’position. This position is
similar to D, except only the first
three gears are selected instead of all
five. Use D3 when towing a trailer in
hilly terrain, or to provide engine
braking when going down a steep
hill. D3 can also keep the
transmission from cycling between
third and fourth gears in stop-and-go
driving.Automatic Transmission16210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly, or your
vehicle may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Parking Tips
●Make sure the windows are
closed.●Turn off the lights.●Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them with
you.●Lock the doors and the hatch with
the key.●Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
●If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.●If the vehicle is facing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.●Make sure the parking brake is
fully released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking
165
Driving
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