2011 HONDA ELEMENT catalytic converter

Trip Meter
This shows the number of miles
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A and
Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the select/reset
knob repeatedly.
Each trip meter works
independently, so you can keep track
of two different distances.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the last
selection is displayed.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the select/reset
knob until the number resets to
‘‘0.0 ’’. Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
off the ignition.
Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
Check Fuel Cap Message
Your vehicle's onboard diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
fuel fill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The first time a leak is detected
a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP ’’message
appears on the information display.
Turn the engine off, and confirm the
fuel fill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the fuel fill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the select/reset knob.
The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP ’’message
will appear each time you restart the
engine until the system turns the
message off.
Gauges6610/08/06 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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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
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Exhaust Emissions Controls
The exhaust emissions controls
include three systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, and three
way catalytic converter. These three
systems work together to control the
engine's combustion and minimize
the amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
comes out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate from the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
PGM-FI SystemThe PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport fuel injection. It has three
subsystems: air intake, engine
control, and fuel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM)
uses various sensors to determine
how much air is going into the
engine. It then controls how much
fuel to inject under all operating
conditions.Ignition Timing Control SystemThis system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.Three Way Catalytic ConverterThe three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine's exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO
2), nitrogen
(N
2), and water vapor. Replacement Parts
The emissions control systems are
designed and certified to work
together in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Honda replacement parts or their
equivalent for repairs. Using lower
quality parts may increase the
emissions from your vehicle.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more
information.
Emissions Controls
259
Technical Information
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The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without affecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is referred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Honda part
or its equivalent.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on fire any
combustible materials that come
near it. Park your vehicle away from
high grass, dry leaves, or other
flammables.
A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine's
performance. Follow these
guidelines to protect your vehicle's
three way catalytic converter.●Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter ineffective.
●Keep the engine well maintained.●Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misfiring,
backfiring, stalling, or otherwise
not running properly.
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
Three Way Catalytic Converter26010/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Sun Visor
...................................
100
Supplemental Restraint System
..............................
9, 22
Servicing
..................................
33
SRS Indicator
......................
30, 59
System Components
................
22
Synthetic Oil
..............................
194
T
Tachometer
..................................
64
Tailgate
........................................
82
Open Indicator
.........................
61
Opening the
.............................
82
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in
.....
206
Taking Care of the Unexpected
............................
221
Technical Descriptions DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
253
Emissions Control Systems
.....
258
Three Way Catalytic Converter
............................
260
Tire Labeling
...........................
255 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation
......................
256
Temperature Gauge
.....................
67
Tensioners, Seat Belts
..................
20
Tether Anchorage Points
.............
48
Theft Protection, Radio
..............
132
Three Way Catalytic Converter
...............................
260
Tilt the Steering Wheel
................
74
Time, Setting the
........................
133
Tire Chains
................................
217
Tire, How to Change a Flat
........
223
Tire Information
.........................
255
Tire Labeling
..............................
255
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
...........................
169, 256
Tires
..........................................
212
Air Pressure
............................
213
Chains
.....................................
217
Checking Wear
.......................
214
Compact Spare
........................
222
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
.............................
253
Inflation
...................................
212
Inspection
...............................
214 Labeling
..................................
255
Low Tire Pressure Indicator
........................
62, 169
Maintenance
...........................
215
Pressure Monitoring System
...
169
Replacing
................................
215
Rotating
..................................
215
Snow
.......................................
217
Specifications
..........................
252
Tools, Tire Changing
.................
223
Towing A Trailer
..................................
174
Emergency Wrecker
...............
244
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
..............................
169
Indicator
............................
63, 170
Required Federal Explanation
.........................
256
Transmission Checking Fluid Level
..............
198
Fluid Selection
........................
198
Identification Number
.............
248
Shifting the Automatic
.............
161
Treadwear
..................................
253
Trip Meter
...................................
66
CONTINUED
Index
IX
INDEX
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu