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end bracket counterclockwise to loosen it.
5. Push the rear edge of the handle
to raise the handle loop and pull up the loop to raise the cargo area floor.
284
2009 Element Changing a Flat Tire
EXTENSION
JACKING POINTS
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
9. Locate the jacking point nearest the tire you need to change. It is pointed to by an arrow molded into the underside of the body. Place the jack under the jacking point. Turn the end bracket clockwise until the top of the jack contacts the jacking point. Make sure the jacking point tab is resting in the jack notch.
10. Use the extension and the wheel nut wrench as shown to raise the vehicle until the flat tire is off the ground.
11. Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the flat tire. Handle the wheel nuts carefully; they may be hot from driving. Place the flat tire on the ground with the outside surface facing up.
CONTINUED 285
2009 Element 13. Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on finger-tight, then tighten them in a crisscross pattern with the wheel nut wrench until the wheel is firmly against the hub. Do not try to tighten the wheel nuts fully.
Changing a Flat Tire
WHEEL NUTS
WHEEL NUTS
WHEEL COVER
BRAKE HUB
OnLXmodel Do not attempt to forcibly pry the wheel cover off with a screwdriver or other tool. The wheel cover cannot be removed without first removing the wheel nuts.
12. Before mounting the spare tire, wipe any dirt off the mounting surface of the wheel and hub with a clean cloth. Wipe the hub carefully; it may be hot from driving.
286
2009 Element Changing a Flat Tire
ARM
16. Store the jack in its holder. Turn the jack's end bracket to lock it in place. Store the tools.
17. Remove the center cap (if
equipped) from the flat tire, and store it in the spare tire well.
Loose items can fly around the interior in a crash and could seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools securely before driving.
WING BOLT
18. Remove the wing bolt on the spare
tire mount, and pivot the arm 90° to the upright position. Then tighten the wing bolt securely.
CONTINUED 287
14. Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.
15. Tighten the wheel nuts securely in the same crisscross pattern. Have the wheel nut torque checked at the nearest automotive service facility. Tighten the wheel nuts to: 80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)
2009 Element 22. Secure the flat tire by screwing the
wing bolt to the spare tire mount through the hole in the cargo area floor.
23. Your vehicle's original tire has a tire pressure monitoring system sensor. To replace a tire, refer to Changing a Tire with TPMS (see page 228).
Changing a Flat Tire
WING BOLT
19. Remove the small round plug from
the cargo area floor by pushing it from the back side to make a hole. Store the removed plug in a place you can easily remember.
SPACER CONE
20. Reinstall the cargo area floor.
Place the flat tire face down on the cargo area floor.
21. Align the center of the flat tire with
the hole in the cargo area floor. Remove the spacer cone from the wing bolt, turn it over, and put it back on the bolt.
288
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 page 291).
If the Engine Won't Start
● 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 page 303. 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 page 277). You can then try jump starting the vehicle from a booster battery (see page 291).
CONTINUED 289
2009 Element If the Engine Won't Start
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 page 60).
● Are you using the proper starting procedure? Refer to Starting the Engine on page 216.
● 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 page 298).
If you find nothing wrong, you will need a qualified technician to find the problem (see Emergency Towing on page 303).
290
2009 Element Although this seems like a simple procedure, you should take several precautions.
A battery can explode if you do not follow the correct procedure, seriously injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames, and smoking materials away from the battery.
You cannot start your vehicle with an automatic transmission by pushing or pulling it.
Jump Starting
ToJumpStartYourVehicle: 1. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery. In very cold weather, check the condition of the electrolyte. If it seems slushy or frozen, do not try jump starting until it thaws.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the electrolyte inside can freeze. Attempting to jump start with a frozen battery can cause it to rupture.
BOOSTER BATTERY
The numbers in the illustration show you the order to connect the jumper cables.
2. Turn off all the electrical
accessories: heater, A/C, audio system, lights, etc. Put the transmission in neutral (manual) or Park (automatic), and set the parking brake.
CONTINUED 291
2009 Element Jump Starting
3. Connect one jumper cable to the
positive (＋) terminal on your battery. Connect the other end to the positive (＋) terminal on the booster battery.
4. Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative (－) terminal on the booster battery. Connect the other end to the grounding strap on your vehicle as shown. Do not connect this jumper cable to any other part of the engine.
292
5. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, have an assistant start that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. 6. Start your vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check that the jumper cables have good metal-to-metal contact.
7. Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable from your vehicle, then from the booster battery. Disconnect the positive cable from your vehicle, then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables away from each other and any metal on the vehicle until everything is disconnected. Otherwise, you may cause an electrical short.
2009 Element The pointer of the vehicle's temperature gauge should stay in the midrange. If it climbs to the red mark, you should determine the reason (hot day, driving up a steep hill, etc.). If the vehicle overheats, you should take immediate action. The only indication may be the temperature gauge climbing to or above the red mark. Or you may see steam or spray coming from under the hood.
Driving with the temperature gauge pointer at the red mark can cause serious damage to the engine.
Steam and spray from an overheated engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is coming out.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral (manual) or Park (automatic), and set the parking brake. Turn off all the accessories, and turn on the hazard lights.
2. If you see steam and/or spray
coming from under the hood, turn off the engine. Wait until you see no more signs of steam or spray, then open the hood.
If the Engine Overheats
3. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and watch the temperature gauge. If the high heat is due to overloading, the engine should start to cool down almost immediately. If it does, wait until the temperature gauge comes down to the midpoint, then continue driving.
4. If the temperature gauge stays at the red mark, turn off the engine.
CONTINUED 293
2009 Element If the Engine Overheats
5. Look for any obvious coolant
leaks, 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 page 303).
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.
294
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 page 303).
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.
2009 Element Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
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 page 201). 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 page 251).
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.
295
2009 Element Malfunction Indicator Lamp
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.
296
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. 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 page 319).
2009 Element Brake System Indicator (Red)
U.S.
Canada
The brake system indicator (red) normally comes on when you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position, and as a reminder to check the parking brake. It will stay on if you do not fully release the parking brake. If the brake system indicator (red) comes on while driving, the brake fluid level is probably low. Press lightly on the brake pedal to see if it feels normal. If it does, check the brake fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 258). If the fluid level is low, take your vehicle to a dealer, and have the brake system inspected for leaks or worn brake pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not feel normal, you should take immediate action. A problem in one part of the system's dual circuit design will still give you braking at two wheels. You will feel the brake pedal go down much farther before the vehicle begins to slow down, and you will have to press harder on the pedal. Slow down by shifting to a lower gear, and pull to the side of the road when it is safe. Because of the long distance needed to stop, it is hazardous to drive the vehicle. You should have it towed and repaired as soon as possible (see Emergency Towing on page 303). If you must drive the vehicle a short distance in this condition, drive slowly and carefully.
Brake System Indicator
If the ABS indicator and the VSA system indicator come on with the brake system indicator, have your vehicle inspected by your dealer immediately.
297
2009 Element Fuses
UNDER-HOOD
TAB
INTERIOR
The vehicle's fuses are located in two fuse boxes. The under-hood fuse box is located in the engine compartment on the driver's side. To open it, push the tabs as shown.
The interior fuse box is underneath the steering column. To remove the fuse box lid, turn the knobs clockwise and pull the lid out of its hinges.
KNOBS
Checking and Replacing Fuses If something electrical in your vehicle stops working, check for a blown fuse first. Determine from the chart on pages 301 and 302, or the diagram on the fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses control that device. Check those fuses first, but check all the fuses before deciding that a blown fuse is the cause. Replace any blown fuses, and check if the device works. 1. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the headlights and all other accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse
box.
298
2009 Element FUSE
BLOWN
Fuses
BLOWN
FUSE PULLER
3. Check each of the large fuses in
the under-hood fuse boxes by looking through the top at the wire inside. Removing these fuses requires a Phillips-head screwdriver.
4. Check the smaller fuses in the under-hood fuse box and all the fuses in the interior fuse box by pulling out each one with the fuse puller provided in the under-hood fuse box.
5. Look for a blown wire inside the fuse. If it is blown, replace it with one of the spare fuses of the same rating or lower.
CONTINUED 299
2009 Element Fuses
If you cannot drive the vehicle without fixing the problem, and you do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse of the same rating or a lower rating from one of the other circuits. Make sure you can do without that circuit temporarily (such as the accessory power socket or radio). If you replace the blown fuse with a spare fuse that has a lower rating, it might blow out again. This does not indicate anything wrong. Replace the fuse with one of the correct rating as soon as you can.
Replacing a fuse with one that has a higher rating greatly increases the chances of damaging the electrical system. If you do not have a replacement fuse with the proper rating for the circuit, install one with a lower rating.
6. If the replacement fuse of the same rating blows in a short time, there is probably a serious electrical problem in your vehicle. Leave the blown fuse in that circuit and have your vehicle checked by a qualified technician.
OnEXandSCmodels If the radio fuse is removed, the audio system will 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 specific digit code (see page 188). Onvehicleswithnavigationsystem If the navigation system fuse is removed, the navigation system will 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.
300
2009 Element INTERIOR FUSE BOX
No.
Amps.
Circuits Protected
－ 10 A 10 A
10 A －
Not Used Rear Accessory Power Socket Daytime Running Lights/ TPMS ACG Not Used
No. 10
11Amps. 7.5 A 20 A 7.5 A 10 A 7.5 A －
Circuits Protected
Power Window Relay AMPꭧ Accessory, Radio Rear Wiper Meter Not Used
Fuse Locations
No. 12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25Amps. 7.5 A 10 A 10 A 20 A 15 A 15 A 15 A 7.5 A 20 A － 20 A 20 A － －
ꭧ: If equipped
Circuits Protected Daytime Running Lights SRS Remote Control Mirrors LAF Heater Ignition Relay Fuel Pump Front Accessory Power Socket Turn Signal Lights Front Wiper Not Used Passenger's Power Window Driver's Power Window Not Used Not Used
CONTINUED 301
2009 Element Fuse Locations
UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
No. 13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20Amps. 40 A 40 A 15 A 15 A 15 A 30 A 100 A 50 A
21－25 7.5 A－30 A
Circuits Protected
Power Window Main Option Left Headlight Door Lock Right Headlight VSA F/S Battery IG1 Main Spare Fuses
No.
Amps. 30 A 15 A 7.5 A 20 A 15 A 15 A
Circuits Protected
Condenser Fan Small Light Interior Light Cooling Fan Motor Hazard FI ECU
No. 10
11
12Amps. 15 A 15 A 10 A 30 A 20 A 40 A
Circuits Protected
Horn, Stop DBW Back Up VSA Motor Rear Defroster Heater Motor
302
2009 Element If your vehicle needs to be towed, call a professional towing service or organization. Never tow your vehicle with just a rope or chain. It is very dangerous. The only way you can safely tow your vehicle is with flat-bed equipment. The operator will load your vehicle on the back of a truck. Any other method of towing will damage the drive system. When you contact the towing agency, inform them a flat-bed is required.
4WDmodelsonly
Towing with only two tires on the ground will damage parts of the 4WD system. It should be transported on a flat-bed truck or trailer.
Emergency Towing
303
2009 Element 304
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 ControlSystem................................ 316
Evaporative Emissions Control
System................................ 316
Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery............................. 316
Exhaust Emissions
Controls .............................. 317
Technical Information
Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 318
Emissions Testing....................... 319305
2009 Element Identification Numbers
Your vehicle has several identifying numbers located in various places. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is the 17-digit number your dealer uses to register your vehicle for warranty purposes. It is also necessary for licensing and insuring your vehicle. The easiest place to find the VIN is on a plate fastened to the top of the dashboard. You can see it by looking through the windshield on the driver's side. It is also on the certification label attached to the driver's doorjamb (front edge of rear door), and is stamped on the engine compartment bulkhead. The VIN is also provided in bar code on the certification label.
306
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN)
CERTIFICATION LABEL
2009 Element The engine number is stamped into the engine block. The transmission number is on a label on top of the transmission.
ENGINE NUMBER
Identification Numbers
MANUAL TRANSMISSION NUMBER
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER
307
2009 Element Specifications
Dimensions Length
Width Height
Wheelbase Track
Front
Rear
169.9 in (4,316 mm)ꭧ1ꭧ2
170.4 in (4,328 mm)ꭧ3
71.6 in (1,819 mm) 70.4 in (1,788 mm)ꭧ1,ꭧ2
69.6 in (1,768 mm)ꭧ3
101.4 in (2,575 mm) 62.1 in (1,577 mm)ꭧ1,ꭧ2
62.1 in (1,578 mm)ꭧ3
62.3 in (1,582 mm)ꭧ1,ꭧ2
62.5 in (1,587 mm)ꭧ3Seating Capacities Total Front Rear
Engine Type
Bore x Stroke Displacement Compression ratio Spark plugs
Weights Gross vehicle weight rating
See the certification label attached to the driver's doorjamb (front edge of rear door).
ꭧ1: LX model ꭧ2: EX model ꭧ3: SC model
Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
i-VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine
3.43 x 3.90 in (87.0 x 99.0 mm)
144 cu-in (2,354 cm3)
9.7 : 1
IZFR6K-11NGK: DENSO: SKJ20DR-M11
308
2009 Element Capacities Fuel tank
Engine oil
Changeꭧ1
Approx. 15.9 US gal (60 L)
Including filter Without filter
Total
4.4 US qt (4.2 L) 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) 5.6 US qt (5.3 L)
Capacities Engine coolant
Automatic transmission fluid
Manual transmission fluid
Specifications
1.35 US gal (5.1 L) 1.90 US gal (7.2 L)
1.37 US gal (5.2 L) 1.93 US gal (7.3 L)
2.6 US qt (2.5 L) 2.7 US qt (2.6 L)
7.6 US qt (7.2 L) 7.4 US qt (7.0 L) 2.0 US qt (1.9 L)
2.4 US qt (2.3 L) 2.3 US qt (2.2 L) 1.1 US qt (1.0 L) 1.3 US qt (1.2 L)
4.8 US qt (4.5 L)
Automatic Transmission
Changeꭧ2
Total Manual TransmissionChangeꭧ2
Total Change 4WD 2WDTotal
4WD 2WD Change Total
4WD 2WD Change Total
Rear differential fluid (4WD) Windshield washer reservoir
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)
309
2009 Element Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerant type Charge quantity Lubricant type
Lights Headlights Daytime running lights Front turn signal/parking lights Front side marker lights Side turn signal lights Rear turn signal lights Rear side marker lights Brake/Taillights Back-up lights License plate lights Ceiling light
Spotlights Cargo area light High-mount brake light
Battery Capacity
310
HFC-134a (R-134a)
17.6 － 19.4 oz (500 － 550 g)
ND-OIL8
12 V － 60/55 W (H4/HB2) 12 V － 60 W (HB3) 12 V － 27/8 W (Amber) 12 V － 3CP 12 V － 3CP 12 V － 21 W (Amber) 12 V － 3CP 12 V － 21/5 W 12 V － 21CP 12 V － 5 W 12 V － 8 Wꭧ1
12 V － 5 Wꭧ2, ꭧ3
12 V － 8 Wꭧ2, ꭧ3
12 V － 8 W 12 V － 21 W12 V － 47 AH/20 HR 12 V － 38 AH/5 HR
Fuses Interior
Under-hood
Alignment Toe-in
Camber
Caster
Tires Size
Front Rear Front
Rear
Front
Front/Rear
Pressure
Front
Rear
Spare
ꭧ1: LX model ꭧ2: EX model ꭧ3: SC model
See page 301 or the fuse label attached to the inside of the fuse box door under the steering column. See page 302 or the fuse box cover.
0.0 in (0 mm)
0.08 in (2.0 mm)
－0°13’ꭧ1, ꭧ2
－0°24’ꭧ3
－1°00’ꭧ1, ꭧ2
－1°06’ꭧ31°50’
P215/70R16 99Sꭧ1, ꭧ2
P225/55R18 97Hꭧ333 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm2)ꭧ1, ꭧ2
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm2)ꭧ3
35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm2)ꭧ1, ꭧ2
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm2)ꭧ3
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm2)2009 Element The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All tires are also graded for treadwear, traction, and temperature performance according to Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these gradings. Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example: Treadwear 200
Traction AA Temperature A All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance. Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
311
2009 Element DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Temperature The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
312
2009 Element The tires that came on your vehicle have a number of markings. Those you should be aware of are described below.
TIRE LABELING EXAMPLE
(1)
TireSize Whenever tires are replaced, they should be replaced with tires of the same size. Following is an example of tire size with an explanation of what each component means.
P215/70R16 99S
P － Vehicle type (P indicates
passenger vehicle).
215 － Tire width in millimeters. 70 － Aspect ratio (the tire's section
height as a percentage of its width).
(1)
(4)
(3)
(2)
(1) Tire Size (2) Tire Identification Number (TIN) (3) Maximum Tire Pressure (4) Maximum Tire Load
R － Tire construction code (R
indicates radial).
16 － Rim diameter in inches. 99 － Load index (a numerical code associated with the maximum load the tire can carry).
S － Speed symbol (an
alphabetical code indicating the maximum speed rating).
Tire Labeling
TireIdentificationNumber(TIN) The tire identification number (TIN) is a group of numbers and letters that look like the following example. TIN is located on the sidewall of the tire.
DOT B97R FW6X 2202
DOT － This indicates that the tire meets all requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation. B97R － Manufacturer's
identification mark.
FW6X － Tire type code. 2202 －
Date of manufacture. Year Week
CONTINUED 313
2009 Element Tire Labeling, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) － Required Federal Explanation
MaximumTirePressure Max Press － The maximum air
pressure the tire can hold.
MaximumTireLoad Max Load － The maximum load the
tire can carry at maximum air pressure.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure.
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2009 Element Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) － Required Federal Explanation
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.
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2009 Element Emissions Controls
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.
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The Clean Air Act The United States Clean Air Actꭧ 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. ꭧ In 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 System Your 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.
2009 Element 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-FISystem The PGM-FI system uses sequential multiport fuel injection. It has three subsystems: air intake, engine control, and fuel control. The powertrain control module (PCM) in automatic transmission vehicles or the engine control module (ECM) in manual transmission vehicles 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. IgnitionTimingControlSystem This system constantly adjusts the ignition timing, reducing the amount of HC, CO, and NOx produced. ThreeWayCatalyticConverter The 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 (CO2), nitrogen (N2), and water vapor.
Emissions Controls
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.
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2009 Element ● 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
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.
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THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
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.
2009 Element Testing of Readiness Codes If you take your vehicle for an emissions test shortly after the battery has been disconnected or gone dead, it may not pass the test. This is because of certain ‘‘readiness codes’’ that must be set in the on- board diagnostics for the emissions systems. These codes are erased when the battery is disconnected, and set again only after several days of driving under a variety of conditions.
If the testing facility determines that the readiness codes are not set, you will be requested to return at a later date to complete the test. If you must get the vehicle retested within the next two or three days, you can condition the vehicle for retesting by doing the following. 1. Make sure the fuel tank is nearly,
but not completely full (around 3/4).
2. Make sure the vehicle has been parked with the engine off for 6
hours or more.3. Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 40° and 95°F (4° and 35°C).
Emissions Testing
4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, start the engine, and let it idle for 20 seconds.
5. Keep the vehicle in Park
(automatic transmission) or neutral (manual transmission). Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm, and hold it there until the temperature gauge rises to at least 1/4 of the scale (about 3 minutes). 6. Without touching the acceleratorpedal, let the engine idle for 20
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2009 Element Emissions Testing
7. Select a nearby lightly traveled major highway where you can maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph (80 to 97 km/h) for at least 20
minutes. Drive on the highway in D (automatic) or 5th (manual). Do not use cruise control. When traffic allows, drive for 90 seconds without moving the accelerator pedal. (Vehicle speed may vary slightly; this is okay.) If you cannot do this for a continuous 90
seconds because of traffic conditions, drive for at least 30
seconds, then repeat it two more times (for a total of 90 seconds).8. Then drive in city/suburban traffic
for at least 10 minutes. When traffic conditions allow, let the vehicle coast for several seconds without using the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal.
9. Make sure the vehicle has been parked with the engine off for 30
minutes.If the testing facility determines the readiness codes are still not set, see your dealer.
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2009 Element Warranty and Customer Relations
Customer Service Information .... 322
Warranty Coverages ................... 323
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S.Vehicles)................................. 324
Authorized Manuals.................... 325321
2009 Element Canadian Owners: CUSTOMER RELATIONS
Honda Canada Inc. 715 Milner Avenue Toronto, ON M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-HONDA-9
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909
Toronto (416) 287-4776In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands: Bella International P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816Tel: (787) 620-7546
When you call or write, please give us this information: ● Vehicle identification number (see
page 306)
● Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle
● Date of purchase ● Odometer reading of your vehicle ● Your name, address, and
telephone number
● A detailed description of the
problem
● Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you
Customer Service Information
Honda dealership personnel are trained professionals. They should be able to answer all your questions. If you encounter a problem that your dealership does not solve to your satisfaction, please discuss it with the dealership's management. The service manager or general manager can help. Almost all problems are
