Honda Element (2010 year). Manual — part 21

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 System
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.

Ignition Timing Control System
This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.

Three Way Catalytic Converter
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 (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

317

Technical

Information

Table of Contents

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 Converter

318

Table of Contents

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).

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 accelerator

pedal, let the engine idle for 20
seconds.

CONTINUED

Emissions Testing

319

Technical

Information

Table of Contents

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.

Emissions Testing

320

Table of Contents

Customer Service Information

.

322

Warranty Coverages

. . . . ...

323

Reporting Safety Defects (U.S.

Vehicles)

. . . . . . . . .

324

Authorized Manuals

. . . . .

325

Warranty and Customer Relations

321

Warranty

and

Customer

Relations

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
solved in this way.

If you are dissatisfied with the
decision made by the dealership's
management, contact Honda
Customer Service.

U.S. Owners:

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, California 90501-2746

Tel: (800) 999-1009

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) 287-4776

In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:

Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816

Tel: (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

322

Table of Contents

U.S. Owners
Your new vehicle is covered by these
warranties:

New Vehicle Limited Warranty －
covers your new vehicle, except for
the battery, emissions control
systems, and accessories, against
defects in materials and
workmanship.

Emissions Control Systems Defects

Warranty and Emissions
Performance Warranty － these two
warranties cover your vehicle's
emissions control systems. Time,
mileage, and coverage are
conditional. Please read your
warranty booklet for exact
information.

Original Equipment Battery Limited
Warranty － this warranty gives up to
100% credit toward a replacement
battery.

Seat Belt Limited Warranty － a seat
belt that fails to function properly is
covered by a limited warranty. Please
read your warranty booklet for
details.

Rust Perforation Limited Warranty －
all exterior body panels are covered
for rust-through from the inside for
the specified time period with no
mileage limit.

Accessory Limited Warranty －
Honda accessories are covered
under this warranty. Time and
mileage limits depend on the type of
accessory and other factors. Please
read your warranty booklet for
details.

Replacement Parts Limited
Warranty － covers all Honda
replacement parts against defects in
materials and workmanship.

Replacement Battery Limited
Warranty － provides prorated
coverage for a replacement battery
purchased from your dealer.

Replacement Muffler Lifetime
Limited Warranty － provides
coverage for as long as the purchaser
of the muffler owns the vehicle.

Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2010 Honda warranty information
booklet that came with your vehicle
for precise information on warranty
coverages. Your vehicle's original
tires are covered by their
manufacturer. Tire warranty
information is in a separate booklet.

Canadian Owners
Please refer to the 2010 warranty
manual that came with your vehicle.

Warranty Coverages

323

Warranty

and

Customer

Relations

Table of Contents

If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.

If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual
problems between you, your dealer,
or American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

To contact NHTSA, you may call the
Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to

http://www.safercar.gov;

or write to:

Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from

http://www.safercar.gov.

Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Vehicles)

324

Table of Contents

Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)

The publications shown below can be purchased from Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:

●

Call Helm Inc. at (800)782-4356 (credit card orders only)

●

Go online at

www. helminc. com

If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at (800) 782-4356.

Publication

Form Number

Form Description

61SCV08

2010 Honda Element Service Manual

61SCV08EL

2010 Honda Element

Electrical Troubleshooting Manual

61SCV30

2009 Honda Element Body Repair Manual

31SCV670

2010 Honda Element Owner's Manual

31SCV810

2010 Honda Element

Navigation System Owner's Manual

31SCVM50

2010 Honda Element Honda Service History

31SCVQ70

2010 Honda Element Technology Reference Guide

HON-R

Order Form for Previous Years-

Indicate Year and Model Desired

Service Manual:
Covers maintenance and recommended procedures for
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
for the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
for most mechanically inclined owners to understand.

Electrical Troubleshooting Manual:
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit in
your vehicle.

Body Repair Manual:
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.

Authorized Manuals

325

Warranty

and

Customer

Relations

Table of Contents

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 251).

Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.4 US qt (4.2 L)

Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid)
(see page 256).

Manual Transmission Fluid:
Honda Manual Transmission Fluid
preferred, or an SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 motor oil as a temporary
replacement (see page 257).

Capacity (including differential):
2.0 US qt (1.9 L)

4WD models only
Rear 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 260).

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 258).

Tire Pressure (measured cold):
All models except SC
Front:

33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm

2

)

Rear:

35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm

2

)

SC model
Front/Rear:

32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm

2

)

Spare Tire Pressure:

60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm

2

)

Service Information Summary