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I dunno, I use the blue stuff and in deep freezes it just freezes up. The label says it's good for up to 20 degrees below freezing (12 F), and it hasn't been *that* cold (18-30 F).
Maybe I'll stick with the stuff meant for lower temps. The Prestone product says its good for 40 below freezing.
varmint - do you still have those lit spray nozzles? I wonder if that heats them also.
-juice
At those tempreratures the vapor pressure of alcohol is rather low so you would need significant convection to make a difference. But then it depends on how gaping the holes are in your system! ;-)
tidester, host
-juice
Model Central - 2004 Honda Element
The CR-V and Odyssey have been updated for '05, so I suspect the Element won't be far behind.
Steve, Host
Hey, I did some of those towns in a Datsun B-210! Of course, I was a bit younger then! :-)
tidester, host
Thanks in advance.
Plus that will make the gearing taller, so it'll slow it down off the line some more.
-juice
Luk
tidester, host
You obviously haven't had to attempt to drive my mom's neon over the speedbumps in my sister's apartment complex
~OUCH!~
Tell me where.
That said, if you're hung up on ground clearance, try the CR-V. Functionally it's very similar to the Element, but it rides on 8.1" of clearance.
Thanks,
Bud
I wonder if those are oil stains on the panels. To get old wax residue off my Forester's cladding I actually use peanut butter.
Just don't eat it afterwards!
-juice
-juice
On the other hand, there are products like Back to Black which are somewhat like wax for plastics. They can help prevent discoloration from oils.
That would answer your question.
-juice
I got my Element on 2/19. It had 7 miles on it. My first fill up was at 288 with 11.672 gallons. I had to fill up today 3/9 at 540 when the gas light came on. I travelled 252 miles. Divide that by 11.672, and that's a MPG of 21.59. 50/50 Highway/City. I am very happy with that. Coming from a '99 Jeep GC with 15 MPG. I can't complain at all! I hope the next tank I can squeeze an extra mile out of it! I have a question though. Has anyone seen any improvement in mileage with changing fuel octanes? I am using 87. With the recent hike in gas prices, I won't be changing anytime soon, but just a thought. Also does anyone have an cold air intake installed on their E. If so what's the mileage like now?
Ok now other questions...
Also how long does it take to wear an engine in?
What mileage is recommended for an oil change?
I was thinking 1500 to get the metal fillings out of the oil, but my friend has an '05 Accord and she said the dealership stated 3500 miles.
What brand of oil do you recommend?
Is it okay to start my first oil change on a synthetic oil?
Any reponses are appreciated.
-Buddodo
LOL
1000 miles for break-in is industry standard. Try to keep it under 4000rpm and don't use cruise control, vary rpms instead.
Does Honda use break-in oil? I read they did. If that's the case I'd advise against changing the oil early. Manufacturing tolerances are so tight that metal shavings are likely few and far between.
What are the ratings up to now, SH?
-juice
IIRC, Honda says take it easy for the first 1000 miles and that they do use break in oil so follow Honda's recommendation - not the dealer.
My questions...
The new side-crash results were disappointing. Any idea if Honda plans to address this, say with standard side airbags ?
The cargo capacity is kinda' low at 650 pounds, does anyone know if Honda plans on addressing this, as well ?
We got the Forester for 18.6K (I refused to pay dealer/delivery charges). It came standard with AWD, side air bags, power everything, cruise, ABS, 4-speed auto, roof rack with cross bars, full-service spare, and remote entry. Can I get a comprably-equipped Element for that price ?
Thanks.
Marco
I doubt very much Honda is going to address the 650 lbs limit. Most folks ignore it and it saves Honda from liability. What incentive is there for them to change it?
As far as an incentive...the Forester is rated for 300 pounds more. Would not the competition spur them to make necessary improvenebts ?
My wife and I hauled 10 bags of wood pellets last month, and the Subaru laughed at it. We didn't even have to fold the rear seats down. Trying this in the Element would push it over the weight limit.
It seems a shame that the Element's rugged cargo area and interior dimensions are limited by weight capacity on par with a Chevy Chevette.
My suggestion would be to use the Forester when you think you're going to haul a lot of mass.
-juice
"My questions...
The new side-crash results were disappointing. Any idea if Honda plans to address this, say with standard side airbags ? "
Honda has a new safety program called "Saftey for All;" from what I understand they intend to incorporate antilock brakes, side curtain airbags, and vehicle stability control in ALL their vehicles in the next few years.
On a more immediate note, the 2004 CR-V failed the IIHS side impact test, so for 2005 Honda beefed up the metal around the doors and added both side curtain and side torso airbags. Results? Passes in '05. Honda announced the addition of the air bags, ABS, and VSC for 2005, but didn't mention the frame reinforcements (it's in the IIHS notes on their website).
My guess is Honda will roll out the triumvirate of ABS, VSC, and side curtain on the Element for '06. Right now it is a question of what consumers are willing to pay, and parts suppliers ramping up their production lines to meet demand, on 100% of vehicles, for parts that were on probably less than 2% of vehicles.
Keep in mind that the IIHS test is almost absurdly severe. The Feds test for impact of a midsize car on the side - already a stiff test - and IIHS tests a much heavier pickup with higher ride height, above the federally mandated side door beams. On the other hand, we've always known in our heart of hearts that t-bone accidents, as they are called, are almost certainly fatal. The IIHS tests show a way to survive, so actually it's pretty amazing. And what's really amazing is how much survivability depends on side curtain airbags, and not much additional frame beefing. Who woulda thunk it?
Vote with your dollars, buy CR-V's this year (if you need to buy this year!) and Elements next year (if they get upgraded).
"with the exception of a small number of specialty vehicles"
I wouldn't be surprised if the simply make the now optional seat-mounted side airbags and ABS standard rather than go through the cost of side curtain airbags on a vehicle that may be fully redesigned in less than 2 years.
The Ford rammed squarely into the driver's side - centering on the pillar between the front and back doors. I was hit so hard the front passenger door blew open. Good thing I was wearing my seatbelt. Otherwise, I'd have shot out like a cannonball. The Civic engine raced upon impact. Could I have been airborne ?
After the collision, the engine was still runnnng with the transmission in gear. However, the car wasn't moving. I felt myself blacking out, so I quickly put the car in park, and killed the ignition.
Seconds later, sight and sound began returning. I could see headlights of other cars now. There were crunchy bits of something in my mouth that I instinctively spat out. It took me a moment to realise that someone was calling me - asking if I was okay. I tried opening the window, only to discover that the glass was totally gone. I had been spitting out what remained of it. I weakly answered the voice, "Get a doctor".
By the time the ambulance arrived I was fully conscious, and in pain. I felt like I could walk, yet the EMT's said I should let them put me on a stretcher and take me to the hospital.
I wound up with a couple of badly bruised ribs and glass cuts. I walked out of the hospital two hours later - still spitting glass. For the next month, every sneeze was a new experince in pain.
My trusty old '89 Civic was a totalled. Yet I wasn't. The car had no airbags of any kind. I don't know how well it did on side impact government crash tests - or if any were performed in 1989.
I do know that I survived.
I wonder...would I have fared as well driving a Honda Element on that dark night ?
Don't know. All I know is that plenty of owners have violated the 650 lbs mark. I'm not recommending it. Just saying that people do it.
The fact that people do it suggests they are ignoring the limits. Hence they are doing, more or less, whatever they want with the car.
If they are doing what they want, and Honda is protected from liability, that's a win/win situation for Honda. The owners are happy. And Honda is not liable for anything if the owner goes overboard. Why would they mess with that?
I'm just answering your question. If Honda were my company, I might do things differently... but it's not. I don't get to make the rules.
If it makes you happier, a CR-V has nearly the same interior capacity, all the safety hardware, and an extra 250 lbs capacity. Are you sure you're looking at the right vehicle?
Talks about overloading, weight disbribution, etc. Take it FWIW, the premise is kinda silly.
-juice
By that time, the completely redesigned 2007 Element will be out.
That probably means they won't bother with side curtain airbags for the current design of the Element.
Reading between the lines here....I'd say you need to purchase another Suby instead of making all the negative remarks concerning the Element. My guess is that your yard sale items will fit just perfect in the suby....plus look at all the weight it can carry. Why would you even consider a Element when you have only negative things to say concerning it? Save your money and buy the Chevette!
Maybe the suicide doors or something else about the design of the Element precludes installation of effective side curtain airbags.
Recently my wife and I began searching for a new vehicle. Initially we were impressed with the new Ridgeline and even took one for a test-drive on March 3rd. Just the other day my wife received a job offer that will require lots of driving, with $.40 per mile driving compensation on top of her salary. Of course a vehicle that gets better mileage will result in more money for us due to the offset of mileage compensation and fuel prices. Because of this, the Element is back in our evaluation, maybe.
I was under the impression that the 2005 Element was safer than previous models, due to the side airbags coming standard. After reading a few posts on this site, I’ve come to realize I don’t completely understand the ins and outs of airbags, especially with regard to curtain-style air bags. What advantage/disadvantage do the side airbags versus curtain airbags versus a combination of he two have? Please help me understand the differences or point me to some good reading on the subject, if possible. I would hate to choose the Element knowing that a Ridgeline would provide more occupant safety.