2009 Honda Element Owner's Manual - Page 244

Main Menu Table Of Contents Off-Highway Driving Guidelines Crossing a Stream Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water in your route (a small stream or large puddle, for example), evaluate it carefully before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. The water can get into the transmission and differential, diluting the lubricant and causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings. If You Get Stuck Avoid driving on soft sand, deep mud, or other surfaces where you could get stuck. If you do happen to get stuck because of inclement weather or other conditions, choose a safe and appropriate course of action. You should never use a jack to try getting unstuck. A jack only works on firm, level ground. Also, your vehicle could easily slip off the jack and hurt you or someone else. 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles If you spin the wheels excessively trying to get unstuck, you may overheat the components of the 4wheel drive system. If this happens, the 4-wheel drive system shuts off and only the front wheels receive power. At this point, you must stop and allow everything to cool down. The 4-wheel drive system will work again after its temperature drops. If you slip the clutch for a long time while trying to get unstuck, you may overheat and damage it. 240 2009 Element