? how available will parts be for Honda element since discontinued in 2011
thinking of buying Element but concerned about getting parts in future

Based on the CR-V platform, the functional and configurable 2009 Honda Element returns refreshed and with a few new features. The Element works as both an SUV and stylish van, with both base LX and EX trims available in either front-wheel or Real-Time four-wheel drive, which automatically sends torque to the rear wheels when it senses slippage. The sportier SC trim comes only with front-wheel drive.
The roomy Element gets a facelift, with new head- and taillights. A more horizontal and boxy hood replaces the sloping one of 2008, while bulkier wheel arches add a more aggressive look. The chrome-surround front grille comes straight from the Pilot. New fabric colors, redesigned graphics for the gauges, and faux titanium accents decorate the cabin, which also gets three different consoles for each trim. The LX comes with a basic center storage console, while the one in the EX is removable. The SC's console features an auxiliary audio jack. Both the EX and SC also get a new overhead storage console with three configurable compartments. The rear skylight has been dropped entirely, but new features include standard Bluetooth and options such as a voice-activated navigation system, rearview camera, and a USB port.
The 2009 Element offers a lot of interior space, with removable second-row seats that also fold flat or flip up against the sidewalls to accommodate a range of cargo. Capacity ranges from 25 to 75 cubic feet, and the clamshell tailgate lifts open wide. The rear suicide passenger doors also open wide for easy access and loading. Stadium-style seating offers good views for rear passengers, while drivers get the comfort of tilt and telescopic steering and blue backlit gauges. The storage focus extends to the cabin as well, with multiple seatback storage pockets, storage bins designed for cell phones and CDs, and a three-bin tray above the glovebox. Water-resistant rubber flooring and stain-resistant fabrics emphasize the Element's utility as both a family and adventure vehicle.
Powering all this is a 166-hp, 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine that puts out 161 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. Its variable valve timing improves fuel efficiency and achieves low-end torque while maintaining a broad power range. Fuel economy averages 20/25 mpg in front-wheel-drive versions and 18/23 in 4WD. A choice of 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic is available in all but the base LX, which gets the automatic only.
The Element earns five stars in front and side impact tests from 2008, but has yet to be tested for 2009. All trims offer four-wheel ABS brakes, traction and stability control, dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows, rollover sensors, and a tire monitor. A new rearview camera can be added as an option, bundled with the new voice-activated navigation system. Full power features and a CD player come on all trims, and the more refined EX adds a 7-speaker sound system, an MP3 jack, satellite radio and wheel-mounted audio controls. Both EX and LX ride on 16-inch wheels. The sport-tuned SC boosts that to 18-inch wheels and has its own custom grille, a larger rear stabilizer bar, monochromatic body molding, and a lower ride height. On the inside, the SC sports unique seat fabric, copper-colored lights for the gauges, and carpet instead of the washable rubber flooring in other trims.
thinking of buying Element but concerned about getting parts in future
Can I bypass the AC with shorter belt
Why is this gauge so inaccurate? Always 5-8 degrees low.
What is that tube for and should the top be covered to prevent water and debris going down it?
I have a 2009 Honda Element SC. Do I perform a drain & fill or can I have it power flushed. Does the filter need to be replaced?
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4 · 120 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: rubber · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area: easy clean floor · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.50
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: black · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: black · Mirror color: black · Paint: two-tone · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: tail-gate spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: removable bucket
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 30 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 21 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone
Tires
Type: all season
Wheels
Wheel covers: full · Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: front · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4 · 120 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: rubber · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area: easy clean floor · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 4.50
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: black · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: black · Mirror color: black · Paint: two-tone · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: tail-gate spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: removable bucket
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 30 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 21 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone
Tires
Type: all season
Wheels
Wheel covers: full · Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: front · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 7 · 270 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: rubber · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area: easy clean floor · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.50
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: black · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: black · Mirror color: black · Paint: two-tone · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: tail-gate spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: removable bucket
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: folds up · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 30 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 21 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system
Tires
Type: all season
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: front · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 7 · 270 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: rubber · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: alloy
Convenience Features
Cargo area: easy clean floor · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 4.50
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: black · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: black · Mirror color: black · Paint: two-tone · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: tail-gate spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: removable bucket
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 30 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 21 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition
Tires
Type: all season
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: front · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 7 · 270 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Material: vinyl cargo area · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area: easy clean floor · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.50
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: tail-gate spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: removable bucket
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: folds up · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 30 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 21 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone
Tires
Type: all season
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: front · Rear wiper: with washer