Honda Element

[mountainpete]

I can't comment on the Element directly, but I do own an 05 CR-V and they share a lot of "elements".

Overall, I have found the CR-V suspension, drivetrain, etc, to be a lot weaker then I expected. As an example, last winter we slid around a corner and the rear passenger tire/rim made contact with a curb. It was a decent hit, but I was sure the worst of it was a bent rim at the most. Turns out we needed to replace the entire bearing assembly for the tune of almost $500 including Honda parts and labour (dealer wanted over $800).

We have also had other items that have happened which just brought to my attention the limitations of the design and materials used. The AWD system is good on snow covered roads, but we have been having a lot of problems with the rear diff making noises - the dealership always just replacing the fluids as a so called cure. I have also noticed issues with the AWD just not wanting to work correctly - I think we are regularily hitting that overheating cutoff in the winter - need to investigate it more.

With all that said, if you add on a set of decent tires, it would actually be a good little fire-road explorer.

 

[Ron B]

I know nothing about these vehicles and don't own one (I do like them though) -- are they 4 wheel independant susp? If so, a solution to the clearance/aproach/departure/breakover inadequacies might be airsprings/bags. Leave it at the stock height for most of your driving, and crank it up a few inches (probably as much as 4?) when needed. I'm currently knee deep into this mod on my truck and thought the element might be similar?

Ron B

 

[adventureduo]

My old neighbor has one.. and he follows me on fire roads all over socal with it. Even pulls a wheel off the ground every once a while and keeps going. It's pretty cool little rig for a MPG concious person that isnt doing any extreme wheelin.

 

[paulj]

A few Element owners have tried to add spacers, generally at the top of the strut towers, to gain some ground clearance. One found he could add an inch or two in front, but the rear was too compact. Another one seems to gotten something that worked front and back, though I didn't pay attention to the details. Extension of the drive shafts is also a concern.

It has been much easier to lower an Element than to raise it. In fact Honda added a lowered version in 2007, the SC.

Honda's traditional name for their 'awd' mechanism was RT4WD - real time 4 WD. They've been using since the 1st generation CRV (1997), possibly even earlier (the Civic wagon of the 1980s). Clearly it isn't a traditional part time 4wd with normal rear drive and transfer case. And it doesn't drive all the wheels all the time (though the rear drive shaft does turn all the time). By now there are some many different mechanisms for driving all 4 wheels at least some of the time, that you can't describe them with just two names (4wd and awd).

Given the stiff suspension, it should be easy to lift a wheel. But that shouldn't stop it. With more weight in front, I am more likely to fly a rear wheel, so the front ones will continue to drive. If a front one looses contact, then it spins, and the rear ones get power. I may of done that occasionally when crossing water bars, but I haven't stopped to take any pictures.

Getting grounded and lifting 2 or 3 wheels will stop you. I haven't done that with my Element, but did it in my RAV4 - on a late season snow drift in California.

The RAV4 (1st generation) has a true AWD, driving all wheels all the time, and shifting power with some sort of viscous center differential. But for some reason the Element has proven to be more sure footed in snow than the RAV. One winter I tried to drive up an icy hill with both cars, starting from a stop in the middle. By applying a light touch to the gas, I was able to get the Element moving. I think I had the transmission in 2nd (no down shifting) which helped keep torque low and reduce wheel spin. The RAV spun its wheels and threatened to walk to the side of the road. It may have been applying too much torque. Weight distribution, and tires, could also have made a difference.

paulj

 

[HINO SG]

Honda Ridgeline, was Element

Pretty random question, but are there toppers available for the Ridgline? It seems to be fairly popular here in Minnesota but I've never seen one with a topper.
I know it's got the built-in cover but seems like the topper would be a useful item for some.

 

[Streakerfreak]

Pretty random question, but are there toppers available for the Ridgline? It seems to be fairly popular here in Minnesota but I've never seen one with a topper.
I know it's got the built-in cover but seems like the topper would be a useful item for some.

Yes someone does make them. I have seen one around Eugene here, but I do not know where it is from.

 

[paulj]

There's a Ridgeline Owners Club forum. It's a spinoff from the very active Element Owners Club. Last time I looked there were a couple of brands of caps. They remind me of the cap that used to fit the Ranchero/Camino car/pickups.

But to make a Ridgeline into a good camper, one needs a cap that expands to include the lowered tailgate, giving more than 6' of covered space. I've been meaning to check ROC to see if anyone has made a camping mod.

paulj

 

[paulj]

An Element owner has gotten a prototype full length roof rack from Gobi -

http://elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40339

 

[kcowyo]

Pretty random question, but are there toppers available for the Ridgline? It seems to be fairly popular here in Minnesota but I've never seen one with a topper..

There is a silver Ridgeline in my little town with a topper.

I just passed him on the street today and his shell is an ARE

Dunno if anyone else is making them. I just happened to see this one today -

 

[HINO SG]

Doesn't look too bad.

seem like the topper on the Subaru Baja really rescues the lines on that vehicle, from really ugly to a little bit odd.

 

[Martinjmpr]

The biggest drawback I can see to the Ridgeline is the poor MPG. I think it's rated at 16/19 or 16/20. You can get a full size truck that gets that kind of MPG, and it will haul more, tow more, and go places the Ridgeline can't (due to clearance and low range t-case.) Remember that underneath the Ridgeline is still basically a unibody car with a transverse engine and a FWD-biased system.

 

[Scott Brady]

That rack looks great Paul!

 

[Pokey]

isnt Honda doing a diesel in 2008? i thought i read somewhere that they were thinking about doing a diesel option for the ridgeline.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Honda diesel

isnt Honda doing a diesel in 2008? i thought i read somewhere that they were thinking about doing a diesel option for the ridgeline.

I think its for model year 2010 and the Ridgeline & P***port are two of the vehicles that will get it.

 

[haven]

Honda announced recently that the 2011 model year will be the last year for the Element. According to Honda, more than 300,000 Elements have been purchased since its introduction in November, 2002. Read more about the Element's history here
http://www.autoobserver.com/2010/12/honda-kills-boxy-element-after-9-year-run.html

Fans of Honda's small SUVs will still be able to purchase the CR-V in years to come.