tatest wrote:
Element has the same drive train as contemporary CR-V models, and is just as towable, following the CR-V instructions. Because the Element was targeted to a lower price point, price of car did not cover the additional warranty cost of covering damage from recreational towing.
As you noted, earlier Elements included towing instructions. There were not changes in drivetrain, but as Honda built experience with warranty service costs associated with flat towing, they restricted it to the CR-V which could sell at a high enough price and volume to cover the additional warranty service costs.
Similar issues with Accords, Odysseys, Pilots, Civics, which Honda said were flat towable until warranty service started eating their lunch.
Approval of recreational towing is often more an economic/business decision than a technical issue. There was a time when almost all Toyota models were treated as flat towable until Toyota figured out what this was costing them, vs the small market for flat tow capability.
If it is beyond warranty period and mileage, you are towing at your own risk, regardless of what the manufacturer said.
