Towing, 2008, Honda, ,Element, 4 down

If I didn't need my Wrangler for snow plowing I would get a toaster.

Thanks.
I will check into the element

Big Katuna wrote:
We have towed an 04 Element, an 09 CRV and now a 2011 Element.

Honda pulled towing approval for Elements after 06 but they are the same drive train as CRV which is approved thru 2014. We follow the procedure and have never had a problem with tens of thousands of miles. Great car.

X-2, This is correct information. Honda stopped the 4 down towing with there 2015 models and I believe 2013 with the Fit. Honda has gone with that CRT transmission that cannot be towed 4 down. The Honda manual says to turn the key to acc. then go thru the gears and leave the trans in neutral. It also says not to tow over 65 MPH and change transmission oil every 30,000 miles.

Have towed an '04 Element since new. Twice to Alaska and thru every western state. No issues so far.

We flat tow a 2005 Element, manual transmission AWD with no problems. In neutral, key in but off position to keep steering unlocked. Use an older brake system and it follows like a puppy.

There is no warranty.

Big Katuna wrote:
So why is it ok to tow a CRV but not an Element?

I repeat; I have towed two Elements tens of thousands of miles with no problems.

I asked a Honda rep about the 65 limit. He said Honda would not condone breaking speed limits while towing.

I drive at 62 which the slowest I can drive and keep the Allison in sixth gear.

Because the price of a CRV includes the additional cost of providing a warranty to cover the risks associated with flat towing, the price of an Element does not. FWIW, in those model years, all automatic transmission Hondas had the essentially the same four-speed automatic, derived from a GM automatic that GM considered towable.

Manufacture endorsement of flat towing involves more issues than just technology. Toyota refused to endorse flat towing of models that were technically as towable as automatic transmission Hondas, after getting hit by claims from the people who had problems.

The technical issues also include more than transmissions. Many FWD cars experience accelerated front tire wear, and sometimes accelerated wear of steering gear and front suspension components, while being towed. The suspension geometry for a front end driving and a front end in trail is not the same. To do both, a compromise is required, which is less than ideal for either purpose.

So why is it ok to tow a CRV but not an Element?

I repeat; I have towed two Elements tens of thousands of miles with no problems.

I asked a Honda rep about the 65 limit. He said Honda would not condone breaking speed limits while towing.

I drive at 62 which the slowest I can drive and keep the Allison in sixth gear.

Here is what Remco has to say

Officially from both Honda and REMCO the vehicle is not towable.

Towable as is with speed and/or distance restrictions. Please see Owner's Manual for confirmation and procedures.

It is not recommended to tow this vehicle over 65MPH

When towing for an extended period of time, start the vehicle as often as possible and allow it to run for five minutes to prevent battery drain.

However, we at Remco have a large number of customers who are flat-towing that vehicle behind their Motor Home and they are not having any issues. Follow the "Emergency Towing" procedures in the owner's manual to a "T" except ignore the restrictions and follow those procedures each and every time you tow. NOTE: If you choose tow your Honda, and have any damage to the Transmission as a result, you will have to pay for that expense out of pocket. It is nothing that Honda or Remco will warranty. Also, it should be noted that Remco sells no aftermarket product (Lube Pump or otherwise) to make this car towable.

So I would say no, not without a tow dolly. This is for an automatic and FWD.

We have towed an 04 Element, an 09 CRV and now a 2011 Element.

Honda pulled towing approval for Elements after 06 but they are the same drive train as CRV which is approved thru 2014. We follow the procedure and have never had a problem with tens of thousands of miles. Great car.