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How is the Honda Element EX-P in Snow?

23 messages,  Last post on Apr 23, 2012 at 6:25 AM

You are in the Honda Element Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Element, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 3

#14 of 23 Re: XM Satellite Radio [harry28] by tidester

Jul 12, 2007 (6:09 pm)

Replying to: harry28 (Jul 12, 2007 5:53 pm)
I recommend asking in Honda Element.
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#15 of 23 Considering an Element by laf3

Sep 28, 2007 (10:01 pm)

I just test drove an 03 EX with 40K for $14,900; We are stepping out of a Chrysler LHS and before that, a Taurus I absolutely loved. I am excited about the versitility for our large dogs, garden stuff etc. I loved how comfy it was, and how it handled on the test. I live in MT, and the salesman told me he owned one for 2 years and thought there was nothing better in the snow/ice.
    In perusing the internet on cars.com, I see on '06 with 9K for the same price, though it's 1000 miles away. Is there a big difference between the two years besides body style? I would REALLY appreciate any tips and feedback anyone has to give as we look seriously at purchasing an Element. I am concerned a bit about the lack of mpg...and all of the repair messages in this forum!

#16 of 23 laf3 by tundradude

Sep 29, 2007 (10:52 am)

Safety. The 07 and 08 has more equipment for any model and they have standard side air bags.

#17 of 23 Re: How is EX-P in Snow [schumarg] by lab88

Feb 26, 2008 (6:19 am)

Replying to: schumarg (Jul 01, 2006 2:52 pm)
I live in Indiana, and we often get a few inches of snow at a time during the winter. We sometimes get a foot or a bit more. Overall, I'm very happy with my AWD Element in the snow. I used to own a Subaru Forester, and it was good in the snow, too (there were other things I hated about it). I have noticed that the Element does not stick quite as well when you first start moving again, like at an intersection sometimes when it's very snowy or wet, the tires will spin to grip if you stomp the pedal, but I have not had any problems with the Element sticking while driving. Come to think of it, since I replaced the stock tires, I haven't noticed the intersection issue again, even during this whole snowier-than-average winter.

#18 of 23 Re: How is EX-P in Snow [schumarg] by Guys_EXP

Nov 28, 2008 (9:04 pm)

Replying to: schumarg (Jul 01, 2006 2:52 pm)
My EX-P 2WD is AMAZING in snow and I live in Ohio.
 
Watch out for the heater core....known issue and some are BAD....mine was VERY BAD. Honda Replaced it. And, sorry to say, Honda says they fixed the cracked windsheild thing after 2005..>WRONG....mine cracked exactly like the previous years, after serious debates with them...they replaced it with a much better windsheild

#19 of 23 Real Estate- goes everywhere by jbogo

Jul 28, 2009 (7:08 am)

I have a 2003 AWD Element, bought new in '03. In my rural real estate practice, I go absolutely everywhere, and in all kind of conditions. (The Pittsburgh end of Pennsylvania is very hilly!)
 
I have taken it through farmer fields in knee-to-waist-high grass and weeds in showing land. I also have five years experience in all kinds of winter weather, often driving on ice and up to ten inches or so of snow. (The experiences I could tell you!)
 
I usually use an aggressive tread all-weather tire in the winter, or sometimes a mud & snow. I don't particularly overload my Element with heavy "stuff" in the rear, although I do keep lots of real estate stuff back there (for fixing "for sale" signs, etc., and my handy tool box. (The clamshell rear gives me a great work bench when I pull down the tailgate, and a covered work bench when I leave the upper window part extended!)
 
I have to say though that my Element handles like a dream, and has never come near letting me down in wet, cold, snowy and icy weather, or on our hilly terrain. Not in five years and nearly 140,000 miles.

#20 of 23 Re: How is EX-P in Snow [Guys_EXP] by Chasboy

May 12, 2010 (9:27 am)

Replying to: Guys_EXP (Nov 28, 2008 9:04 pm)
Mine is excellent

#21 of 23 2011 Element Highway Speed Vibrations by spectre15

Jan 31, 2011 (7:08 pm)

I just purchased a 2011 Honda Element. Unfortunately, after driving the vehicle I have found that there is a constant vibration in the steering wheel at 55-70 mph. I have taken the Element to the dealer 4 times now. They have rebalanced all the tires, rotated them, and completely realigned the wheels. The last time, they put on better quality tires. At first I thought the issue was fixed, but it only changed the vibration speeds. The steering wheel has a constant vibration from about 45-72 mph now. The dealer is not sure what to do to fix the problem. The dealer had one 2011 Element on the lot, and when the service manager and the mechanic drove the other 2011 Element, they found it too had the same vibration. Now that Honda America has approved the new tires, they are not sure what to do to get rid of the vibration. I love the Element, but I cannot stand the vibration.
 
Have any of you out there had this same issue? If so, how did they fix it. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

#22 of 23 Re: 2011 Element Highway Speed Vibrations [spectre15] by Chasboy

Feb 01, 2011 (12:10 am)

Replying to: spectre15 (Jan 31, 2011 7:08 pm)
I had a similar problem when mine was new. I feel like it went away, but I KNEW it was gone when I had new brakes, tires and an alignment at 45000 miles. I switched to General Grabbers and it never drove/rode so well.

#23 of 23 Re: 2011 Element Highway Speed Vibrations [spectre15] by jt_element

Apr 23, 2012 (6:25 am)

Replying to: spectre15 (Jan 31, 2011 7:08 pm)
I know squat about cars. In fact, my 2007 Element that I bought certified pre-owned in 2010 is my first car purchase ever. But what you're experiencing sounds like a problem I had, and it was the bushings.
 
Before they replaced the bushings, the car would often vibrate on any kind of less than perfectly smooth surface, and when I drove over any kind of even mildly rough surface--like grating or the grooves they put on the highway just before the toll booths--it would vibrate horribly.
 
I would bet the problem has something to do with the suspension.

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