I own a 2005 Element and I was thinking about towing a small trailer with two motorcycles on it from GA to SC recently. I have been working in various service departments at Honda/Acura dealerships and I currently am a service manager at an independent shop that only repairs Honda/Acura vehicles, so I'm very aware of Honda spotty transmission reputation since 1998 or so.

I had concerns about towing with my Element, so I called my local Honda dealership where we order all of our parts and they told me that Honda temselves do NOT even offer a transmission cooler kit!

WTF?!

So in other words i would have to buy an aftermarket transmission cooler kit if I wanted one, and guess what? they may actually void my Honda and extended warranty coverage if I ever had a transmission problem.

Anyways I ended up not towing the bikes, and I've yet to even install the towing package on the Element, but I just thought that was very strange that honda doesn't offer up a cooler kit.

 

Honda doesn't offer a cooler because the rated towing capacity is only 1,500 lbs with 150lbs tounge weight

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MooGoCow3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honda doesn't offer a cooler because the rated towing capacity is only 1,500 lbs with 150lbs tounge weight</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah but when you already know how shitty the transmissions have been and are slipping without towing pulling any extra weight beisdes the vehicle's gross weight I'd feel better with a cooler if I was towing anything at all.

Now I've not heard of any problems specifically with Element auto trannies, so perhaps my fears are more parnoia than anything, but with my luck my tranny would be the one to slip.

Hell I changed the ATF out at 15,000 miles


Modified by B18C5-EH2 at 3:01 PM 9/25/2006

 

I don't blame you. I'm getting one for my cr-v just because i take it out on the sand a lot.
Better to be safe than sorry right?
Also I wouldn't go as far as saying an aftermarket cooler would void your warranties as long as it is connected propperly.

 

I've never seen an 02+ CRV or Element tranny replacement. But they do share the same basic drivetrain w/ 4cyl Accords 03+, and I have replaced one of those. BTW, almost all "problem trannies" are CVTs or V6s.

I wouldn't worry too much about a warranty void unless your extended warranty prohibits towing of any kind. You should be able to properly install any cooler you want and tow 1500lbs for every day of your warranty period and still be covered if your tranny goes out. I guess it really comes down to the dealership that you're taking your vehicle to. We would happily replace it unless we had some sort of evidence that you had been towing way more than the approved weight.

BTW, complain enough and Honda will buy you almost anything.


Modified by Servo at 5:06 AM 12/21/2006

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Servo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
BTW, complain enough and Honda will buy you almost anything. </TD></TR></TABLE>
100% true

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Servo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
BTW, complain enough and Honda will buy you almost anything.


Modified by Servo at 5:06 AM 12/21/2006</TD></TR></TABLE>

for reals???

 

yea i work at one too. The service managers are gods they say something and its done. Even if it means giving out a 2500 dollar transmission and labor past warranty just to make a good customer happy. Ask to talk to him at your dealer and tell him exactly what your issues are and he will help you. they might have you pay for an aftermarket cooler of their choice and install it for you.