warning HONDA ELEMENT 2007 1.G User Guide

See page for important safety
inf ormation and a warning about how to properly position the head restraints. 15
Your vehicle is equipped with head
restraints in all seating positions to
help protect you and your
passengers f rom whiplash and other
injuries. They are most ef f ective when you
adjust them so the back of the
occupant’s head rests against the
center of the restraint.
The head restraints in the f ront and
rear seating positions adjust f or
height. You need both hands to
adjust the restraint. To raise it, pull
upward. To lower the restraint, push
the release button sideways and
push the restraint down.
Seats
Head Restraints
Inst rument s and Cont rols
85
RELEASE BUTTON

Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving. Each
tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold and
set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the vehicle
placard and this owner’s manual (see
page ).
Although your tire pressure is
monitored, you must manually check
thetirepressuresmonthly.
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly, and inf late the tire to
the recommended pressure shown
on the driver’s doorjamb.
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning indicator is on, one
or more of your tires is signif icantly
under-inf lated. You should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper
pressureasindicatedonthevehicle’s
tire inf ormation placard.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure indicator to come on. After inflating the tire(s) to the
proper pressure, the warning
indicator will remain on until the
vehicle is driven at a speed more
than 25 mph (40 km/h).
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. 245
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
Driving
163

µ
Check
the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicato r’s
colors.
Check the terminals for corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it off with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a cloth
or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
future corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualified technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehic le’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting may be lost. To reset the time,
see page . If
your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the
audio system will disable itsel f. The
nexttimeyouturnontheradio,you
will see ‘‘ENTER CODE’’ in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see page ).
130
129
On EX and SC models
Checking the Battery
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
214
TEST INDICATOR
WINDOW
POSITIVE TERMINAL NEGATIVE TERMINAL
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the hatch and the tailgate.
The spare tire, jack, and tools are
under the cargo area f loor.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
1.
2.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
219
TOOLS
SPARE TIRE
JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

Let the vehicle sit for a minute.
Op en the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipsti ck (see page ). If
the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn off all electri cal
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Safely
pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page
).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action. 1.
2.
4. 3.
141
189
239
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
231
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

µ
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example: The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
All passenger vehicle tires must
conf orm to Federal Saf ety
Requirements in addition to these
grades. Unif orm T ire Quality Grading
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A Treadwear Traction AA, A, B, C
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
246

µWarning: The temperature grade f or
this tire is established f or a tire that
is properly inf lated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinf lation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire f ailure.
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire f ailure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
perf ormance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Saf ety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of perf ormance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Temperature A,B,C
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Technical Inf ormation
247

Î
CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .103
.........................................
Features .101
.................
First (1) Gear Position .157
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .139
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .206
...............................................
Oil .190
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .219
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .194
..........................................
Brake .196
.........................................
Clutch .197
................................
Differential .196
..............
Manual Transmission .195
..........................
Power Steering .197
..................
Windshield Washer .193
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .111
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .87
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..........................
Four-wheel Drive .150
..............................
Economy, Fuel .142
............
Emergencies on the Road .217
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .227
...........
Brake System Indicator .233
................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
.....
Charging System Indicator .231
..................
Checking the Fuses .234
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .73 .....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .231
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .232
..................
Overheated Engine .229
...........................
Emergency Brake .93
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .239
.......................
Emissions Controls .251
.............
Emissions Testing, State .254
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .68
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 154, 157
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 60, 232
.........................
Oil Lif e Display .179
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60, 231
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 189
...............................
Overheating .229
............................
Specif ications .244
.......................................
Starting .152
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 251
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 161
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .191
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor . 63
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 246
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .153
..
Drive Gear Positions, D and D . 156
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .149
....................................
Economy .142
........................
Driving Guidelines .150
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 206
3
Index
E F
INDEX
III
Won’t Start ..................................
225Floor Mats ......................................
205

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
Tailgete............................................
Locks .82
..............................
Open Monitor .63
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs .203
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .217
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .246
.....
Emissions Control Systems .251
..........
State Emissions Testing .254
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .253
.....................
Tensioners, Seat Belt .22
.......................
Temperature Gauge .68
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .50 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
..................................
(TPMS) .163
.......................................
Indicator .65
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .129
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .253
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel .74
..........................
Time, Setting the .130
....................................
Tire Chains .213
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .219
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .246
.................................
Tire Labeling .248
...............................................
Tires .208
..............................
Air Pressure .209
.........................
Checking Wear .210
..........................
Compact Spare .218
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .246
......................................
Inf lation .208
..................................
Inspection .210
.....
Low Pressure Indicator . 64, 163
..............................
Maintenance .211
...................................
Replacing .211
......................................
Rotating .211
...........................................
Snow .213
............................
Specif ications .245
................................
Tire Chains .213
...................
VSA and Tire Sizes .166 ...................
Tools, Tire Changing .219
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .167
................................
Emergency .239
...
Equipment And Accessories .169
.............................
Weight Limit .167
.....
Trailer, Driving Saf ely With a .171
.............................
Trailer Loading .168
...........................
Traction Devices .213
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .194
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .195
..................
Fluid Selection . 194, 195
..............
Identif ication Number .243
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 155
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 153
......................
Transmitter, Remote .77
...................................
Treadwear .246
.......................................
Trip Meter .66
....................................
Turn Signals .71
...................
Stereo Sound System . 107
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .215
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System . 11, 24
......................................
Servicing .35
.........................
SRS Indicator . 33, 61
...................
System Components . 24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .190
Index
T
VIII
Turn Signal and Hazard
Warning Indicators .................. 62

ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .217
..
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . 246
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .138
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .191 .......................................
XM Radio .113
..................................
Vanity Mirror .99
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .146
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .244
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .242
.............................
Vehicle Storage .215
.....................................
Ventilation .104
.................................................
VIN .242
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .189
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .165
.............................
VSA Of f Switch .166
VSA System and Activation
.....................................
Indicators .64 ............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .55
..................
Warranty Coverages . 259
Washers, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level .193
.....................................
Operation .70
...........................................
Wheels .208
...............
Adjusting the Steering .74
............
Alignment and Balance .211
..............................
Replacement .211
............................
Specif ications .212
...............................
Nut Wrench .220
Windows ..................
Operating the Power .91
..............................................
Rear .93
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .73
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .70
...................................
Def roster .105
.....................................
Washers .193
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .206
.....................................
Operation .70
....................................
Worn Tires .210 .....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing .239
:U.S.only
: Canada only
Index
INDEX
U
V W
X
IX