ignition HONDA ELEMENT 2008 1.G User Guide

This indicator has three f unctions:Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
If itcomesonandstaysonatany
other time, or it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your vehicle checked by your dealer.
Without VSA, your vehicle still has
normal driving ability, but will not
have VSA traction and stability
enhancement. See page f or more
inf ormation on the VSA system.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. For more inf ormation, see
page .
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a professional towing service
(see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .
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243 169
Instrument Panel Indicators
Vehicle Stability Assist VSA A ctivation Indicator
Indicator
64
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LowTirePressure
(VSA) System Indicator
2008 Element

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS; the
system that monitors tire pressure.
With this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
Instrument Panel Indicators
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
65
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2008 Element

This shows the number of miles (U.S.)
or kilometers (Canada) driven since
you last reset it.Each trip meter works independently,
so you can keep track of two
dif f erent distances.The odometer shows the total
distance your vehicle has been
driven. It measures miles in U.S.
models and kilometers in Canadian
models. It is illegal under U.S.
federal law and Canadian provincial
regulations to disconnect, reset, or
alter the odometer with the intent to
change the number of miles or
kilometers indicated.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the last
selection is displayed.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the select/reset
knob until the number resets to ‘‘0.0’’.
There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the select/reset
knob repeatedly. Odometer
Trip Meter
Gauges
66
SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE
TACHOMETER
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
ODOMETER/TRIP METER SELECT/RESET
KNOB
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2008 Element

This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.Your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The f irst time a leak is detected
a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears on the information display.If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the select/reset knob.
The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
will appear each time you restart the
engine until the system turns the
message of f . 236
Gauges
Fuel Gauge Check Fuel Cap Message
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
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2008 Element

The inf ormation display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil lif e and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
inf ormation helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs f or continued trouble-
f ree driving. Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine’s
cooling system.
233185
Gauges
Maintenance Minder
Temperature Gauge
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2008 Element

µµPush down on the
lever to signal a lef t turn and up to
signal a right turn. To signal a lane
change, push lightly on the lever,
and hold it. The lever will return to
center when you release it or
complete a turn.
Turn Signal
OFF
Parking and interior lights
Headlights on
High Beams
Flashhighbeams Turning the switch to
the ‘‘ ’’ position turns on the
parking lights, taillights, instrument
panel lights, side-marker lights, and
rear license plate lights.
Turning the switch to the ‘‘ ’’
position turns on the headlights.
When the light switch is in the
‘‘ ’’ or ‘‘ ’’ position, the
lights on indicator comes on as a
reminder. This indicator stays on if
you leave the light switch on and
turn the ignition switch to the
ACCESSORY (I) or the LOCK (0)
position.
If you leave the lights on with the
key removed f rom the ignition
switch, you will hear a reminder
chime when you open the driver’s
door.
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Turn Signal Headlights
Turn Signals and Headlights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
71
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2008 Element

µPush the lever back
untilyouhearaclicktoturnonthe
high beams. The blue high beam
indicator will come on (see page ).
Pull the lever back again to low
beams. With the headlight switch of f or in
the position, the high beam
headlights and the high beam
indicator come on with reduced
brightness when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and release the parking
brake. They remain on until you turn
the ignition switch of f , even if you
set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
You can change the instrument panel
brightness only when the light
switch is on.
To f lash the high beams, pull the
lever back lightly, then release it.
The high beams will stay on as long
as you hold the lever back.
To adjust the brightness, turn the
knob on the instrument panel.
63
Canadian models only
High Beams Daytime Running L ights Instrument Panel Brightness
Turn Signal and Headlights, Instrument Panel Brightness
72
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2008 Element

The rear window def ogger will clear
fog, frost, and thin ice from the
window. Push the def ogger button to
turn it on and off. The indicator in
the button comes on to show the
def ogger is on. If you do not turn it
of f , the def ogger will shut itself of f
af ter about 15 minutes. It also shuts
of f when you turn of f the ignition
switch. You have to turn the
def ogger on again when you restart
the vehicle.
Push the button next to the shift
levertoturnonthehazardwarning
lights (f our-way f lashers). This
causes all f our outside turn signals
and both turn indicators in the
instrument panel to f lash. Use the
hazard warning lights if you need to
park in a dangerous area near heavy
traf f ic, or if your vehicle is disabled.
You will hear a beep when maximum
or minimum brightness is reached.
You will also hear a beep when the
maximum level is canceled by
turning the knob a click to the lef t.
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Instrument Panel Brightness, Hazard Warning Button, Rear Window Def ogger
Rear Window Def ogger
Hazard Warning Button
Inst rument s and Cont rols
73
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2008 Element

Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in that position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your set of keys.
You will need this key number if you
ever have to get a key replaced. Use
only Honda-approved key blanks.
The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works
only in the ignition and the door
locks. You can keep the glove box
and hatch locked when you leave
your vehicle and the valet key at a
parking f acility.
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Steering Wheel A djustment, K eys and L ocks
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
75
KEY
NUMBER
TAG
MASTER
KEYS
(BLACK) VALET
KEY
(LIGHT
GRAY)
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2008 Element

If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your dealer.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undrivable.
If you have lost your key and cannot
start the engine, contact your dealer.
The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the immobilizer
system indicator should come on f or
afewseconds,thengooff.If the
indicator starts to blink, it means the
system does not recognize the
coding of the key. Turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK (0) position,
remove the key, reinsert it, and turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position again.
The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key.
These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
immobilizer system. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.
Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
See page for an explanation of the
remote transmitter’s operation. 77 Immobilizer System
Keys and Locks, Immobilizer System
76
Always take the ignition key with you
whenever you leave the vehicle alone.
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2008 Element