warning HONDA ELEMENT 2008 1.G User Guide

See pagef or important saf etyinf ormation and a warning aboutimproperly positioning 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. 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.
They are most ef f ective when you
adjust them so the center of the back
of the occupant’s head rests against
the center of the restraint.
Seats
Head Restraints
Inst rument s and Cont rols
85
RELEASE BUTTON
Failure to reinstall the head
restraints can result in severe
injury during a crash.
Always replace the head
restraints before driving.
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µ
Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.
Check the terminals f or 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 of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f uture corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualif ied 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 vehicle’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 may disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradio,youwill
see ‘‘ENTER CODE’’ in the
f requency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see page
).
132
131
On EX and SC models
Checking the Battery
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
218
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.
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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
223
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.
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Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open 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
dipstick (see page ).If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
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.
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f 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 of f 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.
143
193
243
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
235
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.
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Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
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 car 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 T readwear T raction
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Technical Inf ormation
251
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Warning: 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
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
252
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CONT INUED
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .167
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .195
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor .63
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .251
Downshif ting, Manual
.............................
Transmission .159
..
Drive Gear Positions, D and D .162
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
...........................................
Driving .155
....................................
Economy .144
........................
Driving Guidelines .156
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .210
..............................
Economy, Fuel .144
............
Emergencies on the Road .221
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .231
...........
Brake System Indicator .237
................
Changing a Flat Tire .223
.....
Charging System Indicator .235
..................
Checking the Fuses .238
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .73 .....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .235
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .236
..................
Overheated Engine .233
...........................
Emergency Brake .93
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .243
.......................
Emissions Controls .256
........................
Emissions Testing .259
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .68
......
Engine Speed Limiter .160,163
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .60,236
.........................
Oil Lif e Display .185
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .60,235
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .193
...............................
Overheating .233
............................
Specif ications .248
.......................................
Starting .158
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .256
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .18 ...................................
Fan, Interior .103
.........................................
Features .101
.................
First (1) Gear Position .163
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .141
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .210
...............................................
Oil .194
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .223
.....................................
Floor Mats .209
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .198
..........................................
Brake .200
.........................................
Clutch .201
................................
Differential .200
..............
Manual Transmission .199
..........................
Power Steering .201
..................
Windshield Washer .197
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .111
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .87
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
3
Index
E F
INDEX
III
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..........................
Four-wheel Drive .156
............................
Front Airbags .11,27
Front Seat
......................................
Adjusting .13
...................................
Airbags .11,27
.................................................
Fuel .140
......................
Fill Door and Cap .141
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement .140
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .141
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .238 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .202
................................................
Hatch .81
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers .73
Headlights
........................................
Aiming .202
.......
Daytime Running Lights .72
..................
High Beam Indicator .63
........................
Reminder Beeper .71
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs .202
...................................
Turning on .71
..............................
Head Restraints .85
......................
Safety Information .15
.....................
Heating and Cooling .102
.............
High Altitude, Starting at .158
.................
High-Low Beam Switch .71
..
Hood, Opening and Closing the .142
..............................................
Horn .5,69
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .201 ...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .246
Ignition
..............................................
Keys .75
.............................................
Light .96
...........................................
Switch .79
............
Timing Control System .257
........................
Immobilizer System .76
.......
Immobilizer System Indicator .62
...
Important Handling Inf ormation .iv
.........
Important Safety Precautions .8
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel .60
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .42
......................................
Inf ant Seats .42
......
LATCH Anchorage System .46
...........................
Lower Anchors .46
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .50
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .212
...................................
Inside Mirror .92
.............................
Inspection, Tire .214
............................
Instrument Panel .59
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .72
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .60
.................................
Interior Lights .96
........................................
Introduction .i
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .144
.........................................
Gasoline .140
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .63
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement .140
........................
Tank, Filling the .141
................
Gas Station Procedures .141
.............................................
Gauges .66
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .68
...............................................
Fuel .67 Gearshif t Lever Positions
..........
Automatic Transmission .161
..............
Manual Transmission .159
........................................
Glove Box .98
Index
I
H
G
IV
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ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ.......................................
XM Radio .113
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .221
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .251
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .140
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .195
..................................
Vanity Mirror .99
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .150
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .248
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .246
.............................
Vehicle Storage .219
.....................................
Ventilation .104
.................................................
VIN .246
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .193
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .171
.............................
VSA Of f Switch .172
VSA System and Activation
.....................................
Indicators .64 ............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .55
..................
Warranty Coverages .263
Washers, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level .197
.....................................
Operation .70
...........................................
Wheels .212
...............
Adjusting the Steering .74
............
Alignment and Balance .215
..............................
Replacement .215
............................
Specif ications .216
...............................
Nut Wrench .224
Windows ..................
Operating the Power .91
..............................................
Rear .93
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .73
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .70
...................................
Def roster .105
.....................................
Washers .197
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .210
.....................................
Operation .70
....................................
Worn Tires .214 .....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing .243
:U.S.only
: Canada only
Index
INDEX
U
V W
X
IX
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