HONDA ELEMENT 2011 1.G Repair Manual

This section gives information about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations
..........................
56
Instrument Panel
..........................
57
Instrument Panel Indicators
..........
58
Gauges
..........................................
64
Information Display
..................
65
Odometer
..................................
65
Trip Meter
................................
66
Fuel Gauge
...............................
66
Check Fuel Cap Message
.........
66
Temperature Gauge
..................
67
Maintenance Minder ™
..............
67Outside Temperature
Indicator
...............................
68
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
.......................................
69
Windshield Wipers and Washers
....................................
70
Turn Signals and Headlights
.........
71
Instrument Panel Brightness
........
72
Hazard Warning Button
................
73
Rear Window Defogger
.................
74
Steering Wheel Adjustment
..........
74
Keys and Locks
.............................
75
Immobilizer System
......................
76
Remote Transmitter
......................
77
Ignition Switch
..............................
79
Door Locks
...................................
80
Power Door Locks
....................
80
Rear Doors
................................
81
Hatch
........................................
81
Tailgate
.....................................
82
Seats
.............................................
83
Seat Adjustments
......................
83
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment
...........................
84 Front Seat Armrests
..................
85
Head Restraints
.........................
85
Reclining the Front Seats
..........
87
Folding the Rear Seats
..............
88
Removing the Rear Seats
..........
90
Power Windows
............................
92
Mirrors
.........................................
93
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
.....
93
Rear Windows
...............................
94
Parking Brake
...............................
94
Interior Lights
...............................
95
Light Control Switch
.................
95
Individual Map Lights
...............
95
Ceiling Light
.............................
96
Cargo Area Light
.......................
96
Ignition Switch Light
.................
96
Interior Convenience Items
...........
97
Cooler Box
................................
98
Beverage Holders
.....................
99
Accessory Power Sockets
.......
100
Glove Box
...............................
100
Sun Visor
................................
100
Vanity Mirror
..........................
101
Overhead Console
..................
101
Instruments and Controls
55
Instruments and Controls
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VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA) OFF
SWITCH (P. 173)PARKING BRAKE
(P. 94) AUDIO SYSTEM
(P. 109)
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
(P. 104)
Ex model is shown. POWER DOOR
LOCK SWITCH
(P. 80)
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P. 93)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P. 92) INSTRUMENT PANEL (P. 57)
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P. 144) GAUGES (P. 64)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (P. 161)
Control Locations5610/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

DRL
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
INDICATOR (P. 60)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P. 61)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 58, 235)
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA)
INDICATOR
(P. 62)
VSA OFF
INDICATOR
(P. 62)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS) INDICATOR (P. 59)LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
(P. 58, 235)
DOOR AND TAILGATE
OPEN INDICATOR (P. 61)SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR (P. 59)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 60)SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 59)LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
(P. 61)
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR (P. 59)
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR (P. 58)
LIGHTS ON INDICATOR (P. 61) PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 58, 237)
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR (P. 60)
TPMS INDICATOR
(P. 63) CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
(P. 60)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP (P. 58, 236)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P. 62)
Instrument Panel
57
Instruments and Controls
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The instrument panel has many
indicators that give you important
information about your vehicle.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
For more information, see page 236.Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator flashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more information, see page 235.Charging System
Indicator
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more
information, see page 235.
Parking Brake and Brake
System Indicator (Red)
This indicator has two functions:
1. It comes on when you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. A beeper
sounds if you drive with the
parking brake not fully released.
Driving with the parking brake not
fully released can damage the
brakes and tires.
2. If it remains on after you have fully released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the brake
system. For more information, see
page 237.
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. It reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
fastened your seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position before fastening
your seat belt, the beeper sounds
and the indicator flashes. If you do
not fasten your seat belt before the
beeper stops, the indicator stops
flashing but remains on.
If your front passenger does not
fasten their seat belt, the indicator
comes on about 6 seconds after the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position.
Instrument Panel Indicators5810/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

If either of you do not fasten your
seat belt while driving, the beeper
will sound and the indicator will flash
again at regular intervals. For more
information, see page 18.
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
This indicator comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates a potential
problem with your front airbags. This
indicator will also alert you to a
potential problem with your airbag
system components. For more
information, see page 30.
Side Airbag Off Indicator
This indicator comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates that the
passenger's side airbag has
automatically shut off. For more
information, see page 31.Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for a
few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
comes on at any other time, there is a
problem with the ABS. If this happens,
have your vehicle checked at a dealer.
With this indicator on, your vehicle still
has normal braking ability but no anti-
lock function. For more information,
see page 168.
Maintenance Minder
Indicator
This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. It
reminds you that it is time to take
your vehicle in for scheduled
maintenance. The maintenance main
items and sub items will be displayed
in the information display. See page
185 for more information on the
Maintenance Minder ™.
This indicator goes off when your
dealer resets it after completing the
required maintenance service.
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
59
Instruments and Controls
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Immobilizer System
Indicator
This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. It will
then go off if you have inserted a
properly coded ignition key. If it is
not a properly coded key, the
indicator will blink, and the engine
will not start (see page 76).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch from the ON (II) position to
the ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
position.
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicators do not blink
or they blink rapidly, it usually
means one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see page 204). Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle flash.
Daytime Running Lights
Indicator
If this indicator comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position and the parking brake is
released, it means there is a problem
with a circuit. Have your vehicle
checked by your dealer.Cruise Control Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page 137
for information on operating the
cruise control.Cruise Main Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel (see page 137).
Instrument Panel Indicators6010/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Lights On Indicator
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or
position. If you turn the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0) position without
turning off the light switch, this
indicator will stay on. A reminder
chime will also sound when you open
the driver's door.High Beam Indicator
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
information, see page 71. Low Fuel Indicator
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must refuel soon.
When the indicator comes on, there
is about 2.8 U.S. gal (10.5 L) of fuel
remaining in the tank before the
needle reaches E. There is a small
reserve of fuel remaining in the tank
when the needle does reach E.Door and Tailgate Open Indicator
The appropriate indicator comes on
in this display if the hatch, the
tailgate, or any door is not closed
tightly.
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
61
Instruments and Controls
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Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page 172).
If it comes on and stays on at any
other time, there is a problem with
the VSA system. Take your vehicle to
a dealer to have it checked. Without
VSA, your vehicle still has normal
driving ability, but will not have VSA
traction and stability enhancement.
See page 172 for more information
on the VSA system.
VSA OFF Indicator
It comes on as a reminder that you
have turned off the vehicle stability
assist (VSA) system.
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. See page 172 for more
information on the VSA system.
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few 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 significantly low on
pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost pressure, and determine the
cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page 222), and have the
flat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinflated,
call a professional towing service
(see page 244). For more
information, see page 169.
Instrument Panel Indicators6210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few 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. For more
information, see page 170.
Instrument Panel Indicators
63
Instruments and Controls
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ꭧ: If equipped.
DRL
TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
INFORMATION DISPLAY
ODOMETER/TRIP METER/
CHECK FUEL CAP MESSAGE TEMPERATURE GAUGESELECT/RESET
KNOB
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR
ꭧ
Gauges6410/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu