HONDA ELEMENT 2006 1.G Owners Manual

The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible.The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible. Combine several short trips into
one.
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more f uel.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more f uel. Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
f uel. Use cruise control when
appropriate.
Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
schedule. See
on page
.
164
For example,
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
129

When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags and anti-lock brakes.
Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty. Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make it unsaf e. Bef ore you make any
modif ications or add any accessories,
be sure to read the f ollowing
inf ormation.
Bef ore installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Although non-Honda accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability. Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper the operation of your
vehicle.
Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the f inal installation.
212
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
130
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

Some examples are:Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer. Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with some
non-Honda components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Non-Honda wheels can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components.
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
131

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Cargo area side pockets
Glove box
Ceiling pocket (U.S. EX models
and Canadian Y package)
Door pockets
Seat-back pocket (U.S. EX models
and Canadian Y package)
Cargo area (including rear seats
when they are f olded down, f olded
to the side, or removed)
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages. Roof rack (if installed) Seat-back bungees (U.S. EX
models and Canadian Y package)
Carrying Cargo
132
CARGO AREA SIDE POCKET DOOR POCKETS
CARGO AREA GLOVE BOX
CEILING POCKET
SEAT-BACK BUNGEES SEAT-BACK POCKET

µ·
Steps f or determining correct load
limit:
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 675 lbs (308 kg). This f igure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories,
and the tongue load if you are towing
a trailer.
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 675
lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard.
[The placard is on the driver’s
doorjamb.]
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
675 pounds or 308 kilograms.Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
in the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity in
step 4.
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if the maximum load
is 675 lbs and there will be f our
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 75 lbs.
(675 600 (4 150) = 75 lbs.)
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load f rom your trailer
will be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ).
1.
2.
5.
6.
3.
4. 151
CONT INUED
Carrying Cargo
Load Limits
Bef ore Driving
133
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all passengers, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals or the proper operation of
the seats.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop. Theseparationnetcanbeusedto
hold back sof t, lightweight items
stored in the cargo area. Heavy
items should be properly secured on
the f loor of the cargo area. The net
may not prevent heavy items f rom
being thrown f orward in a crash or a
sudden stop. If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack.
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate or the hatch, exhaust gas
can enter the passenger area. To
avoid the possibility of , f ollow the
instructions on page . Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. If youfoldtherearseatsdown,
f old them up, or remove them, tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
47
Carrying Cargo
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment Optional Separation Net
carbon
monoxide poisoning
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
134

The driver’s seat-back and lef t rear
seat-back are equipped with
adjustable bungee cords to hold
medium-sized, lightweight objects.If the cords are not installed, route
one cord through the loops as shown.
To attach the hooks, press the top of
the hook down, and slide to the
desired position, then release. Adjust
as needed.
If equipped
Carrying Cargo
Seat-Back Bungee
Bef ore Driving
135
LOOP
ADJUSTABLE BUNGEE CORD
HOOK

136

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, and f acts you
need if you are planning to tow a
trailerordriveoff-highway.........................
Driving Guidelines .138
........................
Preparing to Drive .139
.......................
Starting the Engine .140
...................
Manual Transmission .141
..............
Automatic Transmission .143
...........................................
Parking .147
.............................
Braking System .148
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .149
...........................
Towing a Trailer .151
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .157
Driving
Driving
137

Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof . Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Your vehicle is equipped with a f our-
wheel drive (4WD) system. When
the system senses a loss of front-
wheel traction, it automatically
transf ers some power to the rear
wheels. This gives you better
traction and mobility.
You still need to exercise the same
care when accelerating, steering, and
brakingthatyouwouldinatwo-
wheel drive vehicle.
Your vehicle has a higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Four-wheel drive models
See page f or of f -highway drivingguidelines. 157
Driving Guidelines
138