air condition HONDA ELEMENT 2008 1.G Owners Manual

How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other conveniencef eatures.
A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column. ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints. A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
Overview of Contents
Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
Features T echnical Inf ormation
Warranty and Customer
Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
Bef ore Driving
Maintenance
Driving
T aking Care of the Unexpected
3
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f\f\fy
2008 Element

µ
You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags are
designed to supplement seat belts,
not replace them. So even though
your vehicle is equipped with airbags,
make sure you and your passengers
always wear your seat belts, and
wear them properly (see page ).
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance (see page ).
Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed, the greater the
risk, but serious injuries can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either.
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual.
Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in a back
seat, not the front seat. Infants and
smallchildrenshouldberestrained
in a child seat. Larger children
should use a booster seat and a lap/
shoulder belt until they can use the
belt properly without a booster seat
(see pages ). 3753
16
185
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat Belt K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition
Control Your Speed
Don’t Drink and Drive
Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
Restrain All Children
8
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f\f
y
2008 Element

For added protection, the f ront seat
belts are equipped with automatic
seat belt tensioners. When activated,
the tensioners immediately tighten
the belts to help hold the driver and
a f ront passenger in position.For saf ety, you should check the
condition of your seat belts regularly.
Pull each belt out f ully, and look f or
f rays, cuts, burns, and wear. Check
that the latches work smoothly and
the belts retract easily. If a belt does
not retract easily, cleaning the belt
may correct the problem (see page
). Any belt that is not in good
condition or working properly will
not provide good protection and
should be replaced as soon as
possible.
Honda provides a limited warranty
on seat belts. See your booklet f or
details.
The tensioners are designed to
activate in any collision severe
enough to cause the f ront airbags to
deploy, or if a sensor detects your
vehicle is about to roll over (see page
).
When the tensioners are activated,
the seat belts will remain tight until
they are unbuckled.
The tensioners can also be activated
during a collision in which the f ront
airbags . In this case, the
airbags would not be needed, but the
additional restraint could be helpf ul.
If a side airbag or side curtain airbag
deploys during a side impact, the
tensioner on that side of the vehicle
will also deploy. 32
209
Honda
Warranty Inf ormation
do not deploy
Seat Belt Maintenance
A utomatic Seat Belt T ensioners
Additional Inf ormation About Your Seat Belts
22
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. Carbon
monoxide should not enter the
vehicle in normal driving if you
maintain your vehicle properly and
f ollow the inf ormation on this page.High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the
underside. Select the f resh air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconf ined area, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows:
With the tailgate or hatch open, air
f low can pull exhaust gas into your
vehicle’s interior and create a
hazardous condition. If you must
drive with the tailgate or hatch open,
openallthewindowsandsetthe
heating and cooling system as shown
below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
54
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
\f—\f—y

y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

The standard audio system has
many f eatures. This section
describes those f eatures and how to
use them. (If you have an optional
audio system, ref er to the operating
instructions that came with it.)
The heating and air conditioning
system in your vehicle provides a
comf ortable driving environment in
all weather conditions.
Your vehicle has an anti-theft audio
system that requires a code number
to enable it..............
Vents, Heating, and A/C .102
.....................
Air Flow Controls .103
.................................
Ventilation .104
......................
Using the Heater .104
...........................
Using the A/C .104
...........
Dehumidif y the Interior .105
..............
To Def og and Def rost .105
To Remove Exterior Frost
....
or Ice From the Windows .106
...............
To Turn Everything Of f .106
..........
Playing the AM/FM Radio .107
............
AM/FM Radio Reception .111
Playing the XM
...........................
Satellite Radio .113
................................
Playing a Disc .119
.......
Disc Player Error Messages .126
...
Disc Changer Error Messages .127
..................
Protecting Your Discs .128
.................
Radio Thef t Protection .131
..........................
Setting the Clock .132
................
Remote Audio Controls .134
...............................
Cruise Control .135
Features
Features
101
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f
\fy
2008 Element

Vents, Heating, and A/C
102
FAN CONTROL DIALTEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIALMODE CONTROL DIAL
RECIRCULATION BUTTON AIR CONDITIONING
(A/C) BUTTONREAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
BUTTON
MAX A/C POSITION DEFROST POSITION
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f
\fy
2008 Element

The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep this
area clear of leaves and other debris.
Thesystemshouldbeleftinfresh
air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to recirculation mode when
driving through dusty or smoky
conditions, then return to fresh air
mode.
Use the mode control dial to select
the vents the air flows from. Some
air will f low f rom the dashboard
vents in all modes.
Turning this dial clockwise increases
the temperature of the airflow.
Turn this dial clockwise to increase
the fan speed and airflow.
This button turns the air
conditioning on and of f . The
indicatorinthebuttonisonwhen
the A/C is on.
When the recirculation indicator is
on, air f rom the vehicle’s interior is
sent throughout the system again.
When the indicator is off, air is
brought in f rom the outside of the
vehicle (fresh air mode). The system automatically
turns on the A/C and
switches to recirculation mode. Air
f lows f rom the center and side vents
in the dashboard.
Air flows from the center
and corner vents in the dashboard.
Airf low is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
f loor vents.
Air f lows f rom the f loor
vents. When you select , the
system automatically switches to
f resh air mode.
Airf low is divided between
the f loor vents and the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
This button turns the rear window
def ogger on and of f (see page ).
73
CONT INUED
Rear Window Def ogger Button
Mode Control Dial
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
T emperature Control Dial
Fan Control Dial
A ir Flow Controls
Recirculation Button
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Features
103
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f
\fy
2008 Element

Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield. The heater uses engine coolant to warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming f rom the
system.
When you select or ,
the system automatically switches to
f resh air mode and turns on the A/C.
The A/C indicator does not come on.
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then discharges
it through vents near the tailgate. Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reading returns to normal.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The indicator in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select f resh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Set the mode control dial to MAX
A/C.
The system automatically turns on
the A/C, selects and
switches to recirculation mode.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
A/C, and setting the fan to
maximum speed in f resh air mode.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
68
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
To cool the interior with MAX A/C:
If the interior is very warm,
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Using the A/C
Using the Heater
Ventilation
(f resh air mode)
104
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f
\fy
2008 Element

To remove f og f rom the inside of the
windows:
Air conditioning, as it cools, removes
moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry and
can prevent the windows f rom
f ogging up.
This setting is suitable f or all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C). Turn the fan on.
Turn on the air conditioning.
Select and fresh air mode.
Adjust the temperature to your
pref erence. When you select or ,
the system automatically turns on
the A/C. This helps to dehumidif y
the air and to def og the windshield.
In either mode, you cannot turn of f
the A/C. When you switch to
another mode, the A/C returns to its
original setting, either on or of f , as
indicated by the A/C indicator.
Set the f an to the desired speed, or
high f or f aster def rosting.
Select . The system
automatically switches to f resh air
mode and turns on the A/C. (The
A/C indicator will not come on in
U.S. vehicles, if the A/C was of f to
start with)
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the airflow feels warm.
Select to help clear the
rear window.
To increase airf low to the
windshield, close the corner vents.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Dehumidif y the Interior T o Def og and Def rost
Features
105
\f—\f—y
\f\fy
(+\fy\f

\fy
2008 Element

The radio can receive the complete
AM and FM bands.
Those bands cover these f requen-
cies:
AM band: 530 to 1,710 kHz
FM band: 87.7 to 107.9 MHzHow well the radio receives stations
is dependent on many f actors, such
as the distance from the station’s
transmitter, nearby large objects,
and atmospheric conditions.
Driving very near the transmitter of
a station that is broadcasting on a
f requency close to the f requency of
the station you are listening to can
also af f ect your radio’s reception.
You may temporarily hear both
stations,orhearonlythestationyou
are close to.
A radio station’s signal gets weaker
as you get f arther away f rom its
transmitter. If you are listening to an
AM station, you will notice the sound
volume becoming weaker, and the
stationdriftinginandout.If youare
listening to an FM station, you will
see the stereo indicator f lickering of f
and on as the signal weakens.
Eventually, the stereo indicator will
go of f and the sound will f ade
completely as you get out of range of
the station’s signal.
Radio stations on the AM band are
assigned f requencies at least 10 kHz
apart (530, 540, 550). Stations on the
FM band are assigned f requencies at
least 0.2 MHz apart (87.9, 88.1, 88.3).
Stations must use these exact
f requencies. It is f airly common f or
stations to round-of f the f requency in
their advertising, so your radio could
display a f requency of 100.9 even
though the announcer may identif y
the station as ‘‘FM101.’’
CONT INUED
Radio Frequencies Radio Reception
A M/FM Radio Reception
Features
111
\f—\f—y
\fy
(+\fy\f

y
2008 Element