power steering HONDA ELEMENT 2010 1.G Owners Manual

A
Accessories andModifications .......................... 205
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position) ................................... 79
Accessory Power Sockets ..........100
Additives, Engine Oil .................252
Adjusting the Steering Wheel ......74
Advanced Airbags ........................27
Airbag (SRS) ............................ 9, 22
Air Conditioning System ............104
Air Pressure, Tires ..............271, 272
Alcohol in Gasoline ....................198
Antifreeze ................................... 254
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light ..................59, 225
Operation ................................ 225
Anti-theft, Audio System .............188
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock ......................................... 79
Audio System ............................. 109
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners ...20
Automatic Speed Control ...........193Automatic Transmission
............
219
Capacity, Fluid ........................309
Checking Fluid Level ..............256
Shifting ................................... 219
Shift Lever Position Indicators ............................ 219
Shift Lever Positions ...............219
Shift Lock Release ...................221
Automatic Transmission Fluid ...256
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................192
B
Battery Charging System Indicator ........................ 58, 295
Jump Starting .......................... 291
Maintenance ........................... 277
Specifications .......................... 310
Before Driving ........................... 197
Belts, Seat ................................ 8, 18
Beverage Holders ........................99
Booster Seats ............................... 50
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...........225 Break-in, New Linings
.............198
Bulb Replacement ...................266
Fluid ....................................... 258
Parking .................................... 94
System Design ........................224
System Indicator ...............58, 297
Wear Indicators .......................225
Braking System .......................... 224
Break-in, New Vehicle ................198
Brightness Control, Instruments .............................. 72
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX

EngineAdding Engine Coolant ...........254
Coolant Temperature Gauge ....67
If it Won't Start ........................289
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ............................. 58, 296
Oil Life Indicator .....................243
Oil Pressure Indicator .......58, 295
Oil, What Kind to Use .............251
Overheating ............................ 293
Specifications .......................... 308
Speed Limiter ..................218, 221
Starting ................................... 216
Engine Coolant .......................... 254
Engine Number .........................307
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................198
Evaporative Emissions Controls .................................. 316
Exhaust Fumes ............................ 52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by .................................... 16
F
Fan, Interior ............................... 105Features
..................................... 103
Filters
Dust and Pollen .......................269
Oil ........................................... 252
Flashers, Hazard Warning ...........73
Flat Tire, Changing a .................283
Floor Mats ................................. 268
Fluids Automatic Transmission .........256
Brake ...................................... 258
Clutch ..................................... 258
Location .................................. 250
Manual Transmission ..............257
Power Steering ........................260
Rear Differential ......................258
Windshield Washer .................255
FM/AM Radio Reception ...........186
Folding the Rear Seats .................88
Four-way Flashers ........................73
Front Airbags ........................... 9, 25
Front Seat
Adjusting .................................. 83
Fuel ............................................ 198
Check Fuel Cap Message ........66
Economy ................................. 202
Fill Door and Cap ....................199Gauge
...................................... 66
Low Fuel Indicator ...................61
Octane Requirement ...............198
Reserve Indicator .....................61
Tank, Filling the ......................199
Fuel Economy ............................ 202
Fuses, Checking the ..................298
G
Gas Mileage, Improving .............203
Gasoline ..................................... 198
Gauge ...................................... 66
Low Fuel Indicator ...................61
Octane Requirement ...............198
Tank, Refueling .......................199
Gas Station Procedures ..............199
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature ...67
Fuel .......................................... 66
Odometer ................................. 65
Outside Temperature Indicator ............................... 68
Speedometer ............................ 64
Tachometer .............................. 64
Index
IV

Infant Seats.................................. 40
Tether Anchorage Point ...........48
Inflation, Proper Tire ..................271
Recommended Pressures .......272
Inside Mirror ............................... 93
Inspection, Tire .......................... 273
Installing a Child Seat ..................43
Instrument Panel ..........................57
Instrument Panel Brightness .......72
Instruments and Controls .............55
Interior Lights .............................. 95
Introduction ................................... i
iPod
®.......................................... 162
iPod®Error Messages ................172
J
Jacking up the Vehicle ...............283
Jack, Tire ................................... 283
Jump Starting ............................. 291
K
Keys ............................................. 75L
Label, Certification
.....................306
Lane Change, Signaling ...............71
Lap/Shoulder Belt .................14, 19
LATCH Anchorage System ..........44
Light Control Switch ....................95
Lights
Bulb Replacement ...................261
Indicator ................................... 57
Interior ..................................... 95
Parking .................................... 71
Turn Signal .............................. 71
Load Limit .................................. 208
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) ......79
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column .......79
Fuel Fill Door .......................... 199
Glove Box ............................... 100
Hatch ....................................... 81
Lockout Prevention ..................81
Power Door .............................. 80
Tailgate .................................... 82
Low Coolant Level ......................201
Lower Anchors ............................. 44Low Fuel Indicator
.......................61
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator ........................... 58, 295
Lubricant Specifications Chart ...309
Luggage, Storing (cargo) ...........207
M
Maintenance .............................. 241
Main Items and Sub Items ......246
Minder .................................... 243
Minder Indicator ......................59
Owner's Maintenance
Checks ................................ 248
Safety ...................................... 242
Schedule ................................. 249
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ................................ 58, 296
Manual Transmission .................217
Checking Fluid Level ..............257
Shifting ................................... 217
Manual Transmission Fluid .......257
Meters, Gauges ............................ 64
Methanol in Gasoline .................198
Mirrors, Adjusting ........................93
Index
VI

Modifications............................. 206
Modifying Your Vehicle .............206
N
Neutral Gear Position .................220
New Vehicle Break-in .................198
Normal Shift Speeds ..................218
NOTICE, Explanation of ................i
Numbers, Identification .............306
O
Octane Requirement, Gasoline ................................. 198
Odometer ..................................... 65
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines .............................. 238
Off-Road Precautions ..................238
Oil Change, How to ......................252
Change, When to ....................243
Checking Engine ....................201
Life, Engine ............................. 243
Pressure Indicator .............58, 295 Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart ................................... 251
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery ................................ 316
ON (Ignition Key Position) ..........79
Outside Mirrors ........................... 93
Outside Temperature Indicator ....68
Overhead Console ......................101
Overheating, Engine ..................293
Owner's Maintenance Checks ....248
Oxygenated Fuels ......................198
PPanel Brightness Control .............72
Park Gear Position .....................219
Parking ...................................... 223
Parking Brake .............................. 94
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator ........................... 58, 297
Parking Over Things that
Burn ................................ 223, 318
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator ....32
PGM-FI System .......................... 317
Playing a Disc .....................119, 140Playing an iPod
®.........................
162
Playing a PC card .......................149
Playing a USB Flash Memory Device .................................... 173
Playing the FM/AM Radio ............................... 110, 127
Playing the XM
®Radio ........113, 132
Pollen Filter ............................... 269
Power Door Locks .......................80
Power Socket Locations .............100
Power Steering Fluid .................260
Power Windows ........................... 92
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts ........16
Preparing to Drive ......................215
Proper Seat Belt Usage ................14
Protecting Adults and Teens ........11
Additional Safety Precautions ...16
Advice for Pregnant Women ....16
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX

Unleaded Gasoline.....................198
USB Flash Memory Device Error
Messages ............................... 182
Used Oil, How to Dispose of ......253
V
Vanity Mirror ............................. 101
Vehicle Capacity Load ................208
Vehicle Dimensions ...................308
Vehicle Identification Number ...306
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), System
VSA OFF Indicator ..................230
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System ................................ 230
VSA OFF Indicator ...................62
VSA OFF Switch .....................231
VSA System Indicator ..............62
Vehicle Storage .......................... 278
Ventilation .................................. 106
VIN ............................................ 306
Viscosity, Oil .............................. 251W
WARNING, Explanation of
...........iii
Warning Labels, Location of .........53
Warranty Coverages (U.S. only) ....................................... 323
Washer, Windshield
Checking the Fluid Level ........255
Fluid Level Indicator (Canada only) ..................................... 61
Operation ................................. 70
Wheels ....................................... 271
Adjusting the Steering ..............74
Alignment and Balance ...........274
Compact Spare ........................282
Wrench, Nut ........................... 283
Windows
Operating the Power ................92
Rear, Defogger ......................... 74
Windshield Cleaning ................................... 70
Defroster ................................. 107
Washers ............................ 70, 255
Wipers, Windshield
Changing Blades .....................269Operation
................................. 70
Worn Tires ................................. 273
Wrecker, Emergency Towing ....303
X
XM®Radio .......................... 113, 132
Index
XI
INDEX

ꭧ1: To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
ꭧ 2: If equipped
ꭧ 3: Only on vehicles equipped with navigation system. Refer to the navigation system manual.
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
(P. 71)
REMOTE AUDIO CONTROLS
ꭧ2
(P. 191)
A/T model with navigation system is shown. STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT
(P. 74)
CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS
(P. 193)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P. 70)
PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR
(P. 32)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P. 109)
DIGITAL CLOCK
(P. 189)
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER BUTTON
(P. 74)
ACCESSORY POWERSOCKET
(P. 100)
HORN
ꭧ 1
VSA OFF SWITCH
(P. 231)
HAZARD WARNINGBUTTON
(P. 73)
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
VOICE CONTROL BUTTONS
ꭧ
3
Your Vehicle at a Glance
4

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 ................
67
Outside Temperature Indicator ............................... 68Controls 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 ......................... 85Reclining 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
Courtesy Light .......................... 96
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

ꭧ1: To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
ꭧ 2: If equipped
ꭧ 3: Only on vehicles equipped with navigation system. Refer to the navigation system manual.
HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
(P. 73)
CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS (P. 193)
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT (P. 74) HORN
ꭧ
1
A/T model with navigation system is shown. VSA OFF SWITCH
(P. 231)
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
VOICE CONTROLBUTTONS
ꭧ
3
REMOTE AUDIOCONTROLSꭧ2
(P. 191)
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
(P. 71)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P. 70)
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER BUTTON
(P. 74)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
(P. 217) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
(P. 219) ACCESSORY
POWER SOCKET
(P. 100)
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
69
Instruments and Controls
Table of Contents

If the front wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult to
turn the key. Firmly turn the steering
wheel to the left or right as you turn
the key.
ACCESSORY (I)－You can operate
the audio system and the accessory
power sockets in this position.
ON (II) －This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch from the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)position.
START (III) －Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key. You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the LOCK (0) or
the ACCESSORY (I) position and
open the driver's door. Remove the
key to turn off the beeper.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in Park before you can remove the
key from the ignition switch.
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control of thevehicle.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when parked.Power Door Locks
To lock all of the doors and hatch,
press the door lock switch on the
driver's door, or press the lock tab
down on the driver's door, or use the
key on the outside lock. Pressing up
on the door lock switch will unlock
all of the doors and the hatch.
LOCK TAB
DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Ignition Switch, Door Locks
80
Table of Contents

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.
Because your vehicle rides higher off
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 significantly 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 passengervehicle.
● Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. ●
Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center ofgravity.
● Do not carry heavy cargo on theroof.Four-wheel drive models
Your vehicle is equipped with a four-
wheel drive (4WD) system. When
the system senses a loss of front-
wheel traction, it automatically
transfers 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
braking that you would in a two-
wheel drive vehicle.
See page 238 for off-highway driving
guidelines.
Driving Guidelines
214
Table of Contents