fuel HONDA ELEMENT 2010 1.G Owners Manual

Bulb ReplacementBack-up Lights ........................266
Brake Lights ........................... 266
Daytime Running Lights .........262
Front Parking/Turn Signal Lights .................................. 263
Front Side Marker Lights ........265
Headlights .............................. 261
High-mount Brake Light .........267
Rear Bulbs .............................. 266
Rear License Plate Lights ........267
Side Turn Signal Lights ...........264
Specifications .......................... 310
Taillights ................................. 266
Turn Signal Lights ..................266
Bulbs, Halogen .......................... 261
Bungee Cords ............................ 211
C
Capacities Chart .........................309
Carbon Monoxide Hazard ............52
Cargo ......................................... 207
Cargo Area Light ..........................96
Cargo Hook ................................ 212Cargo, How to Carry
..................207
Carrying Cargo .......................... 207
CAUTION, Explanation of ............iii
CD Care ..................................... 183
CD Error Messages ............125, 148
CD Player ........................... 119, 140
Ceiling Light ................................ 96
Certification Label ......................306
Chains, Tires .............................. 276
Changing a Flat Tire ..................283
Changing Oil
How to .................................... 252
When to .................................. 243
Charging System Indicator ........................... 58, 295
Check Fuel Cap Message ............66
Checklist, Before Driving ...........215
Child Safety .................................. 35
Booster Seats ........................... 50
Child Seats .................... 40, 41, 42
Important Safety Reminders .....39
Infants ...................................... 40
Larger Children .......................49
LATCH ..................................... 44
Risks with Airbags ...................36
Small Children ......................... 41Tethers
.................................... 48
Warning Labels ........................37
Where Should a Child Sit? ........36
Child Seats ............................. 35, 42
LATCH Anchorage Points ........44
Tether Anchorage Points .........48
Cleaning the Seat Belts ..............268
Clock .......................................... 189
Clutch Fluid ............................... 258
Code, Audio System ...................188
CO in the Exhaust ................52, 316
Cold Weather, Starting in ...........216
Compact Spare Tire ....................282
Controls, Instruments and ............55
Coolant
Adding .................................... 254
Checking ................................ 201
Proper Solution .......................254
Temperature Gauge .................67
Cooler Box ................................... 98
Courtesy Light ............................. 96
Crankcase Emissions Control System ................................... 316
Cruise Control Indicator ...............60
Cruise Control Operation ...........193
Cruise Main Indicator ..................60
Index
II

Cup Holders................................. 99
Customer Service .......................322
D
DANGER, Explanation of .............iii
Dashboard ............................... 3, 56
Daytime Running Lights ..............72
Daytime Running Lights
Indicator ................................... 60
Dead Battery .............................. 291
Defects, Reporting Safety (U.S. only) ....................................... 324
Defogger, Rear Window ...............74
Dimensions ................................ 308
Dimming the Headlights ..............71
Dipstick Automatic Transmission .........256
Engine Oil ............................... 201
Directional Signals .................60, 71
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .......225
Disc Care ................................... 183
Disc Changer Error
Messages ............................... 126Disc Player Error
Messages ........................ 125, 148
Disposal of Used Oil ...................253
Doors
Indicator ................................... 11
Locking and Unlocking ............80
Power Door Locks ...................80
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ................................ 311
Downshifting, Manual Transmission .......................... 217
Driver and Passenger Safety ..........5
Driving ....................................... 213
Economy ................................. 202
Driving Guidelines .....................214
Dust and Pollen Filter ................269
E
Economy, Fuel ........................... 202
Emergencies on the Road ..........281
Battery, Jump Starting .............291
Brake System Indicator .....58, 297
Changing a Flat Tire ...............283Charging System
Indicator ........................ 58, 295
Checking the Fuses ................298
Driving with a Flat Tire ...........282
Hazard Warning Flashers ........73
Jump Starting .......................... 291
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator ........................ 58, 295
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ............................. 58, 296
Overheated Engine .................293
Towing .................................... 303
Emergency Brake ........................94
Emergency Flashers ....................73
Emergency Towing ....................303
Emissions Controls ....................316
Emissions Testing ......................319
CONTINUED
Index
III
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

Trip meter................................ 66
Gearshift Lever Positions
Automatic Transmission ....................... 219
Manual Transmission ..............217
Glove Box .................................. 100
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) ................................. 232
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......................... 209, 232
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs ...........261
Hatch ........................................... 81
Hazard Warning Flashers ............73
Headlights Aiming .................................... 261
Daytime Running Lights ..........72
High Beam Indicator ................61
High Beams, Turning on ..........71
Lights On Indicator ..................61
Low Beams, Turning on ...........71
Reminder Chime ......................71
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ........261 Turning on
............................... 71
Head Restraints ............................ 85
Heating and Cooling ..................104
High Altitude, Starting at ............216
Hood, Opening and Closing the .......................................... 200
Horn ........................................ 4, 69
Hydraulic Clutch ........................258
I
Identification Number, Vehicle ................................... 306
Ignition
Keys ......................................... 75
Switch ...................................... 79
Immobilizer System .....................76
Important Safety Precautions .........6
Indicators, Instrument Panel ........57
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) .......59, 226
Brake (Parking and Brake
System) ......................... 58, 297
Charging System ..............58, 295
Cruise Control .......................... 60
Cruise Main ............................. 60Door and Tailgate Open
...........61
DRL (Daytime Running
Lights) .................................. 60
High Beam ............................... 61
Key (Immobilizer System) .......60
Lights On ................................. 61
Low Fuel .................................. 61
Low Oil Pressure ..............58, 295
Low Tire Pressure .............62, 227
Maintenance Minder .........59, 243
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp ............................. 58, 296
Passenger Airbag Off ...............32
Seat Belt Reminder .............18, 58
Side Airbag Off ....................32, 59
SRS ..................................... 31, 59
TPMS ................................ 63, 228
Turn Signal and Hazard Warning ............................... 60
VSA OFF .................................. 62
VSA System ............................. 62
Washer Level ........................... 61
Individual Map Lights ..................95
Infant Restraint ............................ 40
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX

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

Protecting Children......................35
General Guidelines ..................35
Protecting Infants .....................40
Protecting Larger Children ......49
Protecting Small Children ........41
Using Child Seats with Tethers ................................. 48
Using LATCH .......................... 44
R
Radiator Overheating .................293
Radio/CD Sound System ...........109
Radio Theft Protection ...............188
Readiness Codes ........................319
Rear Differential Fluid ................258
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement ........................... 266
Rear Seat, Folding ........................88
Rearview Camera and Monitor .................................. 196
Rearview Mirror ........................... 93
Rear Window Defogger ................74
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ..................................... 70Reclining the Front Seats
.............87
Recommended Shift Speeds .......218
Refueling .................................... 199
Reminder Indicators .....................58
Remote Audio Controls ..............191
Remote Transmitter .....................77
Replacement Information
Dust and Pollen Filter .............269
Engine Oil and Filter ...............252
Fuses ...................................... 298
Light Bulbs ............................. 261
Schedule ................................. 249
Spark Plugs ............................. 308
Tires ....................................... 274
Wiper Blades .......................... 269
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash ........................................ 20
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Vehicles) ................................ 324
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant ............................ 201, 254
Restraint, Child ............................ 35
Reverse Gear Position ................220
Reverse Lockout ........................217
Rotation, Tire ............................. 274S
Safety Belts
.............................. 8, 18
Safety Defects, Reporting (U.S. only) ....................................... 324
Safety Features .............................. 7
Airbags ................................. 9, 22
Head Restraints ........................13
Seat Belts ........................ 8, 14, 18
Seats & Seat-Backs ..............11, 12
Safety Labels, Location of .............53
Safety Messages ..........................iii
Seat Adjustments .........................83
Seat Belts ................................. 8, 18
Additional Information .............18
Advice for Pregnant Women ....16
Automatic Seat Belt
Tensioners ........................... 20
Cleaning .................................. 268
Lap/Shoulder Belt ..............14, 19
Maintenance ............................ 20
Reminder Indicator and Beeper ............................. 18, 58
System Components ................18
Use During Pregnancy .............16
Index
VIII

Your Vehicle at a Glance(main controls).................................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) ........................................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls (indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column) ....................................................55
Features (heating and cooling, audio, steering wheel, cruise control, and other convenience items) ......................103
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading) ....................................................................................... 197
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ........................................................................................................... 213
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage) ...........................................................241
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, jump starting, overheating, and fuses) ...................................................281
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ........................................................305
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information)........................321
Index .............................................................................................................................................................................. I
INDEX
Service Information Summary(fluid capacities and tire pressures) ............................................................... last page
Contents
1

Contents
A convenient reference to the
sections in this manual.
Your Vehicle at a Glance
A quick reference to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Important information about the
proper use and care of your vehicle's
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable information on how to
protect children with child restraints.
Instruments and Controls
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and
gauge, and how to use the controls
on the dashboard and steeringcolumn. Features
How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other conveniencefeatures.Before Driving
What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo. Driving
The proper way to start the engine,
shift the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you're
planning to tow a trailer. Maintenance
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.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience, and
details how to handle them.
Technical Information
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual for detailedinformation. Index
Service Information Summary
A summary of the information you
need when you pull up to the fuelpump.
Overview of Contents
2

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