maintenance 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

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

Tailgate........................................ 82
Open Indicator ......................... 61
Opening the ............................. 82
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .....266
Taking Care of the Unexpected ............................ 281
Technical Descriptions
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ............................. 311
Emissions Control Systems .....316
Three Way Catalytic
Converter ............................ 318
Tire Labeling ........................... 313
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) －Required Federal
Explanation ...................... 314
Temperature Gauge .....................67
Tensioners, Seat Belts ..................20
Tether Anchorage Points .............48
Theft Protection, Radio ..............188
Three Way Catalytic
Converter ............................... 318
Tilt the Steering Wheel ................74
Time, Setting the ........................189
Tire Chains ................................ 276
Tire, How to Change a Flat ........283 Tire Information
.........................313
Tire Labeling .............................. 313
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........................... 227, 314
Tires .......................................... 271
Air Pressure ............................ 272
Chains ..................................... 276
Checking Wear .......................273
Compact Spare ........................282
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ............................. 311
Inflation ................................... 271
Inspection ............................... 273
Labeling .................................. 313
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator ........................ 62, 227
Maintenance ........................... 274
Pressure Monitoring System ...227
Replacing ................................ 274
Rotating .................................. 274
Snow ....................................... 275
Specifications .......................... 310
Tools, Tire Changing .................283
Towing A Trailer .................................. 232
Emergency Wrecker ...............303TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring
System) .............................. 227
Indicator ............................ 63, 228
Required Federal
Explanation ......................... 314
Transmission Checking Fluid Level,
Automatic ............................ 256
Checking Fluid Level, Manual ................................ 257
Fluid Selection ................256, 257
Identification Number .............306
Shifting the Automatic .............219
Shifting the Manual .................217
Treadwear .................................. 311
Trip Meter ................................... 66
Turn Signals ................................. 60
Turn Signals and Headlights ........71
U
Unexpected, Taking Care of the .......................................... 281
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (U.S. only) .............................. 311
Index
X

Congratulations! Your selection of a 2010 Honda Element was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to read
this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner's manual in your vehicle so
you can refer to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the maintenance minder shown in the
instrument panel helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves
your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that
your dealer's staff is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique
to your vehicle. Your dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be
pleased to answer any questions and concerns.As you read this manual, you will find
information that is preceded by a
symbol. This information is
intended to help you avoid damage to
your vehicle, other property, or the
environment.
Introduction
i

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 you important
information about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It shows
you how to use seat belts. It explains
how your airbags work. And it tells you
how to properly restrain infants and
children in your vehicle.
Important Safety Precautions.............6
Your Vehicle's Safety Features ..........7
Seat Belts ..................................... 8
Airbags ........................................ 9
Protecting Adults and Teens ...........11
1. Close and Lock the Doors ........11
2. Adjust the Front Seats .............11
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs ..............12
4. Adjust the Head Restraints ......13
5. Fasten and Position the Seat Belts .................................. 14
6. Maintain a Proper Sitting Position .............................. 15
Advice for Pregnant Women ........16
Additional Safety Precautions ......16
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts ............................... 18
Seat Belt System Components .....18 Lap/Shoulder Belt
......................19
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners ............................. 20
Seat Belt Maintenance ................20
Additional Information About Your Airbags .................................. 22
Airbag System Components ........22
How Your Front Airbags Work ....25
How Your Side Airbags Work ......28
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work ..................................... 30
How the SRS Indicator Works .....31
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works .....................32
How the Passenger Airbag Off Indicator Works .....................32
Airbag Service ............................ 33
Additional Safety Precautions ......34
Protecting Children －General
Guidelines .............................. 35
All Children Must Be
Restrained .............................. 35
All Children Should Sit in a Back Seat ....................................... 36
The Passenger's Front Airbag
Can Pose Serious Risks ...........36If You Must Drive with Several
Children ................................ 38
If a Child Requires Close Attention ................................ 38
Additional Safety Precautions ......39
Protecting Infants and Small Children ................................. 40
Protecting Infants .......................40
Protecting Small Children ...........41
Selecting a Child Seat .....................42
Installing a Child Seat .....................43
Installing a Child Seat with
LATCH .................................. 44
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Belt ..................46
Installing a Child Seat with a
Tether ................................... 48
Protecting Larger Children .............49
Checking Seat Belt Fit ................49
Using a Booster Seat ...................50
When Can a Larger Child Sit in
Front ..................................... 50
Additional Safety Precautions ......51
Carbon Monoxide Hazard ...............52
Safety Labels .................................. 53
Driver and Passenger Safety
5
Driver and Passenger Safety