Introduction Congratulations! Your selection of a 2009 Honda Element was a wise As you read this manual, you will find investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure. information that is preceded by a symbol. This information is One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to read intended to help you avoid damage to this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and your vehicle, other property, or the convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner's manual in your vehicle so environment. 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. i 2009 Element Introduction California Proposition 65 Warning WARNING: This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Event Data Recorders This vehicle is equipped with one or more devices commonly referred to as event data recorders. These devices record front seat belt use, front passenger seat occupancy, airbag deployment data, and the failure of any airbag system component. This data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else except as legally required or with the permission of the vehicle owner. Service Diagnostic Recorders This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record information about powertrain performance. The data can be used to verify emissions law requirements and/or help technicians diagnose and solve service problems. It may also be combined with data from other sources for research purposes, but it remains confidential. ii 2009 Element A Few Words About Safety Your safety, and the safety of others, You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms, including: is very important. And operating this ● Safety Labels － on the vehicle. vehicle safely is an important responsibility. ● Safety Messages － preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING,orCAUTION. To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have These signal words mean: provided operating procedures and other information on labels and in You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY this manual. This information alerts HURT if you don't follow instructions. you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others. You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY Of course, it is not practical or HURT if you don't follow instructions. possible to warn you about all the hazards associated with operating or You CAN be HURT if you don't follow maintaining your vehicle. You must instructions. use your own good judgement. ● Safety Headings － such as Important Safety Reminders or Important Safety Precautions. ● Safety Section － such as Driver and Passenger Safety. ● Instructions － how to use this vehicle correctly and safely. This entire book is filled with important safety information － please read it carefully. iii 2009 Element Important Handling Information Your Element has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use only on pavement. Higher ground clearance has many advantages for off-highway driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough terrain. It also provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier. These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher off the ground, it has a high center of gravity. This means your vehicle can tip or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts. For information on how to reduce the risk of rollover, read ‘‘Driving Guidelines’’ on page214 of this manual and the Off-Highway Driving Guidelines section on page238. Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result in loss of control or an accident. iv 2009 Element 2009 Element Online Reference Owner's Manual Contents Owner's Identification Form Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety .............................................................................................................................. iii Important Handling Information .................................................................................................................... iv 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, dead battery, 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 Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures) 00X31-SCV-6600 1 Overview of Contents Contents Before Driving Technical Information A convenient reference to the What gasoline to use, how to break- ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, sections in this manual. in your new vehicle, and how to load and technical information. luggage and other cargo. Your Vehicle at a Glance Warranty and Customer Relations A quick reference to the main Driving (U.S. and Canada only) controls in your vehicle. The proper way to start the engine, A summary of the warranties shift the transmission, and park; plus covering your new vehicle, and how Driver and Passenger Safety what you need to know if you're to contact us for any reason. Refer to Important information about the planning to tow a trailer. your warranty manual for detailed proper use and care of your vehicle's information. seat belts, an overview of the Maintenance supplemental restraint system, and The maintenance minder shows you Index valuable information on how to when you need to take your vehicle Service Information Summary protect children with child restraints. to the dealer for maintenance A summary of the information you service. There is also a list of things Instruments and Controls need when you pull up to the fuel to check and instructions on how to Explains the purpose of each pump. check them. instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use the controls Taking Care of the Unexpected on the dashboard and steering This section covers several problems column. motorists sometimes experience, and details how to handle them. Features How to operate the heating and air conditioning system, the audio system, and other convenience features. 2 2009 Element Your Vehicle at a Glance INSTRUMENT PANEL (P.57) Your Vehicle at a Glance GAUGES (P.64) DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG (P.9,25) PASSENGER'S FRONT AIRBAG (P.9,25) POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH (P.80) MIRROR CONTROLS HEATING/COOLING (P.93) CONTROLS (P.104) POWER WINDOW SWITCHES (P.92) USB ADAPTER CABLEꭧ (P.164,177) HOOD RELEASE HANDLE (P.200) PARKING BRAKE (P.94) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (P.219) A/T model with navigation system is shown. MANUAL TRANSMISSION (P.217) : If equipped CONTINUED 3 2009 Element Your Vehicle at a Glance HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS PASSENGER AIRBAG (P.71) (P.70) OFF INDICATOR (P.32) NAVIGATION SYSTEM AUDIO SYSTEM VOICE CONTROL ꭧ (P.109) BUTTONS 3 DIGITAL CLOCK (P.189) REMOTE AUDIO ꭧ ACCESSORY POWER CONTROLS 2 SOCKET (P.191) (P.100) REAR WINDOW VSA OFF SWITCH DEFOGGER BUTTON (P.231) (P.74) HORNꭧ1 HAZARD WARNING BUTTON STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT (P.73) (P.74) CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS A/T model with navigation system is shown. (P.193) ꭧ1: To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel. ꭧ2: If equipped ꭧ3: Only on vehicles equipped with navigation system. Refer to the navigation system manual. 4 2009 Element Driver and Passenger Safety This section gives you important Lap/Shoulder Belt...................... 19 If You Must Drive with Several information about