2004 HONDA ELEMENT steering

Your airbag system includes:Two SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) f ront airbags. The driver’s
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the f ront
passenger’sairbagisstoredinthe
dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS
AIRBAG.’’
Automatic seat belt tensioners
(see page ).
Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal impact
or side impact in models equipped
with side airbags. A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors and
records inf ormation about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, and driver and
frontpassengerseatbeltusewhen
the ignition is in the ON (II)
position.
On models equipped with side
airbags, one for the driver and one
f or a f ront passenger. The airbags
arestoredintheouteredgesof
the seat-backs. Both are marked
‘‘SIDE AIRBAG’’ (see page ). An indicator on the instrument
panel that alerts you to a possible
problem with your airbags,
sensors, or seat belt tensioners
(see page ).
If you ever have a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, sensors will
detect the vehicle’s rapid
deceleration.
Emergency backup power in case
your vehicle’s electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
On models equipped with side
airbags, an indicator on the
dashboard that alerts you that the
passenger’s side airbag has been
turned of f (see page ). If the rate of deceleration is high
enough, the control unit will instantly
inf late the driver’s and f ront
passenger’s f ront airbags, at the time
and with the f orce needed.
25
20 26
27
Airbag System Components
How Your Front Airbags Work
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety22
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This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations . 52
............................
Instrument Panel . 53
.............................................
Gauges . 58
...................................
Trip Meter . 58
.....................................
Odometer . 58
..................................
Fuel Gauge . 58
...................
Temperature Gauge . 59
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel . 60
......................
Wipers and Washers . 61
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights . 62
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 63
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 63
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 63
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 64
...............................
Keys and Locks . 65
........................
Immobilizer System . 66
.......................
Remote Transmitter . 67
................................
Ignition Switch . 69
......................................
Door Locks . 70
......................
Power Door Locks . 70
..................................
Rear Doors . 70
............................................
Hatch . 71
........................................
Tailgate . 72
.................................................
Seats . 73
........................
Seat Adjustments . 73 Driver’s Seat Height
..............................
Adjustment . 74
...................
FrontSeatArmrests .74
..........................
Head Restraints . 75
........................
Rear Seat Access . 75
..........
Reclining the Front Seats . 76
...............
Folding the Rear Seats . 77
..........
Removing the Rear Seats . 79
..............................
Power Windows . 81
.............................................
Mirrors . 82
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 82
.................................
Rear Windows . 83
.................................
Parking Brake . 83
............................................
Skylight . 83
...........
Interior Convenience Items . 86
.......................
Beverage Holders . 87
..........
Accessory Power Sockets . 87
....................................
Glove Box . 87
.................................
Interior Lights . 88
................................
Ceiling Light . 88
........................
Cargo Area Light . 88
.....................................
Spotlights . 88
..................
Ignition Switch Light . 88
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols51
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Î
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To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
:
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols60
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
SHIFT LEVER (A/T)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
A/T model is shown. HORN
(P.62)
(P.107) (P.64)(P.61)
(P.127)
(P.63)
(P.63)
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER SWITCH
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Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility bef ore
starting to drive.
Thedefoggerwiresontheinsideof
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side-to-side.
Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.Push the lever under the lef t side
of the steering column all the way
down.Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in that position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.
Move the steering wheel so it
points to your chest, not toward
your f ace. Make sure you can see
the instrument panel gauges and
indicators.
1. 2. 3. 4.
See page f or important saf ety
inf ormation about how to properlyposition the steering wheel. 16
Steering Wheel A djustment
Rear Window Def ogger, Steering Wheel A djustment
Inst rument s and Cont rols64
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
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µµµ
µ You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly. Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper. The shif t lever
must be in Park bef ore you can
remove the key from the ignition
switch.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
lights on the instrument panel come
on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II).
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). L OCK (0) ST A RT (III)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols69
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only whenparked.
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Push in the Cruise Control Master
Switch. The indicator in the switch
will come on.
Cruise control allows you to maintain
asetspeedabove25mph(40km/h)
without keeping your f oot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
f or cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended f or
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speedabove25mph(40km/h).
Press and release the SET/
DECELbuttononthesteering
wheel. The CRUISE CONTROL
light on the instrument panel
comes on to show the system is
now activated.Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to
slow down. This will cancel the
cruise control. To resume the set
speed, press the RES/ACCEL button.
The CRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel will come back on.
1. 2. 3.
On EX modelsUsing the Cruise Control
Cruise Control
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures107
CANCEL
BUTTON
RES/ACCEL
SET/DECEL
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.
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You can increase the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:Press and hold the RES/ACCEL
button. When you reach the
desired cruising speed, release the
button.
To increase your speed in very
small amounts, tap the RES/
ACCEL button. Each time you do
this, your vehicle will speed up
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Push on the accelerator pedal.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed and press the SET/DECEL
button.
You can decrease the set cruising
speed in any of these ways: Press and hold the SET/DECEL
button. Release the button when
you reach the desired speed. To slow down in very small
amounts, tap the SET/DECEL
button. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will slow down about
1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Tap the brake or clutch pedal
lightly with your f oot. The
CRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel will go out.
When the vehicle slows to the
desired speed, press the SET/
DECEL button.
Even with the cruise control turned
on, you can still use the accelerator
pedal to speed up f or passing. Af ter
completing the pass, take your foot
of f the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will return to the set cruising speed.
Resting your f oot on the brake or
clutch pedal will cause the cruise
control to cancel. Youcancancelthecruisecontrolin
any of these ways:
Tap the brake or clutch pedal.
PresstheCANCELbuttononthe
steering wheel.
Press the Cruise Control Master
Switch.
When you push the CANCEL button,
or tap the brake or clutch pedal, the
system remembers the previously-
set cruising speed. To return to that
speed, accelerate to above 25 mph
(40 km/h) and then press and
release the RES/ACCEL button. The
CRUISE CONTROL light comes on.
The vehicle will accelerate to the
same cruising speed as bef ore.
Pressing the Cruise Control Master
Switch turns the system of f and
erases the previous cruising speed.
Cruise Control
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Changing the Set Speed Cancelling the Cruise Control
Resuming the Set Speed
108
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Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective. See the saf ety
precautions on page .
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your Honda dealer.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components.
Raising your vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Lowering your vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Some examples are:
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Honda (af termarket) components
could seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Improperly
replacing or covering f ront seat-
back covers can prevent your side
airbags f rom inf lating during a
collision. 28
Modif ications
Do not cover or replace f ront seat -
back covers wit hout consult ing aHonda dealer.
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving116
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