2005 HONDA ELEMENT Owners Manual

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon
monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain your
vehicle properly.High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the
underside. With the tailgate/hatch open, air
f low can pull exhaust gas into your
vehicle’s interior and create a
hazardous condition. If you must
drive with the tailgate/hatch open,
openallthewindowsandsetthe
heating and cooling system as shown
below.
Select the f resh air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconf ined area, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
47
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

These labels are in the locations
shown. They warn you of potential
hazards that could cause serious
injury. Read these labels caref ully. If
a label comes of f or becomes hard to
read, contact your dealer f or a
replacement.
U.S. models onlyU.S. models
Canadian modelsU.S. models only
Saf ety L abels
48
SUN VISOR
DASHBOARD

On models without side airbagsOn models with side airbags On models with side airbags
Saf ety L abels
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
49
HOOD
RADIATOR CAP

50

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .52
............................
Instrument Panel .53
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 54
.............................................
Gauges .58
...................................
Trip Meter .58
.....................................
Odometer .58
..................................
Fuel Gauge .58
..........
Check Fuel Cap Indicator . 59
...................
Temperature Gauge . 59
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .60
.
Windshield 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 rols
51

Control L ocations
52
POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCHAUDIO SYSTEM
A/T model is shown. HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
(P.70)
(P.81)
(P.82)
(P.94)
(P.90)
MIRROR CONTROLS
PARKING BRAKE
(P.83)
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER BUTTON
CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS
(P.119)
(P.125) (P.119)

Î
ÎThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
53
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR LOW FUEL INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
TAILGATE AND HATCH
OPEN INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
(P.57)
(P.55)(P.
56)
(P.55)
(P.55)(P.57)
(P.57)
(P.55)
(P.56)
(P.56)
(P.54)
(P.54,
210)
(P.54, 209)
(P.54,
211)
(P.54,
209)
CHECK FUEL CAP
INDICATOR(P. 59)

The instrument panel has many
indicators that give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.
See page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more inf ormation, see page . This indicator has two f unctions:
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). It
reminds you and your passengers to
f asten your seat belts. A beeper also
sounds if you have not f astened your
seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II) bef ore f astening your seat belt,
the beeper sounds and the indicator
f lashes. If you do not f asten your
seat belt bef ore the beeper stops, the
indicator stops f lashing but remains
on.
If you continue driving without
f astening your seat belt, the beeper
sounds and the indicator f lashes
again at regular intervals.
If it stays on af ter you f ully release
the parking brake while the engine
is running, or if it comes on while
driving, there could be a problem
with the brake system. For more
inf ormation, see page .
2. 1.
210
209
209 211
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
54
U.S. Canada