2006 HONDA ELEMENT Owners Manual

2006 Element Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Important Handling Information........................................................................\
.............................iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
.............................................4
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
......................................7
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
.........................................51
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
...................... 89
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................123
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
......................................................................137
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................161
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................195
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................219
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada )...............................................................
.233
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................237
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
.............................................................................. I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Accord Value Package Audio System

This owner’s manual covers all
models of the Element. You may f ind
descriptions of equipment and
features that are not on your
particular model.
The inf ormation and specif ications
included in this publication were in
effect at the time of approval for
printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specif ications
or design at any time without notice
and without incurring any obligation
whatsoever. This owner’s manual should be
considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the
vehicle when it is sold.
Owner’s Identif ication
OWNER
ADDRESS
V. I. N.
DELIVERY DATE
DEALER NAMEDEALER NO.
ADDRESS
OWNER’S SIGNATURE
DEALER’S SIGNATURE
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE
(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE

Calif ornia Proposition 65 WarningThis 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 recording devices commonly
ref erred to as event data recorders
or sensing and diagnostic modules.
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. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.
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 schedules given in this manual
helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves your investment.
When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your dealer’s staf f
is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your vehicle.
Your dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be pleased to answer
any questions and concerns. As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a
symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your vehicle, other
property, or the environment.
Congratulations! Your selection of a 2006 Honda Element was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.
Introduction
WARNING:
i

µµ
µ
µ
µ
µ
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement.
You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
on the vehicle.preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions. such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully. These signal words mean:
AFewWordsAboutSafety
Saf ety L abels
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Headings
Saf ety Section
Instructions
DANGER WARNING CAUTION
ii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.

Your Element has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed f or use only on pavement. Higher
ground clearance has many advantages f or of f -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 of f 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
signif icantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is signif icantly
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 inf ormation on how to reduce the risk of rollover, read ‘‘Driving Guidelines’’ on page of this manual and thesection on page . Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result in loss of
control or an accident. 138
157
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Important Handling Inf ormation
iii

Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
POWER DOOR
LOCK SWITCHMIRROR CONTROLS
GAUGES
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
A/T model is shown. HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE INSTRUMENT PANEL
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLSPARKING BRAKE
(P.70)
(P.81) (P.82)
(P.58)
(P.90)(P.83)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (P.53)
AIRBAGS
(P.11,23)
(P.139) (P.143)
(P.127)

Î
Î
To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
5
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
A/T model is shown. HORN
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT AUDIO SYSTEM
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
DIGITAL CLOCK
(P.64) (P.63)
(P.63)
(P.94)
(P.61)
(P.62)
(P.117)
CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER BUTTON
(P.120)
(P.120)

6