2006 HONDA ELEMENT service indicator

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

µ
This section gives you important
inf ormation 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
inf ants and children in your vehicle.
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features . 9
.....................................
Seat Belts .10
.........................................
Airbags .11
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 12
.....
1 . Close and Lock the Doors . 12
...........
2 . Adjust the Front Seats . 12
............
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 14
...
4. Adjust the Head Restraints . 15
5. Fasten and Position the ............................
Seat Belts .15
6 . Maintain a Proper Sitting
................................
Position .17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19Additional Inf ormation About Your
.................................
Seat Belts .20
..
Seat Belt System Components . 20
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .20
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .21
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 21
Additional Inf ormation About Your .....................................
Airbags .23
......
Airbag System Components . 23
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 26
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .27
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .28
.............................
Airbag Service .28
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 29
Protecting Children General ................................
Guidelines .30
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .30
All Children Should Sit in a .................................
Back Seat .31 The Passenger’s Front Airbag
...............
Poses Serious Risks . 31
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .33
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .33
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 34
Protecting Inf ants and .........................
Small Children .35
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .35
.........
Protecting Small Children . 36
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .37
....................
Installing a Child Seat .38
...............................
With LATCH .39
.........
With a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 41
..............................
With a Tether .43
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 44
...............
Checking Seat Belt Fit . 44
..................
Using a Booster Seat . 45
When Can a Larger Child Sit in .........................................
Front .45
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 46
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 47
...................................
Saf ety Labels .48
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
7

Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance f ree, and there are no
parts you can saf ely service.
However, you must have your
vehicle serviced if:Any airbag
that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. If a
f ront airbag inf lates, the seat belt
tensioners must also be replaced.
Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by a dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, your airbags may not
operate properly.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the indicator
should come on brief ly and go of f
(see page ). If it doesn’t come on,
stays on, or comes on while driving
without a passenger in the f ront seat,
have the system checked. This indicator alerts you that the
passenger’s side airbag has been
automatically shut off. It does
mean there is a problem with your
side airbags. 55
Standard on U.S. EX models andCanadian Y package
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Airbag Service
How the Side Airbag Of f
Indicator Works
An airbag ever inf lates. T he SRS indicat or alert s you t o a
problem.
not
28
U.S. Canada

Park with the driver’s side closest
to the gas pump.
Outside of the vehicle, locate and
open the f uel f ill door by pulling on
the notched edge.Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank. Leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.even though the tank is not f ull,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery
system. The system helps keep
f uel vapors f rom going into the
atmosphere. Try f illing at another
pump. If this does not f ix the
problem, consult your dealer.
Push the f uel f ill door closed. Screw the f uel f ill cap back on
until it clicks at least three times.
If you do not properly tighten the
cap, the malfunction indicator
lampmaycomeon(seepage ).
1.
2.
3.
4.5.
6.
210
If the f uel nozzle keeps clicking of fRef ueling
Service Station Procedures
126
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine, and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.

Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low. Serious engine damage is
possible and you should take
immediate action.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
).
1.
2.
4. 3.
170
217 128
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
209
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (seeon page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. The brake system indicator
normally comes on when
you turn the ignition switch
to the ON (II) position, and
as a reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully
release the parking brake.
177 217Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
211
Canada U.S.

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .54,209
............................
Jump Starting .205
..............................
Maintenance .193
............................
Specif ications .223
..............................
Bef ore Driving .123
..................................
Belts, Seat .10,20
...........................
Beverage Holders .87...................................
Body Panels .178
..................................
Booster Seats .45
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .149
.............
Break-in, New Linings .124
....................
Bulb Replacement .182
...........................................
Fluid .177
.........................................
Parking .83
.................
System Indicator . 54,211
........................
Wear Indicators .149
.............................
Braking System .148
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 124
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 63
........................
Brights, Headlights .62
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .182
..............................
Brake Lights .182
................
Front Parking Lights . 180
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 181
.................................
Headlights .179
............................
Specif ications .223
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 180
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .179
................................
Bungee Cords .135
....................................
Accessories .130
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .69
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 87
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 171
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11, 23
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 23
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 29
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .28
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 27
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 26
........................
SRS Components .23
................
Air Conditioning System . 91
............................................
Usage .91
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .188
.........................
Normal Driving .188
......................................
Antif reeze .173
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .55, 150
...................................
Operation .149 ..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 116
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 69
......................
Armrests, Front Seat .74
..................................
Audio System .94
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 21
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 120
..............
Automatic Transmission . 143
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .222
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 175
.......................................
Shif ting .143
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 143
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 143
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 146
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .112
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

Î
ÎÎ Î
Î
............................
Capacities Chart .222
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .47
.............................
Carrying Cargo .132
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
.........................................
CD Care .113
...................................
CD Changer .112
.......................
CD Error Message .114
.......
CD Changer Error Message . 115
.......................................
CD Player .106
.................................
Ceiling Pocket .86
........................
Certif ication Label .220
............................................
Chains .192
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .197
.................................
Changing Oil .171
........................................
How to .171
......................................
When to .165
...
Charging System Indicator . 54,209
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 139
.....................................
Child Saf ety .30
Child Seats ......
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
...........................
Lower Anchors .39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
............
Cleaning the Body Panels . 178..............................................
Clock .117
.........................
Clock, Setting the .117
...................................
Clutch Fluid .177
........................
CO in the Exhaust .227
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 140
..............................
Compact Spare .196
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 234
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 51
Coolant ........................................
Adding .173
....................................
Checking .128
.........................
Proper Solution .173
...................
Temperature Gauge . 59
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .227
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 56
............
Cruise Control Operation . 120
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 234
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .4, 52
Daytime Running Lights ...................................
Indicator .56
.................................
Dead Battery .205 .........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 236
..........................
Def og and Def rost .93
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 63
................
Def rosting the Windows . 93
....................................
Dimensions .222
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 62
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 175
..................................
Engine Oil .128
..........................
Directional Signals .62
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 149
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .172
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 70
......................
Power Door Locks .70
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 224
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .141
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving .137
....................................
Economy .129
........................
Driving Guidelines .138
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 185
Index
D
C
II