2007 HONDA ELEMENT belt

If you decide that a child can safely
ride up front, be sure to:
Carefully read the owner’s manual,
and make sure you understand all
seat belt instru ctions and all safety
info rmation.
Move the vehicle seat to the rear-
most position.
Have the child sit up straight, back
against the seat, and feet on or
near the floor.
To
safely ride in front, a child must
be able to follow the rules, including
sitting properly, and wearing the seat
belt properly throughout a ride.
Physically, a child must be large
enough f or the lap/shoulder belt to
properly f it (see page ). If the seat
belt does not f it properly, with or
without the child sitting on a booster
seat, the child should not sit in f ront. Check that the child’s seat belt is
properly and securely positioned.
Supervise the child. Even mature
children sometimes need to be
reminded to f asten the seat belts
or sit properly.
Of course, children vary widely. And
while age may be one indicator of
when a child can saf ely ride in f ront,
there are other important f actors you
should consider.
This could
cause very serious injuries during
a crash. It also increases the
chance that the child will slide
under the belt in a crash and be
injured. This could result
in serious neck injuries during a
crash.
If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash.
Devices intended to
improve a child’s comf ort or
reposition the shoulder part of a
seat belt can make the belt less
ef f ective and increase the chance
of serious injury in a crash.
51 Additional Saf ety Precautions
Maturity
Physical Size Do not let a child put the shoulder
part of a seat belt behind t he backor under t he arm.
Do not let a child wear a seat belt
across t he neck.
T wo children should never use thesame seat belt .
Do not put any accessories on aseat belt.
Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
53

ÎThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Instru me ntsand Cont ro ls
59
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
(P.61)
(P.64)
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST(VSA) SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.61)
(P.65)
MAINTENANCE
MINDER
INDICATOR (P.61)
LIGHT ON INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR (P.60)
(P.62)
PARKING
BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.62) SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SIDE
AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
LOW
TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P.64)
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
(P.64)
(P.60,
232)
(P.63)
(P.63)
(P.60,
233)
(P.60) HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P.63) MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR DOOR
AND TAILGATE
OPEN MONITOR (P.63)
(P.61) TPMS
INDICATOR
(P.60, 231)

The instrument panel has many
indicato rs that give you important
info rmation about your vehicl e.
See page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more information,
see page .
The
engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator flashes or stays on
wh en the engine is running. For
more information, see page .This
indicator has two functions: This
indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. It reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
fastened your seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position before fastening
your seat belt, the beeper sounds
and the indicator flashes. If you do
notfastenyourseatbeltbeforethe
beep er stops, the indicator stops
fl ashing but remains on.
If your front passenger does not
fasten their seat belt, the indic ator
comes on about 6 seconds after the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position.
Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition
switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. A beeper
sounds if you drive with the
parking brake not fully released.
Driving with the parking brake not
fully released can damage the
brakes and tires.
If it stays on after you have fully
released 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.
232
231
231 233
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
60
U.S. Canada

If either of you do not fasten your
seat belt while driving, the beep er
will sound and the indicator will flash
again at regular intervals. For more
info rmation, see page .
This indicator comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. If it comes on at
any other time, it indicates a
poten tial problem with your front
airbags. This indica tor will also alert
you to a poten tial problem with your
side airbags, passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system, side curtain
airbags, automatic seat belt
tensioners, driver’s seat position
sensor, or the front passenger’s
weight sensors. For more
info rmation, see page . This
indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates that the
passenger’s side airbag has
automatically shut off. For more
info rmation, see page .
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem with the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked at a dealer. With
this indicator on, your vehicle still
has normal braking ability but no
an ti-lock function. For more
info rmation, see page . This
indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. It
remindsyouthatitistimetotake
your vehicle in for scheduled
maintenance. The maintenance main
items and sub items will be displayed
in the information display. See page
f or more inf ormation on the
maintenance minder.
This indicator goes of f when your
dealer resets it after completing the
required maintenance service.
20
34
33 162179
Instrument Panel Indicators
Side Airbag Of f Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) IndicatorMaintenance Minder
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
Canada
U.S.

Be caref ul when you are using the
beverage holders. A spilled liquid
that is very hot can scald you or your
passengers. Spilled liquids can also
damage the upholstery, and
electrical components in the interior.Your vehicle has one, two, or three
accessory power sockets, depending
on the model. All models have a
f ront accessory power socket on the
dashboard above the glove box.
EX and SC models have an accessory
power socket in the cargo area on
the passenger’s side.
The SC model has another socket in
the center console.
The f ront beverage holder is
removable. To remove it, push the
tab and pull it up. These sockets are intended to supply
power f or 12 volt DC accessories
that are rated 120 watts or less (10
amps). None of the sockets will
power an automotive type cigarette
lighter element. When more than
one socket is being used, the
combined power rating of the
accessories should be 120 watts or
less (10 amps).Open the glove box by pulling the
bottom of the handle. Close it with a
f irm push. Lock or unlock the glove
box with the master key.
On SC model
Interior Convenience Items
Beverage Holders
A ccessory Power Sockets Glove Box
Inst rument s and Cont rols
97
An open glove box can cause
serious injury to your passenger
inacrash,evenifthe
passenger is wearing the seat
belt.
Always keep the glove box
closed while driving.

Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
ad justment (see page ). Make
sure the doors, hatch, and
tailgate are secu rely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Check that the hood is f ully closed. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 59
15
74
92
83
Preparing to Drive
Driving Guidelines
Driving
151

To avoid loss of control or rollover,
be sure to follow all precau tions and
recommendations.
Be sure to store cargo properly,
and do not exceed your vehicle
cargo load limits (see pag es
and ).
Wherever you drive, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear seat belts.
Keep your speed low, and never
go faster than the conditions allow.
It’s up to you to continually assess
the situation and drive within the
limits.
If you decide to drive on unpaved
roads, you will f ind that it requires
somewhat dif f erent driving skills.
Your vehicle will also handle
somewhat dif f erently than it does on
pavement. So be sure to read this
owner’s manual, pay special attention
to the precautions and tips in this
section, and get acquainted with
your vehicle before you leave the
pavement. Your vehicle has been designed
primarily f or use on pavement. But
its higher ground clearance allows
you to occasionally travel on unpaved
roads, such as campgrounds, picnic
sites, and similar locations. It is not
designed f or trail-blazing, mountain
climbing, or other challenging of f -
road activities.
146 167
General Inf ormation Important Saf ety Precautions
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Driving
173
Improperly operating this
vehicle on or off-pavement can
cause an accident or rollover in
which you and your passengers
could be seriously injured or
killed.
Follow all instructions and
guidelines in this owner’s
manual.
Keep your speed low, and
don’t drive faster than
conditions permit.

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .178
....................
Maintenance Minder .179
....................
Maintenance Record .186
..............................
Fluid Locations .188
........................
Adding Engine Oil .189
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .190
..............................
Engine Coolant .192
....................
Windshield Washers .193
.......................
Transmission Fluid .194
Automatic Transmission .......................................
Fluid .194
...
Manual Transsmission Fluid .195
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid .196
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .196
....................
Power Steering Fluid .197
............
Cleaning the Body Panels .197
.............................................
Lights .198
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .205
.....................................
Floor Mats .205
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .206
.................................
Wiper Blades .206
...........................................
Wheels .208
...............................................
Tires .208
...................
Checking the Battery .214
.............................
Vehicle Storage .215
261
Maintenance
Maint enance
177