2008 HONDA ELEMENT Owners Manual

See pagef or important saf etyinf ormation and a warning aboutimproperly positioning head restraints. 15
Your vehicle is equipped with head
restraints in all seating positions to
help protect you and your
passengers f rom whiplash and other
injuries. The head restraints in the f ront and
rear seating positions adjust f or
height. You need both hands to
adjust the restraint. To raise it, pull
upward. To lower the restraint, push
the release button sideways and
push the restraint down.
They are most ef f ective when you
adjust them so the center of the back
of the occupant’s head rests against
the center of the restraint.
Seats
Head Restraints
Inst rument s and Cont rols
85
RELEASE BUTTON
Failure to reinstall the head
restraints can result in severe
injury during a crash.
Always replace the head
restraints before driving.
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You can recline the seat-backs on the
f ront seats so they are level with the
rear seat cushions, making a large
cushioned area. To do this:Adjust the front seats forward as
f ar as possible. Pull up the seat-
back angle adjustment lever and
pivot the seat-back backward until
it is level with the rear seat
cushion.
Move the f ront seat backward
until it touches the rear seat.
Adjust the rear seat-back to the
desired position.
Reverse this procedure to return the
front and rear seats to the upright
position. Make sure you install the
head restraints and the seats are
locked securely bef ore driving.
When you return the seat-back to its
upright position, hold the seat-back
to keep it f rom going up too quickly.
Remove the head restraints f rom
the f ront seats (see page ), and
store them in the side pockets of
the cargo area.
1. 2.
3.
4.
85
Reclining the Front Seats
Seats
86
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To create more cargo space, you can
fold up each rear seat to each side
wall separately.Lower the head restraint to its
lowest position.
Pull the seat-back adjustment
strap at the inside edge of the seat
cushion and push the seat-back
backward as f ar as it will go.Pull the release strap on the seat
support, and pivot the seat toward
the vehicle’s side wall.
1.
2.3.
CONT INUED
Folding the Rear Seats
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols
87
SEAT-BACK ADJUSTMENT STRAP
RELEASE STRAP
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A fastening strap is attached to the
inside of the seat cushion. While
pushing the seat up and toward
thesidewall,hookthefastening
straptothegrabrail.Fold down the seat support.Reverse this procedure to return the
rear seat to the upright position.
When not in use, store the fastening
strap hook in the f abric pocket on
the bottom of the seat cushion.
Make sure the seat is locked
securely.
4. 5.
Seats
88
GRAB RAIL
FASTENING STRAP SEAT SUPPORT
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Both seats can be removed to give
more cargo capacity. To remove a
seat:Pull the release strap on the seat
support to unlock the seat support. Remove the cover between the
seat cushion and the side wall by
pulling the tab and pulling the
cover straight up.
Push the lock lever f orward to
unlock the seat.
1. 3.
2.
CONT INUED
Removing the Rear Seats
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols
89
RELEASE STRAP
COVERTAB
STEEL HANDLE
LOCK LEVER
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Reverse this procedure to reinstall
the seat. Make sure the seats are
securely locked in place bef ore
driving.
Hold the steel handle next to the
lock lever and the handle strap at
the outside edge of the seat
cushion, and remove the entire
seat by pulling it up and backward. Always remove an unsecured seat
f rom the vehicle bef ore driving. A
seat that is not locked in place could
be thrown about and cause injury in
a sudden stop or crash.
4.
Seats
90
STEEL HANDLE
HANDLE STRAP
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µµ
If the MAIN switch is OFF, the
passenger’s window cannot be raised
or lowered. Keep the MAIN switch
off whenyouhavechildreninthe
vehicle so they do not injure
themselves by operating the
passenger’s window unintentionally. To open/close the driver’s
window, push the window switch
f irmly down or up to the second
detent, and release it. The window
will automatically go up or down all
the way. To stop the window, pull/
push on the window switch brief ly. If the driver’s
window senses any obstacle while it
is closing automatically, it will
reverse direction, and then stop. To
close the window, remove the
obstacle, then use the window switch
again.
If the power windows do not operate
properly af ter resetting, have your
vehicle checked by your dealer. Pull and hold the driver’s window
switch to close the window
completely, then hold the switch
f or about 2 seconds.
Start the engine. Push down and
hold the driver’s window switch
until the window is f ully open.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position to raise or lower either
window. To open the window, push
the switch down and hold it. Release
the switch when you want the
window to stop. Pull back on the
switchandholdittoclosethe
window. If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, or the
driver’s window f use is removed, the
AUTO f unction may be disabled. If
this happens, the power window
system will need to be reset af ter
reconnecting the battery or installing
the fuse.
1.
2.
AUTO AUTO REVERSE
Power Windows
Inst rument s and Cont rols
91
DRIVER’S WINDOW SWITCH
MAIN SWITCH
Closing a power window on
someone’s hands or fingers can
cause serious injury.
Make sure your passenger is
away from the window before
closing it.
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Keeptheinsideandoutsidemirrors
clean and adjusted f or best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors bef ore
you start driving.
The inside mirror has day and night
positions. The night position reduces
glare f rom headlights behind you.
Flip the tab on the bottom edge of
the mirror to select the day or night
position.Push the appropriate edge of the
adjustment switch to move the
mirrorright,left,up,ordown.
When you f inish, move the
selector switch to the center (off)
position. This turns the
adjustment switch of f to keep your
settings.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
Move the selector switch to L
(driver’s side) or R (passenger’s
side).
1.
2. 3.
4.
Mirrors
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
92
TAB
SELECTOR SWITCH
ADJUSTMENT SWITCH
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