2008 HONDA ELEMENT air conditioning

How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other conveniencef eatures.
A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column. ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints. A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
Overview of Contents
Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
Features T echnical Inf ormation
Warranty and Customer
Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
Bef ore Driving
Maintenance
Driving
T aking Care of the Unexpected
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The standard audio system has
many f eatures. This section
describes those f eatures and how to
use them. (If you have an optional
audio system, ref er to the operating
instructions that came with it.)
The heating and air conditioning
system in your vehicle provides a
comf ortable driving environment in
all weather conditions.
Your vehicle has an anti-theft audio
system that requires a code number
to enable it..............
Vents, Heating, and A/C .102
.....................
Air Flow Controls .103
.................................
Ventilation .104
......................
Using the Heater .104
...........................
Using the A/C .104
...........
Dehumidif y the Interior .105
..............
To Def og and Def rost .105
To Remove Exterior Frost
....
or Ice From the Windows .106
...............
To Turn Everything Of f .106
..........
Playing the AM/FM Radio .107
............
AM/FM Radio Reception .111
Playing the XM
...........................
Satellite Radio .113
................................
Playing a Disc .119
.......
Disc Player Error Messages .126
...
Disc Changer Error Messages .127
..................
Protecting Your Discs .128
.................
Radio Thef t Protection .131
..........................
Setting the Clock .132
................
Remote Audio Controls .134
...............................
Cruise Control .135
Features
Features
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Vents, Heating, and A/C
102
FAN CONTROL DIALTEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIALMODE CONTROL DIAL
RECIRCULATION BUTTON AIR CONDITIONING
(A/C) BUTTONREAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
BUTTON
MAX A/C POSITION DEFROST POSITION
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The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep this
area clear of leaves and other debris.
Thesystemshouldbeleftinfresh
air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to recirculation mode when
driving through dusty or smoky
conditions, then return to fresh air
mode.
Use the mode control dial to select
the vents the air flows from. Some
air will f low f rom the dashboard
vents in all modes.
Turning this dial clockwise increases
the temperature of the airflow.
Turn this dial clockwise to increase
the fan speed and airflow.
This button turns the air
conditioning on and of f . The
indicatorinthebuttonisonwhen
the A/C is on.
When the recirculation indicator is
on, air f rom the vehicle’s interior is
sent throughout the system again.
When the indicator is off, air is
brought in f rom the outside of the
vehicle (fresh air mode). The system automatically
turns on the A/C and
switches to recirculation mode. Air
f lows f rom the center and side vents
in the dashboard.
Air flows from the center
and corner vents in the dashboard.
Airf low is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
f loor vents.
Air f lows f rom the f loor
vents. When you select , the
system automatically switches to
f resh air mode.
Airf low is divided between
the f loor vents and the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
This button turns the rear window
def ogger on and of f (see page ).
73
CONT INUED
Rear Window Def ogger Button
Mode Control Dial
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
T emperature Control Dial
Fan Control Dial
A ir Flow Controls
Recirculation Button
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Features
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Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield. The heater uses engine coolant to warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming f rom the
system.
When you select or ,
the system automatically switches to
f resh air mode and turns on the A/C.
The A/C indicator does not come on.
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then discharges
it through vents near the tailgate. Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reading returns to normal.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The indicator in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select f resh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Set the mode control dial to MAX
A/C.
The system automatically turns on
the A/C, selects and
switches to recirculation mode.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
A/C, and setting the fan to
maximum speed in f resh air mode.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
68
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
To cool the interior with MAX A/C:
If the interior is very warm,
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Using the A/C
Using the Heater
Ventilation
(f resh air mode)
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To remove f og f rom the inside of the
windows:
Air conditioning, as it cools, removes
moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry and
can prevent the windows f rom
f ogging up.
This setting is suitable f or all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C). Turn the fan on.
Turn on the air conditioning.
Select and fresh air mode.
Adjust the temperature to your
pref erence. When you select or ,
the system automatically turns on
the A/C. This helps to dehumidif y
the air and to def og the windshield.
In either mode, you cannot turn of f
the A/C. When you switch to
another mode, the A/C returns to its
original setting, either on or of f , as
indicated by the A/C indicator.
Set the f an to the desired speed, or
high f or f aster def rosting.
Select . The system
automatically switches to f resh air
mode and turns on the A/C. (The
A/C indicator will not come on in
U.S. vehicles, if the A/C was of f to
start with)
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the airflow feels warm.
Select to help clear the
rear window.
To increase airf low to the
windshield, close the corner vents.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Dehumidif y the Interior T o Def og and Def rost
Features
105
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µµ
Fill the f uel tank until the nozzle automatically clicks of f .
Reset trip counter to zero.
Record the total gallons (liters) needed to ref ill.
Follow one of the simple calculations above.
The A/C
puts an extra load on the engine
which makes it use more f uel. Use
the f resh-air ventilation when
possible.
Combine several short trips into
one. A warmed-up engine is more
f uel ef f icient than a cold one.
Direct calculation is the
recommended source of inf ormation
about your actual f uel economy.
Using f requency of f ill-ups or taking
f uel gauge readings are NOT
accurate measures of f uel economy.
Fuel economy may improve over the
f irst several thousand miles. 1)
2)
3)
4)
Fuel Economy
Checking Your Fuel Economy
Measuring T echniquesMinimize the use of the air
conditioning system
Plan and combine trips
Calculating Fuel Economy
146
Miles per Gallon
100 Kilometers
Gallons
of fuel
Miles
driven
Liter Lper
100 km
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Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D . When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to second
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
bottom
3
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills Backing Up
Parking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
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