2008 HONDA ELEMENT height

An inf ant must be properly
restrained in a rear-f acing, reclining
child seat until the child reaches the
seat maker’s weight or height limit
f or the seat, and the child is at least
one year old.
Only a rear-f acing child seat provides
proper support f or a baby’s head,
neck, and back.Two types of seats may be used: a
seat designed exclusively f or inf ants,
or a convertible seat used in the rear-
f acing, reclining mode.
If placed
f acing f orward, an inf ant could be
very seriously injured during a
f rontal collision. A rear-f acing child seat can be placed
in any seating position in the back
seat, but not in the f ront.
If the passenger’s front airbag
inflates, it can hit the back of the
child seat with enough f orce to kill or
seriously injure an inf ant.
When properly installed, a rear-
f acing child seat may prevent the
driver or a f ront passenger f rom
moving their seat as far back as
recommended, or f rom locking their
seat-back in the desired position.
It could also interf ere with proper
operation of the passenger’s
advanced front airbag system.
Protecting Inf ants
Child Seat T ype
Do not put a rear-f acing child seat in
a f orward-f acing position. Never put a
rear-f acing child seat in t he f ront seat .
Rear-f acing Child Seat Placement
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children
42
\f—\f—y

y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

A child who is at least 1 year old, and
who f its within the child seat maker’s
weight and height limits, should be
restrained in a f orward-f acing,
upright child seat.
Of the different seats available, we
recommend those that have a f ive-
point harness system as shown.If the vehicle seat is too
f ar f orward, or the child’s head is
thrown f orward during a collision, an
inf lating airbag can strike the child
with enough force to cause very
serious or fatal injuries.
We strongly recommend placing a
forward-facing child seat in a back
seat, not the f ront.
We also recommend that a small
child use the child seat as long as
possible, until the child reaches the
weight or height limit f or the seat.
In any of these situations, we
strongly recommend that you install
the child seat directly behind the
f ront passenger’s seat, move the seat
as far forward as needed, and leave it
unoccupied. Or, you may wish to get
a smaller rear-f acing child seat.
CONT INUED
Protecting Small Children
Child Seat T ype Placing a f orward-f acing child seat in
the f ront seat of a vehicle equippedwith a passenger’s airbag can behazardous.
Child Seat Placement
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
43
Placing a rear-facing child seat
in the front seat can result in
serious injury or death during a
collision.
Always place a rear-facing child
seat in the back seat, not the
front.
\f—\f—y

y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

Does the shoulder belt cross
between the child’s neck and arm?
Is the lap part of the belt as low as
possible, touching the child’s
thighs?
Will the child be able to stay
seated like this f or the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these
questions, the child is ready to wear
the lap/shoulder belt correctly. If
you answer no to any question, the
child needs to ride on a booster seat.
To determine if a lap/shoulder belt
properly f its a child, have the child
put on the seat belt, then ask
yourself :
Does the child sit all the way back
against the seat?
Do the child’s knees bend
comf ortably over the edge of the
seat?
When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster seat and wear a lap/shoulder
belt.
The f ollowing pages give
instructions on how to check proper
seat belt f it, what kind of booster
seat to use if one is needed, and
important precautions f or a child
who must sit in f ront.
1.
2.3.
4.
5.
Checking Seat Belt Fit
Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
51
Allowing a child age 12 or under
to sit in front can result in injury
or death if the passenger’s front
airbag inflates.
If a child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, have the child
sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly.
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

A side airbag also poses risks. If any
part of a larger child’s body is in the
path of a deploying side airbag, the
child could receive possibly serious
injuries.
If the passenger’s front airbag
inf lates in a moderate to severe
f rontal collision, the airbag can cause
serious injuries to a child who is
unrestrained, improperly restrained,
sitting too close to the airbag, or out
of position.
Some states and Canadian provinces
also require children to use a booster
seat until they reach a given age or
weight (e.g., 6 years or 60 lbs). Be
sure to check current laws in the
states or provinces where you intend
to drive. Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster meets f ederal
saf ety standards and that you f ollow
the booster seat maker’s instructions.
If a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in f ront, move the vehicle
seat as far back as possible and be
sure the child is wearing the seat
belt properly.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle’s or
booster’s seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster seat.
A child who has outgrown a forward-
f acing child seat should ride in a
back seat and use a booster seat
until the lap/shoulder belt f its them
properly without the booster. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
aged 12 and under be properly
restrained in a back seat.
Using a Booster Seat When Can a L arger Child Sit in
Front
Protecting L arger Children
52
\f—\f—y
\f
y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .58 ............................
Instrument Panel .59
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .60
.............................................
Gauges .66
...................................
Trip Meter .66
.....................................
Odometer .66
..................................
Fuel Gauge .67
..........
Check Fuel Cap Message .67
...................
Temperature Gauge .68
..................
Maintenance Minder .68
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .69
.
Windshield Wipers and Washers .70
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights .71
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .72
.................
Hazard Warning Button .73
.................
Rear Window Def ogger .73
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment .74
...............................
Keys and Locks .75
........................
Immobilizer System .76
.......................
Remote Transmitter .77
................................
Ignition Switch .79
......................................
Door Locks .80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
..................................
Rear Doors .81
............................................
Hatch .81
........................................
Tailgate .82 .................................................
Seats .83
........................
Seat Adjustments .83
Driver’s Seat Height
..............................
Adjustment .84
...................
FrontSeatArmrests.84
..........................
Head Restraints .85
..........
Reclining the Front Seats .86
...............
Folding the Rear Seats .87
..........
Removing the Rear Seats .89
..............................
Power Windows .91
.............................................
Mirrors .92
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors .92
.................................
Rear Windows .93
.................................
Parking Brake .93
............................................
Skylight .93
.................................
Interior Lights .96
................................
Ceiling Light .96
.....................................
Spotlights .96
........................
Cargo Area Light .96
..................
Ignition Switch Light .96
...........
Interior Convenience Items .97
.......................
Beverage Holders .98
..........
Accessory Power Sockets .98
....................................
Glove Box .98
......................................
Sun Visor .99
..............................
Vanity Mirror .99
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
57
\f—\f—y

y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

To adjust the height of the driver’s
seat, turn the dial on the outside of
the seat bottom.To change the angle of the rear seat-
back, pull the strap at the inside
edge of the seat cushion, make sure
the seat-back locks into position.
Each front seat has an armrest on
thesideof theseat-back.Touseit,
pivotitdown.On EX model
Seats
Driver’s Seat Height Adjustment Front Seat ArmrestsRear Seat
84
SEAT-BACK ADJUSTMENT STRAP
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Element

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.
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f\f\fy
2008 Element

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use D position when
towing a trailer on level roads. D is
the proper shif t lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See ‘‘ ’’ on the next
page f or additional gear inf ormation.)
173174 212
CONT INUED
3
Pre-T ow Checklist Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving on Hills
Driving
177
\f—\f—y
y
(+\fy\f
y
2008 Element