2009 HONDA ELEMENT Owners Manual

Keep the inside and outside mirrors
clean and adjusted for best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors before
you start driving.
The inside mirror has day and night
positions. The night position reduces
glare from headlights behind you.
Flip the tab on the bottom edge of
the mirror to select the day or night
position.Adjusting the Power Mirrors
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
2. Move the selector switch to L (driver's side) or R (passenger's
side). 3. Push the appropriate edge of the
adjustment switch to move the
mirror right, left, up, or down.
4. When you finish, move the selector switch to the center (off)
position. This turns the adjustment
switch off to keep your settings.
TAB
SELECTOR SWITCH
ADJUSTMENT SWITCH
Mirrors
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Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

Rear WindowsTo open a rear window, pull the lever
towards you, then push it out until it
locks. To close the rear window pull
the lever towards you, then push it
back. Make sure the window is fully
closed and locked.Parking Brake
To apply the parking brake, pull the lever
up fully. To release it, pull up slightly,
push the button, and lower the lever. The
parking brake indicator on the instrument
panel should go out when the parking
brake is fully released (see page58).
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes and axles. A beeper will sound if
the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake on.
PARKING BRAKE LEVER
Rear Windows, Parking Brake94
2009 Element

Light Control SwitchOn EX and SC modelsThe light control switch has three
positions: OFF, Door Activated, and
ON.When the switch is in the OFFposition:●The individual map lights can be
turned on and off by pressing the
lenses.●The ceiling light cannot be turned
on.
When the switch is in the door
activated position:●The individual map lights come on
when any door is opened, or when
the remote transmitter is used to
unlock the doors (see page77).
When the doors are closed, each
light can be turned on and off by
pushing the lens.
After all doors are closed tightly, the
lights dim slightly, then fade out in
about 30 seconds.
With any door left open, the lights stay
on about 3 minutes, then go out.
The lights also come on when the key
is removed from the ignition switch.When the light control switch is in the ON position:●All the individual map lights and
ceiling light come on and stay on as
long as the switch remains in the ON
position.
Individual Map LightsOn EX and SC modelsTurn on the individual map lights by
pushing the lens. Push the lens again
to turn it off.
OFF ON
DOOR ACTIVATED POSITION
Interior Lights
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Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

Courtesy LightOn vehicles with navigation systemThe courtesy light between the map
lights comes on when you turn the
parking lights on. To adjust its
brightness, turn the select/reset
knob on the instrument panel (see
page72).Ceiling Light
The ceiling light has a three-position
switch: ON, Door Activated, and OFF.
In the Door Activated (center)
position, the light comes on when you:●Open any door.●Remove the key from the ignition.
If you do not open a door, the light
fades out in about 30 seconds.●Unlock the doors with the key or
remote transmitter.
Cargo Area Light
The cargo area light has a three-
position switch. In the center
position, the light comes on when
you open the hatch.
Ignition Switch Light
The ignition switch light comes on
when you unlock the driver's door,
and fades out about 30 seconds after
you close the door.
COURTESY LIGHT
ON
OFF DOOR ACTIVATED
Interior Lights96
2009 Element

ꭧ: If equipped.
CARGO AREA CARGO AREA
SIDE POCKET COIN TRAY
DOOR POCKETS
BEVERAGE HOLDERS LX model EX model OVERHEAD CONSOLE
ꭧ
ACCESSORY
POWER
SOCKET
GLOVE BOX
CENTER LOWER
POCKET
ꭧ
SEAT-BACK POCKET
ꭧ
ACCESSORY POWER
SOCKET
VANITY MIRRORS
ꭧ
SC model
BEVERAGE
HOLDERS
Interior Convenience Items
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2009 Element

Cooler BoxOn EX modelThere is a cooler box between the
driver's and passenger's seats.
To open the cooler box, slide the tab
backward, and pull up the lid.
The lid has a breakaway feature. If
the lid is rotated back too far it will
break away from the box without
damage.To reinstall the lid, vertically set the
rear lid hinge to the pins on the box
and push down. The lid must be
vertical as shown in the illustration.
To remove the cooler box, rotate the
handle up to the unlocked position.
Slide the console towards the rear of
the vehicle then lift the console.
TAB
Interior Convenience Items98
2009 Element

To reinstall the cooler box, set the
cooler box into the floor base, then
slide the cooler box forward.
Rotate the handle down to the locked
position.
Make sure the cooler box is securely
locked in place. A cooler box that is
not locked in place could become a
projectile and cause injury in a
sudden stop or crash.
If you take the cooler box out, put it
in a safe place outside the vehicle.NOTE:
The cooler box must be
locked to floor base while driving. Beverage Holders
Be careful 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.
The front beverage holder is
removable. To remove it, push the
tab and pull it up.SC model is shown.Interior Convenience Items
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Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

Accessory Power Sockets
Your vehicle has one, two, or three
accessory power sockets, depending
on the model. All models have a front
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 one additional
socket in the center console.
These sockets are intended to supply
power for 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).Glove Box
Open the glove box by pulling the
bottom of the handle. Close it with a
firm push. Lock or unlock the glove
box with the master key.
An open glove box can cause
serious injury to your passenger
in a crash, even if the
passenger is wearing the seat
belt.
Always keep the glove box
closed while driving.
Sun Visor
To use the sun visor, pull it down.
When using the sun visor for the
side window, remove the support rod
from the clip, and swing it out.
In this position, the sun visor can be
adjusted by moving it on its slider.
Do not use the extended sun visor
over the inside mirror.
Make sure you put the sun visor
back in place when you are getting
into or out of the vehicle.
Slide
Interior Convenience Items100
2009 Element