2009 HONDA ELEMENT ABS

2. Remove the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
3. Remove the rubber weather seal by pulling on the tab.
4. Unclip the end of the hold-down wire from its slot. Pivot the wire
out of the way, then remove the
bulb. 5. Install the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
6. Install the rubber seal over the back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure one of the three arrows
on the rubber seal is facing up; it is
marked ‘‘
’’.
7. Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb.
8. (Driver's side) Install the front end of the air
intake duct. Replacing a Daytime Running
Light Bulb
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
3. Remove the bulb by turning it one- quarter turn counterclockwise.
TAB
Lights262
2009 Element

Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb1. Remove the license light assemblyby pushing the left edge of the
lens toward the right and pulling
the assembly out.
2. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.
3. Turn on the parking lights andcheck that the new bulb is
working.
4. Put the lens back on the socket until it locks.
5. Slide the right side of the light assembly into the hole. Push on
the left side to latch the assembly
into place. Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
1. Open the hatch. Remove the light
assembly cover by pushing in on
the tabs on both sides and pulling
the cover down.
2. Remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
LENS
SOCKET BULB
LENS
TABS
COVER
CONTINUED
Lights
267
Maintenance
2009 Element

2. Disconnect the blade assemblyfrom the wiper arm by pushing in
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
If you are changing the rear wiper
blade, go to step 6.
3. Remove the blade from its holder by grabbing the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull up firmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.
4. Examine the new wiper blades. Ifthey have no plastic or metal
reinforcement along the back
edge, remove the metal
reinforcement strips from the old
wiper blade, and install them in the
slots along the edge of the new
blade.
5. Slide the new wiper blade into theholder until the tabs lock.
6. Slide the wiper blade assembly onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm down against the windshield or the hatch glass.
LOCK TAB
BLADE
BLADE
REINFORCEMENT
Wiper Blades270
2009 Element

Tire Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation, correct
wheel alignment helps to decrease
tire wear. If you find a tire is worn
unevenly, have your dealer check the
wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you feel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed from the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comfort and tire life. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.On vehicles with aluminum wheels,
improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle's aluminum wheels. Use
only Honda wheel weights for
balancing.Tire Rotation
To help increase tire life and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the information display.
Move the tires to the positions
shown in the illustration each time
they are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only front-to-
back.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a different
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of the wheels.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the
vehicle. Tire size and construction
can affect wheel speed and may
cause the ABS or VSA system to
activate.
Front
Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Tires274
2009 Element

Brake System Indicator (Red)U.S. CanadaThe brake system indicator (red)
normally comes on when you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, and as a reminder to check
the parking brake. It will stay on if
you do not fully release the parking
brake.
If the brake system indicator (red)
comes on while driving, the brake
fluid level is probably low. Press
lightly on the brake pedal to see if it
feels normal. If it does, check the
brake fluid level the next time you
stop at a service station (see page
258).
If the fluid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system's dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will feel the brake
pedal go down much farther before
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
Emergency
Towing on page303).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and carefully. If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
Brake System Indicator
297
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Element

The vehicle's fuses are located in two
fuse boxes. The under-hood fuse box
is located in the engine compartment
on the driver's side. To open it, push
the tabs as shown.
The interior fuse box is underneath
the steering column. To remove the
fuse box lid, turn the knobs
clockwise and pull the lid out of its
hinges.Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, check for a
blown fuse first. Determine from the
chart on pages301and302,or the
diagram on the fuse box lid, which
fuse or fuses control that device.
Check those fuses first, but check all
the fuses before deciding that a
blown fuse is the cause. Replace any
blown fuses, and check if the device
works.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse box.
UNDER-HOOD
TAB
INTERIOR
KNOBS
Fuses298
2009 Element

A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
205
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
...................................
79
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
100
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
252
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
......
74
Advanced Airbags
........................
27
Airbag (SRS)
............................
9,22
Air Conditioning System
............
104
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
271,272
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
198
Antifreeze
...................................
254
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light
..................
59,225
Operation
................................
225
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
188
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.........................................
79
Audio System
.............................
109
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
20
Automatic Speed Control
...........
193 Automatic Transmission
............
219
Capacity, Fluid
........................
309
Checking Fluid Level
..............
256
Shifting
...................................
219
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
219
Shift Lock Release
...................
221
Automatic Transmission Fluid
...
256
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
192
B
Battery Charging System
Indicator
........................
58,295
Jump Starting
..........................
291
Maintenance
...........................
277
Specifications
..........................
310
Before Driving
...........................
197
Belts, Seat
................................
8,18
Beverage Holders
........................
99
Booster Seats
...............................
50
Brakes
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
225
Break-in, New Linings
.............
198 Bulb Replacement
...................
266
Fluid
.......................................
258
Parking
....................................
94
System Design
........................
224
System Indicator
...............
58,297
Wear Indicators
.......................
225
Braking System
..........................
224
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
198
Brightness Control, Instruments
..............................
72
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights
........................
266
Brake Lights
...........................
266
Daytime Running Lights
.........
262
Front Parking/Turn Signal Lights
..................................
263
Front Side Marker Lights
........
265
Headlights
..............................
261
High-mount Brake Lights
........
267
Rear Bulbs
..............................
266
Rear License Plate Lights
........
267
Side Turn Signal Lights
...........
264
Specifications
..........................
310
Taillights
.................................
266
Turn Signal Lights
..................
266
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
2009 Element

Heating and Cooling
..................
104
Hood, Opening and Closing the
..........................................
200
Horn
............................................
69
Hydraulic Clutch
........................
258
I
Identification Number, Vehicle
...................................
306
Ignition Keys
.........................................
75
Switch
......................................
79
Immobilizer System
.....................
76
Important Safety Precautions
.........
6
Indicators, Instrument Panel
........
57
ABS (Anti-lock Brake)
..............
59
Brake (Parking and Brake System)
.........................
58,297
Charging System
..............
58,295
Cruise Control
..........................
60
Cruise Main
.............................
60
Door and Tailgate Open
...........
61
DRL (Daytime Running Lights)
..................................
60 High Beam
...............................
61
Key (Immobilizer System)
.......
60
Lights On
.................................
61
Low Fuel
..................................
61
Low Oil Pressure
..............
58,295
Low Tire Pressure
.............
62,227
Maintenance Minder
.........
59,243
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
58,296
Passenger Airbag Off
...............
32
Seat Belt Reminder
.............
18,58
Side Airbag Off
....................
32,59
SRS
.....................................
31,59
TPMS
................................
63,228
Turn Signal and Hazard Warning
...............................
60
VSA OFF
..................................
62
VSA System
.............................
62
Washer Level
...........................
61
Individual Map Lights
..................
95
Infant Restraint
............................
40
Infant Seats
..................................
40
Tether Anchorage Point
...........
48
Inflation, Proper Tire
..................
271
Recommended Pressures
.......
272
Inside Mirror
...............................
93 Inspection, Tire
..........................
273
Installing a Child Seat
..................
43
Instrument Panel
..........................
57
Instrument Panel Brightness
.......
72
Instruments and Controls
.............
55
Interior Lights
..............................
95
Introduction
...................................
i
iPod
®Error Messages
................
172
J
Jacking up the Vehicle
...............
283
Jack, Tire
...................................
283
Jump Starting
.............................
291
K
Keys
.............................................
75
L
Label, Certification
.....................
306
Lane Change, Signaling
...............
71
Lap/Shoulder Belt
.................
14,19
CONTINUED
Index
V
INDEX
2009 Element