2009 HONDA ELEMENT brake

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

Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to
slow down. This will cancel cruise
control. To resume the set speed,
press the RES/ACCEL button. The
CRUISE CONTROL indicator on the
instrument panel will come back on.
When climbing a steep hill, the
automatic transmission may
downshift to hold the set speed.Changing the Set Speed
You can increase the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
●Press and hold the RES/ACCEL
button. When you reach the
desired cruising speed, release the
button.●To increase your speed in very
small amounts, tap the RES/
ACCEL button. Each time you do
this, the vehicle will speed up
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).●Push on the accelerator pedal.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed, then press the SET/
DECEL button.
You can decrease the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
NOTE: If you need to decrease your
speed quickly, use the brakes as you
normally would.
●Press and hold the SET/DECEL
button. Release the button when
you reach the desired speed.●To slow down in very small
amounts, tap the SET/DECEL
button. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will slow down about
1 mph (1.6 km/h).●Tap the brake or clutch pedal
lightly with your foot. The CRUISE
CONTROL indicator on the
instrument panel will go out. When
the vehicle slows to the desired
speed, press the SET/DECEL
button.
Even with the cruise control turned
on, you can still use the accelerator
pedal to speed up for passing. After
completing the pass, take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will return to the set cruising speed.
RES/ACCEL
BUTTON
CANCEL
BUTTON
SET/DECEL
BUTTONCruise Control194
2009 Element

Resting your foot on the brake or
clutch pedal causes the cruise
control to cancel.Canceling Cruise Control
You can cancel cruise control in any
of these ways:●Tap the brake or clutch pedal.●Push the CANCEL button on the
steering wheel.●Push the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel.Resuming the Set Speed
When you push the CANCEL button,
or tap the brake or clutch pedal, the
system will remember the previously
set cruising speed. To return to that
speed, accelerate to above 25 mph
(40 km/h) then press and release the
RES/ACCEL button. The CRUISE
CONTROL indicator will come on.
The vehicle will accelerate to the
same cruising speed as before.
Pressing the CRUISE button turns
the system completely off and erases
the previous cruising speed.RES/ACCEL
BUTTON
CANCEL
BUTTON
SET/DECEL
BUTTON
Cruise Control
195
Features
2009 Element

Break-in Period
Help assure your vehicle's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:●Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.●Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.●Avoid hard braking for the first 200
miles (300 km).●Do not tow a trailer.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Fuel Recommendation
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine
damage.
On vehicles with manual transmissionYou may hear a knocking noise from
the engine if you drive the vehicle at
low engine speed (below about 1,000
rpm) in a higher gear. To stop this,
raise the engine speed by shifting to
a lower gear.
We recommend using quality
gasoline containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.In addition, in order to maintain good
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely affect performance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation198
2009 Element

Opening and Closing the Hood1. Park the vehicle, and set theparking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
2. Put your fingers under the frontedge of the hood near the center.
The hood latch handle is above the
‘‘H ’’logo. Push this handle up to
release it. Lift up the hood.
If the hood latch handle moves
stiffly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated.
3. Pull the support rod out of its clip and insert the end into the
designated hole in the hood.
To close the hood, lift it up slightly to
remove the support rod from the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a foot (30 cm) above the
fender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
LATCH
SUPPORT ROD
CLIP
Service Station Procedures200
2009 Element

Modifying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make it unsafe. Before you make any
modifications or add any accessories,
be sure to read the following
information.
Accessories
Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have been
designed and approved for your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although non-Honda accessories
may fit on your vehicle, they may not
meet factory specifications, and could
adversely affect your vehicle's
handling and stability.
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle's handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your vehicle's
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
tire pressure monitoring system. Before installing any accessory:
●Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.●Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits (see
page298)or interfere with the
proper operation of your vehicle.●Before installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the final installation.●Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. Accessories installed in
these areas may interfere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
CONTINUED
Accessories and Modifications
205
Before Driving
2009 Element

Modifying Your Vehicle
Removing parts from your vehicle, or
replacing components with some
non-Honda components could
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:●Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit that
significantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.●Raising your vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit can affect
the handling and stability.
●Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components, and are not
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS).●Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's anti-lock brakes and
other systems.●Modifying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle's
safety features can make the
systems ineffective.
If you plan to modify your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Accessories and Modifications206
2009 Element

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important information
on parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA
®) system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and
facts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer or drive off-highway. Driving Guidelines
......................
214
Preparing to Drive
......................
215
Starting the Engine
.....................
216
Manual Transmission
.................
217
Automatic Transmission
.............
219
Parking
.......................................
223
Braking System
..........................
224
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
225
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
...................................
227
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
.....................
230
Towing a Trailer
..........................
232
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines
...............................
238
Driving
213
Driving
2009 Element