2009 HONDA ELEMENT heating

Air flows from the defroster
vents at the base of the windshield.
When you select
or
, the
system automatically switches to
fresh air mode and turns on the A/C.
The A/C indicator does not come on.
Ventilation
The flow-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then discharges
it through vents near the tailgate.
1. Set the temperature to the lower limit.
2. Make sure the A/C is off.
3. Select
and fresh air mode.
4. Set the fan to the desired speed. Using the Heater
The heater uses engine coolant to
warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes before you
feel warm air coming from the
system.
1. Select
and fresh air mode.
2. Set the fan to the desired speed.
3. Adjust the warmth of the air with the temperature control dial.
Using the A/C
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
67).If it moves near the red zone,
turn off the A/C until the gauge
reading returns to normal.
1. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. The indicator in the button
comes on when a fan speed is
selected.
2. Set the temperature to the lower limit. 3. Select
.
4. If the outside air is humid, select recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select fresh air mode.
5. Set the fan to the desired speed.
If the interior is very warm,
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 fresh air mode.
To cool the interior with MAX A/C:1. Set the mode control dial to MAX A/C.
The system automatically turns on
the A/C, selects
and switches
to recirculation mode.
2. Set the temperature to the lower limit.
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.
Vents, Heating, and A/C106
2009 Element

Dehumidify the Interior
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 from
fogging up.1. Turn the fan on.
2. Turn on the air conditioning.
3. Select
and fresh air mode.
4. Adjust the temperature to your preference.
This setting is suitable for all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C). To Defog and Defrost
To remove fog from the inside of the
windows:
1. Set the fan to the desired speed, or
high for faster defrosting.
2. Select
. The system
automatically switches to fresh air
mode and turns on the A/C. The
A/C indicator will not come on if it
was off to start with.
3. Adjust the temperature control dial so the airflow feels warm.
4. Selectto help clear the rear
window.
5. To increase airflow to the windshield, close the corner vents. When you select
or
, the
system automatically turns on the
A/C. This helps to dehumidify the air
and to defog the windshield. In either
mode, you cannot turn off the A/C.
When you switch to another mode,
the A/C returns to its original
setting, either on or off.
Vents, Heating, and A/C
107
Features
2009 Element

To Remove Exterior Frost or Ice
From the Windows1. Select
. The system
automatically switches to fresh air
mode and turns on the A/C. The
A/C indicator does not come on if
the A/C was off to start with.
2. Select.
3. Set the fan and temperature controls to maximum level.
4. Selectto help clear the rear
window.
To clear the windows faster, you can
close the dashboard corner vents by
rotating the tab below each vent.
This sends more warm air to the
windshield defroster vents. Once the
windshield is clear, select fresh air
mode to avoid fogging the windows.
For your safety, make sure you have
a clear view through all the windows
before driving. To Turn Everything Off
Turning the fan speed control dial all
the way to the left shuts the system
off.
●Keep the system off for short
periods only.●To keep stale air and mustiness
from collecting, you should have
the fan running at all times.
Vents, Heating, and A/C108
2009 Element

U.S. models OnlyThe manual transmission is
synchronized in all forward gears for
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from fifth to
reverse. When shifting up or down,
make sure you push the clutch pedal
down all the way, shift to the next
gear, and let the pedal up gradually.
When you are not shifting, do not
rest your foot on the clutch pedal.
This can cause the clutch to wear out
faster.Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause for a few seconds before
shifting into reverse, or shift into one
of the forward gears for a moment.
This stops the gears so they won't
‘‘
grind. ’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking from the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes from
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Before downshifting, make
sure the engine speed will not go
into the tachometer's red zone in the
lower gear.
Rapid slowing or speeding up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
CONTINUED
Manual Transmission
217
Driving
2009 Element

If you remove the driver's floor mat,
make sure to re-anchor it when you
put it back in your vehicle.
If you use non-Honda floor mats,
make sure they fit properly and that
they can be used with the floor mat
anchors. Do not put additional floor
mats on top of the anchored mats.Dust and Pollen Filter
This filter removes the dust and
pollen that is brought in from the
outside through the heating and
cooling system.
Have your dealer replace the filter
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
information display. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km) if you drive primarily in
urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air, or if
the flow from the heating and cooling
system becomes less than usual.Wiper Blades
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every 6 months.
Replace them if you find signs of
cracking in the rubber, areas that are
getting hard, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
1. Front:
Raise the wiper arm off the
windshield.
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the arms.
Rear:
Raise the wiper arm off the hatch
glass and hold it.
CONTINUED
Floor Mats, Dust and Pollen Filter, Wiper Blades
269
Maintenance
2009 Element

DipstickAutomatic Transmission
.........
256
Engine Oil
...............................
201
Directional Signals
.......................
60
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
.......
225
Disc Care
...................................
183
Disc Changer Error Messages
...............................
126
Disc Player Error Messages
........................
125,148
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
253
Doors
Indicator
...................................
11
Locking and Unlocking
............
80
Power Door Locks
...................
80
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
311
Downshifting, Manual Transmission
..........................
217
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
213
Economy
.................................
202
Driving Guidelines
.....................
214
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
269 E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
202
Emergencies on the Road
..........
281
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
291
Brake System Indicator
.....
58,297
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
283
Charging System
Indicator
........................
58,295
Checking the Fuses
................
298
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
282
Hazard Warning Flashers
........
73
Jump Starting
..........................
291
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
........................
58,295
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
58,296
Overheated Engine
.................
293
Towing
....................................
303
Emergency Brake
........................
94
Emergency Flashers
....................
73
Emergency Towing
....................
303
Emissions Controls
....................
316
Emissions Testing
......................
319 Engine
Adding Engine Coolant
...........
254
Coolant Temperature Gauge
....
67
If it Won ’t Start
........................
289
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................
58,296
Oil Life Indicator
.....................
243
Oil Pressure Indicator
.......
58,295
Oil, What Kind to Use
.............
251
Overheating
............................
293
Specifications
..........................
308
Speed Limiter
..................
218,221
Starting
...................................
216
Ethanol in Gasoline
....................
198
Evaporative Emissions Controls
..................................
316
Exhaust Fumes
............................
52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by
....................................
16
F
Fan, Interior
...............................
105
Features, Comfort and Convenience
...........................
103
CONTINUED
Index
III
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

LATCH Anchorage System
..........
44
Light Control Switch
....................
95
Lights Bulb Replacement
...................
261
Indicator
...................................
57
Interior
.....................................
95
Parking
....................................
71
Turn Signal
..............................
71
Load Limit
..................................
208
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)
......
79
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column
.......
79
Fuel Fill Door
..........................
199
Glove Box
...............................
100
Hatch
.......................................
81
Lockout Prevention
..................
81
Power Door
..............................
80
Tailgate
....................................
82
Low Coolant Level
......................
201
Lower Anchors
.............................
44
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
61
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
58,295
Lubricant Specifications Chart...
309
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
207 M
Maintenance
..............................
241
Main Items and Sub Items
......
246
Minder
....................................
243
Minder Indicator
......................
59
Owner's Maintenance Checks
................................
248
Safety
......................................
242
Schedule
.................................
249
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.......
296
Manual Transmission
.................
217
Checking Fluid Level
..............
257
Shifting
...................................
217
Manual Transmission Fluid
.......
257
Meters, Gauges
............................
64
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
198
Mirrors, Adjusting
........................
93
Modifications
.............................
206
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
206
N
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
198
Normal Shift Speeds
..................
218 NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
306
O
Odometer
.....................................
65
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
..............................
238
Off-Road Precautions
..................
238
Oil Change, How to
......................
252
Change, When to
....................
243
Checking Engine
....................
201
Life, Engine
.............................
243
Pressure Indicator
.............
58,295
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
...................................
251
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery
................................
316
ON (Ignition Key Position)
..........
79
Outside Mirrors
...........................
93
Outside Temperature Indicator
....
68
Overhead Console
......................
101
Overheating, Engine
..................
293
Owner's Maintenance Checks
....
248
IndexVI
2009 Element