2009 HONDA ELEMENT ignition

Immobilizer System
Indicator
This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. It will
then go off if you have inserted a
properly coded ignition key. If it is
not a properly coded key, the
indicator will blink, and the engine
will not start (see page76).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch from the ON (II) position to
the ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
position.
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicators do not blink
or they blink rapidly, it usually
means one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see page263).Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle flash.
Daytime Running Lights
Indicator
If this indicator comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position and the parking brake is
released, it means there is a problem
with a circuit. Have your vehicle
checked by your dealer.Cruise Control Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page193
for information on operating the
cruise control.Cruise Main Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel (see page193).
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2009 Element

Lights On Indicator
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or
position. If you turn the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0) position without
turning off the light switch, this
indicator will stay on. A reminder
chime will also sound when you open
the driver's door.High Beam Indicator
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
information, see page71.
Washer Level Indicator
Canadian models onlyThis indicator comes on when the
washer fluid level is low. Add washer
fluid when you see this indicator
come on (see page255).
Low Fuel IndicatorThis indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must refuel soon. When the indicator comes on, there
is about 2.8 U.S. gal (10.5 L) of fuel
remaining in the tank before the
needle reaches E. There is a small
reserve of fuel remaining in the tank
when the needle does reach E.
Door and Tailgate Open Indicator
The appropriate indicator comes on
in this display if the hatch, the
tailgate, or any door is not closed
tightly.
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
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Instrument Panel Indicators
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Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and when the ignition switch
is turned to the START (III) position.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page230).
If it comes on and stays on at any
other time, or it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. Take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked. Without VSA, your vehicle
still has normal driving ability, but
will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. See page230
for more information on the VSA
system.
VSA OFF Indicator
It comes on as a reminder that you
have turned off the vehicle stability
assist (VSA) system.
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and when the ignition switch
is turned to the START (III) position.
See page230for more information
on the VSA system.
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle's tires are significantly low on
pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page282),and have the
flat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinflated,
call a professional towing service
(see page303).For more
information, see page227.
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2009 Element

Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS; the
system that monitors tire pressure.
With this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
Instrument Panel Indicators
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Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

Information Display
The information display shows the
odometer, trip meter, engine oil life,
outside temperature (if equipped),
and maintenance item code(s).To switch the display, press and
release the select/reset knob
repeatedly. When you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, your last selection is
displayed.Odometer
The odometer shows the total
distance your vehicle has been
driven. It measures miles in U.S.
models and kilometers in Canadian
models. It is illegal under U.S.
federal law and Canadian provincial
and territorial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
OUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR
ODOMETER
TRIP METER A
ENGINE OIL
LIFE TRIP METER B
U.S. model with outside temperature indicator is shown.
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Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

Trip Meter
This shows the number of miles
(U.S.) or kilometers (Canada) driven
since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A and
Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the select/reset
knob repeatedly.
Each trip meter works
independently, so you can keep track
of two different distances.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the last
selection is displayed.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the select/reset
knob until the number resets to
‘‘0.0 ’’. Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
off the ignition.
Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
Check Fuel Cap Message
Your vehicle's onboard diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
fuel fill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The first time a leak is detected
a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP ’’message
appears on the information display.
Turn the engine off, and confirm the
fuel fill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the fuel fill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the select/reset knob.
The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP ’’message
will appear each time you restart the
engine until the system turns the
message off.
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2009 Element

If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle's evaporative emissions
system, the malfunction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the fuel fill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine off, and check or
retighten the fuel fill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go off,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more information, see
page296.Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page293for instructions and
precautions on checking the engine's
cooling system.
Maintenance Minder
The information display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil life and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
information helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs for continued trouble-
free driving. Refer to page243for
more information.
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Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

1. Turn signal
2. Off
3. Parking and instrument panel
lights
4. Headlights on
5. High beams
6. Flash high beamsTurn Signal
－Push down on the
lever to signal a left turn and up to
signal a right turn. To signal a lane
change, push lightly on the lever,
and hold it. The lever will return to
center when you release it or
complete a turn. Headlights
－Turning the switch to
the ‘‘
’’position turns on the
parking lights, taillights, instrument
panel lights, side-marker lights, and
rear license plate lights.
Turning the switch to the ‘‘
’’
position turns on the headlights.
When the light switch is in the
‘‘
’’ or ‘‘
’’position, the lights
on indicator comes on as a reminder.
This indicator stays on if you leave
the light switch on and turn the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or the LOCK (0) position.
If you leave the lights on with the key
removed from the ignition switch,
you will hear a reminder chime when
you open the driver's door.







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Turn Signals and Headlights
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Instruments and Controls
2009 Element