2009 HONDA ELEMENT instrument panel

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.
Gauges
67
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.







CONTINUED
Turn Signals and Headlights
71
Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

High Beams－Push the lever back
until you hear a click to turn on the
high beams. The blue high beam
indicator will come on (see page61).
Pull the lever back again to low
beams.
To flash the high beams, pull the
lever back lightly, then release it.
The high beams will stay on as long
as you hold the lever back. Daytime Running Lights
With the headlight switch off, the
daytime running lights come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position and release the
parking brake. They remain on until
you turn the ignition switch off, even
if you set the parking brake.
When the headlights are on, the
daytime running lights are off.Instrument Panel Brightness
The select/reset knob on the
instrument panel controls the
brightness of the instrument panel
lights. Turn the knob to adjust the
brightness.
Separate adjustments can be made
when the headlights are on and off.
Turn Signals and Headlights, Instrument Panel Brightness72
2009 Element

The level of brightness is shown on
the information display while you
adjust it. It goes out about 5 seconds
after you finish adjusting.
To reduce glare at night, the
instrument panel illumination dims
when you turn the light switch to
or
. Turning the select/reset
knob to the right until you hear a
beep will cancel the reduced
brightness. The instrument panel will illuminate
with reduced brightness when you
unlock and open the driver's door.
The brightness will increase slightly
when you insert the key in the
ignition switch, then go to normal
brightness when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If you do not insert the key in the
ignition switch after opening the
driver's door, the illumination turns
off about 30 seconds after you close
the door.
If you insert the key but do not turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, the illumination turns off in
about 10 seconds.
Hazard Warning Button
Push the button next to the shift
lever to turn on the hazard warning
lights (four-way flashers). This
causes all four outside turn signals
and both turn indicators in the
instrument panel to flash. Use the
hazard warning lights if you need to
park in a dangerous area near heavy
traffic, or if your vehicle is disabled.
BRIGHTNESS LEVEL
U.S. model is shown.
Instrument Panel Brightness, Hazard Warning Button
73
Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

To adjust the steering wheel upward
or downward:1. Push the lever under the left side of the steering column all the way
down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down to the desired position.
Make sure you can see the
instrument panel gauges and the
indicators. 3. Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in that position.
4. Make sure you have securely locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down. Keys and Locks
The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works
only in the ignition and the door
locks. You can keep the glove box
and hatch locked when you leave
your vehicle and the valet key at a
parking facility.
KEY
NUMBER
TAG
MASTER
KEYS
(BLACK)VALET
KEY
(LIGHT
GRAY)
CONTINUED
Steering Wheel Adjustment, Keys and Locks
75
Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

If the front wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult to
turn the key. Firmly turn the steering
wheel to the left or right as you turn
the key.
ACCESSORY (I)－You can operate
the audio system and the accessory
power sockets in this position.
ON (II) －This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch from the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position.
START (III) －Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key. You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the LOCK (0) or
the ACCESSORY (I) position and
open the driver's door. Remove the
key to turn off the beeper.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in Park before you can remove the
key from the ignition switch.
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.Power Door Locks
To lock all of the doors and hatch,
press the door lock switch on the
driver's door, or press the lock tab
down on the driver's door, or use the
key on the outside lock. Pressing up
on the door lock switch will unlock
all of the doors and the hatch.
LOCK TAB
DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Ignition Switch, Door Locks80
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

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