2009 HONDA ELEMENT radio

TRACK SCAN－This feature
samples all tracks/files in the
selected folder in the order they are
stored. To activate track scan, press
and release the SCAN button. You
will see TRACK SCAN in the display.
You will get a 10 second sampling of
each track/file in the folder.
FOLDER-SCAN －This feature
samples the first track/file in each
folder in the order they are stored.
To activate folder scan, press and
hold the SCAN button. You will see
FOLDER SCAN in the display. You
will get a 10 second sampling of each
first track/file in the folder(s).
Press and release the button to turn
off either scan mode. Pressing either
SKIP button also turns off this
feature. To Stop Playing a USB Flash
Memory Device
To play the radio when an USB flash
memory device is playing, press the
AM/FM button or touch the FM1,
FM2, AM, XM1, or XM2 icon. If a
disc is in the audio unit, press the
CD/XM button or touch the CD icon
to play the disc. If a PC card is in the
audio unit, Press the CD/XM button
or touch the CARD icon to play a PC
card.
Press the CD/XM button again or
touch the AUX icon to switch back to
the USB flash memory device.
Disconnecting a USB Flash Memory
DeviceYou can disconnect the USB flash
memory device at any time even if
the USB mode is selected on the
audio system. Make sure to follow
the USB flash memory device's
instructions when you remove it.
When you disconnect the USB flash
memory device while it is playing,
the audio display (if selected) shows
NO DATA.
If you reconnect the same USB flash
memory device, the system will
begin playing where it left off.
USB Flash Memory Device Error
Messages
If you see an error message in the
screen, see page182.
Playing a USB Flash Memory Device (Models with navigation system)
181
Features
2009 Element

Radio Frequencies
The radio can receive the complete
AM and FM bands.
Those bands cover these
frequencies:
AM band: 530 to 1,710 kHz
FM band: 87.7 to 107.9 MHz
Radio stations on the AM band are
assigned frequencies at least 10 kHz
apart (530, 540, 550). Stations on the
FM band are assigned frequencies at
least 0.2 MHz apart (87.9, 88.1, 88.3).
Stations must use these exact
frequencies. It is fairly common for
stations to round-off the frequency in
their advertising, so your radio could
display a frequency of 100.9 even
though the announcer may identify
the station as‘‘FM101. ’’ Radio Reception
How well the radio receives stations
is dependent on many factors, such
as the distance from the station's
transmitter, nearby large objects, and
atmospheric conditions.
A radio station's signal gets weaker
as you get farther away from its
transmitter. If you are listening to an
AM station, you will notice the sound
volume becoming weaker, and the
station drifting in and out. If you are
listening to an FM station, you will
see the stereo indicator flickering off
and on as the signal weakens.
Eventually, the stereo indicator will
go off and the sound will fade
completely as you get out of range of
the station's signal.
Driving very near the transmitter of a
station that is broadcasting on a
frequency close to the frequency of
the station you are listening to can
also affect your radio's reception. You
may temporarily hear both stations,
or hear only the station you are close
to.
FM/AM Radio Reception186
2009 Element

Radio signals, especially on the FM
band, are deflected by large objects
such as buildings and hills. Your
radio then receives both the direct
signal from the station's transmitter,
and the deflected signal. This causes
the sound to distort or flutter. This is
a main cause of poor radio reception
in city driving.
Radio reception can be affected by
atmospheric conditions such as
thunderstorms, high humidity, and
even sunspots. You may be able to
receive a distant radio station one
day and not receive it the next day
because of a change in conditions.
Electrical interference from passing
vehicles and stationary sources can
cause temporary reception problems.
As required by the FCC:Changes or modifications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user'sauthority to operate the equipment.
FM/AM Radio Reception
187
Features
2009 Element

On EX and SC modelsYour vehicle's audio system will
disable itself if it is disconnected
from electrical power for any reason.
To make it work again, you must
enter a specific code in the preset
buttons (icon on vehicle's with
navigation system). Because there
are hundreds of number
combinations possible from specific
digits, making the system work
without knowing the exact code is
nearly impossible.
You should have received a radio
code card that lists your audio
system's code and serial numbers. It
is best to store this card in a safe
place at home. In addition, you
should write the audio system's
serial number in this owner's
manual.
If you lose the card, you must obtain
the code number from a dealer. To
do this, you will need the system's
serial number.If your vehicle's battery is
disconnected or goes dead, or the
radio fuse is removed, the audio
system will disable itself. If this
happens, you will see
‘‘ENTER
CODE ’’in the frequency display the
next time you turn on the system.
Use the preset buttons (icons on
vehicles with navigation system) to
enter the code. The code is on the
radio code card included in your
owner's manual kit. When it is
entered correctly, the radio will start
playing.
If you make a mistake entering the
code, do not start over; complete the
sequence, then enter the correct
code. You have 10 tries to enter the
correct code. If you are unsuccessful
in 10 attempts, you must then leave
the system on for 1 hour before
trying again.Radio Theft Protection188
2009 Element

On EX and SC modelsThree controls for the audio system
are mounted in the steering wheel
hub. These let you control basic
functions without removing your
hand from the wheel.The middle button adjusts the
volume up (
) or down (
). Press
the top or bottom of the button and
hold it until the desired volume is
reached, then release it.
The MODE button changes the
mode.
On vehicles with navigation systemPressing the MODE button
repeatedly cycles through all
possible media sources whether they
are present or not.On vehicles without navigation systemPressing the MODE button
repeatedly cycles through all
present, connected media sources.
Media sources that are not present
or connected will not appear when
cycling with the MODE button.
The CH button has two functions,
depending on whether you are
listening to the radio, or playing a
disc. If you are listening to the radio, use
the CH button to change stations.
Each time you press this button, the
system advances to the next preset
station on the band you are listening
to. You will see the number of the
selected Preset button in the display.
To change bands, or to change from
FM1 to FM2 or XM1 to XM2, press
the MODE button.
If you are playing a disc, the system
skips to the beginning of the next
track (file in MP3 or WMA format)
each time you press the CH button.
You will see the track/file number
and the elapsed time. If has text data
or the disc is compressed in MP3 or
WMA, you can also see any other
information (track title, file name,
folder name, etc.).
CH BUTTON
MODE
BUTTON
VOLUME
BUTTON
CONTINUED
Remote Audio Controls
191
Features
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

Check the condition of the battery
monthly by looking at the test indicator
window. The label on the battery
explains the test indicator's colors.
Check the terminals for corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To remove
it, cover the terminals with a solution of
baking soda and water. It will bubble
up and turn brown. When this stops,
wash it off with plain water. Dry off the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to help
prevent future corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualified technician.
WARNING:Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle's
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative (－ ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
If your vehicle's battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting may be lost. To reset the
time, see page189.
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt
you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
On EX and SC modelsIf your vehicle's battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself. The next
time you turn on the radio, you will
see ‘‘ENTER CODE ’’in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see page
188).
NEGATIVE TERMINAL
TEST INDICATOR
WINDOW
POSITIVE TERMINAL
CONTINUED
Checking the Battery
277
Maintenance
2009 Element

If you cannot drive the vehicle
without fixing the problem, and you
do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse
of the same rating or a lower rating
from one of the other circuits. Make
sure you can do without that circuit
temporarily (such as the accessory
power socket or radio).
If you replace the blown fuse with a
spare fuse that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
fuse with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.
Replacing a fuse with one that has a
higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a
replacement fuse with the proper rating
for the circuit, install one with a lower
rating.6. If the replacement fuse of the same
rating blows in a short time, there
is probably a serious electrical
problem in your vehicle. Leave the
blown fuse in that circuit and have
your vehicle checked by a
qualified technician.
On EX and SC modelsIf the radio fuse is removed, the
audio system will disable itself. The
next time you turn on the radio you
will see ‘‘ENTER CODE ’’in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the specific digit
code (see page188).On vehicles with navigation systemIf the navigation system fuse is
removed, the navigation system will
disable itself. The next time you turn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN before
it can be used. Refer to the
navigation system manual.
Fuses300
2009 Element