2009 HONDA ELEMENT display

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

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 vehicles without navigation systemIf your vehicle's battery is
disconnected or goes dead, you may
need to set the clock.On LX modelTo set the hour, press the H button
while pressing the CLOCK (SCAN/
RPT) button until the hour advances
to the desired time. Change the
minute by pressing the M button
while pressing the CLOCK (SCAN/
RPT) button until the minute
advances to the desired time.
You can use the R button to quickly
set the time to the nearest hour.
Press the R button while pressing the
CLOCK button. If the displayed time
is before the half hour, pressing R
sets the clock back to the previous
hour. If the displayed time is after the
half hour, pressing R sets the clock
forward to the beginning of the next
hour.
For example:
1:06 will reset to 1:00
1:53 will reset to 2:00
On EX and SC modelsPress and hold the CLOCK button
until the numbers flash and you hear
a beep. Change the hour by pressing
the H button until the numbers
advance to the desired time. Change
the minute by pressing the M button
until the numbers advance to the
desired time.
TIME DISPLAY CLOCKBUTTON
H BUTTON R BUTTON M BUTTON
TIME DISPLAY
CLOCK BUTTON
H BUTTON R BUTTON
M BUTTON
CONTINUED
Setting the Clock
189
Features
2009 Element

You can quickly set the time to the
nearest hour. If the displayed time is
before the half hour, press the R
(RESET) button to set the clock back
to the previous hour. If the displayed
time is after the half hour, pressing R
sets the clock forward to the
beginning of the next hour.
For example:
1:06 will reset to 1:00
1:53 will reset to 2:00
When you are finished, press the
CLOCK button again.
On vehicles with navigation systemThe navigation system receives
signals from the global positioning
system (GPS), and the displayed
time is updated automatically by the
GPS. Refer to the navigation system
manual for how to adjust the time.
Setting the Clock190
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

On vehicles with navigation systemWhenever you shift to reverse (R)
with the ignition switch in the ON
(II) position, the rear view is shown
on the navigation system screen.
For the best picture, always keep the
rearview camera clean, and do not
cover the camera lens. To avoid
scratching the lens when you clean
it, use a moist, soft cloth.When in reverse, the touch screen
and navigation system
‘‘hard ’’
buttons are locked out, except the
‘‘ ZOOM ’’button. Touching the ‘‘
’’
or ‘‘
’’button allows you to adjust
the brightness of the rearview
camera image.
The camera brightness cannot be
adjusted by voice control.
Since the rearview camera display
area is limited, you should always
back up slowly and carefully, and
look behind you for obstacles.
Rearview Camera and Monitor196
2009 Element

If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For further important fuel-related
information, please refer to your
Quick Start Guide.Refueling
1. Park with the driver's side closest to
the service station pump.
2. Outside of the vehicle, open the fuel fill door by pulling its notched edge.
Gasoline is highly flammable and
explosive. You can be burned or
seriously injured when handling
fuel.●Stop the engine and keep heat,
sparks, and flame away.●Handle fuel only outdoors.●Wipe up spills immediately.
3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly. You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door. 4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel
nozzle automatically clicks off. Do
not try to ‘‘top off ’’the tank. This
leaves some room in the fuel tank for
the fuel to expand with temperature
changes.
If the fuel nozzle keeps clicking offeven though the tank is not full,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle's fuel vapor recovery system.
The system helps keep fuel vapor
from going into the atmosphere. Try
filling at another pump. If this does
not fix the problem, consult your
dealer.
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on until it clicks at least once. If you do not
properly tighten the cap, the
malfunction indicator lamp may
come on (see page296).You will
also see a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’
message on the information display.
6. Close the fuel fill door.
Fuel Recommendation, Service Station Procedures
199
Before Driving
2009 Element

Fuel Economy FactorsThe following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:●Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)●Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic●Cold engine operation (engines are
more efficient when warmed up)●Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running●Improperly inflated tiresImproving Fuel EconomyVehicle MaintenanceA properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
information display (seeOwner's
Maintenance Checks on page248).
For example:
●Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page251).●Maintain proper tire inflation －
An underinflated tire increases
‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which reduces
fuel economy.●Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle －It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel
consumption.●Keep your vehicle clean －In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle's underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
economy.
Drive Efficiently●Drive moderately －Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuel
consumption.●Observe the speed limit －
Aerodynamic drag has a big effect
on fuel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.●Always drive in the highest gear
possible －If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your fuel economy by up
shifting as early as possible.●Avoid excessive idling －Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).
CONTINUED
Fuel Economy
203
Before Driving
2009 Element