2009 HONDA ELEMENT fold seats

Advice for Pregnant WomenIf you are pregnant, the best way to
protect yourself and your unborn
child when driving or riding in a
vehicle is to always wear a seat belt,
and keep the lap part of the belt as
low as possible across the hips.When driving, remember to sit
upright and adjust the seat as far
back as possible while allowing full
control of the vehicle. When riding
as a front passenger, adjust the seat
as far back as possible.
This will reduce the risk of injuries to
both you and your unborn child that
can be caused by a crash or an
inflating front airbag.
Each time you have a checkup, ask
your doctor if it's okay for you to
drive.
Additional Safety Precautions
●Never let passengers ride in the
cargo area or on top of a folded-
down back seat.
If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash.
●Passengers should not stand up or change seats while the vehicle is
moving.
A passenger who is not
wearing a seat belt during a crash
or emergency stop can be thrown
against the inside of the vehicle,
against other occupants, or out of
the vehicle.
●Two people should never use the
same seat belt.
If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash.
Protecting Adults and Teens16
2009 Element

This section gives information about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations
..........................
56
Instrument Panel
..........................
57
Instrument Panel Indicators
..........
58
Gauges
..........................................
64
Information Display
..................
65
Odometer
..................................
65
Trip Meter
................................
66
Fuel Gauge
...............................
66
Check Fuel Cap Message
.........
66
Temperature Gauge
..................
67
Maintenance Minder
................
67
Outside Temperature Indicator
...............................
68 Controls Near the Steering
Wheel
.......................................
69
Windshield Wipers and Washers
....................................
70
Turn Signals and Headlights
.........
71
Instrument Panel Brightness
........
72
Hazard Warning Button
................
73
Rear Window Defogger
.................
74
Steering Wheel Adjustment
..........
74
Keys and Locks
.............................
75
Immobilizer System
......................
76
Remote Transmitter
......................
77
Ignition Switch
..............................
79
Door Locks
...................................
80
Power Door Locks
....................
80
Rear Doors
................................
81
Hatch
........................................
81
Tailgate
.....................................
82
Seats
.............................................
83
Seat Adjustments
......................
83
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment
...........................
84
Front Seat Armrests
..................
85
Head Restraints
.........................
85 Reclining the Front Seats
..........
87
Folding the Rear Seats
..............
88
Removing the Rear Seats
..........
90
Power Windows
............................
92
Mirrors
.........................................
93
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
.....
93
Rear Windows
...............................
94
Parking Brake
...............................
94
Interior Lights
...............................
95
Light Control Switch
.................
95
Individual Map Lights
...............
95
Courtesy Light
..........................
96
Ceiling Light
.............................
96
Cargo Area Light
.......................
96
Ignition Switch Light
.................
96
Interior Convenience Items
...........
97
Cooler Box
................................
98
Beverage Holders
.....................
99
Accessory Power Sockets
.......
100
Glove Box
...............................
100
Sun Visor
................................
100
Vanity Mirror
..........................
101
Overhead Console
..................
101
Instruments and Controls
55
Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

Folding the Rear Seats
To create more cargo space, you can
fold up each rear seat to each side
wall separately.1. Lower the head restraint to its lowest position.
2. Pull the seat-back adjustment strapat the inside edge of the seat
cushion and push the seat-back
backward as far as it will go.
3. Pull the release strap on the seatsupport, and pivot the seat toward
the vehicle's side wall.
SEAT-BACK ADJUSTMENT STRAP
RELEASE STRAP
Seats88
2009 Element

4. A fastening strap is attached to theinside of the seat cushion. While
pushing the seat up and toward the
side wall, hook the fastening strap
to the grab rail.
5. Fold down the seat support. Reverse this procedure to return the
rear seat to the upright position.
When not in use, store the fastening
strap hook in the fabric pocket on the
bottom of the seat cushion. Make
sure the seat is locked securely.
GRAB RAIL
FASTENING STRAP
SEAT SUPPORT
Seats
89
Instruments and Controls
2009 Element

Removing the Rear SeatsBoth seats can be removed to give
more cargo capacity. To remove a
seat:1. Pull the release strap on the seat support to unlock the seat support.
2. Remove the cover between theseat cushion and the side wall by
pulling the tab and pulling the
cover straight up.
3. Push the lock lever forward tounlock the seat and fold down the
seat support.
RELEASE STRAP
TAB
COVER
LOCK LEVER STEEL HANDLE
Seats90
2009 Element

ꭧ: If equipped
Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:●Cargo area side pockets●Glove box●Overhead console (EX and SC
models)●Door pockets●Seat-back pockets (EX and SC
models)●Cargo area (including rear seats
when they are folded down, folded
to the side, or removed)●Seat-back bungees (EX model)●Roof-rack (if installed)●Center console (SC model)●Cooler box (EX model)
CARGO AREA CENTER CONSOLE
ꭧ
COOLER BOX
ꭧSEAT-BACK POCKETS
ꭧ
GLOVE BOX
CARGO AREA SIDE POCKET DOOR POCKETS
OVERHEAD CONSOLE
ꭧ
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
207
Before Driving
2009 Element

Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment●Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.●Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
under the seats and interfere with
the pedals, the seat operation, or
the proper operation of the sensors
under the seats.●Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
●If you fold the rear seats down or
up, or remove them, tie down
items that could be thrown about
the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. Also, keep all cargo
below the bottom of the windows.
If it is higher, it could interfere
with the proper operation of the
side curtain airbags.
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
or on a Roof Rack●Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
●If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate or the hatch, exhaust gas
can enter the passenger area. To
avoid the possibility of carbon
monoxide poisoning, follow the
instructions on page52.●If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Refer to the information that
came with your roof rack.
Carrying Cargo210
2009 Element

Filling the Fuel Tank
..................
199
Filters Dust and Pollen
.......................
269
Oil
...........................................
252
Flashers, Hazard Warning
...........
73
Flat Tire, Changing a
.................
283
Floor Mats
.................................
268
Fluids Automatic Transmission
.........
256
Brake
......................................
258
Clutch
.....................................
258
Manual Transmission
..............
257
Power Steering
........................
260
Rear Differential
......................
258
Windshield Washer
.................
255
FM/AM Radio Reception
...........
186
Folding the Rear Seats
.................
88
Four-way Flashers
........................
73
Front Airbags
...........................
9,25
Front Seat Adjusting
..................................
83
Airbags
.................................
9,25
Fuel
............................................
198
Check Fuel Cap Message
........
66
Fill Door and Cap
....................
199
Gauge
......................................
66 Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
198
Oxygenated
.............................
198
Reserve Indicator
.....................
61
Tank, Filling the
......................
199
Fuel Economy
............................
202
Fuses, Checking the
..................
298
G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
202
Gasohol
......................................
198
Gasoline
.....................................
198
Gauge
.................................
64,66
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
198
Tank, Refueling
.......................
199
Gas Station Procedures
..............
199
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature...
67
Fuel
..........................................
66
Odometer
.................................
65
Speedometer
............................
64
Tachometer
..............................
64
Trip meter
................................
66 Gearshift Lever Positions
Automatic Transmission
.........
219
Manual Transmission
..............
217
Glove Box
..................................
100
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
.................................
232
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.................................
232
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
261
Hatch
...........................................
81
Hazard Warning Flashers
............
73
Headlights Aiming
....................................
261
Daytime Running Lights
..........
72
High Beam Indicator
................
61
High Beams, Turning on
..........
71
Lights On Indicator
..................
61
Low Beams, Turning on
...........
71
Reminder Chime
......................
71
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
261
Turning on
...............................
71
Head Restraints
............................
85
IndexIV
2009 Element