2010 HONDA ELEMENT automatic transmission

ꭧ1: To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
ꭧ 2: If equipped
ꭧ 3: Only on vehicles equipped with navigation system. Refer to the navigation system manual.
HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
(P. 73)
CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS (P. 193)
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT (P. 74) HORN
ꭧ
1
A/T model with navigation system is shown. VSA OFF SWITCH
(P. 231)
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
VOICE CONTROLBUTTONS
ꭧ
3
REMOTE AUDIOCONTROLSꭧ2
(P. 191)
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
(P. 71)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P. 70)
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER BUTTON
(P. 74)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
(P. 217) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
(P. 219) ACCESSORY
POWER SOCKET
(P. 100)
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
69
Instruments and Controls
Table of Contents

To replace the battery, remove the
round cover on the back of the
transmitter by turning it
counterclockwise with a coin. Insert
a new battery with the＋side facing
up, and reinstall the cushion ring.
Align the
mark on the cover with
the
mark on the transmitter. Set
the cover in place and turn it clockwise.
As required by the FCC: This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmful interference, and(2) this device must accept any
interference received, includinginterference that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modifications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user'sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not causeinterference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference that may causeundesired operation of the device.Ignition Switch
The ignition switch has four
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III).
LOCK (0) －You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, push it in slightly. If
your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must
also be in Park.
CONTINUED
Remote Transmitter, Ignition Switch
79
Instruments and Controls
Table of Contents

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 thevehicle.
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 Locks
80
Table of Contents

Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to
slow down. This will cancel cruise
control. To resume the set speed,
press the RES/ACCEL button. The
CRUISE CONTROL indicator on the
instrument panel will come back on.
When climbing a steep hill, the
automatic transmission may
downshift to hold the set speed.Changing the Set Speed
You can increase the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
● Press and hold the RES/ACCEL
button. When you reach the
desired cruising speed, release thebutton.
● To increase your speed in very
small amounts, tap the RES/
ACCEL button. Each time you do
this, the vehicle will speed up
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
● Push on the accelerator pedal.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed, then press the SET/
DECEL button.
You can decrease the set cruising
speed in any of these ways: NOTE: If you need to decrease your
speed quickly, use the brakes as you
normally would. ●
Press and hold the SET/DECEL
button. Release the button when
you reach the desired speed.
● To slow down in very small
amounts, tap the SET/DECEL
button. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will slow down about
1 mph (1.6 km/h).
● Tap the brake or clutch pedal
lightly with your foot. The CRUISE
CONTROL indicator on the
instrument panel will go out. When
the vehicle slows to the desired
speed, press the SET/DECELbutton.
Even with the cruise control turned
on, you can still use the accelerator
pedal to speed up for passing. After
completing the pass, take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will return to the set cruising speed.
RES/ACCEL BUTTON
CANCELBUTTON
SET/DECELBUTTON
Cruise Control
194
Table of Contents

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important information
on parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist(VSA
®) system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and
facts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer or drive off-highway.
Driving Guidelines ......................
214
Preparing to Drive ......................
215
Starting the Engine .....................216
Manual Transmission .................
217
Automatic Transmission .............219
Parking .......................................
223
Braking System .......................... 224
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............225
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) ................................... 227
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System .....................230
Towing a Trailer .......................... 232
Off-Highway Driving
Guidelines ............................... 238
Driving
213
Driving

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off allelectrical accessories to reduce the
drain on the battery.
3.
Manual transmission:
Press the clutch pedal down all the
way. The START (III) position
does not function unless the clutch
pedal is pressed.
Automatic transmission:
Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal. 4. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III) position
for more than 15 seconds at a time.
If the engine does not start right
away, pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
The immobilizer system protects your
vehicle from theft. If an improperly
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine's fuel system is disabled. For
more information, see page 76.
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air found at
altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
Starting the Engine
216
Table of Contents

Shift Lever Position Indicators
These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shift
lever is in. The‘‘D ’’indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
flashes while driving (in any shift
position), it indicates a possible
problem in the transmission. Avoid
rapid acceleration, and have the
transmission checked by your dealer
as soon as possible. ShiftingTo shift from any position, press
firmly on the brake pedal, push the
release button, and pull the lever
toward you. You cannot shift out of
Park when the ignition switch is in
the LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)position.
To shift from: Do this:
PtoR Press the brake pedal, and
press the shift lever releasebutton.
RtoP
Press the shift lever releasebutton.
NtoR
Dto2 2to1
1to2
Move the shift lever.
2toD
DtoN
NtoD RtoN
D3 to D Press the D3
button.
DtoD3
Park (P) －This position
mechanically locks the transmission.
Use Park whenever you are turning
off or starting the engine. To shift out
of Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and press the release button on
the shift lever. Make sure your foot is
off the accelerator pedal.
RELEASE BUTTON
D3 BUTTON SHIFT LEVER
CONTINUED
Automatic Transmission
219
Driving
Table of Contents

If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, seeShift Lock Release on
page 221.
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop before shifting
into Park. You must also press the
release button to shift into Park. The
shift lever must be in Park before
you can remove the key from the
ignition switch.
Reverse (R) －Press the brake
pedal and press the release button to
shift from Park to reverse. To shift
from reverse to neutral, come to a
complete stop, and then shift. Neutral (N)
－Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop briefly with the
engine idling. Shift to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear. Drive (D)
－Use this position for
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 5) for your
speed and acceleration. You may
notice the transmission shifting up at
higher engine speeds when the
engine is cold. This helps the engine
warm up faster.
Drive (D3) －To use D3, press the
D3 button when the shift lever is in the ‘‘D ’’position. This position is
similar to D, except only the first
three gears are selected instead of all
five. Use D3 when towing a trailer in
hilly terrain, or to provide engine
braking when going down a steep
hill. D3 can also keep the
transmission from cycling between
third and fourth gears in stop-and-godriving.
Automatic Transmission
220
Table of Contents