2010 HONDA ELEMENT battery

On vehicles without navigation system
If your vehicle's battery is
disconnected or goes dead, you may
need to set the clock.
On LX model
To 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 nexthour.
For example:
1:06 will reset to 1:00
1:53 will reset to 2:00
On EX and SC models
Press 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
Table of Contents

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

This section explains why it is important
to keep your vehicle well maintained and
how to follow basic maintenance safety
precautions.
This section also includes instructions
on how to read the maintenance minder
messages on the information display,
and instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want to
purchase the service manual. See page
325 for information on how to obtain a
copy, or see your dealer.
U.S. Vehicles:
Maintenance, replacement, or repair
of emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment or
individual using parts that are‘‘certified ’’to EPA standards.Maintenance Safety .....................242
Maintenance Minder ..................
243
Fluid Locations ........................... 250
Adding Engine Oil ......................
251
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter ....................................... 252
Engine Coolant ........................... 254
Windshield Washers ...................255
Transmission Fluid .....................
256
Automatic Transmission Fluid ................................... 256
Manual Transmission Fluid ....257
Rear Differential Fluid .................
258
Brake and Clutch Fluid ...............258
Power Steering Fluid ..................
260
Cleaning the Body Panels ...........260
Lights .......................................... 261
Cleaning the Seat Belts ...............
268
Floor Mats .................................. 268
Dust and Pollen Filter .................
269
Wiper Blades .............................. 269
Wheels ........................................
271
Tires ........................................... 271
Checking the Battery ..................277Vehicle Storage
...........................
278
Maintenance
241
Maintenance

All service items not detailed in this
section should be performed by a
certified technician or other qualifiedmechanic.
Important Safety Precautions
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions before you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.● Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is off.
● To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
● To reduce the possibility of fire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all fuel-related parts. ●
Wear eye protection and protective
clothing when working with the
battery or compressed air.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner'smanual.
Potential Vehicle Hazards ● Carbon Monoxide poison from
engine exhaust. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine. ●
Burns from hot parts. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down before touching any parts.
● Injury from moving parts. Do not
run the engine unless instructed to
do so.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner's manual.
Some of the most important safety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you should
perform a given task.
Maintenance Safety
242
Table of Contents

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 page 189.
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 hurtyou.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery maintenance.
On EX and SC models
If your vehicle's battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself. The next
time you turn on the radio, you willsee ‘‘ENTER CODE ’’in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see page188).
NEGATIVE TERMINAL
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
POSITIVE TERMINAL
CONTINUED
Checking the Battery
277
Maintenance
Table of Contents

On vehicles with navigation system
The navigation system will also
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.Vehicle Storage
If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
● Fill the fuel tank.
● Wash and dry the exterior completely.
● Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
● Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). ●
Block the rear wheels.
● If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
● Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being storedindoors).
● Disconnect the battery.
● Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch thewindshield.
● To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
Checking the Battery, Vehicle Storage
278
Table of Contents

Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III) position:● You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
● You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
● Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the floor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, the shift
lever must be in Park or neutral.
● Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged (see
Jump Starting on page 291). ●
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. See
Emergency Towing on page 303.
If the headlights dim noticeably or go
out when you try to start the engine,
either the battery is discharged or
the connections are corroded. Check
the condition of the battery and
terminal connections (see page 277).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 291).
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
289
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Table of Contents

Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take severalprecautions.
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct
procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
You cannot start your vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
1. Open the hood, and check the physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or frozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze. Attempting
to jump start with a frozen battery can
cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electricalaccessories: heater, A/C, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in neutral (manual)
or Park (automatic), and set the
parking brake.
The numbers in the illustration
show you the order to connect the
jumper cables.
BOOSTER BATTERY
CONTINUED
Jump Starting
291
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Table of Contents