2010 HONDA ELEMENT check engine

The instrument panel has many
indicators that give you important
information about your vehicle.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
For more information, see page 296.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator flashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more information, see page 295.
Charging System Indicator
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more
information, see page 295. U.S. Canada
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator(Red)
This indicator has two functions:
1. It comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. A beeper
sounds if you drive with the
parking brake not fully released.
Driving with the parking brake not
fully released can damage the
brakes and tires.
2. If it remains on after you have fully released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the brake
system. For more information, see
page 297.
Seat Belt Reminder Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. It reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
fastened your seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position before fastening
your seat belt, the beeper sounds
and the indicator flashes. If you do
not fasten your seat belt before the
beeper stops, the indicator stops
flashing but remains on.
If your front passenger does not
fasten their seat belt, the indicator
comes on about 6 seconds after the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position.
Instrument Panel Indicators
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Immobilizer System Indicator
This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. It will
then go off if you have inserted a
properly coded ignition key. If it is
not a properly coded key, the
indicator will blink, and the engine
will not start (see page 76).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch from the ON (II) position to
the ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0) position.Turn Signal and
Hazard WarningIndicators
The left or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicators do not blink
or they blink rapidly, it usually
means one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see page 263). Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you aresignaling.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle flash.Daytime Running Lights Indicator
If this indicator comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position and the parking brake is
released, it means there is a problem
with a circuit. Have your vehicle
checked by your dealer.
Cruise Control Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page 193
for information on operating the
cruise control.
Cruise Main Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn on the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel (see page 193).
Instrument Panel Indicators
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Trip Meter
This shows the number of miles
(U.S.) or kilometers (Canada) driven
since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A and
Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the select/reset
knob repeatedly.
Each trip meter works
independently, so you can keep track
of two different distances.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the last
selection is displayed.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the select/reset
knob until the number resets to‘‘0.0 ’’. Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
off the ignition.
Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
Check Fuel Cap Message
Your vehicle's onboard diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
fuel fill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The first time a leak is detected a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP ’’message
appears on the information display.
Turn the engine off, and confirm the
fuel fill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the fuel fill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the select/reset knob. The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP ’’message
will appear each time you restart the
engine until the system turns the
message off.
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If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle's evaporative emissions
system, the malfunction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the fuel fill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine off, and check or
retighten the fuel fill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go off,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more information, see
page 296.Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page 293 for instructions and
precautions on checking the engine's
cooling system.
Maintenance Minder
The information display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil life and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
information helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs for continued trouble-
free driving. Refer to page 243 for
more information.
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67
Instruments and Controls
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Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position to raise or lower either
window. To open a window, push the
switch down and hold it. Release the
switch when you want the window to
stop. Pull back on the switch and
hold it to close the window.
Closing a power window on
someone's hands or fingers can
cause serious injury.
Make sure your passengers are
away from the window before
closing them.
AUTO －To open/close the driver's
window, push the window switch
firmly down or up to the second
detent, and release it. The window
will automatically go up or down all
the way. To stop the window, pull/
push on the window switch briefly.
If the MAIN switch is OFF, the
passenger's window cannot be raised
or lowered. Keep the MAIN switch
off when you have children in the
vehicle so they do not injure
themselves by operating the
passenger's window unintentionally. AUTO REVERSE
－If the driver's
window senses any obstacle while it is
closing automatically, it will reverse
direction, and then stop. To close the
window, remove the obstacle, then use
the window switch again.
If your vehicle's battery is disconnected
or goes dead, or the driver's window
fuse is removed, the AUTO function
may be disabled. If this happens, the
power window system will need to be
reset after reconnecting the battery or
installing the fuse.
1. Start the engine. Push down and hold the driver's window switch until
the window is fully open.
2. Pull and hold the driver's window switch to close the window
completely, then hold the switch for
about 2 seconds.
If the power windows do not operate
properly after resetting, have your
vehicle checked by your dealer.
DRIVER'S WINDOW SWITCH
MAIN SWITCH
Power Windows
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Before you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important fluids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
information in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section first.Break-in Period........................... 198
Fuel Recommendation ................
198
Service Station Procedures .........199
Refueling .................................
199
Opening and Closing the Hood ................................... 200
Oil Check ................................ 201
Engine Coolant Check ............201
Fuel Economy .............................
202
Accessories and Modifications .......................... 205
Carrying Cargo ........................... 207
Before Driving
197
Before Driving

If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For further important fuel-related
information for your vehicle, or
information on gasoline that does not
contain MMT, visit Owner Link at
owners.honda.com. In Canada, visit
www.honda.cafor additional
information on gasoline. 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 page 296). 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
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Oil Check
Wait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.1. Remove the dipstick (orange tab).
2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.
4. Remove the dipstick again, andcheck the level. It should be
between the upper and lowermarks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,see Adding Engine Oil on page 251.Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
Adding
Engine Coolant on page 254 for
information on adding the propercoolant.
Refer to Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page 248 for information
about checking other items on your vehicle.
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
MIN
MAX RESERVE TANK
Service Station Procedures
201
Before Driving
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