2010 HONDA ELEMENT Owners Manual

4. The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX ’’amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs. (1,400 －750 (5 ╳150) ＝650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of yourvehicle. Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, accessories, cargo,
and trailer tongue load must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the
driver's doorjamb.
Max Load (675 lbs) Passenger Weight (150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs) Cargo Weight
(375 lbs)
Max Load (675 lbs) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 3 = 450 lbs) Cargo Weight
(225 lbs)
Max Load (675 lbs) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs) Cargo Weight
(75 lbs)
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
209
Before Driving
Table of Contents

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 page 52.
● If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of
the rack and the items does not
exceed 75 lbs (34 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 Cargo
210
Table of Contents

Optional Cargo Net
The cargo net can be used to help
hold down light items in the cargo
area. The cargo net may not prevent
heavy items from being thrown
forward in a crash or a sudden stop.
Heavy items should be secured to
the cargo area floor with the hooks
or cinch straps attached to the cargohooks.Seat-Back Bungee
On EX model
The driver's seat-back and left rear
seat-back are equipped with
adjustable bungee cords to hold
medium-sized, lightweight objects.If the cords are not installed, route
one cord through the loops as
shown. To attach the hooks, press
the top of the hook down, and slide
to the desired position, then release.
Adjust as needed.
ADJUSTABLE BUNGEE CORD
LOOP
HOOK
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
211
Before Driving
Table of Contents

Cargo Hooks
The four hooks on the side panels
can be used to install a net for
securing items. Each hook is
designed to hold up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
of weight.
Your vehicle also has a grocery hook
on each side panel in the cargo area.
They are designed to hold light
items. Heavy objects may damage
the hook. Make sure any items put
on each hook weigh less than 6.5 lbs
(3 kg).
CARGO HOOKS
GROCERY HOOKS
Carrying Cargo
212
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

Your vehicle has a higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher off
the ground, it has a high center of
gravity that can cause it to roll over if
you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a significantly higher
roll over rate than other types of vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:● Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passengervehicle.
● Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. ●
Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center ofgravity.
● Do not carry heavy cargo on theroof.Four-wheel drive models
Your vehicle is equipped with a four-
wheel drive (4WD) system. When
the system senses a loss of front-
wheel traction, it automatically
transfers some power to the rear
wheels. This gives you better traction
and mobility.
You still need to exercise the same
care when accelerating, steering, and
braking that you would in a two-
wheel drive vehicle.
See page 238 for off-highway driving
guidelines.
Driving Guidelines
214
Table of Contents

You should do the following checks
and adjustments before you drive
your vehicle.1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood is fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check itspressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely. 5. Check the seat adjustment (see
page 83).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see page 93).
7. Check the steering wheel adjustment (see page 74). 8. Make sure the doors, the hatch,
and the tailgate are securely
closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 14).
10. When you start the engine, check the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page 57).
Preparing to Drive
215
Driving
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