2010 HONDA ELEMENT brakes

A
Accessories andModifications .......................... 205
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position) ................................... 79
Accessory Power Sockets ..........100
Additives, Engine Oil .................252
Adjusting the Steering Wheel ......74
Advanced Airbags ........................27
Airbag (SRS) ............................ 9, 22
Air Conditioning System ............104
Air Pressure, Tires ..............271, 272
Alcohol in Gasoline ....................198
Antifreeze ................................... 254
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light ..................59, 225
Operation ................................ 225
Anti-theft, Audio System .............188
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock ......................................... 79
Audio System ............................. 109
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners ...20
Automatic Speed Control ...........193Automatic Transmission
............
219
Capacity, Fluid ........................309
Checking Fluid Level ..............256
Shifting ................................... 219
Shift Lever Position Indicators ............................ 219
Shift Lever Positions ...............219
Shift Lock Release ...................221
Automatic Transmission Fluid ...256
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................192
B
Battery Charging System Indicator ........................ 58, 295
Jump Starting .......................... 291
Maintenance ........................... 277
Specifications .......................... 310
Before Driving ........................... 197
Belts, Seat ................................ 8, 18
Beverage Holders ........................99
Booster Seats ............................... 50
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...........225 Break-in, New Linings
.............198
Bulb Replacement ...................266
Fluid ....................................... 258
Parking .................................... 94
System Design ........................224
System Indicator ...............58, 297
Wear Indicators .......................225
Braking System .......................... 224
Break-in, New Vehicle ................198
Brightness Control, Instruments .............................. 72
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX

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
58
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Rear Windows
To open a rear window, pull the lever
towards you, then push it out until it
locks. To close the rear window pull
the lever towards you, then push it
back. Make sure the window is fully
closed and locked.Parking BrakeTo apply the parking brake, pull the lever
up fully. To release it, pull up slightly,
push the button, and lower the lever. The
parking brake indicator on the instrument
panel should go out when the parking
brake is fully released (see page 58).
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes and axles. A beeper will sound if
the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake on.PARKING BRAKE LEVER
Rear Windows, Parking Brake
94
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
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Break-in Period
Help assure your vehicle's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:● Avoid full-throttle starts and rapidacceleration.
● Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
● Avoid hard braking for the first 200
miles (300 km).
● Do not tow a trailer.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Fuel Recommendation
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to enginedamage.
On vehicles with manual transmission
You may hear a knocking noise from
the engine if you drive the vehicle at
low engine speed (below about 1,000
rpm) in a higher gear. To stop this,
raise the engine speed by shifting to
a lower gear.
We recommend using quality
gasoline containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.In addition, in order to maintain good
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely affect performance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
198
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Modifying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make it unsafe. Before you make any
modifications or add any accessories,
be sure to read the following information. Accessories
Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have been
designed and approved for your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although non-Honda accessories
may fit on your vehicle, they may not
meet factory specifications, and could
adversely affect your vehicle's
handling and stability.
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle's handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your vehicle's
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
tire pressure monitoring system. Before installing any accessory:
● Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or performance.
● Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits (see
page 298) or interfere with the
proper operation of your vehicle.
● Before installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the final installation.
● Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. Accessories installed in
these areas may interfere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
CONTINUED
Accessories and Modifications
205
Before Driving
Table of Contents

Modifying Your Vehicle
Removing parts from your vehicle, or
replacing components with some
non-Honda components could
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:● Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit that
significantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
● Raising your vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit can affect
the handling and stability. ●
Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components, and are not
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS).
● Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
● Modifying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle's
safety features can make the
systems ineffective.
If you plan to modify your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Accessories and Modifications
206
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