2010 HONDA ELEMENT child seat

Bulb ReplacementBack-up Lights ........................266
Brake Lights ........................... 266
Daytime Running Lights .........262
Front Parking/Turn Signal Lights .................................. 263
Front Side Marker Lights ........265
Headlights .............................. 261
High-mount Brake Light .........267
Rear Bulbs .............................. 266
Rear License Plate Lights ........267
Side Turn Signal Lights ...........264
Specifications .......................... 310
Taillights ................................. 266
Turn Signal Lights ..................266
Bulbs, Halogen .......................... 261
Bungee Cords ............................ 211
C
Capacities Chart .........................309
Carbon Monoxide Hazard ............52
Cargo ......................................... 207
Cargo Area Light ..........................96
Cargo Hook ................................ 212Cargo, How to Carry
..................207
Carrying Cargo .......................... 207
CAUTION, Explanation of ............iii
CD Care ..................................... 183
CD Error Messages ............125, 148
CD Player ........................... 119, 140
Ceiling Light ................................ 96
Certification Label ......................306
Chains, Tires .............................. 276
Changing a Flat Tire ..................283
Changing Oil
How to .................................... 252
When to .................................. 243
Charging System Indicator ........................... 58, 295
Check Fuel Cap Message ............66
Checklist, Before Driving ...........215
Child Safety .................................. 35
Booster Seats ........................... 50
Child Seats .................... 40, 41, 42
Important Safety Reminders .....39
Infants ...................................... 40
Larger Children .......................49
LATCH ..................................... 44
Risks with Airbags ...................36
Small Children ......................... 41Tethers
.................................... 48
Warning Labels ........................37
Where Should a Child Sit? ........36
Child Seats ............................. 35, 42
LATCH Anchorage Points ........44
Tether Anchorage Points .........48
Cleaning the Seat Belts ..............268
Clock .......................................... 189
Clutch Fluid ............................... 258
Code, Audio System ...................188
CO in the Exhaust ................52, 316
Cold Weather, Starting in ...........216
Compact Spare Tire ....................282
Controls, Instruments and ............55
Coolant
Adding .................................... 254
Checking ................................ 201
Proper Solution .......................254
Temperature Gauge .................67
Cooler Box ................................... 98
Courtesy Light ............................. 96
Crankcase Emissions Control System ................................... 316
Cruise Control Indicator ...............60
Cruise Control Operation ...........193
Cruise Main Indicator ..................60
Index
II

Infant Seats.................................. 40
Tether Anchorage Point ...........48
Inflation, Proper Tire ..................271
Recommended Pressures .......272
Inside Mirror ............................... 93
Inspection, Tire .......................... 273
Installing a Child Seat ..................43
Instrument Panel ..........................57
Instrument Panel Brightness .......72
Instruments and Controls .............55
Interior Lights .............................. 95
Introduction ................................... i
iPod
®.......................................... 162
iPod®Error Messages ................172
J
Jacking up the Vehicle ...............283
Jack, Tire ................................... 283
Jump Starting ............................. 291
K
Keys ............................................. 75L
Label, Certification
.....................306
Lane Change, Signaling ...............71
Lap/Shoulder Belt .................14, 19
LATCH Anchorage System ..........44
Light Control Switch ....................95
Lights
Bulb Replacement ...................261
Indicator ................................... 57
Interior ..................................... 95
Parking .................................... 71
Turn Signal .............................. 71
Load Limit .................................. 208
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) ......79
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column .......79
Fuel Fill Door .......................... 199
Glove Box ............................... 100
Hatch ....................................... 81
Lockout Prevention ..................81
Power Door .............................. 80
Tailgate .................................... 82
Low Coolant Level ......................201
Lower Anchors ............................. 44Low Fuel Indicator
.......................61
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator ........................... 58, 295
Lubricant Specifications Chart ...309
Luggage, Storing (cargo) ...........207
M
Maintenance .............................. 241
Main Items and Sub Items ......246
Minder .................................... 243
Minder Indicator ......................59
Owner's Maintenance
Checks ................................ 248
Safety ...................................... 242
Schedule ................................. 249
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ................................ 58, 296
Manual Transmission .................217
Checking Fluid Level ..............257
Shifting ................................... 217
Manual Transmission Fluid .......257
Meters, Gauges ............................ 64
Methanol in Gasoline .................198
Mirrors, Adjusting ........................93
Index
VI

Protecting Children......................35
General Guidelines ..................35
Protecting Infants .....................40
Protecting Larger Children ......49
Protecting Small Children ........41
Using Child Seats with Tethers ................................. 48
Using LATCH .......................... 44
R
Radiator Overheating .................293
Radio/CD Sound System ...........109
Radio Theft Protection ...............188
Readiness Codes ........................319
Rear Differential Fluid ................258
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement ........................... 266
Rear Seat, Folding ........................88
Rearview Camera and Monitor .................................. 196
Rearview Mirror ........................... 93
Rear Window Defogger ................74
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ..................................... 70Reclining the Front Seats
.............87
Recommended Shift Speeds .......218
Refueling .................................... 199
Reminder Indicators .....................58
Remote Audio Controls ..............191
Remote Transmitter .....................77
Replacement Information
Dust and Pollen Filter .............269
Engine Oil and Filter ...............252
Fuses ...................................... 298
Light Bulbs ............................. 261
Schedule ................................. 249
Spark Plugs ............................. 308
Tires ....................................... 274
Wiper Blades .......................... 269
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash ........................................ 20
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Vehicles) ................................ 324
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant ............................ 201, 254
Restraint, Child ............................ 35
Reverse Gear Position ................220
Reverse Lockout ........................217
Rotation, Tire ............................. 274S
Safety Belts
.............................. 8, 18
Safety Defects, Reporting (U.S. only) ....................................... 324
Safety Features .............................. 7
Airbags ................................. 9, 22
Head Restraints ........................13
Seat Belts ........................ 8, 14, 18
Seats & Seat-Backs ..............11, 12
Safety Labels, Location of .............53
Safety Messages ..........................iii
Seat Adjustments .........................83
Seat Belts ................................. 8, 18
Additional Information .............18
Advice for Pregnant Women ....16
Automatic Seat Belt
Tensioners ........................... 20
Cleaning .................................. 268
Lap/Shoulder Belt ..............14, 19
Maintenance ............................ 20
Reminder Indicator and Beeper ............................. 18, 58
System Components ................18
Use During Pregnancy .............16
Index
VIII

Your Vehicle at a Glance(main controls).................................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) ........................................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls (indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column) ....................................................55
Features (heating and cooling, audio, steering wheel, cruise control, and other convenience items) ......................103
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading) ....................................................................................... 197
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ........................................................................................................... 213
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage) ...........................................................241
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, jump starting, overheating, and fuses) ...................................................281
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ........................................................305
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information)........................321
Index .............................................................................................................................................................................. I
INDEX
Service Information Summary(fluid capacities and tire pressures) ............................................................... last page
Contents
1

Contents
A convenient reference to the
sections in this manual.
Your Vehicle at a Glance
A quick reference to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Important information about the
proper use and care of your vehicle's
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable information on how to
protect children with child restraints.
Instruments and Controls
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and
gauge, and how to use the controls
on the dashboard and steeringcolumn. Features
How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other conveniencefeatures.Before Driving
What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo. Driving
The proper way to start the engine,
shift the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you're
planning to tow a trailer. Maintenance
The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance
service. There is also a list of things
to check and instructions on how to
check them.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience, and
details how to handle them.
Technical Information
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual for detailedinformation. Index
Service Information Summary
A summary of the information you
need when you pull up to the fuelpump.
Overview of Contents
2

This section gives you important
information about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It shows
you how to use seat belts. It explains
how your airbags work. And it tells you
how to properly restrain infants and
children in your vehicle.
Important Safety Precautions.............6
Your Vehicle's Safety Features ..........7
Seat Belts ..................................... 8
Airbags ........................................ 9
Protecting Adults and Teens ...........11
1. Close and Lock the Doors ........11
2. Adjust the Front Seats .............11
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs ..............12
4. Adjust the Head Restraints ......13
5. Fasten and Position the Seat Belts .................................. 14
6. Maintain a Proper Sitting Position .............................. 15
Advice for Pregnant Women ........16
Additional Safety Precautions ......16
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts ............................... 18
Seat Belt System Components .....18 Lap/Shoulder Belt
......................19
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners ............................. 20
Seat Belt Maintenance ................20
Additional Information About Your Airbags .................................. 22
Airbag System Components ........22
How Your Front Airbags Work ....25
How Your Side Airbags Work ......28
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work ..................................... 30
How the SRS Indicator Works .....31
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works .....................32
How the Passenger Airbag Off Indicator Works .....................32
Airbag Service ............................ 33
Additional Safety Precautions ......34
Protecting Children －General
Guidelines .............................. 35
All Children Must Be
Restrained .............................. 35
All Children Should Sit in a Back Seat ....................................... 36
The Passenger's Front Airbag
Can Pose Serious Risks ...........36If You Must Drive with Several
Children ................................ 38
If a Child Requires Close Attention ................................ 38
Additional Safety Precautions ......39
Protecting Infants and Small Children ................................. 40
Protecting Infants .......................40
Protecting Small Children ...........41
Selecting a Child Seat .....................42
Installing a Child Seat .....................43
Installing a Child Seat with
LATCH .................................. 44
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Belt ..................46
Installing a Child Seat with a
Tether ................................... 48
Protecting Larger Children .............49
Checking Seat Belt Fit ................49
Using a Booster Seat ...................50
When Can a Larger Child Sit in
Front ..................................... 50
Additional Safety Precautions ......51
Carbon Monoxide Hazard ...............52
Safety Labels .................................. 53
Driver and Passenger Safety
5
Driver and Passenger Safety

You'll find many safety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
The recommendations on this page
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
A seat belt is your best protection in all
types of collisions. Airbags are
designed to supplement seat belts, not
replace them. So even though your
vehicle is equipped with airbags, make
sure you and your passengers always
wear your seat belts, and wear them
properly (see page 14).
Restrain All Children
Children age 12 and under should ride
properly restrained in a back seat, not
the front seat. Infants and small
children should be restrained in a
child seat. Larger children should use
a booster seat and a lap/shoulder belt
until they can use the belt properly
without a booster seat (see pages35－51). Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
While airbags can save lives, they can
cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them, or
are not properly restrained. Infants,
young children, and short adults are at
the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all
instructions and warnings in thismanual.
Don't Drink and Drive
Alcohol and driving don't mix. Even one
drink can reduce your ability to respond
to changing conditions, and your
reaction time gets worse with every
additional drink. So don't drink and
drive, and don't let your friends drink
and drive, either.
Pay Appropriate Attention to the
Task of Driving Safely
Engaging in mobile phone conversation
or other activities that keep you from
paying close attention to the road, other
vehicles and pedestrians could lead to a
crash. Remember, situations can
change quickly, and only you can
decide when it is safe to divert attention
away from driving. Control Your Speed
Excessive speed is a major factor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the
higher the speed, the greater the risk,
but serious injuries can also occur at
lower speeds. Never drive faster than is
safe for current conditions, regardless
of the maximum speed posted.
Keep Your Vehicle in Safe Condition
Having a tire blowout or a mechanical
failure can be extremely hazardous. To
reduce the possibility of such problems,
check your tire pressures and condition
frequently, and perform all regularly
scheduled maintenance (see page 243).
Important Safety Precautions
6
Table of Contents

Seat Belts
Your vehicle is equipped with seat
belts in all seating positions.
Your seat belt system also includes
an indicator on the instrument panel
and a beeper to remind you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.
Why Wear Seat Belts
Seat belts are the single most
effective safety device for adults and
larger children. (Infants and smaller
children must be properly restrained
in child seats.)
Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
though your vehicle has airbags.
In addition, most states, all Canadian
provinces and territories require you
to wear seat belts.
Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
though your vehicle hasairbags.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.
When properly worn, seat belts: ● Keep you connected to the vehicle
so you can take advantage of the
vehicle's built-in safety features.
● Help protect you in almost every
type of crash, including:
– frontal impacts
– side impacts
– rear impacts
– rollovers ●
Help keep you from being thrown
against the inside of the vehicle
and against other occupants.
● Keep you from being thrown out of
the vehicle.
● Help keep you in a good position
should the airbags ever deploy. A
good position reduces the risk of
injury from an inflating airbag and
allows you to get the best
advantage from the airbag.
Of course, seat belts cannot
completely protect you in every
crash. But in most cases, seat belts
can reduce your risk of seriousinjury.
What You Should Do:
Always wear your seat belt, and
make sure you wear it properly.
Your Vehicle's Safety Features
8
Table of Contents