2011 HONDA ELEMENT fuel

You should have received a key
number tag with your set of keys.
You will need this key number if you
ever have to get a key replaced. Use
only Honda-approved key blanks.These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
immobilizer system. They will not
work to start the engine if the circuits
are damaged.
●Protect the keys from direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.●Do not drop the keys or set heavy
objects on them.●Keep the keys away from liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a soft cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.
See page 77 for an explanation of the
remote transmitter's operation. Immobilizer System
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.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the immobilizer
system indicator should come on for
a few seconds, then go off. If the
indicator starts to blink, it means the
system does not recognize the
coding of the key. Turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK (0) position,
remove the key, reinsert it, and turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position again.
The system may not recognize your
key's coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
chain) is near the ignition switch
when you insert the key.
Keys and Locks, Immobilizer System7610/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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
cargo 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
...........................
142
Fuel Recommendation
................
142
Service Station Procedures
.........
143
Refueling
.................................
143
Opening and Closing the Hood
...................................
144
Oil Check
................................
145
Engine Coolant Check
............
145
Fuel Economy
.............................
146
Accessories and Modifications
..........................
149
Carrying Cargo
...........................
151
Before Driving
141
Before Driving
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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 rapid
acceleration.●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 engine
damage.
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 Recommendation14210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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 atowners.honda.com
.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 off
even 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 236). You will
also see a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’
message on the information display.
6. Close the fuel fill door.
Fuel Recommendation, Service Station Procedures
143
Before Driving
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Actual Mileage and EPA Fuel
Economy Estimates Comparison.
Fuel economy is not a fixed number.
It varies based on driving conditions,
driving habits and vehicle condition.
Therefore, it is not possible for one
set of estimates to predict fuel
economy precisely for all drivers in
all environments.
The EPA fuel economy estimates
shown in the example to the right are
a useful tool for comparison when
buying a vehicle. EPA estimates
include:
City MPG－Represents urban
driving in a vehicle in light traffic. A
range of miles per gallon achieved is
also provided.
Highway MPG －Represents a
mixture of rural and interstate
driving, in a warmed-up vehicle,
typical of longer trips in free-flowing
traffic. A range of miles per gallon
achieved is also provided.
Combined Fuel Economy －
Represents a combination of city and
highway driving. The scale
represents the range of combined
fuel economy for other vehicles in
the class. Estimated Annual Fuel Cost
－
Provides an estimated annual fuel
cost, based on 15,000 miles (20,000
km) per year multiplied by the cost
per gallon (based on EPA fuel cost
data) divided by the combined fuel
economy.
For more information on fuel
economy ratings and factors that
affect fuel economy, visit
www.
fueleconomy.gov
City MPG
Combined Fuel
Economy Highway MPG
Estimated Annual
Fuel Cost
(Sample EPA label shown)
Fuel Economy14610/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Fuel Economy FactorsThe following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:●Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)●Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic●Cold engine operation (engines are
more efficient when warmed up)●Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running●Improperly inflated tiresImproving Fuel EconomyVehicle MaintenanceA properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
information display (seeOwner's
Maintenance Checks on page 190).
For example:
●Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page 193).●Maintain proper tire inflation －
An underinflated tire increases
‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which reduces
fuel economy.●Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle －It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel
consumption.●Keep your vehicle clean －In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle's underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
economy.
Drive Efficiently●Drive moderately －Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuel
consumption.●Observe the speed limit －
Aerodynamic drag has a big effect
on fuel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.●Avoid excessive idling －Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).●Minimize the use of the air
conditioning system －The A/C
puts an extra load on the engine
which makes it use more fuel. Use
the fresh-air ventilation when
possible.
CONTINUED
Fuel Economy
147
Before Driving
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

●Plan and combine trips－
Combine several short trips into
one. A warmed-up engine is more
fuel efficient than a cold one.
Calculating Fuel EconomyMeasuring TechniquesDirect calculation is the
recommended source of information
about your actual fuel economy.
Using frequency of fill-ups or taking
fuel gauge readings are NOT
accurate measures of fuel economy.
Fuel economy may improve over the
first several thousand miles.
Checking Your Fuel Economy1) Fill the fuel tank until the nozzle automatically clicks off.
2) Reset trip counter to zero.
3) Record the total gallons (liters) needed to refill.
4) Follow one of the simple calculations above.
100 LiterKilometers L per
100 km
Miles
driven Gallons
of fuel Miles per
Gallon
Fuel Economy14810/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off allelectrical accessories to reduce the
drain on the battery.
3. 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 Engine16010/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu