2011 HONDA ELEMENT steering

This section gives information about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations
..........................
56
Instrument Panel
..........................
57
Instrument Panel Indicators
..........
58
Gauges
..........................................
64
Information Display
..................
65
Odometer
..................................
65
Trip Meter
................................
66
Fuel Gauge
...............................
66
Check Fuel Cap Message
.........
66
Temperature Gauge
..................
67
Maintenance Minder ™
..............
67Outside Temperature
Indicator
...............................
68
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
.......................................
69
Windshield Wipers and Washers
....................................
70
Turn Signals and Headlights
.........
71
Instrument Panel Brightness
........
72
Hazard Warning Button
................
73
Rear Window Defogger
.................
74
Steering Wheel Adjustment
..........
74
Keys and Locks
.............................
75
Immobilizer System
......................
76
Remote Transmitter
......................
77
Ignition Switch
..............................
79
Door Locks
...................................
80
Power Door Locks
....................
80
Rear Doors
................................
81
Hatch
........................................
81
Tailgate
.....................................
82
Seats
.............................................
83
Seat Adjustments
......................
83
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment
...........................
84 Front Seat Armrests
..................
85
Head Restraints
.........................
85
Reclining the Front Seats
..........
87
Folding the Rear Seats
..............
88
Removing the Rear Seats
..........
90
Power Windows
............................
92
Mirrors
.........................................
93
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
.....
93
Rear Windows
...............................
94
Parking Brake
...............................
94
Interior Lights
...............................
95
Light Control Switch
.................
95
Individual Map Lights
...............
95
Ceiling Light
.............................
96
Cargo Area Light
.......................
96
Ignition Switch Light
.................
96
Interior Convenience Items
...........
97
Cooler Box
................................
98
Beverage Holders
.....................
99
Accessory Power Sockets
.......
100
Glove Box
...............................
100
Sun Visor
................................
100
Vanity Mirror
..........................
101
Overhead Console
..................
101
Instruments and Controls
55
Instruments and Controls
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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 Warning
Indicators
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 204). Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
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 137
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 137).
Instrument Panel Indicators6010/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

ꭧ1: To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
ꭧ 2: If equipped
HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
(P. 73)
CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS (P. 137)
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT (P. 74) HORN
ꭧ
1
Ex model is shown. VSA OFF SWITCH
(P. 173) REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS
ꭧ
2
(P. 135) HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
(P. 71) WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P. 70)
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER BUTTON
(P. 74) AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P. 161)
ACCESSORY
POWER SOCKET
(P. 100)
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
69
Instruments and Controls
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Rear Window DefoggerThe rear window defogger will clear
fog, frost, and thin ice from the
window. Push the defogger button to
turn it on and off. The indicator in the
button comes on to show the
defogger is on. If you do not turn it
off, the defogger will shut itself off
after about 15 minutes. It also shuts
off when you turn off the ignition
switch. You have to turn the
defogger on again when you restart
the vehicle.Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility before
starting to drive.
The defogger wires on the inside of
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side-to-side.
Steering Wheel Adjustment
Make any steering wheel adjustment
before you start driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
in a crash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Rear Window Defogger, Steering Wheel Adjustment7410/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

To adjust the steering wheel upward
or downward:1. Push the lever under the left side of the steering column all the way
down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down to the desired position.
Make sure you can see the
instrument panel gauges and the
indicators. 3. Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in that position.
4. Make sure you have securely locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down. Keys and Locks
The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works
only in the ignition and the door
locks. You can keep the glove box
and hatch locked when you leave
your vehicle and the valet key at a
parking facility.
KEY
NUMBER
TAG
MASTER
KEYS
(BLACK)VALET
KEY
(LIGHT
GRAY)
CONTINUED
Steering Wheel Adjustment, Keys and Locks
75
Instruments and Controls
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

If the front wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult to
turn the key. Firmly turn the steering
wheel to the left or right as you turn
the key.
ACCESSORY (I)－You can operate
the audio system and the accessory
power sockets in this position.
ON (II) －This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch from the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position.
START (III) －Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key. You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the LOCK (0) or
the ACCESSORY (I) position and
open the driver's door. Remove the
key to turn off the beeper.
The shift lever must be in Park
before you can remove the key from
the ignition switch.
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.Power Door Locks
To lock all of the doors and hatch,
press the door lock switch on the
driver's door, or press the lock tab
down on the driver's door, or use the
key on the outside lock. Pressing up
on the door lock switch will unlock
all of the doors and the hatch.
LOCK TAB
DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Ignition Switch, Door Locks8010/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

On EX modelThree controls for the audio system
are mounted in the steering wheel
hub. These let you control basic
functions without removing your
hand from the wheel.The middle button adjusts the
volume up (
) or down (
). Press
the top or bottom of the button and
hold it until the desired volume is
reached, then release it.
The MODE button changes the
mode.
Pressing the MODE button
repeatedly cycles through all
present, connected media sources.
Media sources that are not present
or connected will not appear when
cycling with the MODE button.
The CH button has two functions,
depending on whether you are
listening to the radio, or playing a
disc. If you are listening to the radio, use
the CH button to change stations.
Each time you press this button, the
system advances to the next preset
station on the band you are listening
to. You will see the number of the
selected Preset button in the display.
To change bands, or to change from
FM1 to FM2 or XM1 to XM2, press
the MODE button.
If you are playing a disc, the system
skips to the beginning of the next
track (file in MP3 or WMA format)
each time you press the CH button.
You will see the track/file number
and the elapsed time. If the disc has
text data or the disc is compressed in
MP3 or WMA, you can also see any
other information (track title, file
name, folder name, etc.).
CH BUTTON
MODE
BUTTON
VOLUME
BUTTON
CONTINUED
Remote Audio Controls
135
Features
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Cruise control allows you to maintain
a set speed above 25 mph (40 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
for cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended for
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.Using Cruise Control
1. Push the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel. The CRUISE
MAIN indicator on the instrument
panel comes on.
The cruise control system can be left
on, even when it is not in use. 2. Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).
3. Press and release the SET/ DECEL button on the steering
wheel. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on to show the system is
now activated.
RES/ACCEL
BUTTON
CANCEL
BUTTON
SET/DECEL
BUTTON
CRUISE BUTTON
CONTINUED
Cruise Control
137
Features
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu