2011 HONDA ELEMENT weight

2. To activate the lockable retractor,slowly pull the shoulder part of the
belt all the way out until it stops,
then let the belt feed back into the
retractor.
3. After the belt has retracted, tug on it. If the belt is locked, you will not
be able to pull it out. If you can pull
the belt out, it is not locked, and
you will need to repeat these steps.
4. After confirming that the belt islocked, grab the shoulder part of
the belt near the buckle, and pull
up to remove any slack from the
lap part of the belt. Remember, if
the lap part of the belt is not tight,
the child seat will not be secure.
To remove slack, it may help to put
weight on the child seat, or push
on the back of the seat while
pulling up on the belt.
5. Push and pull the child seatforward and from side-to-side to
verify that it is secure enough to
stay upright during normal driving
maneuvers. If the child seat is not
secure, unlatch the belt, allow it to
retract fully, then repeat these
steps.
To deactivate the lockable retractor
and remove a child seat, unlatch the
buckle, unroute the seat belt, and let
the belt fully retract.
Installing a Child Seat
47
Driver and Passenger Safety
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When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster seat and wear the lap/
shoulder belt.
The following pages give instructions
on how to check proper seat belt fit,
what kind of booster seat to use if one
is needed, and important precautions
for a child who must sit in front.
Allowing a child age 12 or under
to sit in front can result in injury
or death if the passenger's front
airbag inflates.
If a child must ride in front, move
the vehicle seat as far back as
possible, use a booster seat if
needed, have the child sit up
properly and wear the seat belt
properly.
Checking Seat Belt FitTo determine if a lap/shoulder belt
properly fits a child, have the child
put on the seat belt, then ask
yourself:
1. Does the child sit all the way backagainst the seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably over the edge of the
seat? 3. Does the shoulder belt cross
between the child's neck and arm?
4. Is the lap part of the belt as low as possible, touching the child's
thighs?
5. Will the child be able to stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these
questions, the child is ready to wear
the lap/shoulder belt correctly. If
you answer no to any question, the
child needs to ride on a booster seat.
Protecting Larger Children
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Using a Booster SeatA child who has outgrown a forward-
facing child seat should ride in a
back seat and use a booster seat until
the lap/shoulder belt fits them
properly without the booster.
Some states also require children to
use a booster seat until they reach a
given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or
60 lbs). Be sure to check current
laws in the states where you intend
to drive.Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster meets federal
safety standards and that you follow
the booster seat maker's
instructions.
If a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in front, move the vehicle
seat as far back as possible and be
sure the child is wearing the seat belt
properly.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle's or
booster's seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster seat.
When Can a Larger Child Sit in
Front
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration recommends that all
children aged 12 and under be
properly restrained in a back seat.
If the passenger's front airbag
inflates in a moderate to severe
frontal collision, the airbag can cause
serious injuries to a child who is
unrestrained, improperly restrained,
sitting too close to the airbag, or out
of position.
A side airbag also poses risks. If any
part of a larger child's body is in the
path of a deploying side airbag, the
child could receive possibly serious
injuries.Protecting Larger Children5010/08/06 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
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Before Driving
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Load Limits
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 670 lbs (305 kg).
See Tire And Loading Information
label attached to the driver's
doorjamb.Label Example
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
－
1. Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle's
placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
Carrying Cargo15210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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 your
vehicle.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3In 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 (670 lbs) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
(68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo Weight
(370 lbs)
(169 kg)
(305 kg)Max Load (670 lbs) Cargo Weight
(220 lbs)
(101 kg)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 3 = 450 lbs)
(68 kg x 3 = 204 kg)
(305 kg)Max Load (670 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
(68 kg x 4 = 272 kg) Cargo Weight
(70 lbs)
(33 kg)
(305 kg)
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
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Before Driving
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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.
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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 cargo
hooks.Seat-Back Bungee
On EX modelThe 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
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