2011 HONDA ELEMENT Owners Manual

Of course, children vary widely. And
while age may be one indicator of
when a child can safely ride in front,
there are other important factors you
should consider.MaturityTo safely ride in front, a child must
be able to follow the rules, including
sitting properly, and wearing the seat
belt properly throughout a ride.Physical SizePhysically, a child must be large
enough for the lap/shoulder belt to
properly fit (see pages 14 and 49). If
the seat belt does not fit properly,
with or without the child sitting on a
booster seat, the child should not sit
in front.If you decide that a child can safely
ride up front, be sure to:
●Carefully read the owner's manual,
and make sure you understand all
seat belt instructions and all safety
information.●Move the vehicle seat to the rear-
most position.●Have the child sit up straight, back
against the seat, and feet on or
near the floor.●Check that the child's seat belt is
properly and securely positioned.●Supervise the child. Even mature
children sometimes need to be
reminded to fasten the seat belts
or sit properly.Additional Safety Precautions
●Do not let a child wear a seat belt
across the neck.
This could result
in serious neck injuries during a
crash.
●Do not let a child put the shoulder part of a seat belt behind the back
or under the arm.
This could cause
very serious injuries during a
crash. It also increases the chance
that the child will slide under the
belt in a crash and be injured.
●Two children should never use the
same seat belt.
If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash.
●Do not put any accessories on a
seat belt.
Devices intended to
improve a child's comfort or
reposition the shoulder part of a
seat belt can make the belt less
effective and increase the chance
of serious injury in a crash.
Protecting Larger Children
51
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Your vehicle's exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. Carbon
monoxide should not enter the
vehicle in normal driving if you
maintain your vehicle properly and
follow the information on this page.
Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:●The vehicle is raised for an oil
change.●You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.●The vehicle was in a collision that
may have damaged the underside.
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage. With the tailgate or hatch open, air
flow can pull exhaust gas into your
vehicle's interior and create a
hazardous condition. If you must
drive with the tailgate or hatch open,
open all the windows and set the
heating and cooling system as shown
below.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle
with the engine running, even in an
unconfined area, adjust the heating
and cooling system as follows:
1. Select the fresh air mode.
2. Select the
mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard5210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

These labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential hazards that could cause serious injury or death.
Read these labels carefully.
If a label comes off or becomes hard to read (except for the dashboard label which may be removed by the owner),
contact your dealer for a replacement.
DASHBOARDSUN VISOR
CONTINUED
Safety Labels
53
Driver and Passenger Safety
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RADIATOR CAPDOORJAMBS
Safety Labels5410/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

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
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VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA) OFF
SWITCH (P. 173)PARKING BRAKE
(P. 94) AUDIO SYSTEM
(P. 109)
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
(P. 104)
Ex model is shown. POWER DOOR
LOCK SWITCH
(P. 80)
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P. 93)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P. 92) INSTRUMENT PANEL (P. 57)
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P. 144) GAUGES (P. 64)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (P. 161)
Control Locations5610/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

DRL
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
INDICATOR (P. 60)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P. 61)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 58, 235)
VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA)
INDICATOR
(P. 62)
VSA OFF
INDICATOR
(P. 62)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS) INDICATOR (P. 59)LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
(P. 58, 235)
DOOR AND TAILGATE
OPEN INDICATOR (P. 61)SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR (P. 59)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 60)SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 59)LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
(P. 61)
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR (P. 59)
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR (P. 58)
LIGHTS ON INDICATOR (P. 61) PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 58, 237)
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR (P. 60)
TPMS INDICATOR
(P. 63) CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
(P. 60)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP (P. 58, 236)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P. 62)
Instrument Panel
57
Instruments and Controls
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The instrument panel has many
indicators that give you important
information about your vehicle.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
For more information, see page 236.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 235.Charging System
Indicator
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more
information, see page 235.
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 237.
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 Indicators5810/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu