2011 HONDA ELEMENT manual transmission

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 steering
column.
Features
How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other convenience
features.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
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual for detailed
information.
Index
Service Information Summary
A summary of the information you
need when you pull up to the fuel
pump.Overview of Contents210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Second (2)－This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshift to first gear when
you come to a stop.
Use second gear:●For more power when climbing.●To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.●For starting out on a slippery
surface or in deep snow.●To help reduce wheel spin.●When driving downhill with a
trailer. First (1)
－This position locks the
transmission in first gear. By
upshifting and downshifting through
1, 2, D3, and D, you can operate the
transmission much like a manual
transmission without a clutch pedal.
Engine Speed Limiter
If you exceed the maximum speed
for the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the
tachometer's red zone. If this occurs,
you may feel the engine cut in and
out. This is caused by a limiter in the
engine's computer controls. The
engine will run normally when you
reduce the rpm below the red zone. Shift Lock Release
This allows you to move the shift
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release button
does not work.
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
CONTINUED
Automatic Transmission
163
Driving
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

This section explains why it is important
to keep your vehicle well maintained and
how to follow basic maintenance safety
precautions.
This section also includes instructions
on how to read the Maintenance Minder
messages on the information display,
and instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want to
purchase the service manual. See page
267 for information on how to obtain a
copy, or see your dealer.Maintenance, replacement, or repair
of emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment or
individual using parts that are
‘‘
certified ’’to EPA standards.
Maintenance Safety
.....................
184
Maintenance Minder
TM
...............
185
Fluid Locations
...........................
192
Adding Engine Oil
......................
193
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
.......................................
194
Engine Coolant
...........................
196
Windshield Washers
...................
197
Automatic Transmission Fluid
....
198
Brake Fluid
.................................
199
Power Steering Fluid
..................
200
Cleaning the Body Panels
...........
201
Lights
..........................................
201
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
209
Floor Mats
..................................
209
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
210
Wiper Blades
..............................
210
Wheels
........................................
212
Tires
...........................................
212
Checking the Battery
..................
218
Vehicle Storage
...........................
219
Maintenance
183
Maintenance
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu

Seat Belts
.................................
8, 18
Additional Information
.............
18
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
16
Automatic Seat Belt
Tensioners
...........................
20
Cleaning
..................................
209
Lap/Shoulder Belt
..............
14, 19
Maintenance
............................
20
Reminder Indicator and Beeper
.............................
18, 58
System Components
................
18
Use During Pregnancy
.............
16
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt
..................................
14, 19
Seats
............................................
83
Head Restraints
........................
85
Seats, Adjusting the
.....................
83
Sensors Driver's Seat Position Sensor
...
26
Front Passenger's Weight Sensors
................................
26
Impact Sensors
........................
22
Serial Number
............................
248
Service Intervals
.........................
185
Service Manual
..........................
267
Service Station Procedures
........
143 Setting the Clock
........................
133
Shifting the Automatic Transmission
..........................
161
Shift Lever Position Indicators
...
161
Shift Lock Release
......................
163
Side Airbags
.................................
28
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
31
How Your Side Airbags Work..28
Side Curtain Airbags
....................
29
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
29
Side Marker Lights, Bulb Replacement in
.......................
206
Signaling Turns
............................
60
Snow Tires
.................................
217
Sound System
............................
109
Spare Tire
..................................
222
Inflating
...........................
212, 222
Specifications
..........................
252
Spark Plugs
................................
250
Specifications
.............................
250
Speed Control
............................
137
Speed Limiter
.............................
163
Speedometer
................................
64 SRS, Additional Information
.........
22
Additional Safety Precautions
...
33
Airbag Service
..........................
33
Airbag System Components
.....
22
How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works
...................
31
How the SRS Indicator Works..30
How Your Front Airbags Work
....................................
24
How Your Side Airbags Work..28
How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work
....................................
29
SRS Indicator
.........................
30, 59
START (Ignition Key Position).....
79
Starting the Engine
....................
160
In Cold Weather at High Altitude
................................
160
With a Dead Battery
................
231
State Emissions Testing
.............
261
Steam Coming from Engine
.......
233
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
...............................
74
Anti-theft Column Lock
............
79
Buttons
...........................
135, 137
Stereo Sound System
..........
109, 110
Storing Your Vehicle
..................
219
IndexVIII10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu