Honda Element (2010 year). Manual — part 5

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 263). 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 193
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 193).

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Lights On Indicator

This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the

or

position. If you turn the

ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0) position without
turning off the light switch, this
indicator will stay on. A reminder
chime will also sound when you open
the driver's door.

High Beam Indicator

This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
information, see page 71.

Washer Level Indicator

Canadian models only
This indicator comes on when the
washer fluid level is low. Add washer
fluid when you see this indicator
come on (see page 255).

Low Fuel Indicator

This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must refuel soon.

When the indicator comes on, there
is about 2.8 U.S. gal (10.5 L) of fuel
remaining in the tank before the
needle reaches E. There is a small
reserve of fuel remaining in the tank
when the needle does reach E.

Door and Tailgate Open Indicator

The appropriate indicator comes on
in this display if the hatch, the
tailgate, or any door is not closed
tightly.

LOW FUEL INDICATOR

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Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator

This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and when the ignition switch
is turned to the START (III) position.

It flashes when VSA is active (see
page 230).

If it comes on and stays on at any
other time, or it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. Take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked. Without VSA, your vehicle
still has normal driving ability, but
will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. See page 230
for more information on the VSA
system.

VSA OFF Indicator

It comes on as a reminder that you
have turned off the vehicle stability
assist (VSA) system.

This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and when the ignition switch
is turned to the START (III) position.
See page 230 for more information
on the VSA system.

Low Tire Pressure
Indicator

This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle's tires are significantly low on
pressure.

If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page 282), and have the
flat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinflated,
call a professional towing service
(see page 303). For more
information, see page 227.

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Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Indicator

This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.

If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS; the
system that monitors tire pressure.
With this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.

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ꭧ: If equipped.

DRL

TACHOMETER

SPEEDOMETER

FUEL GAUGE

U.S. model is shown.

INFORMATION DISPLAY

ODOMETER/TRIP METER/
CHECK FUEL CAP MESSAGE

TEMPERATURE GAUGE

SELECT/RESET
KNOB

OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR

ꭧ

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Information Display
The information display shows the
odometer, trip meter, engine oil life,
outside temperature (if equipped),
and maintenance item code(s).

To switch the display, press and
release the select/reset knob
repeatedly. When you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, your last selection is
displayed.

Odometer
The odometer shows the total
distance your vehicle has been
driven. It measures miles in U.S.
models and kilometers in Canadian
models. It is illegal under U.S.
federal law and Canadian provincial
and territorial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.

OUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR

ODOMETER

TRIP METER A

ENGINE OIL
LIFE

TRIP METER B

U.S. model with outside temperature indicator is shown.

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Trip Meter
This shows the number of miles
(U.S.) or kilometers (Canada) driven
since you last reset it.

There are two trip meters: Trip A and
Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the select/reset
knob repeatedly.

Each trip meter works
independently, so you can keep track
of two different distances.

When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the last
selection is displayed.

To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the select/reset
knob until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’.

Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
off the ignition.

Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Check Fuel Cap Message
Your vehicle's onboard diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
fuel fill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The first time a leak is detected
a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message

appears on the information display.

Turn the engine off, and confirm the
fuel fill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the fuel fill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the select/reset knob.

The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message

will appear each time you restart the
engine until the system turns the
message off.

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If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle's evaporative emissions
system, the malfunction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the fuel fill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine off, and check or
retighten the fuel fill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go off,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more information, see
page 296.

Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page 293 for instructions and
precautions on checking the engine's
cooling system.

Maintenance Minder
The information display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil life and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
information helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs for continued trouble-
free driving. Refer to page 243 for
more information.

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Outside Temperature Indicator
On EX and SC models
This indicator displays the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit (U.S.
models) or Celsius (Canadian
models).

The temperature sensor is in the
front bumper. The temperature
reading can be affected by heat
reflection from the road surface,
engine heat, and the exhaust from
surrounding traffic. This can cause
an incorrect temperature reading
when your vehicle speed is under 19
mph (30 km/h). When you start your
trip, the sensor is not fully
acclimatized, therefore it may take
several minutes until the proper
temperature is displayed.

In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near freezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
forming on the road surface.

If the outside temperature is
incorrectly displayed, you can adjust
it up to ꭗ5°F in U.S. models (ꭗ3°C

in Canadian models) warmer or
cooler.

NOTE: The temperature must be
stabilized before doing this
procedure.

To adjust the outside temperature
indicator, make sure the odometer is
shown in the display, then press and
hold the select/reset knob for 10
seconds. The following sequence will
appear for 1 second each: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, －5, －4, －3, －2, －1, 0 (U.S.) or
0, 1, 2, 3, －3, －2, －1, 0 (Canada).

When the temperature reaches the
desired value, release the select/
reset knob. You should see the new
outside temperature displayed.

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ꭧ1: To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.

ꭧ2: If equipped

ꭧ3: Only on vehicles equipped with navigation system. Refer to the navigation system manual.

HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
(P. 73)

CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS (P. 193)

STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT (P. 74)

HORN

ꭧ1

A/T model with navigation system is shown.

VSA OFF SWITCH
(P. 231)

NAVIGATION SYSTEM
VOICE CONTROL
BUTTONS

ꭧ3

REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS

ꭧ2

(P. 191)

HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
(P. 71)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P. 70)

REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER BUTTON
(P. 74)

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
(P. 217)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P. 219)

ACCESSORY
POWER SOCKET
(P. 100)

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

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Windshield Wiper

1. MIST
2. OFF
3. INT － Intermittent
3. LO － Low speed
5. HI － High speed
6. Windshield washers

Push the right lever up or down to
select a position.

MIST － The wipers run at high
speed until you release the lever.

OFF － The wipers are not activated.

INT － The length of the wipe
interval is varied automatically
according to vehicle's speed.

Vary the delay by turning the
adjustment ring. If you turn it to the
shortest delay (

position), the

wipers change to low speed
operation when the vehicle speed
exceeds 12 mph (20 km/h).

LO － The wipers run at low speed.

HI － The wipers run at high speed.

Windshield Washer － Pull the
wiper control lever toward you, and
hold it. The washers spray until you
release the lever. The wipers run at
low speed, then complete one more
sweep after you release the lever.

Rear Window Wiper and Washer

1. Rotate the switch clockwise to turn

the rear window wiper ON.

2. Hold past ON to turn the window

wiper on and the window washer
on.

3. OFF

4. Rotate the switch

counterclockwise and hold to
spray the window washer and
operate the wiper.

ADJUSTMENT RING

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1. Turn signal
2. Off
3. Parking and instrument panel
lights
4. Headlights on
5. High beams
6. Flash high beams

Turn Signal － Push down on the
lever to signal a left turn and up to
signal a right turn. To signal a lane
change, push lightly on the lever,
and hold it. The lever will return to
center when you release it or
complete a turn.

Headlights － Turning the switch to
the ‘‘

’’ position turns on the

parking lights, taillights, instrument
panel lights, side-marker lights, and
rear license plate lights.

Turning the switch to the ‘‘

’’

position turns on the headlights.

When the light switch is in the
‘‘

’’ or ‘‘

’’ position, the lights

on indicator comes on as a reminder.
This indicator stays on if you leave
the light switch on and turn the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or the LOCK (0) position.

If you leave the lights on with the key
removed from the ignition switch,
you will hear a reminder chime when
you open the driver's door.

CONTINUED

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High Beams － Push the lever back
until you hear a click to turn on the
high beams. The blue high beam
indicator will come on (see page 61).
Pull the lever back again to low
beams.

To flash the high beams, pull the
lever back lightly, then release it.
The high beams will stay on as long
as you hold the lever back.

Daytime Running Lights
With the headlight switch off, the
daytime running lights come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position and release the
parking brake. They remain on until
you turn the ignition switch off, even
if you set the parking brake.

When the headlights are on, the
daytime running lights are off.

Instrument Panel Brightness

The select/reset knob on the
instrument panel controls the
brightness of the instrument panel
lights. Turn the knob to adjust the
brightness.

Separate adjustments can be made
when the headlights are on and off.

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The level of brightness is shown on
the information display while you
adjust it. It goes out about 5 seconds
after you finish adjusting.

To reduce glare at night, the
instrument panel illumination dims
when you turn the light switch to

or

. Turning the select/reset

knob to the right until you hear a
beep will cancel the reduced
brightness.

The instrument panel will illuminate
with reduced brightness when you
unlock and open the driver's door.
The brightness will increase slightly
when you insert the key in the
ignition switch, then go to normal
brightness when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.

If you do not insert the key in the
ignition switch after opening the
driver's door, the illumination turns
off about 30 seconds after you close
the door.

If you insert the key but do not turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, the illumination turns off in
about 10 seconds.

Hazard Warning Button

Push the button next to the shift
lever to turn on the hazard warning
lights (four-way flashers). This
causes all four outside turn signals
and both turn indicators in the
instrument panel to flash. Use the
hazard warning lights if you need to
park in a dangerous area near heavy
traffic, or if your vehicle is disabled.

BRIGHTNESS LEVEL

U.S. model is shown.

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Rear Window Defogger

The 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.

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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

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