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2005 HONDA Element Owners Manual
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2005 Element Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.
Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... i
A Few Words About Safety ................................................................................................................. ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance ..................................................................................................................... 4
Driver and Passenger Safety .............................................................................................................. 7
Seat belts, SRS, and child protection
Instruments and Controls ................................................................................................................. 51
Indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column
Features ..............................................................................................................................................89
Climate, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control, and HomeLink
Before Driving.................................................................................................................................. 121
Fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading
Driving .............................................................................................................................................. 135
Engine and transmission operation
Maintenance ..................................................................................................................................... 161
Schedules, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage
Taking Care of the Unexpected ...................................................................................................... 195
Flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fuses
Technical Information..................................................................................................................... 219
Vehicle specifications, tires, fuels, and emissions controls
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada) ................................................................ 233
Warranty and contact information
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)...................................................................................................... 237
How to order
Index...................................................................................................................................................... I
Service Information Summary
Fluid capacities and tire pressures
Owner's Identification Form

This owner’s manual covers all
models of the Element. You may find
descriptions of equipment and
features that are not on your
particular model.
The information and specifications
included in this publication were in
effect at the time of approval for
printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice
and without incurring any obligation
whatsoever.
This owner’s manual should be
considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the
vehicle when it is sold.
Owner’s Identification
OWNER
ADDRESS
V. I. N.
DELIVERY DATE
DEALER NAME DEALER NO.
ADDRESS
OWNER’S SIGNATURE
DEALER’S SIGNATURE
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE
(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE

Congratulations! Your selection of a 2005 Honda Element was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.
California Proposition 65 Warning
This product contains
or emits chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with one or
more recording devices commonly
referred to as event data recorders
or sensing and diagnostic modules.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
you can refer to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual
helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment.
When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your dealer’s staff
is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your vehicle.
Your dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be pleased to answer
any questions and concerns.
As you read this manual, you will
find information that is preceded by
a symbol. This
information is intended to help you
avoid damage to your vehicle, other
property, or the environment.
Introduction
WARNING:
i

-
-
-
-
-
-
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make informed
decisions about safety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other information on labels and in
this manual. This information alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement.
You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms,
including:
on the vehicle.
preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
such as Important Safety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions.
such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information please read it
carefully.
These signal words mean:
A Few Words About Safety
Safety Labels
Safety Messages
Safety Headings
Safety Section
Instructions
DANGER WARNING CAUTION
ii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.

Your Element has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use only on pavement. Higher
ground clearance has many advantages for off-highway driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and
rough terrain. It also provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.
These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher off the ground, it has a high
center of gravity. This means your vehicle can tip or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly
more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make sure you and your passengers always wear
seat belts.
For information on how to reduce the risk of rollover, read ‘‘Driving Guidelines’’ on page of this manual and the
section on page . Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control
or an accident.
136
159
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
Important Handling Information
iii

Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
POWER DOOR
LOCK SWITCH
MIRROR CONTROLS
GAUGES
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
A/T model is shown.
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
INSTRUMENT PANEL
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
PARKING BRAKE
(P.70)
(P.81)
(P.82) (P.58)
(P.90)
(P.83)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
(P.53) AIRBAGS
(P.125)
(P.11, 23)
(P.141)
(P.139)

*
*
To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel. :
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
5
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
A/T model is shown.
HORN
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT
AUDIO SYSTEM
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
DIGITAL CLOCK
(P.64)
(P.63)
(P.63)
(P.94)
(P.61) (P.62)
(P.117)
CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER BUTTON
(P.119)
(P.119)

6

-
This section gives you important
information about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts. It
explains how your airbags work. And
it tells you how to properly restrain
infants and children in your vehicle.
......... Important Safety Precautions . 8
....... Your Vehicle’s Safety Features . 9
..................................... Seat Belts . 10
......................................... Airbags . 11
......... Protecting Adults and Teens . 12
..... 1. Close and Lock the Doors . 12
........... 2. Adjust the Front Seats . 12
............ 3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 14
... 4. Adjust the Head Restraints . 15
5. Fasten and Position the
............................ Seat Belts . 15
6. Maintain a Proper Sitting
................................ Position . 17
..... Advice for Pregnant Women . 18
... Additional Safety Precautions . 19
Additional Information About Your
................................. Seat Belts . 20
.. Seat Belt System Components . 20
...................... Lap/Shoulder Belt . 20
Automatic Seat Belt
............................... Tensioners . 21
............... Seat Belt Maintenance . 21
Additional Information About Your
..................................... Airbags . 23
...... Airbag System Components . 23
How Your Front Airbags
......................................... Work . 24
... How Your Side Airbags Work . 26
How the SRS Indicator
....................................... Works . 27
How the Side Airbag Cutoff
...................... Indicator Works . 28
............................. Airbag Service . 28
... Additional Safety Precautions . 29
Protecting Children General
................................ Guidelines . 30
All Children Must Be
............................... Restrained . 30
All Children Should Sit in a
................................. Back Seat . 31
The Passenger’s Front Airbag
............... Poses Serious Risks . 31
If You Must Drive with Several
................................... Children . 33
If a Child Requires Close
.................................. Attention . 33
... Additional Safety Precautions . 34
Protecting Infants and
......................... Small Children . 35
....................... Protecting Infants . 35
......... Protecting Small Children . 36
..................... Selecting a Child Seat . 37
.................... Installing a Child Seat . 38
............................... With LATCH . 39
.......................... With a Seat Belt . 41
.............................. With a Tether . 43
........... Protecting Larger Children . 44
............... Checking Seat Belt Fit . 44
.................. Using a Booster Seat . 45
When Can a Larger Child Sit in
......................................... Front . 45
... Additional Safety Precautions . 46
............. Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 47
................................... Safety Labels . 48
Driver and Passenger Safety
Driver and Passenger Safety
7

-
You’ll find many safety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
The recommendations on this page
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags are
designed to supplement seat belts,
not replace them. So even though
your vehicle is equipped with airbags,
make sure you and your passengers
always wear your seat belts, and
wear them properly (see page ).
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical failure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition frequently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance (see page ).
Excessive speed is a major factor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed, the greater the
risk, but serious injuries can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
faster than is safe for current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your friends
drink and drive, either.
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Infants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to follow all instructions and
warnings in this manual.
Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in a back
seat. Infants and small children
should be restrained in a child seat.
Larger children should use a booster
seat and a lap/shoulder belt until
they can use the belt properly
without a booster (see pages
).
15
163
46
30
Important Safety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Keep Your Vehicle in Safe
Condition
Control Your Speed
Don’t Drink and Drive
Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
Restrain All Children
8
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$24.99
Gain immediate access to a comprehensive manual available in PDF format, extracted from the original factory owner's manual. This digital resource mirrors the content of a traditional physical manual and encompasses a wide array of topics:
- Introduction
- Instrument Cluster
- Entertainment Systems
- Climate Controls
- Lights
- Driver Controls
- Locks and Security
- Seating and Safety Restraints
- Driving
- Customer Assistance
- Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. only)
- Cleaning
- Maintenance and Specifications
- Engine Compartment
- Engine Oil
- Battery
- Fuel Information
- Air Filter(s)
- Part Numbers
- Refill Capacities
- Lubricant Specifications
- Accessories
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