Honda 2005 Element Owner's Manual page 145

Main Menu Table of Contents
Overdrive (O/D) Mode
Overdrive (O/D) is on whenever you
turn the ignition to ON (II). Press
the O/D switch on the side of the
shift lever to turn it off; the O/D
OFF indicator comes on.
Overdrive can be turned on or off
only when the ignition switch is in
the ON (II) position.
When overdrive is off, the
transmission selects only the first
three gears. Use it to provide engine
braking when going down a steep hill,
or to keep the transmission from
cycling between third and fourth
gear in stop-and-go driving.
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.
Automatic Transmission
First (1) This position locks the
transmission in first gear. By
upshifting and downshifting through
1, 2, and D, you can operate this
transmission much like a manual
transmission without a clutch pedal.
If you shift into first when the
vehicle speed is above 31 mph (50
km/h), the transmission shifts into
second gear first to avoid sudden
engine braking.
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.
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