HONDA ELEMENT 2003 1.G Owners Manual

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas so you can stow cargo
saf ely.
The glove box, and the pockets in
the doors and seat-backs, are
designed f or small, lightweight items.
The cargo area is intended f or larger,
heavier items. In addition, the back
seats can be folded or removed to
allow you to carry more cargo or
longer items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving167
CARGO AREA SIDE POCKETGLOVE BOX
CARGO AREA DOOR POCKETS
SEAT-BACK POCKET (EX) CEILING POCKET (EX)

·µ If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
675 lbs (308 kg).
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if there will be f our 150
lbs (70 kg) occupants in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 75 lbs (34
kg).
4 150 lbs (70 kg) = 600 lbs (280
kg)
675 lbs (308 kg) 600 lbs (280 kg) =
75 lbs (34 kg)
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(Four is the seating capacity of
your vehicle.) Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 675 lbs
(308 kg)’’ on your vehicle’s placard
(on the driver’s doorjamb).
The maximum load limit f or your
vehicle is 675 lbs (308 kg). This
f igure includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, accessories, and
the tongue weight if you are towing a
trailer.
Following are the steps f or
determining the correct cargo and
luggage load limit.
Determine the combined weight
of accessories, luggage, and cargo
beingloadedinthevehicle.The
weight may not saf ely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4 [75
lbs(34kg)inthisexample].
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
6.
Load Limit
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving168
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

If you can carry any items on a
roof rack, be sure the total weight
of the rack and the items does not
exceed the maximum allowable
weight. Please contact your Honda
dealer f or f urther inf ormation.
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack.
Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as f ar f orward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate or the hatch, exhaust gas
can enter the passenger area. To
avoid the possibility of
, f ollow the
instructions on page .
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals, or with the proper
operation of the seats.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
60
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
carbon
monoxide poisoning
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
169

To secure cargo, use the f our cargo
hooks in the cargo area f loor. There
is another hook on each side wall
near the hatch. Make sure all stored
items are secured bef ore driving.
Carrying Cargo
Cargo Hooks
Bef ore Driving170
HOOKS

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes
important inf ormation on parking
your vehicle, the braking system,
and f acts you need if you are plan-
ning to tow a trailer or drive off-
highway.........................
Driving Guidelines .172
........................
Preparing to Drive .173
.......................
Starting the Engine .174
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude .175
....
5-speed Manual Transmission . 176
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 177
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 177
..............
Automatic Transmission . 178
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 178
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 179
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 182
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 183
...........................................
Parking .184
.....................
The Braking System .185
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 185
...............
Brake System Design . 186
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .186
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .187
........................
ABS Indicator .188
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 189
...........................
Towing a Trailer .191
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a ................................
Motorhome .198 ..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 200
.................
General Inf ormation . 200
Important Saf ety ............................
Precautions .201
...............................
Driving Tips .202
Driving
Driving171

Theseadvantagescomeatsomecost.
Because your vehicle is taller and
rides higher of f the ground, it has a
high center of gravity. This means
that your vehicle can tip or roll over
if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
rollover rate than other types of
vehicles.Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof .
To prevent the risk of rollover or
loss of control: Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Your Element has higher ground
clearance than a passenger vehicle
designed only f or use on pavement.
Higher ground clearance has many
advantages for off-highway driving.
It allows you to travel over bumps
and unpaved roads. It also provides
good visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Your Element is equipped with a
unique f our-wheel drive (4WD)
system. Normally, power is delivered
only to the front wheels. When the
system senses a loss of f ront-wheel
traction, it automatically transfers
some power to the rear wheels. This
gives you better traction and
mobility.
While this system can provide
increasedtractiononslippery
surf aces, you still need to exercise
thesamecarewhenaccelerating,
steering, and braking that you would
in a two-wheel drive vehicle.
See page f or additional guidelines
f or driving of f -highway.
Four-wheel Drive Models
200
Driving Guidelines
Driving172

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely. Make sure the doors, the hatch,
and the tailgate are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Check that the hood, tailgate, and
hatch are f ully closed.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
17 65
92
106 82 174
Driving
Preparing to Drive
173

If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting in order to clear f looding.
As bef ore, keep the ignition key in
the START (III) position f or no
more than 15 seconds. Return to
step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lif t your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.
If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) f or
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause f or at least 10 seconds
bef ore trying again.
Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal. Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not
f unction unless the clutch pedal is
pressed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.6.
Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission:
Driving
Starting the Engine
174

An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air f ound at
high altitude above 8,000 f eet
(2,400 meters) adds to the problem.
Use the f ollowing procedure:Turn of f all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery.
Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the f loor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) f or more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out. If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
3.
2. 1. Starting in Cold Weather at High
A ltitude (A bove 8,000 f eet/
2,400 meters)
Starting the Engine
Driving175

The manual transmission is syn-
chronizedinallforwardgearsfor
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shif ting up or
down,makesureyoupushtheclutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shif ting,
do not rest your f oot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster.Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
Reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into Reverse, or shif t into
one of the f orward gears f or a
moment. This stops the gears so
they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer’s red zone in the
lower gear.
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving176
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.