engine HONDA ELEMENT 2003 1.G User Guide

These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart. Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth. Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Your vehicle comes with two master
keys and a valet key. When replacing keys, use only
Honda-approved key blanks. 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 f acility.
Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your set of keys.
You will need this number if you
ever have to get a lost key replaced.
Keep the tag stored in a saf e place.
When replacing keys, use only
Honda-approved key blanks.
The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle:
 Ignition
 Doors
GloveBox
Hatch Keys
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols83
KEY
NUMBER
TAG MASTER
KEYS
(Black)
VALET
KEY
(Gray)

The Immobilizer System protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. A properly-
coded master or valet key must be
used in the ignition switch f or the
engine to start. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used,
the engine’s f uel system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on f or a f ew
seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object is near the
ignition switch when you insert the
key. To make sure the system
recognizes the key code:
Do not keep other immobilizer
keys on the same key ring.
Use a plastic or leather key f ob,
not metal.
Keep other keys away f rom your
vehicle’s key and the ignition
switch while trying to start the
engine.
If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your Honda dealer. The Immobilizer System indicator
will also blink several times when
you turn the ignition switch f rom ON
(II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0).
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undriveable.
If you have lost your key and you
cannot start the engine, contact your
Honda dealer.
Immobilizer System
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Keys and Locks
84

µ
µ
µ Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper. The engine will not start if the
Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key’s coding (see page ).
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may sometimes make
it difficult to turn the key from
LOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turn
the steering wheel to the lef t or to
the right as you turn the key.
In this position,
you can operate the audio system
and the accessory power sockets.
This is the normal key
position when driving. All f eatures
and accessories on the vehicle are
usable. Several of the lights on the
instrument panel come on as a test
when you turn the ignition switch
f rom ACCESSORY to ON. 84
ST A RT (III)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols86
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.

If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, or the
driver’s window f use is removed, the
AUTO f unction will be disabled. The
power window system needs to be
reset af ter reconnecting the battery
or installing the f use. You should do
the f ollowing.Start the engine. Push down on
the driver’s window switch until
the window is f ully open.
Pull back on the driver’s window
switch to close the window
completely, then hold the switch
f or a second or two more.
If the power windows do not operate
properly af ter resetting, have your
vehicle checked by a Honda dealer.
Auto reverse stops sensing when the
window is almost closed. You should
always check that all passengers and
objects are away from the window
bef ore closing it. If the driver’s window runs into any
obstacle while it is closing
automatically, it will reverse
direction, and then stop. To close the
window, remove the obstacle, then
use the window switch again.
To open a rear window, pull the lever
towards you, then push it out until it
locks. To close the rear window pull
the lever towards you, then push it
back. Make sure the window is f ully
closed and locked.
1.
2.
Auto Reverse
Rear Windows
Power Windows, Rear Windows
Inst rument s and Cont rols105

To remove the skylight:
Turn of f the engine, and set the
parkingbrake.Thenpulldownthe
lever, squeeze both sides of the pivot
while pushing up the red tab in the
lever, and pull the lever assembly
away from the ceiling.Push up the rear of the skylight.
Standing on the tailgate with the
hatch down, hold both sides of the
skylight and pull it toward you to
remove it f rom the vehicle roof .
With the rear seats in their upright
position, store the skylight, f ace
down in its bag in the cargo area.
Secure the bag with four hooks on
the cargo area f loor. Do not store
anything on top of the skylight.
Removing and Storing the
Skylight
Skylight
Inst rument s and Cont rols108
The maximum weight on the tailgate is
440 lbs (200 kg).

CONT INUED
Turn the temperature control dial
all the way to the lef t.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or
dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the condition
clears. This section covers how to set up the
system controls f or ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidif ying, and
def rosting.
The engine must be running f or the
heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.
If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes bef ore you f eel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on
engine temperature.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the tailgate.1.
2.
3.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Vent ilat ion
How to Use the System
121
FAN CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL MODE CONTROL
DIAL
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON

CONT INUED
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page) when driving in stop-and-go
traf f ic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red zone, turn
of f the A/C until the gauge reads
normally. To warm the interior:
Start the engine.
Select .
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial. Air conditioning, as it cools, removes
moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Turn on the air conditioning.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the mixture of heated and
cooled air f eels comf ortable.
This setting is suitable f or all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
74
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
T o Heat T o Heat and Dehumidif y wit h A ir
Condit ioning
123

To remove f og f rom the inside of the
windows:To remove exterior f rost or ice f rom
the windshield and side windows
after the vehicle has been sitting out
in cold weather:
Start the engine.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches
to Fresh Air mode and turns on
the A/C.
Set the f an and temperature
controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior f rost or
ice f rom the windshield (on very cold
days), f irst select the Recirculation
mode. Once the windshield is clear,
select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
f ogging the windows. These settings direct all the air f low
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
defroster vents. The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up.
For saf ety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving away.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C (the indicator in the A/C
button does not come on).
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the air flow from the
def roster vents f eels warm.
Turn on the rear window def ogger
to help clear the rear window.
When you switch to another mode
f rom , the A/C stays on.
Press the A/C button to turn it of f . 1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
T o Def og and Def rost
124

Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .158
.........................................
Gasoline .158
.........
Service Station Procedures . 159
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 159
....................
Opening the Hood .160
...............................
Oil Check .162
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 163
...............................
Fuel Economy .164
.....................
Vehicle Condition .164
...........................
Driving Habits .164
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 165
.............................
Carrying Cargo .167
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving157

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule. Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period
Gasoline
158