ignition HONDA ELEMENT 2003 1.G User Guide

µBetween 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
and 10,000 miles (16,000 km), this
indicator will light f or two seconds
when you f irst turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), and then flash for
ten seconds.
If you exceed 10,000 miles (16,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
This light comes on if any door is not
closed tightly.
For the f irst 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
af ter the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
two seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
This light comes on if the tailgate or
the hatch is not closed tightly.
212 216
Indicator L ights
Maintenance Required
Indicator
Door-open Indicator Tailgate and Hatch Open
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols70

Your dealer will reset this indicator
af ter completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
done by someone other than your
Honda dealer, reset the indicator as
f ollows.Turn of f the engine.
Press and hold the select/reset
button in the instrument panel,
then turn the ignition switch ON
(II).
Hold the button until the indicator
resets (approximately ten
seconds).
1.
2.
3.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols71

CONT INUED
The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your vehicle has been driven.
It measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
The trip meter 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
and the odometer by pressing the
Select/Reset button repeatedly.
Each trip meter works independently,
so you can keep track of two
dif f erent distances.To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the vehicle
is on level ground. It may show
slightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads.
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Gauges
Odometer/T rip Meter
Fuel Gauge
73
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Canadian models only
With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
of f , even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.Signal a turn or lane change with this
lever. Push down on the lever to
signal a lef t turn, and up to signal a
right turn. If you push it up or down
all the way, the turn signal continues
to blink even when you release the
lever. It shuts off automatically as
you complete the turn.
Push the knob in the speedometer
repeatedly to adjust the brightness
of the instrument panel lights. There
are six brightness levels. A segment
display shows the current brightness
level.
CONT INUED
Instrument Panel Brightness
Daytime Running L ights T urn Signals
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols77
TURN SIGNAL LEVER

Therotatingswitchontheright
lever controls the rear window wiper
and washer.Therearwindowwasherusesthe
same f luid reservoir as the wind-
shield washer.
To activate the rear windshield wiper,
rotate the switch to ‘‘ON’’. The wiper
operates every seven seconds after
completing two sweeps. When you
turn the wiper switch to the ‘‘OFF’’
position or turn of f the ignition
switch, the wiper will return to its
parked position.
To use the wiper and washer, rotate
and hold the switch one position up
f rom ‘‘ON’’. The wiper opreates
while you are holding the switch,
then completes two more sweeps
after you release it. To use the
washer only, rotate and hold the
switch one position down f rom
‘‘OFF’’.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
Inst rument s and Cont rols80

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

µAs required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
The ignition switch is on the right
side of the steering column. It has
f our positions:
LOCK(0)
 ACCESSORY (I)
 ON (II)
 START (III) You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To switch f rom ACCESSORY to
LOCK, you must push the key in
slightly as you turn it. If your vehicle
has an automatic transmission, the
shif t lever must also be in Park. The
anti-thef t lock will lock the steering
column when you remove the key.
CONT INUED
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Keys and Locks
Ignition Switch L OCK (0)
85

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.

The f ront doors can be locked and
unlocked f rom the outside with the
key.
The master door lock switch on the
driver’s door locks and unlocks all of
the doors and the hatch. Push the
switch down to lock all of the doors
and the hatch, and up to unlock them. To lock the f ront passenger’s door
when getting out the vehicle, push
the lock tab down and close the door.
To lock the driver’s door, remove the
key f rom the ignition switch, pull the
outside door handle and push the
locktabdownorpushthemaster
switch down. Release the handle,
then close the door.
Each f ront door has a lock tab at the
top of the door. When you push
down the lock tab on the driver’s
door, all doors and the hatch lock.
Pulling up the lock tab on the driver’s
door unlocks only that door. The
locktabonthefrontpassenger’s
door only locks and unlocks that
door.
CONT INUED
Power Door L ocks
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols87
MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH