tailgate HONDA ELEMENT 2003 1.G User Guide

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

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

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

Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the light assembly back into
the body, bottom first. Push on the
top edge until it snaps into place.Open the hatch and the tailgate.
Remove the two mounting screws
with a Phillips-head screwdriver,
and remove the taillight assembly
f rom the body by pulling it back.
Determine which of the three
bulbs is burned out: brake/
taillight, turn signal light or back-
up light.Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Put the socket back into the light
assembly and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
1.
4.
5.
2.3.
4.
6.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Rear Bulbs
261

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Nonporous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry. To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals. Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield. Disconnect the battery.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic). If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your Honda
dealer perf orm the inspections called
f or in the 24 months maintenance
schedule (Normal Conditions) as
soon as you take it out of storage
(see page ). The replacements
called f or in the maintenance
schedule are not needed unless the
vehicle has actually reached that
time or mileage.
223
212
St oring Your Vehicle
Maint enance266

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground, away f rom
traffic. Put the transmission in
Park (automatic) or Reverse
(manual). Apply the parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire. If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer.Open the hatch and the tailgate.
The spare tire, jack, and tools are
under the cargo area f loor.
1.
2. 3.
4.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed277
JACK SPARE TIRETOOLS
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

CONT INUED
...............................
Interior Lights .114
........................................
Introduction .i
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 279
.......................................
Jack, Tire .277
................................
Jump Starting .285
..................................................
Keys .83
..................................
Maintenance .207
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 219
.................................
Record .217-218
......................
Required Indicator .70
..........................................
Saf ety .208
.............................
Schedule .212-216
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 66,292
...................
Manual Transmission . 176
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 232
.........................
Meters, Gauges .65, 72
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 310........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .106
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 180
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 158
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .177
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 304
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 158
.........................................
Odometer .73
...............................
Odometer, Trip .73
..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 200
Oil ........................
Change, How to .223
......................
Change, When to .212
......................
Checking Engine .162
..............
Pressure Indicator . 66,290
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .222
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 86
.......................
Label, Certif ication .304
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 77
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 17,50
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 47
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .258
.......................................
Indicator .65
.........................................
Parking .76
..................................
Turn Signal .77
.....................................
Load Limit .168
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 85Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 85
............................
Fuel Fill Door .159
....................................
Glove Box .91
.................................
Power Door .87
........................................
Tailgate .90
........................
Low Coolant Level .163
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .69
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 66,290
................................
Lower Anchors .47
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 306
.........................................
Luggage .167
Index
LM K J N
O
V

Î
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 168
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .306
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 304
.............................
Vehicle Storage .266
.....................................
Ventilation .121
.................................................
VIN .304
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .271
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .222
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .273
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .275
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 308
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .158
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .271
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 224
.....................................
Tachometer .72
Tailgate ............................
Open Indicator .70
.................................
Opening the .90
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 261
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 275
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 308
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 313
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .311
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .315
.......................
Temperature Gauge .74
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 46
............................
Thef t Protection .152
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 315
..................
Time, Setting the . 130,142
....................................
Tire Chains .255
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 277
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .310
...............................................
Tires .249
..............................
Air Pressure .249
.........................
Checking Wear .251
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 308......................................
Inf lation .249
..................................
Inspection .251
..............................
Maintenance .251
...................................
Replacing .253
......................................
Rotating .252
...........................................
Snow .254
............................
Specif ications .307
................................
Tire Chains .255
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 277
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .191
...............
Behind a Motorhome . 198
................................
Emergency .301
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .231
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .232
..................
Fluid Selection . 231,232
..............
Identif ication Number . 304
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 178
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 176
.....................................
Treadwear .308
.......................................
Trip Meter .73
....................................
Turn Signals .77 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 61
..................
Warranty Coverages .321
Index
T U
V
W
VIII