HONDA ELEMENT 2003 1.G Owners Manual

Check the f ollowing:
If you f ind any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed.Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light f unction
License plate lights
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian models)
307
Lights
Maint enance257
BRAKE/TAILLIGHTSTURN SIGNAL LIGHT
LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS
BACK-UP LIGHT HIGH-MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustment of the headlights should
be perf ormed by a Honda technician
or other qualif ied mechanic.Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Open the hood.
If you need to change the
headlight bulb on the driver’s side,
remove the f ront end of the air
intake duct by pulling it out.
1.
Lights
Maint enance
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
258
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb.Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘TOP.’’
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Install the f ront end of the air
intake duct.
Open the hood. The f ront
parking/turn signal light is next to
the headlight bulb. On the driver’s
side, remove the f ront end of the
air intake duct by pulling it out.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
2.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front Parking/Turn
Signal Light Bulb
259

Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.Place a cloth between the trim of
the lens and the body, at the top of
the lens. Remove the front side
marker light assembly by caref ully
prying on the trim of the lens with
a small f lat-tipped screwdriver.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Install the f ront end of the air
intake duct. (Driver’s side)
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
1.
3.
4.
5.
2.
3.
6.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front Side Marker
Light Bulb
260

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

Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is
working.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
When reinstalling the taillight
assembly, f irst place the two pins
in the holes in place. Tighten the
two mounting bolts.
Place a cloth and insert a small
f lat-tipped screwdriver between
the left edge of the lens and the
housing. The lens will come down.Put the lens back into the light
assembly, right side f irst. Push on
the lef t edge until it snaps into
place.
1.
2.
6.
7.
3.
4.
5.
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
Lights
Maint enance262

Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Put the socket back into the light
assembly and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Put the cover back onto the light
assembly. Push it on until it locks
in place.
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise. Open the hatch. Remove the light
assembly cover by pushing in on
the tabs on both sides and pulling
the cover down.
1.
2. 3.4.
5.
6.
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Maint enance
Lights
263

Removethelensbycarefully
prying on the edge of the lens with
a f ingernail f ile or a small f lat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the
lens.
Although the ceiling light, cargo area
light, and spotlights come apart the
same way, they do not use the same
type of bulbs.
Ceiling light:Pry on the rear edge of the lens
near both sides.
Spotlights: Pry on the rear edge of the lens in
the middle.
Cargo area light: Pryonthefrontedgeof thelens
near both sides.
1.
Replacing Interior L ight Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance264
CEILING LIGHT
SPOTLIGHTS

Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
3. 2.
Lights
Maint enance265
CARGO AREA LIGHT

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