light HONDA ELEMENT 2003 1.G User Guide

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .64
...............................
Indicator Lights .65
.............................................
Gauges .72
...............................
Speedometer .72 .................................
Tachometer .72
..............
Odometer/Trip Meter . 73
..................................
Fuel Gauge .73
...................
Temperature Gauge . 74
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .75
...................................
Headlights .76
............
Daytime Running Lights . 77
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 77
................................
Turn Signals .77
.....................
Windshield Wipers .78
..................
Windshield Washers . 79
Rear Window Wiper and .....................................
Washer .80
..........................
Hazard Warning .81
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 81
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 82
...............................
Keys and Locks .83
..............................................
Keys .83
....................
Immobilizer System . 84
............................
Ignition Switch .85
......................
Power Door Locks .87
..................................
Rear Doors .88
............................................
Hatch .89
........................................
Tailgate .90
....................................
Glove Box .91 .................................................
Seats .92
.............
Front Seat Adjustments . 92
Driver’s Seat Height ..............................
Adjustment .93
................
Driver’s Seat Armrest . 93
..........................
Head Restraints .94
........................
Rear Seat Access .95
.......
Rear Seat-back Adjustment . 96
..........
Reclining the Front Seats . 97
...............
Folding the Rear Seats . 99
........
Removing the Rear Seats . 101
............................
Power Windows .103
...............................
Rear Windows .105
...........................................
Mirrors .106
..
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 106
..........................................
Skylight .107
.........................
Beverage Holders .110
...............................
Parking Brake .111
...............................
Ceiling Pocket .112
.......................................
Coin Tray .112
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 113
...............................
Interior Lights .114
..............................
Ceiling Light .114
...................................
Spotlights .114
......................
Cargo Area Light .115
................
Ignition Switch Light . 115
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols63

Î
Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols65
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.68)
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR
(P.70) (P.67)
DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR
(P.70)
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR (P. 69) SIDE AIRBAG CUTOFF
INDICATOR
(P.67)
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.66,
290)
(P.66, 291) (P.69) LOW FUEL INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT
(P.67)TAILGATE AND HATCH
OPEN INDICATOR
(P.70)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.69)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.68)
(P.66,
292)
(P.66, 294)

See page .
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.
This light has two f unctions:
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
2. 1.
292
290
291 294
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
66
U.S. Canada

This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For complete inf ormation, see page.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags or automatic seat
belt tensioners. On models equipped
with side airbags, this light will also
alert you to a potential problem with
your side airbags or passenger’s side
airbag automatic cutoff system. For
complete inf ormation, see page .
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.
58
57
Only on models equipped with side airbags
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator Side A irbag Cutof f
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
67

This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signaling.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the vehicle should f lash.
This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked. With the light on, your
vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
188 84
259
Only on models equipped with ABS (see
page ) 186
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Turn Signal and Hazard Warning
Indicators
Anti-lock Brake
System (A BS)
Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols68

Canadian models onlyCanadian models only
On EX model
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch of f and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights. This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page for
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.This light comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
f luid when you see this light come on
(see page ).
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page f or inf ormation
on operating the cruise control. 77
76
153 230
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator Low Fuel IndicatorWasher Level Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols69

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

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.

Î
Î
Thetwoleversonthesteering
column contain controls f or driving
f eatures you use most of ten. The lef t
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
The hazard warning lights switch is
on the dashboard beside the shif t
lever.
The control under the lef t air vent is
f or the cruise control.
The tilt adjustment lever on the
underside of the steering column
allows you to tilt the steering wheel.
:
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols75
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/
WASHERS
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
(P.76,
77)
(P.78,79) SHIFT LEVER (A/T)
HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
A/T model is shown. CRUISE CONTROL (P.179)
(P.81)
(P.153)
HORN
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
(P.81)
TILT ADJUSTMENT
(P.82)

To f lash the high beams, pull the
turn signal lever back lightly, then
release it. The high beams will come
on and go of f . The high beams will
stay on f or as long as you hold the
lever back, no matter what position
the headlight switch is in.
The rotating switch on the lef t lever
controls the lights. Turning this
switch to the ‘‘ ’’ position turns
on the parking lights, taillights,
instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate light.
Turning the switch to the ‘‘ ’’
position turns on the headlights. If you leave the lights on, you will
hear a reminder tone when you open
the driver’s door.
To change f rom low beams to high
beams, push the turn signal lever
f orward until you hear a click. The
blue high beam indicator will light
(see page ). To return to low
beams, pull the turn signal lever
back.
69
Headlights
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols76