tires HONDA ELEMENT 2003 1.G Owner's Guide

µWarning: The temperature grade f or
this tire is established f or a tire that
is properly inf lated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinf la-
tion, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire
f ailure.
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire f ailure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
perf ormance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Saf ety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of perf ormance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Temperature A,B,C
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
T echnical Inf ormation309

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Whenever tires are replaced, they
should be replaced with tires of the
same size. Following is an example
tire size with an explanation of what
each component means. Vehicletype(Pindicates
passenger vehicle).
Tire width in millimeters.
Aspect ratio (the tire’s section
height as a percentage of its
width).
Tire construction code (R
indicates radial). Load index (a numerical code
associated with the maximum
load the tire can carry). Rim diameter in inches.
Speed symbol (an
alphabetical code indicating
the maximum speed rating).
Tire Identif ication Number (TIN) is
a group of numbers and letters that
look like the f ollowing example TIN.
This indicates that the tire
meets all requirements of
the U.S. Department of
Transportation.Manuf acturer’s
identification mark.
Tire type code. Date of manuf acture.
The tires that came on your vehicle
have a number of markings. Those
you should be aware of are described
below.
P
R 16
DOT
B97R
FW6X2202
215
70 99
S
T echnical Inf ormation
Tire Inf ormation
Tire Labeling
Tire Size
T ire Ident if icat ion Number
310
P215/70R16 99SDOT B97R FW6X 2202

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µ a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
coveredfortheusefullifeof the
vehicle.
provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle.
covers your new vehicle, except f or
the battery, emissions control
systems and accessories, against
def ects in materials and
workmanship. Your new Honda is covered by these
warranties:
provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom a Honda dealer.
this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery. these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s emis-
sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
inf ormation.
covers all genuine
Honda replacement parts against
defects in materials and workman-
ship. genuine Honda Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other f actors.
Please read your warranty manual
f or details. all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2003 Honda Warranty Inf ormation
booklet that came with your vehicle
f or precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your Honda’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty
inf ormation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2003 Warranty
Manual that came with your vehicle.Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Replacement Muf f ler L if et imeLimited Warranty
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant y Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit ed Warranty
Emissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect s
Warrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty
Accessory Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant yU.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Warranty Coverages
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions321

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .66, 291
............................
Jump Starting .285
..............................
Maintenance .240
............................
Specif ications .307
..............................
Bef ore Driving .157
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,50
.........................
Beverage Holders .110
.................................
Body Repairs .274 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 186
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 158
....................
Bulb Replacement .261
...........................................
Fluid .234
.......................................
Parking .111
.................
System Indicator . 66,294
........................
Wear Indicators .185
.............................
Braking System .185
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 158
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 77
........................
Brights, Headlights .76
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .261
..............................
Brake Lights .261
......................
Cargo Area Light .265
..............................
Ceiling Light .264
................
Front Parking Lights . 259
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 260
.................................
Headlights .258
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 263
...........................
Interior Lights .264
.................
License Plate Lights . 262
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 165
................................
Accessories .165
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 166
............................
Modif ications .166
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .86
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 113
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 222
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 54
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .236
..............
Air Conditioning System . 118
..............................
Maintenance .245
.........................................
Usage .118
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .120
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .249
.........................
Normal Driving .250
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .311
......................................
Antif reeze .225
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .68, 188
...................................
Operation .186
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 152
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .85 ..........................
Appearance Care .267
...................
Armrest, Driver’s Seat . 93
................................
Audio System .126
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 52
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 153
..............
Automatic Transmission . 178
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .306
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 231
.......................................
Shif ting .179
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 178
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 179
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 183
Index
A
B
I

Î
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor....................................
Recovery .313
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 312
............................
Outside Mirrors .106
.......................................
Overdrive .181
....................
Overheating, Engine .288
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 219
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .311
..............................
Paint Touch-up .270
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 77
........................
Park Gear Position .179
...........................................
Parking .184
...............................
Parking Brake .111
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 66,294
.................................
Parking Lights .76
Parking Over Things that ....................................
Burn .184, 314
.............................
PGM-FI System .314
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 269
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 21
............................
Protecting Adults .13 ...
Additional Safety Precautions . 22
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 21
........................
Protecting Children .24
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .34
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 42
.........
Protecting Small Children . 38
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .46
.............................
Using LATCH .47
...................
Radiator Overheating . 288
.....
Radio/CD Sound System . 126,137
...........................
Readiness Codes .293
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 233
.......................................
Rear Doors .88
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 261
............................
Rear Seat Access .95
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .99
..........................
Rear View Mirror .106
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 81
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 80
...............
Reclining the Seat-Backs . 92
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 177
.............................
Reminder Lights .65 ............
Removing the Rear Seats . 101
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 236
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 246
..........................
Engine Coolant .227
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 223
..........................................
Fuses .296
................................
Light Bulbs .258
....................................
Schedule .210
................................
Spark Plugs .238
...........................................
Tires .253
.............................
Wiper Blades .242
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .53
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant .163, 225
...............................
Restraint, Child .24
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 180
...........................
Reverse Lockout .183
................................
Rotation, Tire .252
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 50
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 322
...........
Saf ety Checklist, Pre-Drive . 12
Index
R
P
S
VI

ÎCONT INUED
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .11
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .11
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 61
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 50
...............
Additional Information . 50
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 21
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .52
.....................................
Cleaning .271
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17,50
................................
Maintenance .53
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .50, 67
................................
Replacement .53
...................
System Components . 50
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 21
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .92
...............................
Serial Number .304
...........................
Service Intervals .212
...........................
Service Manual .323 .........
Service Station Procedures . 159
..................
Setting the Clock . 130,142
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 178
........................
Shif t Lock Release .183
..............................
Side Airbags .10, 56
....................
Cutof f Indicator .58, 67
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .260
...............................
Signaling Turns .77
..........................................
Skylight .107
..............
Removing and Storing . 108
.....................................
Snow Tires .254
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 268
........................
Sound System .126, 137
......................................
Spare Tire .276
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 238
....................
Specif ications Charts . 306
................................
Speed Control .153
...................................
Speedometer .72
.......................................
Spotlights .114
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 54
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 59
.............................
Airbag Service .59
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ...........
Indicator Light Works . 58
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 57How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .54
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 56
........................
SRS Components .54
.............................
SRS Indicator .57 ,67
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 86
..............
State Emissions Testing . 316
.......................
Starting the Engine .174
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .175
................
With a Dead Battery . 285
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 288
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .82
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 85
...........
Stereo Sound System . 126,137
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .266
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .10, 54
......................................
Servicing .59
.........................
SRS Indicator .57 ,67
...................
System Components . 54
..................................
Synthetic Oil .222
Index
VII

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

Î
Washers, Windshield........
Checking the Fluid Level . 228
.....................................
Operation .79
.........................................
Washing .268
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 269
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 82
............
Alignment and Balance . 251
......................................
Wrench .279
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .272
................
Operating the Power . 103
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .81
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .78
...................................
Def roster .124
.....................................
Washers .230
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .242
.....................................
Operation .78
....................................
Worn Tires .251
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 301
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
IX