tire type HONDA ELEMENT 2003 1.G Owners Manual

You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed the greater the
risk, but serious accidents can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. (See page
.)
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance. (See page .)
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inf late only in a
moderate to severe f rontal collision.
So even though your vehicle is
equipped with airbags, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear your seat belts, and wear them
properly. (See page .)
Children are saf est when they are
properly restrained in the back seat,
notthefrontseat.Achildwhoistoo
smallforaseatbeltmustbeproperly
restrained in a child saf ety seat. (See
page .) Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either.
17
24 10
210
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat BeltBe Aware of Airbag Hazards Control Your Speed
K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition
Restrain All Children Don’t Drink and Drive
6

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas so you can stow cargo
saf ely.
The glove box, and the pockets in
the doors and seat-backs, are
designed f or small, lightweight items.
The cargo area is intended f or larger,
heavier items. In addition, the back
seats can be folded or removed to
allow you to carry more cargo or
longer items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving167
CARGO AREA SIDE POCKETGLOVE BOX
CARGO AREA DOOR POCKETS
SEAT-BACK POCKET (EX) CEILING POCKET (EX)

To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated. The
f ollowing pages give more detailed
informationonhowandwhento
check air pressure, how to inspect
your tires f or damage and wear, and
what to do when your tires need to
be replaced.Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort. Underinf lated tires wear
unevenly, adversely af f ect handling
and f uel economy, and are more
likely to f ail f rom being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,aremore
prone to damage from road hazards,
and wear unevenly.
We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are in good condition may
lose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1
to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per month.
Remember to check the spare tire at
thesametimeyoucheckallthe
other tires.
Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the vehicle
has been parked f or at least three
hours. If you have to drive the
vehicle bef ore checking the tire
pressure, the tires can still be
considered ‘‘cold’’ if you drive less
than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Add or release air, if needed, to
match the recommended cold tire
pressures on page .
250
Inf lation
Tires
Maint enance249
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.

It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, then replace the two
f ront tires or the two rear tires as a
pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s han-
dling.
The tires that came with your
vehicle were selected to match the
perf ormance capabilities of the
vehicle while providing the best
combination of handling, ride
comfort,andlonglife.Youshould
replace them with radial tires of the
same size, load range, speed rating,
and maximum cold tire pressure
rating (as shown on the tire’s
sidewall). Mixing radial and bias-ply
tires on your vehicle can reduce its
braking ability, traction, and steering
accuracy.
TheABSworksbycomparingthe
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the vehicle. Tire size
and construction can affect wheel
speed and may cause the system to
work inconsistently.
If you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheel
that came on your vehicle. Re-
placement wheels are available at
your Honda dealer.
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
Maint enance253
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.

Because your Honda has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices on the
front tires. Use traction devices only
when required by driving conditions
or local laws. Make sure they are the
correct size f or your tires.
Metal link-type ‘‘chains’’ should not
be used. No matter how tight they
seem to be installed, they can come
into contact with the body and
suspension, causing serious damage.When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with them installed. If
youhearthemcomingincontact
with the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Make sure the cables are
installed tightly, and that they are
not contacting the brake lines or
suspension. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
T ire Chains
Tires
Maint enance255
Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.

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If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or,
if youbelongtoone,anorganization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. Any other
method of towing will damage the
drive system. When you contact the
towing agency, inf orm them that a
f lat-bed is required. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
cables lif t that end of the vehicle of f
the ground. Your vehicle’s
suspension and body can be
seriously damaged. 198Wheel L if t Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment
Sling-t ype Equipment
Never tow your vehicle with
wheel lif t equipment.
T his is the only way to
transport your vehicle. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
T his method of
towing your Element is
unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed301
Towing a 4WD Element with only two
tires on the ground will damage parts
of the 4WD system. It should be
transported on a f lat-bed truck or
trailer.

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation307
Air Conditioning
Tires Alignment Fuses
Battery Lights HFC-134a (R-134a)
16.9 18.7 oz (480 530 g) SP-10
12 V 60/55 W (H4/HB2)
12 V 12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
8W
4CP
8W
5W
18 W (21 CP)
21/5 W
21 W
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type
P215/70R16 99S
Size
Pressure Toe-in
Camber
Caster 1°50’1°
0°13’
0.08 in (2.0 mm) 0.0in(0mm)
Interior
Under-hood
12 V 21/5 W
12 V 3 CP
12 V 21 W
Capacity See page
299or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door under the steering
column.
See page 300or the fuse box
cover.
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
34 psi (235 kPa , 2.4 kgf/cm)
Headlights
Front turn signal/parking
lights
Front side marker lights
Rear turn signal lights
Brake/Taillights
Back-up lights
License plate lights
Ceiling light
Spotlights
Cargo area light
High-mount brake light
45 AH/20 HR
12 V Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
Front/Rear
Front
Rear

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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

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