tailgate HONDA ELEMENT 2005 1.G User Guide

In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all passengers, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.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 .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg). Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. 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.
Theseparationnetcanbeusedto
hold back sof t, lightweight items
stored in the cargo area. Heavy
items should be properly secured on
the f loor of the cargo area. The net
may not prevent heavy items f rom
being thrown f orward in a crash or a
sudden stop.
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop. 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 the seat. 47
Carrying Cargo
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
carbon
monoxide poisoning
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
Optional Separation Net
132

Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).Make sure the doors, hatch, and
tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
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.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
73
82 15
53
64
Preparing to Drive
Driving
137

Put the socket back into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
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.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.
Determine which of the three
bulbs is burned out: brake/
taillight, turn signal light or back-
up light.
1.
4.
5.
2.3.
4.
6.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
182

Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.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.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
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. Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
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.If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles twice).
Pref erably, do this once a month.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles
(48,000 km) 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.
165
Vehicle Storage
194

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the hatch and the tailgate.
The spare tire, jack, and tools are
under the cargo area f loor.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
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.
1.
2.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
197
TOOLS
SPARE TIRE
JACK
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
....................................
Glove Box .87
.................................
Power Door .70
........................................
Tailgate .72
........................
Low Coolant Level .126
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .56
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 54,209
................................
Lower Anchors .39
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 139
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 222
.........................................
Luggage .130
..................................
Maintenance .161
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 164
.................................
Record .167-168
......................
Required Indicator .57
..........................................
Saf ety .162
.............................
Schedule .165-166
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 54,210
...................
Manual Transmission . 139
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 176
................................
Shif ting the .139
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 176
.........................
Meters, Gauges .53, 58
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .82 ...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 129
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 142
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 122
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .140
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 220
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 122
.........................................
Odometer .58
...............................
Odometer, Trip .58
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 157
Oil ........................
Change, How to .171
......................
Change, When to .165
......................
Checking Engine .126
..............
Pressure Indicator . 54,209
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .170
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .227 ..............................
Outside Mirrors .82
.......................................
Overdrive .143
....................
Overheating, Engine .207
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 164
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 63
........................
Park Gear Position .141
...........................................
Parking .145
.................................
Parking Brake .83
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 54,211
.................................
Parking Lights .62
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 145
................................
Playing a Disc .106
............
Playing the AM/FM Radio . 94
Playing the XM Satellite ..........................................
Radio .100
.............................
PGM-FI System .228
.................
Power Socket Locations . 87
..............................
Power Windows .81
..........................
Power Door Locks .70
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
TM
Index
M N
O
P
INDEX
V

Î
CONT INUED
.....................................
Snow Tires .191
..................................
Sound System .94
......................................
Spare Tire .196
......................................
Inf lating .196
............................
Specif ications .223
....................
Specif ications Charts . 222
................................
Speed Control .119
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 23
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 29
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ......................
Indicator Works .28
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 27
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 26
........................
SRS Components .23
.............................
SRS Indicator .27 ,55
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 69
..............
State Emissions Testing . 230
.......................
Starting the Engine .138
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .138
................
With a Dead Battery . 205
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 207Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment .64
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 69
.....................
Stereo Sound System .94
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .194
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .11, 23
......................................
Servicing .28
.........................
SRS Indicator .27 ,55
...................
System Components . 23
..................................
Synthetic Oil .171
Tailgate ............................
Open Indicator .57
.................................
Opening the .72
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 182
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 195
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 224
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 227
..........
State Emissions Testing . 230
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .229
.................................
Tire Labeling .226 .......................
Temperature Gauge .59
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
............................
Thef t Protection .116
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 229
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 64
..........................
Time, Setting the .117
....................................
Tire Chains .192
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 197
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .224
...............................................
Tires .187
..............................
Air Pressure .188
.........................
Checking Wear .189
..........................
Compact Spare .196
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 224
......................................
Inf lation .187
..................................
Inspection .189
..............................
Maintenance .189
...................................
Replacing .190
......................................
Rotating .190
...........................................
Snow .191
............................
Specif ications .223
................................
Tire Chains .192
Index
T
INDEX
VII