HONDA ELEMENT 2005 1.G Owners Manual

Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low. Serious engine damage is
possible and you should take
immediate action.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
).
1.
2.
4. 3.
126
170
217
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
209
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. Tighten the cap until it
clicks at least three times.
Tightening the cap will not turn the
indicator of f immediately; it takes at
least three days of normal driving.If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn of f as you
continue driving, have the vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible.
If your vehicle battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes at least
three days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage. To check if they are set, turn the
ignition to ON (II), without starting
the engine. The malf unction
indicator lamp will come on f or 20
seconds. If it then goes of f , the
readiness codes are set. If it blinks
f ive times, the readiness codes are
not set. If possible, do not take your
vehicle f or a state emissions test
until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to
f or more inf ormation (see page ).
230
Readiness Codes
State Emissions T esting
Malf unction Indicator L amp
210
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (seeon page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. The brake system indicator
normally comes on when
you turn the ignition switch
to ON (II), and as a
reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully
release the parking brake.
177 217Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
211
Canada U.S.

Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box.
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, check f or a
blown f use f irst. Determine f rom the
chart on pages and , or the
diagram on the f use box lid, which
f use or f uses control that device.
Check those f uses f irst, but check all
the f uses bef ore deciding that a
blown f use is the cause. Replace any
blown f uses, and check if the device
works.
The interior f use box is underneath
the steering column. To remove the
f use box lid, turn the knobs
counterclockwise and pull the lid out
of its hinges.
The vehicle’s f uses are located in
two f use boxes. The under-hood f use
box is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side. To
open it, push the tabs as shown. 1.
2.215 216
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
212
TAB
INTERIOR
UNDER-HOOD

Check the smaller f uses in the
under-hood f use box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse box by
pulling out each one with the f use
puller provided in the under-hood
fuse box.
Check each of the large f uses in
the under-hood f use box by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Remove the screws with a
Phillips-head screwdriver. If you cannot drive the vehicle
without f ixing the problem, and you
do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse
of the same rating or a lower rating
f rom one of the other circuits. Make
sureyoucandowithoutthatcircuit
temporarily (such as the accessory
power socket or radio).
If you replace the blown f use with a
spare f use that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
f use with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.
Look f or a blown wire inside the
f use. If it is blown, replace it with
oneof thesparefusesof thesame
rating or lower.
3.
4.
5.
CONT INUED
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
213
FUSE
BLOWN BLOWN

If the replacement fuse of the
same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious
electrical problem in your vehicle.
Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit and have your vehicle
checked by a qualif ied mechanic.
If the radio f use is removed, the
audio system will disable itself . The
nexttimeyouturnontheradioyou
will see ‘‘CODE’’ in the f requency
display. Use the preset buttons to
enter the f ive-digit code (see page ).
6.
116
On EX models
Fuses
214
Replacing a f use with one that has a
higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a
replacement f use with the proper rating
f or the circuit, install one with a lower
rating.

µµ
µ
µ
µ
Î
Î Î
Î Î
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
CONT INUED
1
2
3
4
5
15 A
15 A
10 A
10 A
Ignition Coil
Rear Accessory Power
Socket
Daytime running lights
ACG
Not Used 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 7.5 A
20 A
7.5 A 10 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 10 A
10 A
20 A
15 A
15 A
7.5 A 20 A
20 A
20 A Power Window Relay
AMP
Accessory, Radio
Rear Wiper
Meter
ABS
Daytime running lights
SRS
Remote Control Mirrors
LAF Heater
Not Used
Fuel Pump
Front Accessory Power
Socket
Turn Signal Lights
Front Wiper
Not Used
Passenger’s Power Window
Driver’s Power Window
Not Used
Not Used
2: 1 : If equipped Canadian models
1
2 2
Fuse Locations
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
215
INTERIOR FUSE BOX

µ
µ
µ
No.Circuits Protected
Amps.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 Condenser Fan
Small Light
Interior Light
Cooling Fan Motor
Hazard
IGP
Horn, Stop
Not Used
Back Up
ABS Motor
Rear Defroster
Heater Motor
Power Window
Option
Lef t Headlight
Door Lock
Right Headlight
ABS F/S
Battery
Ignition 1
Spare Fuses
30 A
15 A
7.5 A 20 A
15 A
15 A
15 A
10 A
30 A
20 A
40 A
40 A
40 A
15 A
15 A
15 A
30 A
100 A 50 A
21 257.5A 30A
Fuse Locations
216
UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX

The operator will load
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 a f lat-bed is required. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
155
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
217
Towing 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.

218