open hood HONDA ELEMENT 2005 1.G Owners Manual

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .122
.................
Fuel Recommendation . 122
.........
Service Station Procedures . 124
....................................
Ref ueling .124
Opening and Closing the .......................................
Hood .125
...................................
Oil Check .126
.............
Engine Coolant Check . 126
...............................
Fuel Economy .127
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 128
.............................
Carrying Cargo .130
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
121

Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole in
the hood.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated.
Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood near the center.
The hood latch handle is above
the ‘‘H’’ logo. Push this handle up
to release it. Lift up the hood. Lif t it up slightly to remove the
support rod f rom the hole. Put the
support rod back into its holding clip.
Lower the hood to about a f oot (30
cm) above the f ender, then let it
drop. Make sure it is securely
latched.
1.
2.
3.
To Close the Hood:
Opening and Closing the Hood
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
125
LATCH
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
SUPPORT ROD
CLIP

Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. The oil
and f ilter collect contaminants that
can damage your engine if they are
not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API certif ication seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals given on the maintenance
schedule.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Oil and Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
171
WASHER
OIL DRAIN BOLT

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied mechanic.Open the hood.
If you need to change the
headlight bulb on the driver’s side,
remove the f ront end of the air
intake duct by pulling it out.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. Handle it by its steel base and
protect the glass f rom contact with
your skin or hard objects. If you
touch the glass, clean it with
denaturedalcoholandacleancloth.
1.
CONT INUED
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
179
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
If you are changing the rear wiper
blade, go to step 6.
Front:
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal
reinf orcement along the back
edge, remove the metal
reinf orcement strips f rom the old
wiper blade, and install them in
the slots along the edge of the new
blade.
Rear:
Raise the wiper arm of f the hatch
glass and hold it.
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every 6 months.
Replace them if you f ind signs of
cracking in the rubber, areas that are
getting hard, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
1.
3. 2.4.
Wiper Blades
186
LOCK TABBLADE
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage
the hood and the arms.

´´
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery. Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc. Put the transmission in
neutral or Park, and set the
parking brake.
1.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
205
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
The pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
1.
2. 3.
4.
CONT INUED
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
207
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

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.

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

ÎÎ
................
Gas Station Procedures . 124
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 59
...............................................
Fuel .58
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 141
..............
Manual Transmission . 139
........................................
Glove Box .87
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 179
................................................
Hatch .71
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 63
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .179
.......
Daytime Running Lights . 62
..................
High Beam Indicator . 56
........................
Reminder Beeper .62
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 179
...................................
Turning on .62
..............................
Head Restraints .75
.......................
Heating and Cooling .90
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 138
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 62
..
Hood, Opening and Closing the . 125..............................................
Horn .5,60
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .177
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 220
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .65
...........................................
Switch .69
............
Timing Control System . 228
........................
Immobilizer System .66
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 53
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .35
......................................
Inf ant Seats .35
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
...........................
Lower Anchors .39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 43
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 187
.........................
Normal Driving .188
...................................
Inside Mirror .82
.............................
Inspection, Tire .189
............................
Instrument Panel .53
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 63
.................................
Interior Lights .88
........................................
Introduction .i .................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 199
.......................................
Jack, Tire .197
................................
Jump Starting .205
..................................................
Keys .65
.......................
Label, Certif ication .220
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 62
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,20
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 39
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .179
.......................................
Indicator .53
.........................................
Parking .62
..................................
Turn Signal .62
....................................
Load Limits .131
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 69
............................
Fuel Fill Door .124
Index
H I
J
K
L
IV