2003 HONDA ELEMENT Owners Manual

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Heating and Cooling .118
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What Each Control Does . 118
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How to Use the System . 121
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To Turn Everything Of f . 125
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Audio System .126
Audio System ..........
(Canadian DX model) . 126
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AM/FM/CD Audio System . 126
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Operating the Radio . 126
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Adjusting the Sound . 129
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Digital Clock .130
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Audio System Lighting . 132
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Operating the CD Player . 132
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Operating the CD Changer . 134
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CD Player Error Indications . 135
CD Changer Error .............................
Indications .136 ...........
Audio System (EX model) . 137
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AM/FM/CD Audio System . 137
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Operating the Radio . 138
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Adjusting the Sound . 141
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Digital Clock .142
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Audio System Lighting . 143
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Radio Frequencies . 143
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Radio Reception .143
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Operating the CD Player . 145
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Operating the CD Changer . 147
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CD Player Error Indications . 148
CD Changer Error .............................
Indications .149
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Protecting Compact Discs . 150
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Auxiliary Input Jack . 151
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Thef t Protection .152
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Cruise Control .153
Comf ort and Convenience Features
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures117

Proper use of the Heating and
Cooling system can make the
interior dry and comf ortable, and
keep the windows clear f or the best
visibility.
Turning this dial clockwise increases
the f an’s speed, which increases air
flow.
Turning this dial clockwise increases
the temperature of the air flow.This button controls the source of
the air going into the system. When
the indicator in this button is lit, air
f rom the vehicle’s interior is sent
through the system again (Recircula-
tion mode). When the indicator is off,
air is brought in f rom outside the
vehicle (Fresh Air mode).
This button turns the rear window
def ogger on and of f (see page ).Use the MODE control dial to select
the vents the air flows from. Some
air will f low f rom the dashboard
vents in all modes.
This button turns the air condi-
tioning ON and OFF. The indicator
in the button lights when the A/C is
on. 81
On U.S. EX models, and Canadian DXand EX models
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
What Each Control Does
Fan Control Dial
T emperature Control Dials
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button Recirculation Button
Rear Window Def ogger ButtonMode Control Dial
118
FAN CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
MODE CONTROL DIAL
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
BUTTON

In these two modes, the A/C stays
on, but the indicator in the A/C
button stays off.
When you select or ,
the system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield. Air f low is divided between
the f loor vents and the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield. Air f lows f rom the f loor
vents. Air f low is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
f loor vents. Air flows from the center
and side vents in the dashboard. The system automatically
turns on the A/C and switches to
Recirculation mode. Air f lows f rom
the center and side vents in the
dashboard.
EX models
EX models
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures119

The direction of air f low f rom the
vents in the center and each side of
the dashboard is adjustable.
To adjust the air flow from each
center vent, move the tab up-and-
down and side-to-side.To adjust the air f low f rom each side
vent,movethetabinthecenterof
each vent side-to-side, and rotate the
vent with the tab.
Each side vent can be opened and
closed with the tab underneath the
vent.
Heating and Cooling
Vent Controls
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures120
CENTER VENTS
PASSENGER’S SIDE VENT
DRIVER’S SIDE VENT
Close Open Close
Open

CONT INUED
Turn the temperature control dial
all the way to the lef t.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or
dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the condition
clears. This section covers how to set up the
system controls f or ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidif ying, and
def rosting.
The engine must be running f or the
heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.
If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes bef ore you f eel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on
engine temperature.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the tailgate.1.
2.
3.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Vent ilat ion
How to Use the System
121
FAN CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL MODE CONTROL
DIAL
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON

Set the mode control dial to MAX
A/C.
The system automatically turns on
the A/C, selects and
switches to Recirculation mode.
Make sure the temperature
control dial is all the way to the left.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
To cool the interior with MAX A/C: Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The light in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Make sure the temperature
control dial is all the way to the left.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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2.
3.
EX models
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
T o Cool wit h A /C
122
FAN CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
MODE CONTROL
DIAL
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON MAX A/C
POSITION

CONT INUED
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page) when driving in stop-and-go
traf f ic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red zone, turn
of f the A/C until the gauge reads
normally. To warm the interior:
Start the engine.
Select .
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial. Air conditioning, as it cools, removes
moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Turn on the air conditioning.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the mixture of heated and
cooled air f eels comf ortable.
This setting is suitable f or all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
74
1.
2.
3.
4.
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2.
3.
4.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
T o Heat T o Heat and Dehumidif y wit h A ir
Condit ioning
123

To remove f og f rom the inside of the
windows:To remove exterior f rost or ice f rom
the windshield and side windows
after the vehicle has been sitting out
in cold weather:
Start the engine.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches
to Fresh Air mode and turns on
the A/C.
Set the f an and temperature
controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior f rost or
ice f rom the windshield (on very cold
days), f irst select the Recirculation
mode. Once the windshield is clear,
select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
f ogging the windows. These settings direct all the air f low
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
defroster vents. The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up.
For saf ety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving away.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C (the indicator in the A/C
button does not come on).
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the air flow from the
def roster vents f eels warm.
Turn on the rear window def ogger
to help clear the rear window.
When you switch to another mode
f rom , the A/C stays on.
Press the A/C button to turn it of f . 1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
T o Def og and Def rost
124