2003 HONDA ELEMENT ignition

This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signaling.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the vehicle should f lash.
This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked. With the light on, your
vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
188 84
259
Only on models equipped with ABS (see
page ) 186
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Turn Signal and Hazard Warning
Indicators
Anti-lock Brake
System (A BS)
Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols68

Canadian models onlyCanadian models only
On EX model
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch of f and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights. This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page for
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.This light comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
f luid when you see this light come on
(see page ).
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page f or inf ormation
on operating the cruise control. 77
76
153 230
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator Low Fuel IndicatorWasher Level Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols69

µBetween 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
and 10,000 miles (16,000 km), this
indicator will light f or two seconds
when you f irst turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), and then flash for
ten seconds.
If you exceed 10,000 miles (16,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
This light comes on if any door is not
closed tightly.
For the f irst 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
af ter the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
two seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
This light comes on if the tailgate or
the hatch is not closed tightly.
212 216
Indicator L ights
Maintenance Required
Indicator
Door-open Indicator Tailgate and Hatch Open
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols70

Your dealer will reset this indicator
af ter completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
done by someone other than your
Honda dealer, reset the indicator as
f ollows.Turn of f the engine.
Press and hold the select/reset
button in the instrument panel,
then turn the ignition switch ON
(II).
Hold the button until the indicator
resets (approximately ten
seconds).
1.
2.
3.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols71

CONT INUED
The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your vehicle has been driven.
It measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
The trip meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it. There
are two trip meters: Trip A and Trip
B. Switch between these displays
and the odometer by pressing the
Select/Reset button repeatedly.
Each trip meter works independently,
so you can keep track of two
dif f erent distances.To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the vehicle
is on level ground. It may show
slightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads.
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Gauges
Odometer/T rip Meter
Fuel Gauge
73
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Canadian models only
With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
of f , even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.Signal a turn or lane change with this
lever. Push down on the lever to
signal a lef t turn, and up to signal a
right turn. If you push it up or down
all the way, the turn signal continues
to blink even when you release the
lever. It shuts off automatically as
you complete the turn.
Push the knob in the speedometer
repeatedly to adjust the brightness
of the instrument panel lights. There
are six brightness levels. A segment
display shows the current brightness
level.
CONT INUED
Instrument Panel Brightness
Daytime Running L ights T urn Signals
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols77
TURN SIGNAL LEVER

Therotatingswitchontheright
lever controls the rear window wiper
and washer.Therearwindowwasherusesthe
same f luid reservoir as the wind-
shield washer.
To activate the rear windshield wiper,
rotate the switch to ‘‘ON’’. The wiper
operates every seven seconds after
completing two sweeps. When you
turn the wiper switch to the ‘‘OFF’’
position or turn of f the ignition
switch, the wiper will return to its
parked position.
To use the wiper and washer, rotate
and hold the switch one position up
f rom ‘‘ON’’. The wiper opreates
while you are holding the switch,
then completes two more sweeps
after you release it. To use the
washer only, rotate and hold the
switch one position down f rom
‘‘OFF’’.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
Inst rument s and Cont rols80

These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart. Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth. Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Your vehicle comes with two master
keys and a valet key. When replacing keys, use only
Honda-approved key blanks. The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keep the glove box and hatch locked
when you leave your vehicle and the
valet key at a parking f acility.
Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your set of keys.
You will need this number if you
ever have to get a lost key replaced.
Keep the tag stored in a saf e place.
When replacing keys, use only
Honda-approved key blanks.
The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle:
 Ignition
 Doors
GloveBox
Hatch Keys
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols83
KEY
NUMBER
TAG MASTER
KEYS
(Black)
VALET
KEY
(Gray)