2003 HONDA ELEMENT heater

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

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.
1.
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

CONT INUED
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the vehicle.
Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the heater temperature control
dial f ully clockwise. Turn the
ignition of f .
Openthehood.Makesurethe
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch. Remove the radiator cap.
Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard.
1.
2. 3.
4.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance227

If your vehicle’s battery has run
down,youmaybeabletostartthe
engine by using a booster battery.
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.To jump start your vehicle, f ollow
these directions closely:
Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery
(see page ). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
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.
You cannot start a Honda with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. 1.
2.240
CONT INUED
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed285
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.

This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery.Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
def ogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated
controls such as the power windows.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly.
By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed291
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

µµ
µ
µ
µ
Î Î
Î
No. No.
CONT INUED
Amps. Circuits ProtectedAmps. Circuits Protected
1
2
3
4
5 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
15 A
10 A
10 A
10 A
Ignition Coil
Accessory Power Socket
Daytime running lights
ACG
Not Used 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
Accessory Power Socket
Turn Signal Lights
Front Wiper
Not Used
Front Right Power Window
Front Left Power Window
Not Used
Not Used
: On Canadian models
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed299
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
20 A
15 A
30 A
100 A 50 A
21 257.5A 30A
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Fuses
300
UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX