2003 HONDA ELEMENT immobilizer

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .64
...............................
Indicator Lights .65
.............................................
Gauges .72
...............................
Speedometer .72 .................................
Tachometer .72
..............
Odometer/Trip Meter . 73
..................................
Fuel Gauge .73
...................
Temperature Gauge . 74
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .75
...................................
Headlights .76
............
Daytime Running Lights . 77
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 77
................................
Turn Signals .77
.....................
Windshield Wipers .78
..................
Windshield Washers . 79
Rear Window Wiper and .....................................
Washer .80
..........................
Hazard Warning .81
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 81
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Steering Wheel Adjustment . 82
...............................
Keys and Locks .83
..............................................
Keys .83
....................
Immobilizer System . 84
............................
Ignition Switch .85
......................
Power Door Locks .87
..................................
Rear Doors .88
............................................
Hatch .89
........................................
Tailgate .90
....................................
Glove Box .91 .................................................
Seats .92
.............
Front Seat Adjustments . 92
Driver’s Seat Height ..............................
Adjustment .93
................
Driver’s Seat Armrest . 93
..........................
Head Restraints .94
........................
Rear Seat Access .95
.......
Rear Seat-back Adjustment . 96
..........
Reclining the Front Seats . 97
...............
Folding the Rear Seats . 99
........
Removing the Rear Seats . 101
............................
Power Windows .103
...............................
Rear Windows .105
...........................................
Mirrors .106
..
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 106
..........................................
Skylight .107
.........................
Beverage Holders .110
...............................
Parking Brake .111
...............................
Ceiling Pocket .112
.......................................
Coin Tray .112
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 113
...............................
Interior Lights .114
..............................
Ceiling Light .114
...................................
Spotlights .114
......................
Cargo Area Light .115
................
Ignition Switch Light . 115
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols63

Î
Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols65
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.68)
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR
(P.70) (P.67)
DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR
(P.70)
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR (P. 69) SIDE AIRBAG CUTOFF
INDICATOR
(P.67)
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.66,
290)
(P.66, 291) (P.69) LOW FUEL INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT
(P.67)TAILGATE AND HATCH
OPEN INDICATOR
(P.70)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.69)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.68)
(P.66,
292)
(P.66, 294)

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

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)

The Immobilizer System protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. A properly-
coded master or valet key must be
used in the ignition switch f or the
engine to start. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used,
the engine’s f uel system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on f or a f ew
seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object is near the
ignition switch when you insert the
key. To make sure the system
recognizes the key code:
Do not keep other immobilizer
keys on the same key ring.
Use a plastic or leather key f ob,
not metal.
Keep other keys away f rom your
vehicle’s key and the ignition
switch while trying to start the
engine.
If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your Honda dealer. The Immobilizer System indicator
will also blink several times when
you turn the ignition switch f rom ON
(II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0).
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undriveable.
If you have lost your key and you
cannot start the engine, contact your
Honda dealer.
Immobilizer System
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Keys and Locks
84

µ
µ
µ Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper. The engine will not start if the
Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key’s coding (see page ).
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may sometimes make
it difficult to turn the key from
LOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turn
the steering wheel to the lef t or to
the right as you turn the key.
In this position,
you can operate the audio system
and the accessory power sockets.
This is the normal key
position when driving. All f eatures
and accessories on the vehicle are
usable. Several of the lights on the
instrument panel come on as a test
when you turn the ignition switch
f rom ACCESSORY to ON. 84
ST A RT (III)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols86
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.

If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page . There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
Your vehicle has the Immobilizer
System. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page ).
A key that is not properly coded
will cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly. Do you have f uel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the f uel gauge.
The low f uel level warning light
may not be working, so you were
not reminded to f ill the tank.
240
285 84
174 296
301
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed284

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Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 258
................................................
Hatch .89
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 81
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .258
............
Daytime Running Lights . 77
..................
High Beam Indicator . 69
........................
Reminder Beeper .76
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 258
...................................
Turning on .76
..............................
Head Restraints .94
.....................
Heating and Cooling .118
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 175
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High-Low Beam Switch . 76
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High-mount Brake Light . 263
....................................
Hood Latch .237
.......................
Hood, Opening the .160 ..............................................
Horn .3,75
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .235
.................................
Hydroplaning .190
..........................
Four-way Flashers .81
............................
Front Airbags .10, 54
.................................................
Fuel .158
......................
Fill Door and Cap .159
...........................................
Gauge .73
................
Octane Requirement . 158
...............................
Oxygenated .311
........................
Reserve Indicator .69
........................
Tank, Filling the .159
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .296
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 164
..........................................
Gasohol .311
.........................................
Gasoline .158
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 69
...........................................
Gauge .73
................
Octane Requirement . 158
........................
Tank, Filling the .159
................
Gas Station Procedures . 159
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 74
...............................................
Fuel .73
...............................
Speedometer .72
.................................
Tachometer .72 Gearshif t Lever Positions
..........
Automatic Transmission . 179
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .177
..............................
Glass Cleaning .272
........................................
Glove Box .91
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 304
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .83
...........................................
Switch .85
............
Timing Control System . 314
........................
Immobilizer System .84
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 65
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .34
......................................
Inf ant Seats .34
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 47
...........................
Lower Anchors .47
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 46
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 249
.........................
Normal Driving .250
.................................
Inside Mirror .106
.............................
Inspection, Tire .251
............................
Instrument Panel .65
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 77
...........................
Interior Cleaning .271
Index
G H
I
IV