2004 HONDA ELEMENT lights

Keeptheinsideandoutsidemirrors
clean and adjusted f or best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors bef ore
you start driving.
The inside mirror has day and night
positions. The night position reduces
glare f rom headlights behind you.
Flip the tab on the bottom edge of
the mirror to select the day or night
position.Push the appropriate edge of the
adjustment switch to move the
mirrorright,left,up,ordown.
When you f inish, move the
selector switch to the center (off)
position. This turns of f the
adjustment switch so you can’t
move a mirror out of position by
accidentally bumping the switch.
Move the selector switch to L
(driver’s side) or R (passenger’s
side).
1. 2. 3.
If equipped
Mirrors
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
82
TAB
SELECTOR SWITCH
ADJUSTMENT SWITCH
—
—y
y
(+
yy

The ceiling light has a three-position
switch: ON, Door Activated, and
OFF.
In the Door Activated (center)
position, the light comes on when
you:Open any door.
Remove the key from the ignition.
If you do not open a door, the light
f ades out in about 30 seconds.
Unlock the doors with the key or
remote transmitter. The cargo area light has a three-
position switch. In the center
position, the light comes on when
you open the hatch.
Turn on the spotlight by pushing the
lens. Push the lens again to turn it
of f . You can use the spotlights at all
times.
The ignition switch light comes on
when you unlock the driver’s door,
and f ades out about 30 seconds af ter
you close the door.
On EX models
Interior Lights
Ceiling L ight
Spotlights
Cargo Area Light
Ignition Switch L ight
Inst rument s and Cont rols88
ON
OFF DOOR ACTIVATED
—
—y
y
(+
yy

Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your vehicle unsaf e. Bef ore
you make any modif ications or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
systems.However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your vehicle’s electrical system
capacity, they can interf ere with the
operation of your vehicle, or even
cause the airbags to deploy.
Bef ore installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability (see
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information).
Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ).
Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory.
116 196
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
A ccessories
115
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
—
—y


y
(+
y
y

Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Check that the hood, tailgate and
hatch are f ully closed. Make sure the doors, hatch, and
tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicator lights in
the instrument panel (see page
).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
8.9.
10.
73
82 64 14
53
Driving Guidelines
Driving
Preparing to Drive
123
—
—y

y
(+
y
y

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area, or take them
with you.
Lock the doors and the hatch with
the key.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Parking T ips
Parking T ips
Driving131
—
—y

y
(+
y
y

Your Honda is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS (on
vehicles equipped with ABS) helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Braking System Design
Braking System
Driving132
—
—y

y
(+
y
y

The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
If you tow f requently, f ollow the
Severe Conditions maintenance
schedule.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see page ).
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
136172
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Pre-T ow ChecklistTrailer Mirrors
138
—
—y

y
(+
y
y

This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 148
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 149
....................
Maintenance Record . 154
..............................
Fluid Locations . 156
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 157
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 158
..............................
Engine Coolant . 160
....................
Windshield Washers . 161
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 162
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 164
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 165
............
Cleaning the Body Panels . 165
.............................................
Lights . 166
.......................................
Seat Belts . 170
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 170
.................................
Wiper Blades . 171
...............................................
Tires . 172
...................
Checking the Battery . 177
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 178
217
Maintenance
Maint enance147
—
—y

y
(+
y
y