2005 HONDA ELEMENT engine

If your f uel cap is loose or missing, a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears as text in the odometer/trip
meter display after you start the
engine. Turn the engine of f and
conf irm the f uel cap is installed. If it
is, loosen the cap, then retighten it at
least 3 clicks. When you restart the
engine, the message appears again.
To clear the message, press and hold
the select/reset button until the
message is replaced the odometer/
trip meter display.This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine’s
cooling system.
If the system still detects a loose or
missing f uel cap, the malf unction
indicator lamp (MIL) comes on.
Turn the engine of f and check or
retighten the f uel cap at least 3 clicks.
The MIL goes out af ter 3 days of
normal driving once the cap is
tightened or replaced. If it does not
go out, have your dealer inspect the
vehicle. For more inf ormation, see
page .
210 207
Gauges
Check Fuel Cap Indicator
(odometer/trip meter message) Temperature Gauge
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59

The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. 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.Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart. Some models also come with two
remote transmitters; see page for
an explanation of their operation.
Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your set of keys.
You will need this key number if you
ever have to get a key replaced. Use
only Honda-approved key blanks. 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.
67
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
65
KEY
NUMBER
TAG
MASTER
KEYS
(Black) VALET
KEY
(Gray)

If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your dealer.
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 cannot
start your engine, contact your
dealer.
The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key. The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine will not
start.
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.As required by the FCC: This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Immobilizer Syst em
66

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µ
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The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III).
You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, push it in slightly. If
your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shif t lever must
also be in park. If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II).
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.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shif t lever must be
in Park bef ore you can remove the
key f rom the ignition switch.
Ignition Switch
LOCK (0)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
ST A RT (III)
Inst rument s and Cont rols
69
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.

µµ
If the MAIN switch is OFF, the
passenger’s window cannot be raised
or lowered. Keep the MAIN switch
off whenyouhavechildreninthe
vehicle so they do not injure
themselves by operating the
passenger’s window unintentionally. To open/close the driver’s
window, push the window switch
f irmly down or up to the second
detent, and release it. The window
will automatically go up or down all
the way. To stop the window, pull/
push on the window switch brief ly. If the driver’s
window senses any obstacle while it
is closing automatically, it will
reverse direction and then stop. To
close the window, remove the
obstacle, then use the window switch
again.
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, or the
driver’s window f use is removed, the
AUTO f unction will be disabled. The
power window system needs to be
reset af ter reconnecting the battery
or installing the f use.
If the power windows do not operate
properly af ter resetting, have your
vehicle checked by your dealer. Pull and hold the driver’s window
switch to close the window
completely, then hold the switch
f or a second or two more. Start the engine. Push down and
hold the driver’s window switch
until the window is f ully open.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II)
to raise or lower either window. To
open the window, push the switch
downandholdit.Releasetheswitch
when you want the window to stop.
Pull back on the switch and hold it to
close the window. 1.
2.
AUTO AUTO REVERSE
Power Windows
Inst rument s and Cont rols
81
DRIVER’S WINDOW SWITCH
MAIN SWITCH
Closing a power window on
someone’s hands or fingers can
cause serious injury.
Make sure your passenger is
away from the window before
closing it.

Turn of f the engine, and set the
parkingbrake.Thenpulldownthe
lever, squeeze both sides of the pivot
while pushing up the red tab in the
lever, and pull the lever assembly
away from the ceiling.Push up the rear of the skylight.
Standing on the tailgate with the
hatch down, hold both sides of the
skylight and pull it toward you to
remove it f rom the vehicle roof .
To remove the skylight:
Skylight
84
Bef ore lif ting the skylight, make sure
the roof of the vehicle is dry. Rain or
remaining water af ter car-washing may
get into the f rame of the skylight. In
winter, remove the buildup of snow on
the roof . If you try to tilt up the skylight in
below-f reezing temperatures, or when
it is covered with snow or ice, you can
damage it.
The maximum weight on the tailgate is
440 lbs (200 kg).

Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield. 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 f rom the
system.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reads normally.
When you select or ,
the system automatically switches to
f resh air mode and turns on the A/C.
The A/C indicator does not come on.
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the tailgate.
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. 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.you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
A/C, and setting the fan to
maximum speed in f resh air mode. Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The indicator 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 f resh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
59 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To cool the interior with MAX A/C:
If the interior is very warm,
If equipped
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Using the A /C Using the Heater
Ventilation
(f resh air mode)
92

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .122
.................
Fuel Recommendation . 122
.........
Service Station Procedures . 124
....................................
Ref ueling .124
Opening and Closing the .......................................
Hood .125
...................................
Oil Check .126
.............
Engine Coolant Check . 126
...............................
Fuel Economy .127
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 128
.............................
Carrying Cargo .130
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
121