Page 1 of 249

2005 Element Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com. Contents
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
........................................ .ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .4
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .7
Seat belts, SRS, and child protection
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column
Features ........................................................................\
...................................................................... 89
Climate, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control, and HomeLink
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................121
Fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .135
Engine and transmission operation
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................161
Schedules, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
..............................195
Flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fuses
Technical Information........................................................................\
............................................ .219
Vehicle specifications, tires, fuels, and emissions controls
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................233
Warranty and contact information
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................237
How to order
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
Fluid capacities and tire pressures
Owner's Identification Form
Page 7 of 249
Î
Î
To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Your Vehicle at a Glance
5
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
A/T model is shown. HORN
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT AUDIO SYSTEM
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
DIGITAL CLOCK
(P.64) (P.63)
(P.63)
(P.94)
(P.61)
(P.62)
(P.117)
CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER BUTTON
(P.119)
(P.119)
Page 54 of 249
Control L ocations
52
POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCHAUDIO SYSTEM
A/T model is shown. HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
(P.70)
(P.81)
(P.82)
(P.94)
(P.90)
MIRROR CONTROLS
PARKING BRAKE
(P.83)
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER BUTTON
CRUISE CONTROL
BUTTONS
(P.119)
(P.125) (P.119)
Page 55 of 249
Î
ÎThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
53
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR LOW FUEL INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
TAILGATE AND HATCH
OPEN INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
(P.57)
(P.55)(P.
56)
(P.55)
(P.55)(P.57)
(P.57)
(P.55)
(P.56)
(P.56)
(P.54)
(P.54,
210)
(P.54, 209)
(P.54,
211)
(P.54,
209)
CHECK FUEL CAP
INDICATOR(P. 59)
Page 58 of 249

This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II)
with the headlight switch off 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 indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon.
The lef t or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicators do not blink
or they blink 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 button, both turn signal
indicators blink. All turn signals on
the outside of the vehicle should
flash.
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page
f or inf ormation on operating the
cruise control. On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the daytime running lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
When the indicator comes on, there
is about 1.6 U.S. gal (6
)of fuel
remaining in the tank bef ore the
needle reaches E. There is a small
reserve of f uel remaining in the tank
when the needle does reach E.
180
119 62
62
Canadian models only
If equippedTurn Signal and Hazard Warning
Indicators ‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator Low Fuel Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
56
Page 62 of 249
Î
Î
To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
:
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
60
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
SHIFT LEVER (A/T)
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
HORN
(P.62)
(P.64)(P.
61)
(P.63)
(P.63)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P.141)
A/T model is shown. (P.119)
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER BUTTON
CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS
(P.119)
Page 91 of 249

The standard audio system has
many f eatures. This section de-
scribes those f eatures and how to
use them. (If you selected an
optional audio system, ref er to the
operating instructions that came
with it.) The heating and air conditioning
systems in your vehicle provide a
comf ortable driving environment in
all weather conditions.
Your vehicle has an anti-theft audio
system that requires a code number
to enable it................
Vents, Heating, and A/C . 90
.......................
Air Flow Controls .91
...................................
Ventilation .92
........................
Using the Heater .92
.............................
Using the A/C .92
.............
Dehumidif y the Interior . 93
................
To Def og and Def rost . 93
To Remove Exterior Frost ......
or Ice From the Windows . 93
............
Playing the AM/FM Radio . 94
..............
AM/FM Radio Reception . 98
Playing the XM ...........................
Satellite Radio .100
................................
Playing a Disc .106
..................
Protecting Your Discs . 113
.......
Disc Player Error Messages . 114
...
Disc Changer Error Messages . 115
.................
Radio Thef t Protection . 116
..........................
Setting the Clock .117
...............................
Cruise Control .119
TM
Features
Features
89
Page 121 of 249

Accelerate to the desired cruising
speedabove25mph(40km/h).
Press and release the SET/
DECELbuttononthesteering
wheel. The indicator on the
instrument panel comes on to
show the system is now activated.Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to
slow down. This will cancel cruise
control. To resume the set speed,
press the RES/ACCEL button. The
indicator on the instrument panel will
come back on.
Cruise control allows you to maintain
asetspeedabove25mph(40km/h)
without keeping your f oot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
f or cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended f or
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
Push in the cruise control master
button. The indicator in the button
come on.
1.
2.
3.
If equipped
Cruise Control
Using Cruise Control
Features
119
CANCEL
BUTTON
RES/ACCEL BUTTON
SET/DECEL BUTTON
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.