A low power steering fluid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.
Turning the steering wheel to full left or
right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Cleaning the Body PanelsIf equipped with body panelsTo clean the gray composite body
panels, wash them with soap and
water only. Do not apply wax to the
panels; it will cause discoloration.Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustments should be done by your
dealer or another qualified
technician.
CONTINUED
Power Steering Fluid, Cleaning the Body Panels, Lights
201
Maintenance
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
5. Install the new bulb into the hole,making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
6. Install the rubber seal over the back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure one of the three arrows
on the rubber seal is facing up; it is
marked ‘‘
’’.
7. Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb.
8. (Driver's side) Install the front end of the air
intake duct. Replacing a Daytime Running
Light Bulb
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
3. Remove the bulb by turning it one- quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. Insert the new bulb into the hole, and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place. 5. Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
6. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
TAB
CONTINUED
Lights
203
Maintenance
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:●You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.●You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
●Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.●Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged (see
Jump Starting
on page 231).
●Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. See
Emergency Towing on page 244.
If the headlights dim noticeably or go
out when you try to start the engine,
either the battery is discharged or
the connections are corroded. Check
the condition of the battery and
terminal connections (see page 218).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 231).
CONTINUED
If the Engine Won't Start
229
Taking Care of the Unexpected
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
The vehicle's fuses are located in two
fuse boxes. The under-hood fuse box
is located in the engine compartment
on the driver's side. To open it, push
the tabs as shown.
The interior fuse box is underneath
the steering column. To remove the
fuse box lid, turn the knobs
clockwise and pull the lid out of its
hinges.Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, check for a
blown fuse first. Determine from the
chart on pages 242 and 243, or the
diagram on the fuse box lid, which
fuse or fuses control that device.
Check those fuses first, but check all
the fuses before deciding that a
blown fuse is the cause. Replace any
blown fuses, and check if the device
works.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse box.
UNDER-HOOD
TAB
INTERIOR
KNOBS
CONTINUED
Fuses
239
Taking Care of the Unexpected
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Air ConditioningRefrigerant type HFC-134a (R-134a)
Charge quantity 17.6-19.4 oz (500 -550 g)
Lubricant type ND-OIL8
Lights Headlights 60/55 W (H4/HB2)
Daytime running lights 60 W (HB3)
Front turn signal/parking lights 27/8 W (Amber)
Front side marker lights 3 CP
Side turn signal lights 3 CP
Rear turn signal lights 21 W (Amber)
Rear side marker lights 3 CP
Stop/taillights 21/5 W
Back-up lights 21 CP
License plate lights 5 W
Ceiling light 8 W
ꭧ1
5W
ꭧ2
Spotlights 8 W
ꭧ2
Cargo area light 8 W
High-mount brake light 21 W
Battery Capacity 12 V-47 AH/20 HR
12 V -38 AH/5 HR Fuses
Interior See page 242 or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box lid under the steering
column.
Under-hood See page 243 or the fuse box
cover.
Alignment Toe-in Front 0.0 in (0 mm)
Rear 0.08 in (2.0 mm)
Camber Front -0°13 ’
Rear -1°00 ’
Caster Front 1°50’
Tires Size Front/Rear P215/70R16 99S
Pressure Front 33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm
2)
Rear 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm2)
Spare 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm2)
ꭧ 1: LX model
ꭧ 2: EX model
Specifications25210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
A
Accessories andModifications
..........................
149
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
...................................
79
Accessory Power Sockets
..........
100
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
194
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
......
74
Advanced Airbags
........................
26
Airbag (SRS)
............................
9, 22
Air Conditioning System
............
104
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
212, 213
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
142
Antifreeze
...................................
196
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator
............................
59, 168
Operation
................................
167
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
132
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.........................................
79
Audio System
.............................
109
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners...
20
Automatic Speed Control
...........
137 Automatic Transmission
............
161
Capacity, Fluid
........................
251
Checking Fluid Level
..............
198
Shifting
...................................
161
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
161
Shift Lever Positions
...............
161
Shift Lock Release
...................
163
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
136
B
Battery Charging System
Indicator
........................
58, 235
Jump Starting
..........................
231
Maintenance
...........................
218
Specifications
..........................
252
Before Driving
...........................
141
Belts, Seat
................................
8, 18
Beverage Holders
........................
99
Booster Seats
...............................
50
Brakes
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
167
Break-in, New Linings
.............
142 Bulb Replacement
...................
206
Fluid
.......................................
199
Parking
....................................
94
System Design
........................
166
System Indicator
...............
58, 237
Wear Indicators
.......................
167
Braking System
..........................
166
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
142
Brightness Control, Instruments
..............................
72
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights
........................
206
Brake Lights
...........................
206
Daytime Running Lights
.........
203
Front Parking/Turn Signal Lights
..................................
204
Front Side Marker Lights
........
206
Headlights
..............................
202
High-mount Brake Light
.........
208
Rear Bulbs
..............................
206
Rear License Plate Lights
........
207
Side Turn Signal Lights
...........
204
Specifications
..........................
252
Taillights
.................................
206
Turn Signal Lights
..........
204, 206
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Bulbs, Halogen
..........................
202
Bungee Cords
............................
155
C
Capacities Chart
.........................
251
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
............
52
Cargo
.........................................
151
Cargo Area Light
..........................
96
Cargo Hooks
..............................
156
Cargo, How to Carry
..................
151
Carrying Cargo
..........................
151
CAUTION, Explanation of
............
iii
CD Care
.....................................
127
Ceiling Light
................................
96
Certification Label
......................
248
Chains, Tires
..............................
217
Changing a Flat Tire
..................
223
Changing Oil How to
....................................
194
When to
..................................
185
Charging System Indicator
...........................
58, 235
Check Fuel Cap Message
............
66
Checklist, Before Driving
...........
159 Child Safety
..................................
35
Booster Seats
...........................
50
Child Seats
....................
40, 41, 42
Important Safety Reminders
.....
39
Infants
......................................
40
Larger Children
.......................
49
LATCH
.....................................
44
Risks with Airbags
...................
36
Small Children
.........................
41
Tethers
....................................
48
Warning Labels
........................
37
Where Should a Child Sit?
........
36
Child Seats
.............................
35, 42
LATCH Anchorage Points
........
44
Tether Anchorage Points
.........
48
Cleaning the Seat Belts
..............
209
Clock
..........................................
133
Code, Audio System
...................
132
CO in the Exhaust
................
52, 258
Cold Weather, Starting in
...........
160
Compact Spare Tire
....................
222
Controls, Instruments and
............
55
Coolant Adding
....................................
196
Checking
................................
145
Proper Solution
.......................
196 Temperature Gauge
.................
67
Cooler Box
...................................
98
Crankcase Emissions Control System
...................................
258
Cruise Control Indicator
...............
60
Cruise Control Operation
...........
137
Cruise Main Indicator
..................
60
Cup Holders
.................................
99
Customer Service
.......................
264
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 56
Daytime Running Lights
..............
72
Daytime Running Lights Indicator
...................................
60
Dead Battery
..............................
231
Defects, Reporting Safety
...........
266
Defogger, Rear Window
...............
74
Dimensions
................................
250
Dimming the Headlights
..............
71
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission
.........
198
Engine Oil
...............................
145
IndexII10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
FluidsAutomatic Transmission
.........
198
Brake
......................................
199
Location
..................................
192
Power Steering
........................
200
Windshield Washer
.................
197
FM/AM Radio Reception
...........
130
Folding the Rear Seats
.................
88
Four-way Flashers
........................
73
Front Airbags
...........................
9, 24
Front Seat Adjusting
..................................
83
Fuel
............................................
142
Check Fuel Cap Message
........
66
Economy
.................................
146
Fill Door and Cap
....................
143
Gauge
......................................
66
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
142
Reserve Indicator
.....................
61
Tank, Filling the
......................
143
Fuel Economy
............................
146
Fuses, Checking the
..................
239 G
Gas Mileage, Improving
.............
147
Gasoline
.....................................
142
Gauge
......................................
66
Low Fuel Indicator
...................
61
Octane Requirement
...............
142
Tank, Refueling
.......................
143
Gas Station Procedures
..............
143
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature...
67
Fuel
..........................................
66
Odometer
.................................
65
Outside Temperature Indicator
...............................
68
Speedometer
............................
64
Tachometer
..............................
64
Trip meter
................................
66
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission
.......................
161
Glove Box
..................................
100
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
.................................
174 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
..........................
153, 174
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs
...........
202
Hatch
...........................................
81
Hazard Warning Flashers
............
73
Headlights Aiming
....................................
201
Daytime Running Lights
..........
72
High Beam Indicator
................
61
High Beams, Turning on
..........
71
Lights On Indicator
..................
61
Low Beams, Turning on
...........
71
Reminder Chime
......................
71
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
........
202
Turning on
...............................
71
Head Restraints
............................
85
Heating and Cooling
..................
104
High Altitude, Starting at
............
160
Hood, Opening and Closing the
..........................................
144
Horn
........................................
4, 69
IndexIV10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu