Page 85 of 286

To replace the battery, remove the
round cover on the back of the
transmitter by turning it
counterclockwise with a coin. Insert
a new battery with the+side facing
up, and reinstall the cushion ring.
Align the
mark on the cover with
the
mark on the transmitter. Set
the cover in place and turn it
clockwise.
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmful interference, and(2) this device must accept any
interference received, includinginterference that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modifications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user'sauthority to operate the equipment.
Ignition SwitchThe ignition switch has four
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III).
LOCK (0) -You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, push it in slightly.
The shift lever must also be in Park.
CONTINUED
Remote Transmitter, Ignition Switch
79
Instruments and Controls
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Page 86 of 286

If the front wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult to
turn the key. Firmly turn the steering
wheel to the left or right as you turn
the key.
ACCESSORY (I)-You can operate
the audio system and the accessory
power sockets in this position.
ON (II) -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 from the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position.
START (III) -Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key. You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the LOCK (0) or
the ACCESSORY (I) position and
open the driver's door. Remove the
key to turn off the beeper.
The shift lever must be in Park
before you can remove the key from
the ignition switch.
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.Power Door Locks
To lock all of the doors and hatch,
press the door lock switch on the
driver's door, or press the lock tab
down on the driver's door, or use the
key on the outside lock. Pressing up
on the door lock switch will unlock
all of the doors and the hatch.
LOCK TAB
DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Ignition Switch, Door Locks8010/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Page 87 of 286

The lock tab on the passenger's door
locks and unlocks only that door.
Pulling up on the driver's door lock
tab only unlocks the driver's door.
To lock the driver's door, remove the
key from the ignition switch, push
the lock tab down or push the door
lock switch down, then close the
door.
To unlock the driver's door from the
outside, turn the key and release it.Lockout PreventionWith the driver's door open and the
key in the ignition switch, the master
door lock switch is disabled. It is not
disabled if the driver's door is closed.
If you try to lock the open driver's
door with the key in the ignition
switch by pushing in the lock tab, the
tabs on all doors pop up when you
close the door.Rear Doors
To open the rear door, pull the rear
door handle located in the rear door
edge. The rear door can be opened
only when the front door is open.
To close the doors, close the rear
door first, then the front door. The
front door cannot be latched without
first closing the rear door. Closing
the rear door on the front door will
damage both doors.Hatch
To lock or unlock the hatch.●Use your master key to lock and
unlock the hatch. Turn the key
counterclockwise to lock the
hatch, and clockwise to unlock it.
Unlock
Lock
CONTINUED
Door Locks
81
Instruments and Controls
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Page 88 of 286
●Lock the hatch by pushing down
the lock tab on the driver's door
(see page 80), or by using the
master key in the driver's door
lock.●Lock or unlock the hatch with the
master door lock switch.
With the hatch unlocked, open it by
pulling the handle and lifting up.
To close the hatch, lower it, then
press down on the back edge.
When both the hatch and tailgate are
open, the hatch cannot be latched
without first closing the tailgate.Tailgate
You can open the tailgate only when
the hatch is open. To open the
tailgate, slide the lock lever to the left
and swing down the tailgate. To close
the tailgate, lift it up and push it
firmly until it latches.
Before closing the tailgate, make
sure the hatch is raised. Closing the
tailgate on the lowered hatch can
damage the hatch and the tailgate.
Door Locks8210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Page 101 of 286

Light Control SwitchOn EX modelThe light control switch has three
positions: OFF, Door Activated, and
ON.When the switch is in the OFF position:●The individual map lights can be
turned on and off by pressing the
lenses.●The ceiling light cannot be turned
on.
When the switch is in the door activatedposition:●The individual map lights come on
when any door is opened, or when
the remote transmitter is used to
unlock the doors (see page 77).
When the doors are closed, each
light can be turned on and off by
pushing the lens.
After all doors are closed tightly, the
lights dim slightly, then fade out in
about 30 seconds.
With any door left open, the lights stay
on about 3 minutes, then go out.
The lights also come on when the key
is removed from the ignition switch.When the light control switch is in the ON position:●All the individual map lights and
ceiling light come on and stay on as
long as the switch remains in the ON
position.
Individual Map LightsOn EX modelTurn on the individual map lights by
pushing the lens. Push the lens again
to turn it off.
OFF ON
DOOR ACTIVATED POSITION
Interior Lights
95
Instruments and Controls
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Page 102 of 286
Ceiling LightThe 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
fades out in about 30 seconds.●Unlock the doors with the key or
remote transmitter.Cargo Area Light
The cargo area light has a three-
position switch. In the center
position, the light comes on when
you open the hatch.
Ignition Switch Light
The ignition switch light comes on
when you unlock the driver's door,
and fades out about 30 seconds after
you close the door.
ON
OFF DOOR ACTIVATED
Interior Lights9610/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Page 106 of 286

Accessory Power Sockets
Your vehicle has one or two
accessory power sockets, depending
on the model. All models have a front
accessory power socket on the
dashboard above the glove box.
EX model has an accessory power
socket in the cargo area on the
passenger's side.
These sockets are intended to supply
power for 12 volt DC accessories that
are rated 120 watts or less (10 amps).
None of the sockets will power an
automotive type cigarette lighter
element. When more than one
socket is being used, the combined
power rating of the accessories
should be 120 watts or less (10
amps).Glove Box
Open the glove box by pulling the
bottom of the handle. Close it with a
firm push. Lock or unlock the glove
box with the master key.
An open glove box can cause
serious injury to your passenger
in a crash, even if the
passenger is wearing the seat
belt.
Always keep the glove box
closed while driving.
Sun Visor
To use the sun visor, pull it down.
When using the sun visor for the
side window, remove the support rod
from the clip, and swing it out.
In this position, the sun visor can be
adjusted by moving it on its slider.
Do not use the extended sun visor
over the inside mirror.
Make sure you put the sun visor
back in place when you are getting
into or out of the vehicle.
Slide
Interior Convenience Items10010/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Page 166 of 286
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off allelectrical accessories to reduce the
drain on the battery.
3. Make sure the shift lever is in Park. Press on the brake pedal.
4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III) position
for more than 15 seconds at a time.
If the engine does not start right
away, pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
The immobilizer system protects your
vehicle from theft. If an improperly
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine's fuel system is disabled. For
more information, see page 76.
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air found at
altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
Starting the Engine16010/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu