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
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Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct
procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
You cannot start your vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:1. Open the hood, and check the physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or frozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze. Attempting
to jump start with a frozen battery can
cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electricalaccessories: heater, A/C, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in Park, and set the
parking brake.
The numbers in the illustration
show you the order to connect the
jumper cables.
BOOSTER BATTERY
CONTINUED
Jump Starting
231
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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The pointer of the vehicle's
temperature gauge should stay in the
midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or spray
coming from under the hood.Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road. Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn off all
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard lights.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood. 3. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the temperature gauge comes
down to the midpoint, then
continue driving.
4. If the temperature gauge stays at the red mark, turn off the engine.
CONTINUED
If the Engine Overheats
233
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page 145). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 193).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving
(see Emergency Towing on page
244). Charging System Indicator
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
235
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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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
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INTERIOR FUSE BOXNo.Amps. Circuits Protected1 - Not Used
2 10 A Rear Accessory Power Socket
3 10 A Daytime Running Lights/ TPMS
4 10 A ACG
5 - Not Used
No. Amps.
Circuits Protected6 7.5 A Power Window Relay
7 20 A AMP
ꭧ
8 7.5 A Accessory, Radio
9 10 A Rear Wiper
10 7.5 A Meter
11 - Not Used
No. Amps.
Circuits Protected12 7.5 A Daytime Running Lights
13 10 A SRS
14 10 A Remote Control Mirrors
15 20 A LAF Heater
16 15 A Ignition Relay
17 15 A Fuel Pump
18 15 A Front Accessory Power
Socket
19 7.5 A Turn Signal Lights
20 20 A Front Wiper
21 - Not Used
22 20 A Passenger's Power Window
23 20 A Driver's Power Window
24 - Not Used
25 - Not Used
ꭧ : If equipped
Fuse Locations24210/08/06 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
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