This section gives information about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations
..........................
56
Instrument Panel
..........................
57
Instrument Panel Indicators
..........
58
Gauges
..........................................
64
Information Display
..................
65
Odometer
..................................
65
Trip Meter
................................
66
Fuel Gauge
...............................
66
Check Fuel Cap Message
.........
66
Temperature Gauge
..................
67
Maintenance Minder ™
..............
67Outside Temperature
Indicator
...............................
68
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
.......................................
69
Windshield Wipers and Washers
....................................
70
Turn Signals and Headlights
.........
71
Instrument Panel Brightness
........
72
Hazard Warning Button
................
73
Rear Window Defogger
.................
74
Steering Wheel Adjustment
..........
74
Keys and Locks
.............................
75
Immobilizer System
......................
76
Remote Transmitter
......................
77
Ignition Switch
..............................
79
Door Locks
...................................
80
Power Door Locks
....................
80
Rear Doors
................................
81
Hatch
........................................
81
Tailgate
.....................................
82
Seats
.............................................
83
Seat Adjustments
......................
83
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment
...........................
84 Front Seat Armrests
..................
85
Head Restraints
.........................
85
Reclining the Front Seats
..........
87
Folding the Rear Seats
..............
88
Removing the Rear Seats
..........
90
Power Windows
............................
92
Mirrors
.........................................
93
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
.....
93
Rear Windows
...............................
94
Parking Brake
...............................
94
Interior Lights
...............................
95
Light Control Switch
.................
95
Individual Map Lights
...............
95
Ceiling Light
.............................
96
Cargo Area Light
.......................
96
Ignition Switch Light
.................
96
Interior Convenience Items
...........
97
Cooler Box
................................
98
Beverage Holders
.....................
99
Accessory Power Sockets
.......
100
Glove Box
...............................
100
Sun Visor
................................
100
Vanity Mirror
..........................
101
Overhead Console
..................
101
Instruments and Controls
55
Instruments and Controls
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
To adjust the steering wheel upward
or downward:1. Push the lever under the left side of the steering column all the way
down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down to the desired position.
Make sure you can see the
instrument panel gauges and the
indicators. 3. Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in that position.
4. Make sure you have securely locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down. Keys and Locks
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 facility.
KEY
NUMBER
TAG
MASTER
KEYS
(BLACK)VALET
KEY
(LIGHT
GRAY)
CONTINUED
Steering Wheel Adjustment, Keys and Locks
75
Instruments and Controls
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
ꭧ: If equipped.
CARGO AREA CARGO AREA
SIDE POCKET COIN TRAY
DOOR POCKETS
BEVERAGE HOLDERS LX model EX modelOVERHEAD CONSOLE
ꭧ
ACCESSORY
POWER
SOCKET
GLOVE BOX
CENTER LOWER
POCKET
ꭧ
SEAT-BACK POCKET
ꭧ
VANITY MIRRORS
ꭧ
BEVERAGE
HOLDERS
EX model is shown.
Interior Convenience Items
97
Instruments and Controls
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
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
ꭧ: If equipped
Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:●Cargo area side pockets●Glove box●Overhead console (EX model)●Door pockets●Seat-back pocket (EX model)●Cargo area (including rear seats
when they are folded down, folded
to the side, or removed)●Seat-back bungee (EX model)●Roof-rack (if installed)●Cooler box (EX model)
However, carrying too much cargo, or
improperly storing it, can affect your
vehicle's handling, stability, stopping
distance, tires, and make it unsafe.
Before carrying any type of cargo, be
sure to read the following pages.
CARGO AREA COOLER BOX
ꭧSEAT-BACK POCKET
ꭧ
GLOVE BOX
CARGO AREA SIDE POCKET DOOR POCKETS OVERHEAD CONSOLE
ꭧ
SEAT-BACK BUNGEE
ꭧ
EX model is shown.
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
151
Before Driving
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment●Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.●Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
under the seats and interfere with
the pedals, the seat operation, or
the proper operation of the sensors
under the seats.●Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
●If you fold the rear seats down or
up, or remove them, tie down
items that could be thrown about
the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. Also, keep all cargo
below the bottom of the windows.
If it is higher, it could interfere
with the proper operation of the
side curtain airbags.
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
or on a Roof Rack●Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
●If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate or the hatch, exhaust gas
can enter the passenger area. To
avoid the possibility of carbon
monoxide poisoning, follow the
instructions on page 52.●If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of
the rack and the items does not
exceed 75 lbs (34 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Refer to the information that
came with your roof rack.
Carrying Cargo15410/08/06 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
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)
......
79
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column
.......
79
Fuel Fill Door
..........................
143
Glove Box
...............................
100
Hatch
.......................................
81
Lockout Prevention
..................
81
Power Door
..............................
80
Tailgate
....................................
82
Low Coolant Level
......................
145
Lower Anchors
.............................
44
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................
61
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
58, 235
Lubricant Specifications Chart...
251
Luggage, Storing (cargo)
...........
151
M
Maintenance
..............................
183
Main Items and Sub Items
......
188
Minder
....................................
185
Minder Indicator
......................
59
Owner's Maintenance Checks
................................
190 Safety
......................................
184
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
................................
58, 236
Meters, Gauges
............................
64
Methanol in Gasoline
.................
142
Mirrors, Adjusting
........................
93
Modifications
.............................
150
Modifying Your Vehicle
.............
150
N
Neutral Gear Position
.................
162
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
142
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
248
O
Octane Requirement, Gasoline
.................................
142
Odometer
.....................................
65
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
..............................
180
Off-Road Precautions
..................
180 Oil
Change, How to
......................
194
Change, When to
....................
185
Checking Engine
....................
145
Life, Engine
.............................
185
Pressure Indicator
.............
58, 235
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
...................................
193
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery
................................
258
ON (Ignition Key Position)
..........
79
Opening the Tailgate
....................
82
Outside Mirrors
...........................
93
Outside Temperature Indicator
....
68
Overhead Console
......................
101
Overheating, Engine
..................
233
Owner's Maintenance Checks
....
190
Oxygenated Fuels
......................
142
P
Panel Brightness Control
.............
72
Park Gear Position
.....................
161
Parking
......................................
165
Parking Brake
..............................
94
IndexVI10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu