2003 Honda Element
2003 Honda Element questions and answers
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Q: Know how to set the clock in a 2003 Honda Element?
I bought a used 2003 Element (no owners manual!)and I don't know how to do anythng. I need to set the clock and I'd like to know how to move the back seats around--anybody able to help me?
A: Find anything you want to know about your Honda Element on the forum at at http://www.elementownersclub.com. Generally a very friendly site. Just check the FAQ section and do a search before you post a new question. Five years after the first model was introduced, most common questions have been covered in incredible detail.
Q: 2003 Honda Element 7,000 miles Vtech pressure switch failed?
My father owns a 2003 element, only 7,000 miles on it. I went to the store with him yesterday, the car started fine, and drove fine. We stop at a red light 5 minutes from home, go to take off and the truck started bucking and check engine light came
We called the Honda dealer, they said it has such low millage, nothing could be wrong with it, drive it down. So I followed him in case it broke down. It came almost to a complete stop several times, when I asked what happened he said it lost all power but staid running. The dealer called today and said that they replaced a faulty VTECH pressure switch.
So I took him down to pick it up, and when I talked to him on the phone, he said it feels as if there is no power range on take off. It feels flat.
Should we take it back down to the dealer, and how does one of these pressure switches fail at such low millage? Also it's quit disquieting to know if this switch goes again the vehicle is essentially immobilized and will need a tow
A: ok,
Hi. This is not an answer. I am sorry. But I recently had the exact same problem with my 2003 honda element. They told me the same thing except they said the vtech switch had nothing to do with the
loosing power and staying running. Mine happens on the freeway when I accelerate. It has done it 4 times when i am at 70 mph. It is very dangerous!!! I am searching day and night for an answer and will let you know.
Thanks
Q: What type of car battery does a 2003 Honda Element take?
Can I use a larger battery?
A: GRP 51 DEEP CYCLE from OPTIMA. It's an exact fit but only has 450 CCA. You can put in an Optima "blue top" (marine spec) deep-cycle battery, in Group Size 31 from what I understand but it will take you removing the battery tray to fit. Website is listed below.
Q: How do you remove the cross rails from a roof rack on a 2003 Honda Element?
Do you need a special tool?
A: the caps at the ends of the cross rails snap on and off. Remove the cap by pulling up. Under the cap you'll find 3 socket bolts that secure each rail to the vehicle. The bolts are Torx T-25 sockets. You can buy the Torx socket at any parts store for about $5. Hex wrenches can work but too often they slip out and you wind up scratching the paint or stripping the bolt heads, so spend the $5 and get the right socket.
If you're removing the bars forever, you should have the four original flat cover plates that go over the rail mount. The rack end covers won't fit there so look around and see if the dealer put the originals in the vehicle. I don't know if you can order replacements if you don't have them; I imagine you can.
hope that answers your question
Q: What would be the best way to increse horsepower of a 2003 Honda Element?
it has a 2.4 iVTEC 4 cylinder rated at 166hp...
A: Let me start off by saying that you really won't find any cheap modifications that will get you a real power difference you can feel. Chips and exhaust and intake are fine, but the combo usually doesn't result in more than 10 or so horsepower at the wheels. If you really want a power difference you can feel, you're looking at money on forced induction, which gets expensive fast - and can destroy your engine if you don't know what you 're doing (or buy cheap parts).
Q: How do I recharge the air on my 2003 Honda Element?
A: Air conditioning systems are closed systems, so they should never need recharging. If it does, it means there's a leak. You'll pretty much have to take it to a repair shop/dealership. They add freon, with a 2003 it'll probably take synthetic, which is a little more expensive. If you have a warranty still, this should be covered. A good place will add dye, so that they can trace the leak. If it's just a small leak, the recharge may last a couple of years. If it's bigger, in a few weeks they'll want to look at it again, and search for the leak using a blacklight to detect the dye.
Q: how do i get my srs light to go off 2003 honda element?
my srs light stays on 2003 honda element do i have to take it to a garage
A: You will need to take it to the dealer so they are able to remove the light. Is there anything that you modified earlier to make this light come on? If not I would recommend they look into it as it should not have come on.
Q: 2003 Honda Element-- Grinding noise from back right side, worse when brakes are applied.?
I hear a grinding noise from the back right side of my 2003 Honda Element. I definately has something to do with the rotaion of the wheels; it changes as the speed increases or decreases. Here is what really concerns me: when the brakes are applied, the grinding noise is worse. Obviously, it needs attention but I'm wonder what I am looking at here in terms of repairs.
A: Sounds like you've gone beyond needing a basic brake job to needing a new drum or rotor. What you're hearing is probably metal grinding on metal because you've worn out the brake pads or shoes. You've just escalated the cost of this repair by $150-200, maybe more. Go get it checked now, because it will become a safety issue very soon.
Q: Cruise, Airbag and Horn don't work in 2003 Honda Element?
I had some water damage in my steering wheel, and now the cruise control and horn don't work, and the airbag light is constantly on. I'm hoping this means I just need to replace the wiring.
Does anyone have any idea how bad this really might be and how much it could feasibly cost? It worries me to not have a horn in the winter.
Thanks so much!
A: your cable real is damaged, an EASY way to be sure of this, is if you see white powdery substance behind the stearing wheel with the trim removed.
The cable reel is what keeps all the electrical contacts while the steering wheel is turned. this is a job a backyard mechanic can do with a little instruction and a steering wheel puller. labor would be around 1.5 hr(140 bucks or less) the cable reel would cost around 225-200(im not sure if they are made aftermarket yet or not)
Q: Who can tell me the code to my radio for my 2003 honda element so it can turn on?
I had to take battery out to change left headlight bulb now my radio wont turn on radio says needs code!!!! HELP
A: Honda can help you with that if you can't find it per the other answers.
Instructions from Honda:
https://radio-navicode.honda.com/
Q: 2003 Honda Element - 60K miles - What general Maintenance Should I get?
I bought a used Certified 2003 Honda Element 4wd from the dealer back in December 2006. It had roughly 35K miles on it. Now it has 60K on it. The tires were replaced at 35k so they are still good. I am thinking of having the differential fluid replaced beacuse like my old CRV, its making the growling noise when I cut the wheel hard while backing up or making sharp turns in parking lots. Other that the diff fluid is there any other general maintenance I should have performed? I hate to have my Honda dealer do the 60k maintenace check because it's usually $100+ for them to tell you nothing maybe wrong.
I waited until 90k on my old CRV for Honda to first do their checkup on it.
A: At the very least, you should have the air filter and PCV valve replaced, and you should consider replacing the spark plugs and wires (yes, they say the plugs last for 100,000 miles, but if you leave them in that long they're a royal pain to get out). It's also a good idea to have the transmission fluid flushed and replaced, as well as the radiator fluid, and they should check the brakes. The manual may tell you that you can go longer on some of these things, but believe me, waiting too long to do some of this stuff can cost you big bucks later.
P.S.: I pinch.
Q: When is the best time to refinance a 2003 used Honda element?
A: The car is 4 years old. Why would you want to refinance it?
Refinancing a vehicle is never a good plan. Unlike houses which appreciate, vehicles depreciate. You're adding more interest on to something that is continuing to go down in value.
Just pay it off.
Q: Should I buy a high mileage Honda Element?
I found a 2003 Honda Element with 225,000 miles on it for $4000. These Elements go for about $7000 to $9000 with about 120000 miles on them. Should I get this car, or is the mileage too high?
A: What do you know about its history and how much of a gambler are you? If it's been carefully maintained it may go for another 100K miles...or not. 2003 is the first year for the Element, so who knows how long it will last, even though it's a Honda. In addition to the engine and transmission there are all kinds of spendy things that can fail, like the heater core...to the tune of $1200. Been there and done that. It's why I no longer drive an Element.
Post this question on http://www.elementownersclub.com and see what kind of response you get. This is a very active site and you'll get some good feedback from real world owners, probably including some with high mileage Elements.
Q: What camping trailer can I tow with a Honda Element?
I just bought a 2003 Honda Element. I have a class one hitch installed. What camping trailers can I tow with this vehicle?
A: probably small folding tent trailers
Q: should i use synthetic oil for my 2003 honda element?
i want to know if it is better ? and if i use normal oil and change it at 3,000 miles is there any difference?
A: The synthetic oil will give you more miles between oil changes but will cost a tad more.
Honda Oil is mfg by Mobile 1
Good Idea to use the Honda Brand it is what your car was born with.
Considering the cost of disposal and the mess usually involved not to mention your time is worth something you can build a great relationship with your dealer by getting the oil changed there. The trained techs will also be in a better position to notice things that may be out of the ordinary