1996 HONDA ODYSSEY Owners Manual

1996 Odyssey Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.
Contents

Introduction........................................................................\
........................................................................... i
A Few Words About Safety ........................................................................\
................................................ ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
............................................. 3
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
...................................................31
Instrument panel in

dicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features........................................................................\
.................................73
How t o
op

erate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving ........................................................................\
.................................................................... 107
What gasoli n
e to u

se, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving........................................................................\
.................................................................................. 117
The proper way t o

start the engine, shift the tr ansmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
........................................................................ 135
T h
e Ma

intenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care........................................................................\
................................................................ 183
T i
ps on cl

eaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your car ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
...................................... 191
This section covers sever
a

l problems motorists someti mes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
...................................................... 215
ID numbers, dimens ions, capacities, and techn

ical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)..................................................................... 227
A summary of th
e warr

anties covering your new Honda, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
...................................... 233
How t o
order

manuals and other technical literature.
Index ........................................................................\
......................................................................................... I
Gas Station Information
Information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Owner's Identification Form
ProCarManuals.com

Introduction

Congratulations ! Your selection of a 1996 Honda Odyssey was a wise investment. It will give you years of driving
pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Honda is to read this manual. In it, you will learn about
your vehicle's many safety features, and how to operate its driving controls and convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner's manual in your vehicle so you can refer to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new Honda. Read the warranty booklet thoroughly so you understand the coveragesand are aware of your rights and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual helps to keep your driving trouble-free while
it preserves your investment.When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Honda dealer's staff is specially-trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Honda. Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your
satisfaction and will be pleased to answer any questions and concerns.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Safety Messages

Your safety and the safety of others is very important. We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on the vehicle. Please
read these messages carefully.
A safety message alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others. Each safety message is preceded by a safety alert symbol and
one of three words, DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION.
These mean:
You WILL be KILLED or
SERIOUSLY HURT if you don't
follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED orSERIOUSLY HURT if you don't
follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don't
follow instructions.
Each safety message tells you what the hazard is, what can happen and what
you can do to avoid or reduce injury. You will also see another important

symbol:

Your Honda or other property can be
damaged if you don't follow instruc-
tions.

The purpose of these messages is to help prevent damage to your vehicle,other property, or the environment.
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Driver and Passenger Safety

This section gives you important
information about occupant protec-

tion. It shows how to use seat belts

properly. It explains the Supple-

mental Restraint System. And it

gives useful information about how
to protect infants and children in

your car.

Your Occupant Protection System.. 4

The Seat Belt System
and How It Works...................... 5
Why Wear Seat Belts.................... 5

Important Safety Reminders........ 5

Seat Belt System Components..... 6

Lap/Shoulder Belt......................... 6
Lap Belt........................................... 7

Wearing Seat Belts Properly........ 7
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt...... 7

Wearing the Lap Belt.................... 9

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 10

Seat Belt Maintenance................ 11

Supplemental Restraint System..... 12
SRS Components......................... 12

What Happens In a Crash........... 12
Important Facts About

Airbags...................................... 13
How the Driver's Airbag Works........................................ 14
How the Passenger's Airbag Works........................................ 15
How the SRS Indicator Light Works........................................ 16
System Service............................. 16
System Service Precautions....... 17
Additional Safety Information........ 18 Seat-back Position........................ 18
Head Restraint Position.............. 18 Door Locks................................... 19
Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Driving with Pets......................... 19
Child Safety...................................... 20 Where Should Children Sit?....... 20Important Safety Reminders...... 21General Guidelines for Restraining Children Under 18 kg (40 Ibs) ............... 22

Restraining
an Infant Who WeighsLess Than 9 kg (20 Ibs).......... 22

Restraining
a Child Who Weighs Between9 and 18 kg (20 and 40 Ibs)..... 23
Restraining a Child Who Weighs Over 18 kg (40 Ibs).................. 24
Securing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Belt................... 25
Using Child Restraints with Tethers............................. 26

Storing a Child Seat..................... 27

Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28 Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 29
Safety Labels.................................... 30
Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Your Occupant Protection System

Your Honda is equipped with seatbelts and other features that work
together to protect you and your
passenger during a crash.
Seat belts are the most important
part of your occupant protection system. When worn properly, seat
belts can reduce the chance of serious injury or death in a crash.
For added protection during a severe
frontal collision, your Odyssey has a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with airbags for the driver and
a front seat passenger. Two indicator lights are also part of
your safety system. One reminds you
to make sure you and your passen-
gers wear seat belts. The otheralerts you to a possible problem with
your supplemental restraint system (see page 16 ).
The seats, head restraints, and door locks also play a role in occupantsafety. For example, reclining the
seat-back can decrease the effec-
tiveness of your seat belt. Head restraints can help protect your neck
and head, especially during rear-end
impacts. Door locks help keep your doors from being accidentallyopened during a crash. To get the maximum protection from
your occupant protection system,check the following before you drive

away:
Everyone in the car is wearing aseat belt properly (see page 7).
Infants and small children are
properly secured in child safety seats (see page 20 ). All doors and the tailgate are
closed and locked (see page 19).
Seat-backs are upright and headrestraints are properly adjusted (see pages 18 and 55 ).
There are no loose items that could be thrown around and hurtsomeone during a crash or sudden
stop (see page 19 ).
By following these guidelines, you can reduce injuries to yourself and
your passengers in many crash situations. Remember, however, that
no safety system can prevent all
injuries or deaths that can occur in severe crashes.

Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

The Seat Belt System and How It Works

Why Wear Seat Belts
Wearing seat belts, and wearing them properly, is fundamental to
your safety and the safety of your
passengers.

During a crash or emergency stop,seat belts can help keep you from
being thrown against the inside of
the car, against other occupants, or out of the car.
Of course, seat belts cannot com-
pletely protect you in every crash. But, in most cases, seat belts reduce
your chance of serious injury. They can even save your life. That is whymany states and all Canadian pro-
vinces require you to wear seat belts. Important Safety Reminders
Seat belts are designed for adults
and larger children. All infants and small children must be properly
restrained in child safety seats (see
page 20 ).
Never let passengers ride in the
cargo area or on top of a folded-downseat. Carry passengers in the rear
only when they are sitting in a locked,
upright seat, and are properly restrained by seat belts. Passengers should not stand up or
change seats while the vehicle is moving. If they are not wearing seat
belts during a crash or emergency stop, they can be thrown against the
inside of the vehicle, against other occupants, or out of the vehicle.
A pregnant woman needs to wear a seat belt to protect herself and her
unborn child (see page 10 ).
Two people should never use the same seat belt. If they do, they could
be very seriously injured in a crash.
Do not place the shoulder portion of a lap/shoulder belt under your arm
or behind your back. This could
increase the chance of serious
injuries in a crash.
Do not put shoulder belt pads or
other accessories on seat belts. They
can reduce the effectiveness of the
belts and increase the chance of
injury.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Not wearing a seat belt
increases the chance of being
killed or seriously hurt in a
crash.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

The Seat Belt System and How It Works

Seat Belt System Components

Your Honda has seat belts in all seating positions. All the seat belts in
the six-passenger model are lap/ shoulder belts. In the seven-
passenger model, the center position of the bench-type second seat has a
lap belt.
Your seat belt system also includes a light on the instrument panel toremind you to fasten your seat belt,and to make sure your passengers
fasten theirs. This light comes on
when you turn on the ignition if you
have not fastened your seat belt. A beeper also sounds for severalseconds (see page 34 ).
The following pages cover more about the seat belt components and
how they work.
Lap/Shoulder Belt

This style of seat belt has a single belt that goes over your shoulder,across your chest, and across your

hips.

Each lap/shoulder belt has anemergency locking retractor. In
normal driving, the retractor lets you
move freely in your seat while it
keeps some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop,
the retractor automatically locks the
belt to help restrain your body. The lap/shoulder belt retractor in
each passenger seating position hasan additional locking mechanism
that is intended to secure a child seat (see page 25 ). If the shoulder part of
the belt is pulled all the way out, this mechanism will engage. The belt will
retract, but it will not allow the
passenger to move freely. If the belt
feels too tight, unlatch it, let it retract
fully, then pull it out as far as needed.
Driver and Passenger Safety
SHOULDER

PORTION
UPPER SEAT
BELT ANCHOR
To retractor

LAP

PORTION

LATCH

PLATE

BUCKLEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

The Seat Belt System and How It Works

Lap Belt
Seven-passenger model only
The lap belt has one manually-adjusted belt that fits across the hips.It is similar to safety belts used in

airplanes.
Wearing Seat Belts Properly
You can increase the effectiveness of
your seat belts if you take a little time to read the following pages and
make sure you know how to wearseat belts properly.
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt

Before putting on the seat belt, move
the driver's seat as far back as is practical while still allowing you to
maintain full control of the vehicle.
Make sure the seat-back is upright (see page 18 ). The front seat
passenger should move the seat as
far back as possible.

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

Not wearing seat belts properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.
BUCKLE
LATCH PLATEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents