1996 HONDA ODYSSEY engine

Cooling System

RESERVE TANK
RESERVE

TANK CAP

HOLDER

4. Remove the reserve tank from its holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the tank back in its holder.
5. When the coolant stops draining, tighten the drain plug in the
bottom of the radiator. Apply non-hardening sealant to the drain bolt
threads and reinstall the bolt in
the engine block. Tighten it securely.
FILLER NECK

Fill up to here
6. Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of purified
or distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system

capacity is:6.3 (1.66 US gal, 1.39 Imp gal)

7. Pour coolant into the radiator up
to the base of the filler neck. BLEEDER BOLT
8. Loosen the bleeder bolt on top of the engine. Tighten it again when
coolant comes out in a steady
stream with no bubbles.
9. Refill the radiator to the base of the filler neck. Put the cap on the
radiator, only tighten it to the first
stop. Start the engine and let it run
until it warms up (the radiator
cooling fan comes on at least
twice).
MaintenanceCONTINUED
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Cooling System, Windshield Washers

10.Turn off the engine. Check the
level in the radiator, add coolant if

needed. Install the radiator cap,

tighten it fully.

11.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Windshield Washers

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop

for fuel.

The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the left headlight.Check the reservoir's fluid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability andprevents freezing in cold weather.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in the wind-
shield washer reservoir.
LEVEL GAUGE

Antifreeze can damage your car's pain while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available

windshield washer fluid.

Maintenance
RESERVE TANK

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Automatic Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. UPPER MARK

3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission.

4. Remove the dipstick and check
the fluid level. It should be

between the upper and lower
marks. 5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Use
Honda Premium Formula Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid or an equivalent DEXRON ®
II Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
only.
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back in the transmission.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.

Maintenance

DIPSTICK

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Brake Fluid, Power Steering
Anti-lock Brake System
The fluid should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of
the reservoir. If it is at or below the
MIN mark, it indicates a possible
problem in the ABS. Have the dealer inspect the system as soon as

possible.
Power Steering
LOWER LEVEL
You should check the fluid level in the power steering reservoirmonthly. Check the level when the
engine is cold. Look at the side of
the reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Using automatic transmission fluid or
another brand of power steering fluid
will damage the system. Use only GENUINE HONDA Power Steering

Fluid-V.

A low power steering fluid level can indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon aspossible.

Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can damage the power steering pump.

Maintenance

MAX

MIN
UPPER LEVEL

NOTICE
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Air Cleaner
The air cleaner element should becleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendationsin the maintenance schedule. Cleaning (Severe Conditions)
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in the opposite direction to normal air
flow. If you do not have access to compressed air (such as a servicestation), ask your Honda dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
The air cleaner element is inside thebox on the passenger's side of theengine compartment.
To replace it:
1. Remove the two pins holding the air intake cover by pulling the
head on each pin. Remove the air
intake cover.
2. Remove the air duct from the air cleaner housing cover.

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Spark Plugs

5. Torque the spark plug. (If you do not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug 2/3 turn after itcontacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
18 N.m (1.8 kgf.m , 13 Ibf.ft)

Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can overheat and damage the engine. Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

6. Install the spark plug cap.
7. Repeat this procedure for the other three spark plugs.
Specifications:

NGK:

Nippondenso:

Spark Plug Gap:
ZFR5F-11

KJ16CR-L11

1.1 mm (0.04 in)

Maintenance

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Air Conditioning

Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified technician. There are a couple of things you can do to makesure the air conditioning works
efficiently.
Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning condenser for leaves, insects, anddirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSER

Run the air conditioning at least once a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least tenminutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge thesystem with Refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a). (See Specifications on page 218.)

Whenever you have the air conditioning

system serviced, make sure the service

facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing

refrigerant into the atmosphere can

damage the environment.

Maintenance

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Storing Your Car

If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. It is
best to store your car indoors if at all

possible.
Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 148). Wash and dry the exterior

completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield. Apply a silicone spray lubricant to
all door and tailgate seals. Also,
apply wax to the painted surfaces
that mate with the door and
tailgate seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
car cover, one made from a porous

material such as cotton.

Nonporous materials, such as

plastic sheeting, trap moisture
which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once
a month).

If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Honda dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/48,000 km (30,000 miles) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page 140 )
The replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
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