1996 HONDA ODYSSEY maintenance

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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Corrosion Protection

Two factors normally contribute to causing corrosion in your car:
1. Moisture trapped in body cavities. Dirt and road salt that collects in
hollows on the underside of the car stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
2. Removal of paint and protective coatings from the exterior and
underside of the car. Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Honda. You can
help keep your car from corroding
by performing some simple periodic

maintenance:
Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.
Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors and body. Check the floor coverings for
dampness. Carpeting and floor
mats may remain damp for a long
time, especially in winter. This dampness can eventually cause
the floor panels to corrode. Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your car. This is especially important in areas that
use road salt in winter. It is also a
good idea in humid climates and areas subject to salt air. Carsequipped with ABS have a sensor
and wiring at each wheel. Be
careful not to damage them. Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
car inspected and repaired periodically.

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Emission Controls
The burning of gasoline in your car's engine produces several byproducts.
Some of these are carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
hydrocarbons (HC). Gasoline
evaporating from the tank also
produces hydrocarbons. Controlling
the production of NOx, CO, and HC
is important to the environment. Under certain conditions of sunlight
and climate, NOx and HC react to
form photochemical "smog." Carbon monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous

gas.
The Clean Air Act
The United States Clean Air Act* sets standards for automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emission controls
work and what to do to maintain
them. This section summarizes how the emission controls work.Scheduled maintenance is on page 140.
* In Canada, Honda vehicles comply
with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) for
Emissions valid at the time they are
manufactured. Crankcase Emission Control
System
Your car has a Positive Crankcase Ventilation System. This keeps
gasses that build up in the engine's crankcase from going into the

atmosphere. The Positive Crankcase

Ventilation valve routes them from the crankcase back to the intakemanifold. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
Evaporative Emission Control System
As gasoline evaporates in the fuel
tank, an evaporative emission control
canister filled with charcoal adsorbs
the vapor. It is stored in this canister
while the engine is off. After the
engine is started and warmed up, the

vapor is drawn into the engine and burned during driving.

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Warranty Coverages

U.S. Owners
Your new Honda is covered by these
warranties:

New Car Limited Warranty — covers

your new car, except for the battery, emissions control systems and
accessories, against defects in
materials and workmanship.

Emissions Control Systems Defects Warranty and Emissions
Performance Warranty — these two

warranties cover your car's emis- sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
information.

Original Equipment Battery Limited

Warranty — this warranty gives up
to 100% credit toward a replacement
battery.
Seat Belt Limited Warranty — a seat

belt that fails to function properly is covered for the useful life of the car.
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty — all exterior body panels are
covered for rust-through from the
inside for the specified time period
with no mileage limit.
Accessory Limited Warranty — Genuine Honda Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other factors. Please read your warranty manual
for details.

Replacement Parts Limited
Warranty — covers all Genuine

Honda replacement parts against
defects in materials and workman-

ship.
Replacement Battery Limited

Warranty — provides prorated
coverage for a replacement battery
purchased from a Honda dealer.
Replacement Muffler Lifetime
Limited Warranty — provides
coverage for as long as the pur-
chaser of the muffler owns the car.
Restrictions and exclusions apply toall these warranties. Please read the 1996 Honda Warranties booklet that
came with your car for precise
information on warranty coverages.
Your Honda's original tires are covered by their manufacturer. Tire
warranty information is in a separate booklet.

Canadian Owners

Please refer to the 1996 Warranty and Maintenance Guide that came
with your car.
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Authorized Manuals

P.O.BOX 07280 DETROIT MICHIGAN 48207 1-800-782-4356 Service Manual:
This manual covers maintenance and recommended procedures for repair to engine and chassis components.It is written for the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough for most mechanically-inclined owners to under-

stand.

Electrical Troubleshooting Manual:
This manual complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth troubleshooting information for each
electrical circuit in your car.
Body Repair Manual:
This manual describes the procedures involved in the replacement of damaged body parts.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Index

Accessories
Installation.................................. 115

ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 50

Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 155
Brake Fluid................................. 156

Engine Coolant........................... 151

Engine Oil................................... 146

Power Steering Fluid................. 157
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 154

Additional Safety Information........ 18

Door Locks................................... 19Driving with Pets......................... 19
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18

Storing Cargo Safely................... 19

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 148
Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 64

Head Restraints........................... 56
Seats.............................................. 54

Steering Wheel............................ 44
Airbag (SRS).................................... 12

Air Cleaner..................................... 158

Air Conditioning............................... 74
Maintenance............................... 168

Usage............................................. 74

Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 76

Air Pressure, Tires........................ 170
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28

Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 108
Antifreeze....................................... 150

Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Description................................. 220

Indicator Light..................... 35, 125

Operation.................................... 125

Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 49

Appearance Care........................... 183

Ashtray.............................................. 69

Audio System................................... 83

Automatic Speed Control................ 48
Automatic Transmission............... 120
Capacity, Fluid........................... 218

Checking Fluid Level................ 155
Shifting........................................ 120
Shift Lever Positions................. 120
Shift Lock Release..................... 123 Battery
Charging System Light............... 34
Jump Starting............................. 200 Maintenance............................... 162

Specifications............................. 219

Before Driving............................... 107
Belts, Seat........................................... 5
Beverage Holder.............................. 66
Body Repair.................................... 189
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 125Break-in, New Linings .............. 108

Fluid............................................ 156

Light, Burned-out...................... 179

Parking.......................................... 65

System Indicator.......................... 34
Wear Indicators......................... 124
Brakes, ABS Description................................. 220Operation.................................... 125
System Indicator.................. 35, 125
Braking System.............................. 124
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index
Jacking up the Car......................... 195

Jack, Tire........................................ 193
Jump Starting................................. 200
Keys................................................... 49
Label, Certification........................ 216
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 41Lap Belt............................................... 7
Lap/Shoulder Belts........................... 6
Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 29
Lighter, Cigarette............................ 69
Lights Headlight Aiming...................... 175Bulb Replacement..................... 177

Indicator........................................ 33

Parking.......................................... 40
Turn Signal................................... 41
Loading Cargo................................ 116
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 50 Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 49
Fuel Fill Door............................. 110Glove Box..................................... 53
Power Door.................................. 50
Tailgate......................................... 52
Low Coolant Level......................... 150 Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 34, 204
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 218
Luggage.......................................... 116
Maintenance................................... 135 Periodic Items............................ 144

Record.................................. 142-143

Required Indicator....................... 38
Safety........................................... 136Schedule.............................. 138-141
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 34, 206 Maximum Speeds.......................... 123
Meters, Gauges................................ 37
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 109

Mirrors, Adjusting...........................
64

Neutral Gea r
Position.................... 122
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 108
NOTICE, Explanation of................... ii
Numbers, Identification................ 216

Occupant Protection System............ 4
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 108

Odometer.......................................... 37

Odometer, Trip................................ 37

Oil Change, How to......................... 148

Change, When to....................... 140

Checking Engine....................... 146
Pressure Indicator....................... 34

Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 148

ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 50

Opening the Hood......................... 111

Operation in Foreign Countries... 109

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Outside Mirrors............................... 64
Overheating, Engine..................... 202
Panel Brightness Control............... 41

Park Gear Position......................... 121

Parking Brake.................................. 65

Parking Lights.................................. 40

Parking Over Things that Burn... 226

PGM-FI System.............................. 225

Polishing and Waxing................... 184

Power
Door Locks................................... 50

Mirrors.......................................... 64

Steering....................................... 157

Windows....................................... 62

Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 10
Proper Seat Belt Usage..................... 7

Radiator Overheating.................... 202
Radio/Cassette Sound System....... 83
Rear A/C Unit.................................. 82
Rear End Towing........................... 213 Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 179
Rear View Mirror............................. 64
Rear Window Defogger.................. 43
Rear Window Wiper and Washer.. 43
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 55
Reclining the Second Seats............ 59
Reminder Lights.............................. 33
Remote Transmitter........................ 51
Removing the Second Seats........... 57
Replacement Information Air Cleaner................................. 158Coolant........................................ 152
Engine Oil and Filter................. 148
Fuses........................................... 209

Light Bulbs................................. 177

Schedule..................................... 138

Spark Plugs................................. 160

Tires............................................ 172

Wiper Blades.............................. 165
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 11

Reserve Tank, Coolant.................. 150

Restraint, Child................................ 20

Reverse Gear Position................... 121

Rotation, Tire................................. 172
Safety Belts....................................... 5

Safety Defects, Reporting*.......... 232

Safety Labels, Location of............. 30

Safely Messages .............................. ii
Seat Belts ......................................... 5

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 10Cleaning...................................... 187
Frayed or Torn............................ 11

Maintenance............................... 11

Reminder Light and Beeper....... 34
Replacement................................ 11

System Components.................... 6
Tether Attachment Points........ 26 Use During Pregnancy................ 10
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt..... 7
Wearing the Lap Belt................... 9

Seats................................................. 54
Adjustments ................................ 54
Driver's Seat Power
Height Adjustment................
55

Folding th e
Second Seats..........

58

Folding th
e
Third Seats............ 60

Head Restraints .......................... 56
Passenger Seating......................

54
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