1996 HONDA ODYSSEY ESP

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

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

Supplemental Restraint System

After the crash, you may see what looks like smoke. This is actuallypowder from the airbag's surface.People with respiratory problems
may experience some temporarydiscomfort from the chemicals used
by the airbag's activators.
Important Facts About Airbags
Airbags inflate only when needed; in a severe frontal collision. A severe
collision would be similar to a crashinto a parked vehicle of similar size
at 25 mph (40 km/h). Airbags will
not inflate in a moderate frontalcollision, or during a rear impact,
side impact, or rollover — even if the
impact is severe. Airbags inflate and deflate only once.
They cannot protect you during any
additional impacts that can occur
during a crash sequence.
Injuries, including fatal injuries, can
occur in a severe collision, even ifseat belts are worn properly and the
airbags inflate. No safety system can
provide complete protection in a
severe crash. Just from viewing the vehicle
damage after a crash, it is very
difficult to accurately determine if
the airbags should or should not
have inflated. In some cases where
the airbag did not inflate, extensive
visible damage indicated that the car absorbed much of the crash energy,
and the airbags were not needed. Inother cases, a severe jolt, such as an
impact to the undercarriage, may not
cause extensive body damage but
cause the airbags to inflate.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Frontal collision rangeProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Additional Safety Information

Door Locks
It is not safe to leave your car doors
unlocked. A passenger, especially a
child, could open a door and acci- dentally fall out. Also, there is a
greater chance of being thrown out of the car during a crash when the
doors are not locked.
Storing Cargo Safely
Before you drive, make sure you
first securely store or tie down any items that could be thrown around
the car and hurt someone, or interfere with your ability to operate
the controls.
Be sure to keep compartment doors
closed when the car is moving. If a
passenger hits the door of an open
glove box, for example, he could injure his knees.
For information on loading cargo,

see page 116.
Driving with Pets
Loose pets can be a hazard while you
are driving. An unrestrained pet can
interfere with your ability to drive
the car. In a crash or sudden stop,
loose pets or cages can be thrown around inside the car and hurt you or
your passengers. It is also for their safety that pets should be properly
restrained in your car.
The recommended way to restrain a medium-sized or larger dog is with aspecial traveling harness. This har-
ness can be secured to the rear seat
with a seat belt. Travel harnesses are available at pet stores.
A small dog, cat, or other small animal will be safest in a pet carrier
with rigid sides. Choose a style that allows you to secure it to the car'sseat by routing a seat belt through
the carrier's handle. For further information, contact your
veterinarian or local animal protec-
tion society.

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

Keys and Locks

If you use the unlock feature on the
remote transmitter, and a door or the
tailgate is not opened within 20 seconds, all doors and the tailgate
will automatically lock. The remote transmitter will not work if the key isin the ignition.

This device complies with Part 15 of the

FCC rules. Operation is subject to the

following two conditions: (1) This device

may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any

interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance should void the user's

authority to operate the equipment.
Childproof Door Locks
The childproof door locks are
designed to prevent children seated
in the rear from accidentally opening
the rear doors. Each rear door has a
lock lever near the edge. With the
lever in the LOCK position, the door cannot be opened from the inside
regardless of the position of the lock
tab. To open the door, pull the lock
tab up and use the outside door
handle.
Tailgate
Use your key to lock and unlock the
tailgate. (On the U.S. EX model, you remote transmitter will also lock andunlock the tailgate.)
To open the tailgate, pull the handle, then lift up the tailgate.

Instruments and Controls
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Comfort and Convenience Features

The heating and air conditioning system in your car provides a com-
fortable driving environment in all
weather conditions.
The standard audio system has many features. This section de-scribes those features and how to
use them. (If you selected an
optional audio system, refer to the operating instructions that came
with it.)
Some models have an anti-theft
audio system that requires a code
number to enable it. Heating and Cooling........................ 74
What Each Control Does............ 74How to Use the System............... 76
To Turn Everything Off ............. 81 Rear A/C Unit.............................. 82
Audio System (U.S. LX and
Canadian EX)........................... 83

Operating the Radio.................... 84
Adjusting the Sound.................... 86 Radio Frequencies and Reception.................................. 86
Operating the Cassette Player... 87
Tape Search Functions............... 88
Caring for Cassettes.................... 89Operating the Optional CD Player/Changer....................... 90
Audio System (U.S. EX).................. 92 Operating the Radio.................... 93
Adjusting the Sound.................... 96 Radio Frequencies....................... 97
Radio Reception........................... 97
Operating the Cassette Player... 99
Tape Search Functions............. 100 Caring for the Cassette Player...................................... 101 Operating the Optional CD
Player/Changer..................... 102
Protecting Compact Discs........ 104 CD Error Indications................. 105
Theft Protection........................ 106

Comfort and Convenience FeaturesProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Heating and Cooling

Mode Buttons
These buttons let you select which vents the air flows from. Air flows from the center
and corner vents in the dashboard. Air flow is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
floor vents. Air flows from the floor

vents.
Air flow is divided between
the floor vents and the defroster
vents at the base of the windshield. Air flows from the defroster
vents at the base of the windshield.
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Heating and Cooling

To Heat

To warm the interior:
1. Start the engine. 2. Select and
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.
4. Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control lever.
To Heat and Dehumidify with Air
Conditioning

Air conditioning, as it cools, removes moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, itmakes the interior warm and dry.
1. Switch the fan on.
2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select and
4. Adjust the temperature control
lever so the mixture of heated and
cooled air feels comfortable.
This setting is suitable for all driving conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
To Defog and Defrost

To remove fog from the inside of the windows:
1. Switch the fan on.
2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select and
4. Adjust the temperature control
lever so the airflow from the
defroster vents feels warm.
5. Turn on the rear window defogger to help clear the rear window.
CONTINUED

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