1996 HONDA ODYSSEY cruise control

Instruments and Controls

This section gives information about the controls and displays thatcontribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations............................ 32
Indicator Lights................................ 33
Gauges.............................................. 37
Speedometer................................ 37

Trip Meter.................................... 37
Odometer......................................
37

Temperature Gauge................... .
38

Fuel Gauge.................................. 38

Maintenanc
e Required

Indicator...................................

38

Controls Nea r
the Steering

Wheel........................................ 39

Headlights.................................... 40
Daytime Running Lights............. 40
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 41
Turn Signals................................. 41
Windshield Wipers...................... 42
Windshield Washers................... 42 Rear Window Wiper and Washer...................................... 43

Hazard Warning........................... 43

Rear Window Defogger.............. 43
Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 44
Steering Wheel Controls................ 46 Cruise Control.............................. 46
Keys and Locks................................ 49
Keys............................................... 49
Ignition Switch............................. 49
Power Door Locks....................... 50
Remote Transmitter.................... 51Childproof Door Locks............... 52
Tailgate......................................... 52
Glove Box..................................... 53

Seats.................................................. 54
Passenger Seating....................... 54

Seat Adjustments......................... 54
Driver's Seat Power Height Adjustment............................... 55
Head Restraints........................... 56 Third Seat Access........................ 56
Removing the Second Seats in the Six-Passenger Model.... 57
Folding the Second Seats in the Seven-Passenger
Model....................................

58

Reclining th e
Second Seat.......... 59

Folding the Third Seat
in All Models............................ 60

Power Windows............................... 62

Sunroof.............................................. 63

Mirrors.............................................. 64
Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 64

Parking Brake..................................

65

Digital Clock.................................... .
66
Beverage Holder.............................. 66
Dashboard Compartment............... 68 Center Pocket.................................. 68
Vanity Mirror................................... 68 Cigarette Lighter............................. 69
Ashtrays............................................ 69 Interior Lights.................................. 70

Ceiling Lights............................... 70

Spotlights...................................... 70
Tailgate Light............................... 71 Courtesy Lights........................... 71

Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Indicator Lights

The instrument panel has many indicators to give you important
information about your car.
Lamp CheckMany of the indicator lights come on
when you turn the ignition switch ON (II), allowing you to see that they
are working. If an indicator does not
light during this test, it cannot alert
you if that system develops a prob-
lem. Have the dealer check your car
for burned-out bulbs or other
problems.

* The U.S. instrument panel is
shown. Differences for the Canadian
model are noted in the text.

Instruments and Controls

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
DOOR AND BRAKE
LAMP MONITOR
HIGH BEAM

INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
CHARGING

SYSTEM

INDICATOR
SEAT BELT

REMINDER
LIGHT

LOW OIL PRESSURE

INDICATOR

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR

SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT

SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW FUEL

INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Indicator Lights

"Daytime Running

Lights" Indicator

Canadian models only

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition to ON (II) with the
headlight switch off and the parkingbrake set. It should go off if you turn on the headlights or release the
parking brake. If it comes on at any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may also be a problem with the high
beam headlights. High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 40 forinformation on the headlight
controls.
Cruise Control Indicator
This lights when you set the cruise control. See page 46 for informationon operating the cruise control.
Low Fuel Indicator
This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon.
Instruments and Controls
DRL

CRUISE

CONTROL
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

The two levers on the steering column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The right lever controls the windshield
wipers.
The rear window defogger switch and hazard warning switch are on
the dashboard under the center air
vent.
The controls near the left air vent are for the sunroof, cruise control
and instrument panel brightness.
The lever on the underside of the steering column allows you to tilt the
steering wheel.

Instruments and Controls

HAZARD WARNING LIGHT

SHIFT LEVER
REAR WINDOW

DEFOGGER
HORN
BUTTONS

SUNROOF

SWITCH

CRUISE
CONTROL

INSTRUMENT
BRIGHTNESS
HEADLIGHTS/

TURN SIGNALS
TILT

ADJUSTMENT
WINDSHIELD

WIPERS/WASHERSProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Steering Wheel Controls

Cruise ControlCruise control allows you to maintain
a set speed above 25 mph (40 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal. It is for cruising onstraight, open highways. It is not
recommended for conditions such as city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
You should have full control of the car under those conditions.
Using the Cruise Control

1. Push in the Cruise Control Master Switch to the left of the steering
column. The indicator in the
switch will light.
2. Accelerate to the desired cruising speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).

Instruments and Controls
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open highways in good weather.
CRUISE CONTROL MASTER SWITCHProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Steering Wheel Controls

3. Press and hold the SET/decel button on the steering wheel until
the CRUISE CONTROL light on
the instrument panel comes on.
This shows the system is now

activated.

The set speed may vary slightly,particularly on hills.
Changing the Set Speed

You can increase the set cruising speed in either of two ways:
Press and hold the RESUME/accel button. The car will acceler-
ate slowly. When you reach the
desired cruising speed, release the
button. Push on the accelerator pedal. Ac-
celerate to the desired cruising
speed and press the SET/decel
button. You can decrease the set cruising
speed in either of two ways:
Press and hold the SET/decel
button. The car will decelerate.
Release the button when you
reach the desired speed. Tap the brake pedal lightly with
your foot. The CRUISE CONTROL light on the instru-
ment panel will go out. When the
car slows to the desired speed, press the SET/decel button. The
car will then maintain the desired
speed.

CONTINUED

Instruments and Controls

RESUME/

accel

SET/decelProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Steering Wheel Controls

Even with the cruise control turnedon, you can still use the accelerator

pedal to speed up for passing. After
completing the pass, take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. The car

will return to the set cruising speed.

Resting your foot on the brake or clutch pedal will cause the cruise

control to cancel.
Cancelling the Cruise Control

Any of these actions cause the cruise
control to cancel.
Tap the brake pedal.

Press the SET/decel and RE-

SUME/accel buttons at the same

time.
Press the Cruise Control Master

Switch.

When you tap the brake pedal, or press the SET and RESUME buttonsat the same time, the CRUISECONTROL light on the instrument
panel will go out and the car will
begin to slow down. You can use the accelerator pedal in the normal way. If you use the brake pedal to cancel
cruise control, the system retains the
previously-set cruising speed. To
return to that speed, accelerate to
above 25 mph (40 km/h) and press
the RESUME/accel button until theCRUISE CONTROL light comes on.
The car will accelerate to the same cruising speed as before.
If you cancel cruise control by
pressing the SET and RESUME
buttons at the same time, the
previously-set cruising speed is erased. To use the cruise control,
accelerate to the desired cruisingspeed and press the SET/decel

button.

Pressing the Cruise Control Master
Switch turns the system completely off and erases the previous cruisingspeed from memory. To use the

system again, refer to Using the
Cruise Control.

Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Fuel Economy

The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.

Vehicle Condition

Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Periodic Checks (see
page 144). For example, an under- inflated tire causes more "rolling
resistance," which uses fuel. It also
wears out faster, so check the tire pressure at least monthly. In winter,the build-up of snow on your car'sunderside adds weight and rolling
resistance. Frequent cleaning helps
your fuel mileage and reduces the chance of corrosion. Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up, your car uses extra fuel. Use thecruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to"warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of "cold starts," try to combine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes it use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.

Before DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents