1996 HONDA ODYSSEY engine

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
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Supplemental Restraint System

The passenger's airbag is stored near the top of the dashboard, undera lid marked SRS. Do not place any
objects on top of this lid. If the airbag
inflates, those objects can be
propelled inside the car and possibly hurt someone. How the SRS Indicator
Light Works
The purpose of the SRS light on your instrument panel is to alert you of apotential problem with your supple-
mental restraint system.
Have the system checked if: The light does not come on when
you turn the ignition ON (II). The light stays on after the engine
starts. The light comes on or flashes
while you are driving.
If you see any of these indications,
the airbag may not work when
needed in an accident. Take the car
to your dealer promptly for diagnosis
and service.
System Service

Your supplemental restraint system is virtually maintenance-free. There
are no parts you can safely service.
You must have the system serviced by an authorized Honda dealer:
If your airbags ever inflate, the
airbags and control unit must be
replaced. Do not try to remove or discard the airbags by yourself.
This must be done by a Honda
dealer.

If the SRS indicator light alerts
you of a problem. Have the supplemental restraint systemchecked as soon as possible.Otherwise, your airbags might not
inflate when you need them.
When the car is ten years old. Have the dealer inspect thesystem. The production date is on
the driver's doorjamb for your

convenience.

Driver and Passenger Safety
S R S
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Carbon Monoxide Hazard

Your car's exhaust contains carbon monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving ifyou maintain your car properly.Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:
The car is raised for an oil change.
You notice a change in the soundof the exhaust. The car was in an accident that
may have damaged the underside. High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas, such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
car out of the garage.
With the tailgate open, air flow can pull exhaust gas into your car'sinterior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
tailgate open, open all the windows and set the heating and cooling
system as follows. If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconfined area, with the engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as follows:

1. Push the
button. 2. Select the mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and can even

kill you.

Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that expose you tocarbon monoxide.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Indicator Lights
Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition ON (II). It is a reminder
to you and your passengers to
protect yourselves by fastening theseat belts. A beeper also sounds if
you have not fastened your seat belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a fewseconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.
See page 206. Malfunction Indicator
Lamp Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
information, see page 204.

Charging System

Indicator
If this light comes on when the engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 205.
See page 16. Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator Parking Brake
and Brake
System

Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you have set the parking brake.
Driving with the parking brake set
can damage the brakes and tires,
and cause the Anti-lock brakesystem to turn off (see page 125).
2. It can indicate the brake fluid level is low if it remains lit after you
release the parking brake orcomes on while driving. This is
normally due to worn brake pads. Have your dealer check the
braking system for worn pads or
fluid leaks.

Instruments and Controls
S R S U.S.

Canada

BRAKE
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Indicator Lights
U.S.

Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Indicator

Canada

Only on cars equipped with ABS (see
page 125)
This light normally comes on when you turn the ignition ON (II) andgoes off after the engine starts. If itcomes on at any other time, there is
a problem in the ABS. If this happens,
take the car to your dealer to have it checked. With the light on, your car
still has normal braking ability but no

anti-lock.
Turn Signal and
Hazard WarningIndicators
The left or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out (see page 178). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
When you turn on the Hazard
Warning switch, both turn signal lights blink. All turn signals on theoutside of the car should flash. Door and Brake Lamp Monitor
The appropriate light comes on in this display if the tailgate or any dooris not closed tightly. If a brake lightdoes not work, the BRAKE LAMP
indicator comes on when you push
the brake pedal with the ignition switch ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Have your brake lights repaired right away.
All the lights in the monitor display come on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Instruments and Controls

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Gauges

Temperature Gauge This shows the temperature of the engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper white mark. If it reaches the
red "H" (Hot) mark, pull safely to
the side of the road. Turn to page 202 for instructions and precautions
on checking the engine's cooling

system.

Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or hilly roads. The gauge stays at the same fuel
level reading after you turn off theignition. When you add fuel, thegauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignition
back ON (II).
Maintenance Required Indicator
This indicator reminds you that it is nearing 12,000 km (7,500 miles)since the last scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules
for Normal and Severe driving conditions on page 140 . When the distance driven since the
last scheduled maintenance nears 12,000 km (7,500 miles), the
indicator will turn yellow. If you
exceed 12,000 km (7,500 miles), the indicator will turn red.
Your dealer will reset the indicator when he performs the scheduledmaintenance. If someone else
performs the maintenance, reset the indicator by inserting your key in theslot beside the indicator.
Instruments and Controls SLOT
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Keys and Locks

LOCK (0) — You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
When you turn the key from LOCK to ACCESSORY, you may have to
turn the steering wheel to release the anti-theft lock. To switch from
ACCESSORY to LOCK, you must push the key in slightly as you turn it.
The shift lever must also be in Park. The anti-theft lock will lock the steering column when you remove
the key.
ACCESSORY (I) — In this position, you can operate the audio systemand cigarette lighter.
ON (II) — This is the normal key
position when driving. All features and accessories on the car are usable.
Several of the lights on the instru-
ment panel come on as a test when
you turn the ignition switch from
ACCESSORY to ON (see page 35 ). START (III) — Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON when you let go of the

key.

You will hear a reminder beeper if
you open the driver's door with the key in the LOCK or ACCESSORYposition. Remove the key to turn itoff. Power Door Locks
Each front door has a master door
lock switch. Either switch locks andunlocks all doors. Push the switchdown to lock all doors, and up to
unlock them. The lock tab on the
tailgate also locks and unlocks when
you use the master door lock switch.
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Heating and Cooling
Vent Controls
You can adjust the direction of the air coming from the dashboard vents
by moving the tab in the center of each vent up-and-down and side-to-
side.
CORNER VENT
The vents in the corners of the dashboard can be opened and closed
with the dials next to them. How to Use the System
This section covers how to set up the system controls for ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and
defrosting.
The engine must be running for the heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes before you feel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on engine temperature.
Comfort and Convenience Features
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