
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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Service Station Procedures
Filling the Fuel Tank
1. The fuel fill is on the driver's side of the car. Park with that side
closest to the service station
pumps.
2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling on the handle to the left of the
driver's seat.
3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the fuel fill cap on the inside
of the door as shown.
4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel pump automatically clicks off. Do
not try to "top off the tank, leave
some room for the fuel to expand
with temperature changes.
5. Screw the fuel till cap back on, tighten it until it clicks more than
twice.
6. Push the fuel fill door until it
latches.
Befor
e
Drivin
g
Gasoline i
s highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Pull
FUEL FILL CAPProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

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
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Index
Fluids
Automatic Transmission........... 155
Brake........................................... 156
Power Steering........................... 157
Windshield Washer................... 154
FM Stereo Radio
Reception.................................... 97
Folding the Second Seats ............... 58
Folding the Third Seats.................. 60
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 109
Four-way Flashers......................... 43
Front End, Towing by Emergency
Wrecker.................................... 213
Fuel.................................................. 108
Fill Door and Cap....................... 110
Gauge.......................................... 38
Octane Requirement................. 108
Oxygenated................................ 108
Tank, Filling the......................... 110
Fuses, Checking the...................... 209
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 114
Gasohol........................................... 108
Gasoline.......................................... 108
Gauge.......................................... 38
Octane Requirement................. 108
Tank, Filling the......................... 110
Gas Station Procedures................. 110
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature .... 38
Fuel.............................................. 38
Gearshift Lever Positions............. 120 Glass Cleaning............................... 187
Glove Box......................................... 53
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 177
Hazard Warning Flashers............. 43
Headlights....................................... 40
Aiming......................................... 175Daytime Running Lights............. 40
High Beam Indicator................... 36High Beams, Turning on............ 40
Low Beams, Turning on............. 40
Reminder Chime.......................... 40 Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 177
Turning on.................................. 40
Head Restraints............................... 56
Heating and Cooling........................ 74 High Altitude, Starting at............ 119
High-Low Beam Switch............... 40
Hood, Opening the ...................... 111
Horn............................................... 39
Hot Coolant, Warning about...... 151 Hydroplaning................................ 127
Identification Number, Vehicle.. 216
If Your Car Has to be Towed..... 213Ignition
Keys............................................. 49
Switch.......................................... 49
Timing Control System............. 225
Indicator Lights, Instrument
Panel............................................. 33
Infant Restraint............................... 22 Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 170
Inside Mirror................................... 64
Inspection, Tire.............................. 171
Instrument Panel............................. 33
Instrument Panel Brightness........ 41
Interior Cleaning............................ 186
Interior Lights................................. 70
Introduction...................................... iProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Gas Station Information
Gasoline:
UNLEADED gasoline
Pump octane number of 86 or higher
Fuel Tank Capacity:
65 l (17.2 US gal, 14.3 Imp gal)
Recommended Engine Oil:
API SH grade
"Energy Conserving II" oilSAE 5W-30 viscosity Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Front/Rear:
220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 , 32 psi)
Spare Tire Pressure:
420 kPa (4.2 kgf/cm2 , 60 psi)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Honda Premium Formula Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid or an
equivalent DEXRON ®
II type Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid (ATF)ProCarManuals.coms t Main Menu