1996 HONDA ODYSSEY instrument panel

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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The Seat Belt System and How It Works

Seat Belt System Components

Your Honda has seat belts in all seating positions. All the seat belts in
the six-passenger model are lap/ shoulder belts. In the seven-
passenger model, the center position of the bench-type second seat has a
lap belt.
Your seat belt system also includes a light on the instrument panel toremind you to fasten your seat belt,and to make sure your passengers
fasten theirs. This light comes on
when you turn on the ignition if you
have not fastened your seat belt. A beeper also sounds for severalseconds (see page 34 ).
The following pages cover more about the seat belt components and
how they work.
Lap/Shoulder Belt

This style of seat belt has a single belt that goes over your shoulder,across your chest, and across your

hips.

Each lap/shoulder belt has anemergency locking retractor. In
normal driving, the retractor lets you
move freely in your seat while it
keeps some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop,
the retractor automatically locks the
belt to help restrain your body. The lap/shoulder belt retractor in
each passenger seating position hasan additional locking mechanism
that is intended to secure a child seat (see page 25 ). If the shoulder part of
the belt is pulled all the way out, this mechanism will engage. The belt will
retract, but it will not allow the
passenger to move freely. If the belt
feels too tight, unlatch it, let it retract
fully, then pull it out as far as needed.
Driver and Passenger Safety
SHOULDER

PORTION
UPPER SEAT
BELT ANCHOR
To retractor

LAP

PORTION

LATCH

PLATE

BUCKLEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

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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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

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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

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Headlights

The rotating switch on the left lever controls the lights. Turning this switch to the first position
turns on the parking lights, taillights, instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate lights.
Turning the switch to the second position turns on the
headlights. If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder chime when you open the
driver's door.
To change between low beams and high beams, pull back on the turnsignal lever until you hear a click,
then let go. The blue high beam indicator will light (see page 36). To flash the high beams, pull back
and hold the turn signal lever.
Release the lever and the high
beams will go off.
The high beams will stay on for as long as you hold the lever, no matter
what position the headlight switch is
in.

Daytime Running Lights (Canadian Models)
With the headlight switch off, the high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
off, even if you set the parking brake
The headlights revert to normal operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instrument Panel Brightness

The knob on the dashboard to the left of the steering column controlsthe brightness of the instrument panel lights. Push the knob to get it
to pop out. Turn the knob to adjust the brightness. Turn Signals
Signal a turn or lane change with this
lever. Push down on the lever tosignal a left turn, and up to signal aright turn. If you push it up or down
all the way, the turn signal continues
to blink even when you release the
lever. It shuts off automatically as
you complete the turn. To signal a lane change, push lightly
on the turn signal lever in the proper
direction and hold it. The lever will
return to the center position as soon as you release it.

Instruments and Controls

TURN SIGNAL LEVERProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents