1996 HONDA ODYSSEY oil additives

Break-in Period, Gasoline

Break-in Period
Help assure your car's future
reliability and performance by payingextra attention to how you drive
during the first 1,000 km (600 miles).
During this period:
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.

If you need to add oil, use the
engine oil recommended in this
owner's manual.
Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken-in by moderate
use for the first 300 km (200

miles).

You should follow these same re- commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Gasoline

Your Honda operates most effec- tively on unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 86 or higher.
Use of a lower octane gasoline can
cause a persistent, heavy metallicrapping noise in the engine that can
lead to mechanical damage.
We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent
fuel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car's emission controls.
This contributes to air pollution and can void certain parts of your
warranty. Oxygenated Fuels

Some conventional gasolines are

being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines

are collectively referred to as
oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air standards, some areas of the United

States and Canada use oxygenated

fuels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated fuel, besure it is unleaded and meets the

minimum octane rating requiremen

Before using an oxygenated fuel,

to confirm the fuel's contents. Some states/provinces require this
information to be posted on the

pump.

Before DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Maintenance

This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools
required to perform more complex
maintenance tasks on your Honda,
you may want to purchase the Service Manual. See page 233 for
information on how to obtain a copy,or see your Honda dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 136

Important Safety Precautions.. 137

Maintenance Schedule.................. 138

Maintenance Record..................... 142
Periodic Checks............................. 144

Fluid Locations............................... 145
Engine Oil....................................... 146
Checking Engine Oil................. 146

Adding Oil................................... 146 Recommended Oil..................... 147
Synthetic Oil............................... 148

Additives..................................... 148
Oil and Filter Changes.............. 148

Cooling System.............................. 150

Checking the Engine Coolant
Level........................................ 150

Adding Engine Coolant............. 151 Replacing Engine Coolant........ 152

Windshield Washers..................... 154

Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 155
Brake Fluid..................................... 156
Brake System............................. 156

Anti-lock Brake System............ 157

Power Steering............................... 157

Air Cleaner..................................... 158 Spark Plugs..................................... 160
Replacement............................... 160
Specifications............................. 161
Battery............................................ 162
Windshield Wipers........................ 165
Air Conditioning............................. 168 Drive Belts...................................... 169
Tires................................................ 169 Inflation....................................... 170
Inspection................................... 171
Maintenance............................... 171
Tire Rotation.............................. 172 Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 172
Wheels and Tires....................... 173
Winter Driving........................... 173 Snow Tires.............................. 174
Tire Chains............................. 174
Lights.............................................. 175 Headlight Aiming...................... 175Replacing Bulbs......................... 177
Storing Your Car............................ 182
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Engine Oil
The SAE numbers tell you the oil'sviscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your car according to this chart.

Ambient Temperature

An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is preferred for improved fuel economy
and year-round protection in your
Honda. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never

goes below 20°F ( — 7°C).
Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil;
energy conserving, a service
classification of SH, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When
using synthetic oil, you must follow
the oil and filter change intervals given in the maintenance schedule.
Additives Your Honda does not need any oil additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost of operating your car. Oil and Filter Changes
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule. The oil and filter collect contaminants that can dam-age your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.

1. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.

MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Index

Accessories
Installation.................................. 115

ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 50

Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 155
Brake Fluid................................. 156

Engine Coolant........................... 151

Engine Oil................................... 146

Power Steering Fluid................. 157
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 154

Additional Safety Information........ 18

Door Locks................................... 19Driving with Pets......................... 19
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18

Storing Cargo Safely................... 19

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 148
Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 64

Head Restraints........................... 56
Seats.............................................. 54

Steering Wheel............................ 44
Airbag (SRS).................................... 12

Air Cleaner..................................... 158

Air Conditioning............................... 74
Maintenance............................... 168

Usage............................................. 74

Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 76

Air Pressure, Tires........................ 170
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28

Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 108
Antifreeze....................................... 150

Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Description................................. 220

Indicator Light..................... 35, 125

Operation.................................... 125

Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 49

Appearance Care........................... 183

Ashtray.............................................. 69

Audio System................................... 83

Automatic Speed Control................ 48
Automatic Transmission............... 120
Capacity, Fluid........................... 218

Checking Fluid Level................ 155
Shifting........................................ 120
Shift Lever Positions................. 120
Shift Lock Release..................... 123 Battery
Charging System Light............... 34
Jump Starting............................. 200 Maintenance............................... 162

Specifications............................. 219

Before Driving............................... 107
Belts, Seat........................................... 5
Beverage Holder.............................. 66
Body Repair.................................... 189
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 125Break-in, New Linings .............. 108

Fluid............................................ 156

Light, Burned-out...................... 179

Parking.......................................... 65

System Indicator.......................... 34
Wear Indicators......................... 124
Brakes, ABS Description................................. 220Operation.................................... 125
System Indicator.................. 35, 125
Braking System.............................. 124
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