1996 HONDA ODYSSEY oil filter

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
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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.

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Engine Oil

2. Open the hood and remove the
engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt from the bottom of the

engine. Drain the oil into an

appropriate container.
3. Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your Honda dealer) is required to
remove the filter.
4. Install a new oil filter according to instructions that come with it.
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:43 N.m (4.4 kgf.m , 32 Ibf.ft) 6. Refill the engine with the recom-

mended oil.

Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
3.8 (4.0 US qt, 3.3 Imp qt)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain boltand oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

WASHER
DRAIN BOLT OIL FILTER
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Storing Your Car

If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. It is
best to store your car indoors if at all

possible.
Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 148). Wash and dry the exterior

completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield. Apply a silicone spray lubricant to
all door and tailgate seals. Also,
apply wax to the painted surfaces
that mate with the door and
tailgate seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
car cover, one made from a porous

material such as cotton.

Nonporous materials, such as

plastic sheeting, trap moisture
which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once
a month).

If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Honda dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/48,000 km (30,000 miles) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page 140 )
The replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
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Index

DANGER, Explanation of................. ii

Dashboard........................................ 32 Dashboard Compartment............... 68
Daytime Running Lights................. 40Dead Battery, What to Do............ 200
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 232
Defogger, Rear Window................. 43 Defrosting the Windows................. 79
DEXRON® II Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 155

Dimensions.................................... 218

Dimming the Headlights................ 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 155

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

Directional Signals.......................... 43

Disabled, Towing Your Car If..... 213
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 124
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 150Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 50
Power Door Locks....................... 50
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 222
Drive Belts...................................... 169
Driving............................................ 117

Economy..................................... 114

In Bad Weather.......................... 126

In Foreign Countries................. 109

Economy, Fuel............................... 114

Emergencies on the Road............. 191
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 200
Changing a Flat Tire................. 193
Charging System Indicator...... 205
Checking the Fuses................... 209
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 204
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 206
Manually Closing Sunroof........ 207
Overheated Engine................... 202

Emergency Brake............................ 65
Emergency Flashers....................... 43

Emission Controls......................... 224

Engine
Belts............................................. 169

Coolant Temperature Gauge..... 38
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................ 34,
206

Oil Pressur e
Indicator......... 34, 204Oil, What Kind to Use............... 147
Overheating................................ 202
Specifications............................. 219
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 109
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 224
Exhaust Fumes................................ 29Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 10
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 184

Fabric, Cleaning............................. 186
Fan, Interior...................................... 74

Features, Comfort and
Convenience............................... 73

Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 110
Filter
Air................................................ 158
Oil................................................ 148

First Gear Position......................... 122
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 43

Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 193

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Index

Outside Mirrors............................... 64
Overheating, Engine..................... 202
Panel Brightness Control............... 41

Park Gear Position......................... 121

Parking Brake.................................. 65

Parking Lights.................................. 40

Parking Over Things that Burn... 226

PGM-FI System.............................. 225

Polishing and Waxing................... 184

Power
Door Locks................................... 50

Mirrors.......................................... 64

Steering....................................... 157

Windows....................................... 62

Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 10
Proper Seat Belt Usage..................... 7

Radiator Overheating.................... 202
Radio/Cassette Sound System....... 83
Rear A/C Unit.................................. 82
Rear End Towing........................... 213 Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 179
Rear View Mirror............................. 64
Rear Window Defogger.................. 43
Rear Window Wiper and Washer.. 43
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 55
Reclining the Second Seats............ 59
Reminder Lights.............................. 33
Remote Transmitter........................ 51
Removing the Second Seats........... 57
Replacement Information Air Cleaner................................. 158Coolant........................................ 152
Engine Oil and Filter................. 148
Fuses........................................... 209

Light Bulbs................................. 177

Schedule..................................... 138

Spark Plugs................................. 160

Tires............................................ 172

Wiper Blades.............................. 165
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 11

Reserve Tank, Coolant.................. 150

Restraint, Child................................ 20

Reverse Gear Position................... 121

Rotation, Tire................................. 172
Safety Belts....................................... 5

Safety Defects, Reporting*.......... 232

Safety Labels, Location of............. 30

Safely Messages .............................. ii
Seat Belts ......................................... 5

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 10Cleaning...................................... 187
Frayed or Torn............................ 11

Maintenance............................... 11

Reminder Light and Beeper....... 34
Replacement................................ 11

System Components.................... 6
Tether Attachment Points........ 26 Use During Pregnancy................ 10
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt..... 7
Wearing the Lap Belt................... 9

Seats................................................. 54
Adjustments ................................ 54
Driver's Seat Power
Height Adjustment................
55

Folding th e
Second Seats..........

58

Folding th
e
Third Seats............ 60

Head Restraints .......................... 56
Passenger Seating......................

54
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