1996 HONDA ODYSSEY recommended oil

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
Recommended Oil Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter- gent oil.
You can determine an oil's SAE viscosity and Service Classificationfrom the API Service label on the oil
container.

A fuel-efficient oil is recommended for your Honda. This is shown on the
API Service label by the words "Energy Conserving II." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use less fuel. The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that says "API Service SH." This service rating mayalso include other designations, suchas CD. These additional classifica-
tions are not a problem, as long as the label also carries the SH classifi-cation. An oil that is only classified
SF is not recommended.
API SERVICE LABEL The oil container may also display
the API Certification mark shown
below. Make sure it says "ForGasoline Engines."
API CERTIFICATION MARK
CONTINUED

MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

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