1996 HONDA ODYSSEY washer fluid

Driving in Bad Weather

Visibility — Being able to see clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This ismore difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see page 79 ). Traction — Check your tires
frequently for wear and properpressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss oftraction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully, they can change from moment tomoment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditionscan be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near freezing.
The road surface can become covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the drive wheels for a moment and cause
a skid. Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by, other vehicles. The
spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting can cause you to lose control.
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

Periodic Checks
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 112.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 113 .
Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 154 .
Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly. See page 155.
Brakes and power steering — Check the fluid level monthly. See
page 156. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for

wear and foreign objects. See page
169 .
Battery — Check its condition and
the terminals for corrosion monthly. See page 162 .
Air conditioning — Check its operation weekly. See page 168 .
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 175.

MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Fluid Locations

Maintenance

BRAKE FLUID

(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP

COOLANT
RESERVOIR

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK

(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
RESERVOIR
(Gray cap)

POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap)ProCarManuals.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

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
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

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

Index

Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 155
Fluid Selection............................ 155
Identification Number............... 216
Shifting the Automatic.............. 120

Treadwear...................................... 222

Trip Meter........................................ 37 Turn Signals..................................... 41
Tires Inspection................................... 171
Replacing.................................... 172Rotating....................................... 172
Snow............................................ 174

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

Tools, Tire Changing.................... 193 Torn Seat Belts................................ 11
Towing A Trailer...................................... 128
Emergency Wrecker................. 213

Underside, Cleaning...................... 188

Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 191

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 222
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 108

Upholstery Cleaning...................... 186

Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 150
Warning Beepers Key in Ignition..............................
50

Seat Belts..................................... .
34

WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii Warning Labels, Location of.......... 30
Warranty Coverages*................... 228
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level......... 154
Operation...................................... 42

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

Wheels
Adjusting the Steering............. 44
Alignment and Balance............ 171Compact Spare.......................... 192
Wrench...................................... 195
Windows Cleaning..................................... 187
Operating the Power................. 62
Rear, Defogger........................... 43
Windshield Cleaning...................................... 42
Defroster..................................... 79
Wipers, Windshield
Changing Blades....................... 165

Operation.................................... 42

Rear Windshield Wiper and
Washer................................... 43

Worn Tires.................................. 171

Wrecker, Emergency Towing.... 213
* : U. S. and Canada only

Vanity Mirror................................... 68

Vehicle Capacity Load .................. 116

Vehicle Dimensions....................... 218

Vehicle Identification Number..... 216

Vehicle Storage.............................. 182
Ventilation......................................... 76

VIN.................................................. 216
Vinyl Cleaning................................ 186

Viscosity, Oil................................... 148ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t