1997 HONDA ODYSSEY headlights

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
Maintenance Required Indicator.................................... 38
Controls Near the Steering
Wheel........................................ 39

Headlights.................................... 40
Daytime Running Lights............. 40
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 41
Turn Signals................................. 41
Windshield Wipers...................... 42
Windshield Washers................... 43 Rear Window Wiper and Washer......................................
43

Hazard Warning...........................
43

Rear Window Defogger.............. 44
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....................

51

Childproof 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-PassengerModel.................................... 58
Reclining the 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

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Indicator Lights

"Daytime Running
Lights" Indicator

Canadian models only

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition to ON (II) with the
headlight switch off and the parking
brake set. It should go off if you turnon the headlights or release the
parking brake. If it comes on at any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights. High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 40 for
information on the headlightcontrols.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on (see page 40).
Cruise Control Indicator
This lights when you set the cruise control. See page 46 for information
on operating the cruise control.
Low Fuel Indicator
This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon.

Instruments and Controls
DRL

CRUISE

CONTROL
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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
washers and 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 tilt adjustment lever on the underside of the steering columnallows you to tilt the steering wheel. HAZARD WARNING LIGHT
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
SUNROOF
SWITCH
CRUISE
CONTROL HORN
BUTTONS

INSTRUMENT
BRIGHTNESS
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
TILT

ADJUSTMENT
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS

Instruments and Controls

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Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Headlights

The rotating switch on the left lever controls the lights. Turning this switch to the position turns
on the parking lights, taillights,
instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate lights. Turning the switch to the
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 the turn signal 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 the
turn signal lever back lightly, thenrelease it. The high beams will come

on
and
go off.

The high beams will stay on for as long as you hold the lever back, 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 turnthe ignition switch to ON (II) andrelease 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.

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Mirrors

TAB
Keep the inside and outside mirrors
clean and adjusted for best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors before
you start driving.
The inside mirror has day and night positions. The night position reduces
glare from headlights behind you. Flip the tab on the bottom edge of
the mirror to select the day or night

position.
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirrors with the
adjustment switch on the driver'sdoor armrest:
1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
2. Move the selector switch to L (driver's side) or R (passenger's

side).
3. Push the appropriate edge of the

adjustment switch to move the

mirror right, left, up or down.
4. When you finish, move the
selector switch to the center (off)

position. This turns off the
adjustment switch so you can't

move a mirror out of position by

accidentally bumping the switch.
Instruments and Controls SELECTOR SWITCH
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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 is
more 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 of
traction 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 conditions
can 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.

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Owner Maintenance 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 156.
Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly. See page
157.

Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 158. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
171.

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 177.

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Lights

Check the operation of your car's
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an unsafe condition by reducing your
car's visibility and the ability tosignal your intentions to other

drivers.

Check the following:
Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights Brake lightsHigh-mount brake light
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light function
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights (Canadian models)
If you find any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible. Refer to the chart on page 221 to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed.
Headlight Aiming

The headlights were properly aimed when your car was new. You should check their aim if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo area or pull a trailer. Each headlight assembly

has horizontal and vertical adjust-
ment indicators. These are set to
their "0" positions after the head-
lights are aimed at the factory.
To check these settings: 1. Make sure the fuel tank is full. Park the car on level ground.
2. The driver or someone who weighs the same should be sittingin the driver's seat for all checks

and adjustments.
Load your car with the items you

normally carry.
HORIZONTAL ANGLE GAUGE
If you usually pull a trailer, load it as
you would normally and attach it to the car. Push down on the front and

rear bumpers several times to make
sure the car is sitting normally.

3. Open the hood.

4. Check the horizontal angle gauge.
The line on the adjustment screwindicator should line up with the

"0" mark on the gauge.

Maintenance
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