1997 HONDA ODYSSEY child restraint

Driver and Passenger Safety

This section gives you important
information about occupant protec-

tion. It shows how to use seat belts

properly. It explains the Supple-
mental Restraint System. And it

gives useful information about how

to protect infants and children in
your car.

Your Occupant Protection System.. 4

The Seat Belt System
and How It Works...................... 5

Why Wear Seat Belts.................... 5
Important Safety Reminders........ 5

Seat Belt System Components..... 6

Lap/Shoulder Belt......................... 6

Lap Belt........................................... 7

Wearing Seat Belts Properly........ 7

Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt...... 7

Wearing the Lap Belt.................... 9

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 10
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 11

Supplemental Restraint System..... 12
SRS Components......................... 12

What Happens In a Crash........... 12

Important Facts About
Airbags...................................... 13
How the Driver's Airbag Works........................................ 14
How the Passenger's Airbag Works........................................ 15
How the SRS Indicator Light Works........................................ 16

System Service............................. 16

System Service Precautions....... 17
Additional Safety Information........ 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Door Locks................................... 19 Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Driving with Pets......................... 19
Child Safety...................................... 20 Where Should Children Sit?....... 20Important Safety Reminders...... 21
General Guidelines for Restraining Children Under 40 Ibs (18 kg) ............... 22

Restraining
an Infant Who WeighsLess Than 20 Ibs (9 kg).......... 22

Restraining
a Child Who Weighs Between 20 and 40 Ibs (9 and 18 kg)..... 23
Restraining a Child Who Weighs Over 40 Ibs (18 kg).................. 24
Securing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Belt................... 25
Using Child Restraints with Tethers............................. 26
Storing a Child Seat..................... 27
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28 Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 29
Safety Labels.................................... 30
Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Your Occupant Protection System
Your Honda is equipped with seat
belts and other features that work
together to protect you and your
passengers during a crash.
Seat belts are the most important
part of your occupant protection system. When worn properly, seat
belts can reduce the chance of serious injury or death in a crash.
For added protection during a severe
frontal collision, your Odyssey has a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with airbags for the driver and
a front seat passenger. Two indicator lights are also part of
your safety system. One reminds youto make sure you and your passen-
gers wear seat belts. The otheralerts you to a possible problem with
your supplemental restraint system (see page 16).
The seats, head restraints and door locks also play a role in occupantsafety. For example, reclining the
seat-back can decrease the effec-
tiveness of your seat belt. Head restraints can help protect your neckand head, especially during rear-end
impacts. Door locks help keep your doors from being accidentally
opened during a crash. To get the maximum protection from
your occupant protection system, check the following before you drive

away:
Everyone in the car is wearing a
seat belt properly (see page 7). Infants and small children are
properly secured in child safety seats (see page 20). All doors and the tailgate are
closed and locked (see page 19). Seat-backs are upright and head
restraints are properly adjusted (see pages 18 and 55). There are no loose items that
could be thrown around and hurtsomeone during a crash or sudden
stop (see page 19).
By following these guidelines, you
can reduce injuries to yourself and
your passengers in many crash situations. Remember, however, that
no safety system can prevent all
injuries or deaths that can occur in severe crashes.

Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Child Safety
Children depend on adults to protect
them. To help make sure we do, every state and Canadian province
has laws requiring infants and young children to be properly restrained
whenever they ride in a car. Where Should Children Sit?
According to accident statistics, children of all sizes and ages aresafer when they are properly
restrained in a rear seat rather than
the front seat.
We recommend that you place your child's infant or toddler seat in thesecond seat and secure it with the
vehicle's lap/shoulder belt or lap belt (seven-passenger model). If you use
the lap/shoulder belt, be sure to
follow the instructions for securing a child seat with a lap/shoulder belt on
page 25.
We strongly recommend that you do not put an infant seat in the front
passenger's seat. If the airbag
inflates, it can hit the infant seat with
great force. The infant seat can be dislodged or struck with enough
force to cause very serious injury to
the infant.

Driver and Passenger Safety
An infant or child who is not
properly restrained can be killed
or seriously injured in a crash.
Be sure any child too small for
seat belts is properly secured in
a child restraint.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Child Safety

Using Child Restraints with
Tethers
Your Honda has several attachment points that allow a tether-style childseat to be installed.

Tethers do not replace the use of seat

belts. Even if a tether is used, a child
seat must always be secured
properly with the vehicle's seat belts.

U.S. Models

Two tether attachment points are located on the tailgate sill that allowa tether-style child seat to be
installed on the third seat. Use the
dimensions in the illustration to
locate the attachment point you want to use. Cut a 7/8 inch (22 mm)diameter hole.
Install the tether hardware that came
with the child seat.
Tighten the bolt to: 16 lbf.ft (2.2 kgf.m, 22 N.m)
If you are not sure how to install the
hardware, have it installed by your authorized Honda dealer.
If you need an anchor plate and
mounting hardware, contact your
Honda dealer.
Canadian Models
Your Honda has attachment points for a tether-style child seat to be
installed on the second or third seat
as shown.
Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Child Safety

Second Seat Installation:

There are three attachment points available for the seven-passenger
model, and two attachment points
available for the six-passenger model.
To use a tether-style child seat in the second seat, the third seat must be
stored in the floor recess (see page 60). You will find a U-shaped slit in
the carpeting at each attachment
point. Select the attachment point
you want to use, and pull up the carpeting at the slit. Attach the
tether strap to the mounting hook and make sure it is secure.

Important Safety Information

Keep the third seat in the floor while
using a tether-style child seat in the second seat. If you attempt to return
the third seat to the upright position,
you may damage the vehicle or
tether, even though the damage may not be obvious. If this happens, the
child seat may not be properly restrained in a crash.

Third Seat Installation:

There are two attachment points on
the tailgate sill. Select the attach-

ment point you want use, and

remove the plug with a small flat-

tipped screwdriver or a fingernail file.

Install the tether hardware that came

with the child seat.

Tighten the bolt to:
16 lbf.ft (2.2 kgf.m , 22 N.m)
If you are not sure how to install the

hardware, have it installed by your
authorized Honda dealer.

The anchor plate and mounting hardware for a top tether are
supplied with the car. When install-

ing, make sure the toothed washer is
on the bottom of the bolt.
TOOTHED WASHER
The supplied anchor plate is designed only for mounting a child
restraint. Do not use it for any other

purpose.

Storing a Child Seat
When you are not using an infant seat or other child restraint, either
remove it or make sure it is properlysecured so it cannot be thrown
around the car during a crash.

Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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

Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Outside Mirrors............................... 64
Overheating, Engine..................... 204
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 146
Panel Brightness Control............... 41
Park Gear Position......................... 121
Parking............................................ 124
Parking Brake.................................. 65
Parking Lights.................................. 40
Parking Over Things that Burn... 227
PGM-FI System.............................. 226
Polishing and Waxing................... 187

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

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

Steering....................................... 159

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

Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 10

Proper Seat Belt Usage..................... 7

Radiator Overheating.................... 204

Radio/Cassette Sound System....... 83
Rear A/C Unit.................................. 82
Rear End Towing........................... 215
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 181
Rear View Mirror............................. 64
Rear Window Defogger.................. 44
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 Element.................. 160
Coolant........................................ 154
Engine Oil and Filter................. 150
Fuses........................................... 211Light Bulbs................................. 179
Schedule..................................... 140
Spark Plugs................................. 162
Timing Belt................................. 170
Tires............................................ 174
Wiper Blades.............................. 166
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 11

Reserve Tank, Coolant.................. 113

Restraint, Child................................ 20
Reverse Gear Position................... 121

Rotation, Tire................................. 174

Safety Belts......................................... 5

Safety Defects, Reporting*.......... 234
Safety Labels, Location of.............. 30
Safety Messages................................ ii

Seat Belts............................................ 5

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 10
Cleaning...................................... 189

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 the Second Seats ........... 58ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t