1997 HONDA ODYSSEY ignition

The Seat Belt System and How It Works
Seat Belt System Components

Your Honda has seat belts in all seating positions. All the seat belts in
the six-passenger model are lap/ shoulder belts. In the seven-
passenger model, the center position
of the bench-type second seat has a
lap belt.
Your seat belt system also includes a light on the instrument panel to
remind you to fasten your seat belt,
and to make sure your passengers
fasten theirs. This light comes on
when you turn on the ignition if you
have not fastened your seat belt. A beeper also sounds for severalseconds (see page 34).
The following pages cover more about the seat belt components and
how they work.
Lap/Shoulder Belt

This style of seat belt has a single belt that goes over your shoulder,across your chest, and across your

hips.

Each lap/shoulder belt has an
emergency locking retractor. In
normal driving, the retractor lets you move freely in your seat while it
keeps some tension on the belt.
During a collision or sudden stop,
the retractor automatically locks the belt to help restrain your body. The lap/shoulder belt retractor in
each passenger seating position has
an additional locking mechanism
intended to secure a child seat (see
page 25). If the shoulder part of the
belt is pulled all the way out, this mechanism will engage. The belt will
retract, but it will not allow the
passenger to move freely. If the belt feels too tight, unlatch it, let it retract
fully, then pull it out as far as needed.

Driver and Passenger Safety
SHOULDER
PORTION UPPER SEAT
BELT ANCHOR

To retractor

LAP
PORTION
LATCH

PLATE

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Supplemental Restraint System

Your car is equipped with a Supple- mental Restraint System (SRS) to
help protect the head and chest of
the driver and front seat passenger during a severe frontal collision.

This system does not replace your seat

belts. It supplements, or adds to, the
protection offered by seat belts and
other occupant protection features.
SRS Components

Your supplemental restraint system
includes:
One airbag in the steering wheel
for the driver and another in the dashboard for the passenger. Sensors that can detect a severe
frontal collision. A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors thesensors, control unit, airbag
activators, and all related wiring
when the ignition is ON (II). An indicator light on the instru-
ment panel to alert you to a possi-
ble problem with the system. Emergency backup power in case
your car's electrical system is disconnected in a crash. What Happens In a Crash
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, the sensors will detect
rapid deceleration and signal the
control unit to instantly inflate the

airbags.

During a crash, your seat belts will
help to restrain your lower body and
torso. The airbags will provide a cushion to absorb crash energy and
help keep the head and chest of the driver and front passenger from
striking the interior of the car.
After inflating, the airbags will immediately deflate. The entire
process, from detection to deflation,
takes a fraction of a second. This
process occurs so quickly that you may not hear the loud noise created
by the airbag inflators, or realize
what has happened.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Not wearing a seat belt
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
if you have airbags.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Supplemental Restraint System

The passenger's airbag is stored near the top of the dashboard, under
a lid marked SRS. Do not place any
objects on top of this lid. If the airbag
inflates, those objects can be
propelled inside the car and possibly
hurt someone. How the SRS Indicator
Light Works
The purpose of the SRS light on your instrument panel is to alert you to a
potential problem with your supple- mental restraint system.
Have the system checked if: The light does not come on when
you turn the ignition ON (II). The light stays on after the engine
starts. The light comes on or flashes
while you are driving.
If you see any of these indications,
the airbag may not work when needed in an accident. Take the car
to your dealer promptly for diagnosis and service.
System Service

Your supplemental restraint system is virtually maintenance-free. Theonly scheduled maintenance is an
inspection of the system by the
dealer when the car is ten years old.
For your convenience, the car's
production date is on a label on thedriver's doorjamb.
If either of the following happens,
you must have an authorized Honda dealer service the system. There are
no parts you can safely service. If your airbags ever inflate, the
airbags and control unit must be
replaced. Do not try to remove or discard the airbags yourself. This
must be done by a Honda dealer.

Driver and Passenger Safety
S R S
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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

Indicator Lights

The instrument panel has many indicators to give you important
information about your car.
Lamp Check

These indicator lights come on when
you turn the ignition switch ON (II),
allowing you to see that they are

working:
SRS Indicator
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Charging System Indicator
Low Oil Pressure Indicator

Anti-lock Brake System Indicator

Seat Belt Reminder Light

D4 Lamp
Door and Brake Lamp Monitor
If an indicator does not light during
this test, it cannot alert you if that system develops a problem. Have the
dealer check your car for burned-out
bulbs or other problems.
* The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian model
are noted in the text.

Instruments and Controls

LOW FUEL INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP DOOR AND BRAKELAMP MONITOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
CRUISE CONTROLINDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
INDICATOR LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR* CHARGING
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT

REMINDER

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Indicator Lights

Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition ON (II). It is a reminderto you and your passengers to
protect yourselves by fastening theseat belts. A beeper also sounds if
you have not fastened your seat belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp

See page 208.
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged if this light flashes or stays on when

the engine is running. For complete

information, see page 206 .

Charging System
Indicator
If this light comes on when the engine is running, the battery is not

being charged. For complete
information, see page 207 .
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition ON (II). If it comes on atany other time, it indicates a problem
in the supplemental restraint system.
For complete information, see page 16 . Parking Brake
and Brake

System

Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you have not released the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage the
brakes and tires, and cause the
Anti-lock brake system to turn off (see page 126).
2. If it remains lit after you release the parking brake, or comes on
while driving, it can indicate that the brake fluid level is low. This is
normally due to worn brake pads.Have your dealer check the
braking system for worn pads or
fluid leaks.
Instruments and Controls
U.S.

Canada
SRS

BRAKE
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Indicator Lights
U.S.

Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Indicator
This light normally comes on when you turn the ignition ON (II) andgoes off after the engine starts. If itcomes on at any other time, there is
a problem in the ABS. If this happens,
take the car to your dealer to have it
checked. With the light on, your car still has normal braking ability but no

anti-lock.
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal light blinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one of the turn signal bulbs is burned out (see page 180). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
When you turn on the Hazard
Warning switch, both turn signal lights blink. All turn signals on the outside of the car should flash. Door and Brake Lamp Monitor
The appropriate light comes on in this display if the tailgate or any dooris not closed tightly. If a brake light
does not work, the BRAKE LAMP
indicator comes on when you push
the brake pedal with the ignition switch ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Have your brakelights repaired right away.
All the lights in the monitor display come on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II).

Instruments and Controls

Canada

A
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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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