1998 Odyssey Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
............................................................... i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
....................................... ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
.................................... 3
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ 49
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
...................... 93
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................127
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
......................................................................139
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................159
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .213
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................221
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................245
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................259
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................265
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
.............................................................................. I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
ProCarManuals.com
Service Station Procedures
Filling the Fuel Tank
1. Because the fuel fill cap is on the driver's side of the vehicle, park
with that side closest to the service station pumps.
2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling on the handle to the left of thedriver's seat.
FUEL FILL CAP
3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel pump automatically clicks off. Do
not try to "top off" the tank, leavesome room for the fuel to expand
with temperature changes.
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on, tighten it until it clicks. If you do
not properly tighten the cap, the
Malfunction Indicator Lamp may
come on (see page 236).
6. Push the fuel fill door closed until it latches.
Before Driving
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
PullProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Engine Oil
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
To add oil, unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and replace the
engine oil fill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a few minutes and recheck the oil level. Do not fill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine. 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 Classification from the API Service label on the oilcontainer.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended for your Honda. This is shown on the
API Service label by the words "Energy Conserving." 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 is labeled "API Service SJ." This service rating may
include other classifications, such asCD. These additional classifications
are not a problem, as long as the
label also carries the SJ classification.
API SERVICE LABEL
CONTINUED
Maintenance
Adding OilProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Cooling System, Windshield Washers
10. Turn off the engine. Check the level in the radiator, add coolant ifneeded. Install the radiator cap,
and 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 driver's side
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 and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in thewindshield washer reservoir.
LEVEL GAUGE
Antifreeze can damage your vehicle's
paint, while a vinegar/water solution
can damage the windshield washer
pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshieId washer fluid.
Maintenance
RESERVE TANK
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates one of the
engine's emissions control systems
may have a problem. Even though
you may feel no difference in your
vehicle's performance, it can reduce
your fuel economy and cause your
vehicle to put out excessive emissions. Continued operation may
cause serious damage. If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator coming on could be a loose or
missing fuel fill cap. Check the capand tighten it until it clicks. Replace
the fuel fill cap if it is missing.
Tightening the cap will not make the indicator turn off immediately; it
takes three driving trips.
If the indicator remains on past threedriving trips, or the fuel cap was not
loose or missing, have the vehicle checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and driving at high speed. You should also have the dealer
inspect your vehicle if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn off as you continue driving.
If you keep driving with the
malfunction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle's emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle's
warranties.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Technical Information
The diagrams in this section give
you the dimensions and capacities of
your Honda, and the locations of the identification numbers. The expla-
nations of several electronic and
mechanical systems on your Hondaare for the more technically-oriented
owner. Identification Numbers................. 246
Specifications................................. 248
Tire Information............................ 250 Tire Size Designation................ 250
Wheel Size Designation............ 250
Tire Speed Ratings.................... 250
Tire Pressure Adjustment For High Speed Driving........ 251
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 251 Treadwear.............................. 251
Traction.................................. 252
Temperature.......................... 252 Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 253
Driving in Foreign Countries....... 254
Emissions Controls........................ 255 The Clean Air Act...................... 255
Crankcase Emissions Control System..................................... 255
Evaporative Emissions Control System..................................... 255
Exhaust Emissions Controls.... 256 PGM-FI System..................... 256
Ignition Timing Control
System................................. 256
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System.................... 256
Three Way Catalytic Converter............................ 256
Replacement Parts..................... 256
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 257
Technical InformationProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 216
Fan, Interior...................................... 94
Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 93
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 129
Filter
Air................................................ 185
Oil................................................ 175
First Gear Position......................... 144
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 61
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 223
Fluids
Automatic Transmission........... 182
Brake........................................... 183
Power Steering........................... 184
Windshield Washer................... 181
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 117
Folding the Second Seats ............... 78
Folding the Third Seats.................. 80
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 254
Four-way Flashers........................... 61
Front End, Towing by Emergency
Wrecker...................................... 244
Fuel.................................................. 128
Fill Door and Cap....................... 129
Gauge............................................ 56
Octane Requirement................. 128
Oxygenated................................ 128
Tank, Filling the......................... 129
Fuses, Checking the...................... 240
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 133
Gasohol........................................... 128
Gasoline.......................................... 128
Gauge............................................ 56
Octane Requirement................. 128
Tank, Filling the......................... 129
Gas Station Procedures................. 129
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 56
Fuel................................................ 56
Gearshift Lever Positions............. 142
Glass Cleaning............................... 217
Glove Box......................................... 73 Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 206
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 61
Headlights......................................... 58
Aiming......................................... 202Daytime Running Lights............. 58
High Beam Indicator................... 54
High Beams, Turning on............ 58
Low Beams, Turning on............. 58
Reminder Chime.......................... 58
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 206
Turning on.................................... 58
Head Restraints............................... 76 Heating and Cooling........................ 94
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 141 High-Low Beam Switch .................. 58
Hood, Opening the ........................ 130 Horn................................................... 57
Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 177 Hydroplaning.................................. 151
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 246
If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 244ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
Storing Your Car............................ 211
Sunroof.............................................. 83 Closing Manually....................... 238
Operation...................................... 83
Supplemental Restraint System Servicing....................................... 46
SRS Indicator.......................... 45, 52
System Components.................... 44
Synthetic Oil................................... 174
Tailgate............................................. 72
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 208
Taking Care of the Unexpected.. 221
Tape Player............................ 107, 119
Technical Descriptions Drivin
g in Foreign Countries... 254
Emission Control Systems........ 255
Oxygenated Fuels...................... 253
Three Way Catalytic Converter................................ 257
Tire Information........................ 250
Temperature Gauge........................ 56
Tether Attachment Points.............. 38
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 257 Time, Setting the............................. 86
Timing Belt..................................... 195
Tire Chains..................................... 201 Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 223
Tires................................................ 196 Air Pressure............................... 196Checking Wear.......................... 198
Compact Spare........................... 222
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 251 Inflation....................................... 196
Inspection................................... 198
Replacing.................................... 199
Rotating....................................... 199 Snow............................................ 201
Specifications............................. 249
Transmission Checking Fluid Level................ 182
Fluid Selection............................ 182
Identification Number............... 246
Shifting the Automatic.............. 142
Treadwear...................................... 251
Trip Meter........................................ 55
Turn Signals..................................... 59
Tools, Tire Changing.................... 223
Towing
ATrailer......................................152
Emergency Wrecker................. 244
Vanity Mirror................................... 88
Vehicle Capacity Load .................. 137
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 248
Vehicle Identification Number..... 246
Vehicle Storage.............................. 211
Ventilation......................................... 96
VIN..................................................246
Vinyl Cleaning................................ 216
Viscosity, Oil................................... 174
Underside, Cleaning...................... 218
Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 221
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 251
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 128
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 216
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 156ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t