1998 HONDA ODYSSEY ignition

Protecting Children

If a Child Requires Close
Attention
Many parents say they prefer to put
an infant or small child in the front
passenger seat so they can watch the child, or because the child requires

attention.

Placing a child in the front seat
exposes them to hazards from the
airbag, and paying close attention to
a child distracts the driver from the
important tasks of driving, creating serious safety risks.
If a child requires physical attention
or frequent visual contact, westrongly recommend that another
adult ride with the child in a back seat. A back seat is far safer for a
child than the front. Additional Safety Precautions
Use childproof door locks to
prevent children from opening the
doors. Using this feature will

prevent children from opening the doors and accidentally falling out (see page 72 ).

Use the main power window
switch to prevent children from opening the rear windows. Using

this feature will prevent children
from playing with the windows,
which could expose them to
hazards or distract the driver (see
page 82 ). Do not leave children alone in your

vehicle. Leaving children without

adult supervision is illegal in most states and can be very hazardous.
For example, infants and small
children left in a vehicle on a hot day can die from heatstroke. And
children left alone with the key in
the ignition can accidentally set
the vehicle in motion, possibly
injuring themselves or others.
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Additional Information About Your Seat Belts
Seat Belt System Components

All the seat belts in the 6-passenger model are lap/shoulder belts. In the7-passenger model, the center
position of the bench-type second seat has a lap belt.
The system also includes alight on the instrument
panel to remind you and your
passengers to fasten your belts. If
the driver's seat belt is not fastened
before the ignition is turned ON (II), the light will come on and a beeper
will also sound. The beeper will stop after a few seconds, but the light will
stay on until the driver's seat belt is

fastened.
Lap/Shoulder Belt
This seat belt has a single belt that goes over your shoulder, across your
ches
t and
across your hips.
To fasten the belt, insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug on the
belt to make sure the buckle is

latched.

To unlock the belt, push the red PRESS button on the buckle.Guide the belt across your body to
the door pillar. After exiting the
vehicle, be sure the belt is out of the way and will not get closed in the

door.

All lap/shoulder belts have 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.
All the lap/shoulder belts except the driver's have an additional locking
mechanism that must be activated to secure a child seat. (See pages 28 and 32 for instructions on how to
secure child seats with this type of
seat belt.)
If the shoulder part of the belt is
pulled all the way out, the locking
mechanism will activate. The belt
will retract, but it will not allow a passenger to move freely.
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Additional Information About Your SRS
SRS Components

Your Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) includes: Two frontal airbags. The driver's
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the front
passenger's airbag is stored in the dashboard. Both are marked

"SRS".

Sensors that can detect a severe

frontal collision.
A sophisticated electronic system that continually monitors thesensors, control unit, the airbagactivators, and all related wiring
when the ignition is ON (II). An indicator light on the
instrument panel to alert you to a
possible problem with the system (see page 45). Emergency backup power in case
your vehicle's electrical system is disconnected in a crash. How Your Airbags Work
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 belt helps
restrain your lower body and torso.
Your airbag provides a cushion to help restrain and protect your head
and chest. Since both airbags use the same
sensors, both airbags normally
inflate at the same time. However, it is possible for only one airbag to
inflate.
This can occur when the severity of a collision is at the margin, or
threshold, that determines whether or not the airbags will deploy. Insuch cases, the seat belt will provide
sufficient protection, and the
supplemental protection offered by
the airbag would be minimal.
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Additional Information About Your SRS

After inflating, the airbags immediately deflate, so they won't
interfere with the driver's visibility, or the ability to steer or operate
other controls.
The total time for inflation and deflation is approximately one-tenth
of a second, so fast that most occupants are not aware that the
airbags deployed until they see them
lying in their laps. After a crash, you may see what
looks like smoke. This is actually
powder from the airbag's surface.
Although the powder is not harmful, people with respiratory problemsmay experience some temporary
discomfort. If this occurs, get out of
the car as soon as it is safe to do so.

U.S. Owners

For additional information on how

your airbags work, see the booklet
titled SRS: What You Need to Know
About Airbags that came with your
owner's manual.
How Your SRS Indicator Light
Works The purpose of the SRSindicator light is to alert
you to a potential problem with your Supplemental Restraint System.
When you turn the ignition ON (II), this indicator will light up briefly
then go out. This tells you that thesystem is working properly.
However, if the light comes on at any
other time, you should have your system checked by your dealer. For

example:
If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignition

ON (II). If the light stays on after the

engine starts.

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

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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............................ 50

Indicator Lights................................ 51

Gauges.............................................. 54
Tachometer.................................. 54

Trip Meter.................................... 54
Speedometer................................ 55

Odometer...................................... 55

Temperature Gauge.................... 55
Fuel Gauge................................... 55

Maintenance Required
Indicator.................................... 56

Controls Near the Steering

Wheel........................................ 57

Headlights.................................... 58
Daytime Running Lights............. 58
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 59
Turn Signals................................. 59

Windshield Wipers...................... 60

Windshield Washers................... 61

Rear Window Wiper and
Washer...................................... 61

Hazard Warning........................... 61

Rear Window Defogger.............. 62

Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 62

Steering Wheel Controls ................ 64
Cruise Control.............................. 64

Keys and Locks................................ 67
Keys............................................... 67

Immobilizer System..................... 68

Ignition Switch............................. 69

Power Door Locks....................... 70
Remote Transmitter.................... 71

Childproof Door Locks............... 72

Tailgate......................................... 72

Glove Box..................................... 73

Seats.................................................. 74
Passenger Seating....................... 74

Seat Adjustments......................... 74

Driver's Seat Power Height
Adjustment............................... 75

Armrests....................................... 76
Head Restraints........................... 76
Third Seat Access........................ 77

Removing the Second Seats
in the Six-Passenger Model.... 78

Folding the Second Seats
in the Seven-Passenger

Model.................................... 78

Reclining the Second Seat.......... 79
Folding the Third Seat
in All Models............................ 80

Power Windows............................... 82

Sunroof.............................................. 83

Mirrors.............................................. 84
Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 84

Parking Brake.................................. 85

Digital Clock..................................... 86 Beverage Holder.............................. 86
Dashboard Compartment............... 88
Center Pocket.................................. 88
Vanity Mirror................................... 88
Cigarette Lighter............................. 89
Ashtrays............................................ 89 Interior Lights.................................. 90
Ceiling Lights............................... 90

Spotlights...................................... 90

Tailgate Light............................... 91 Courtesy Lights........................... 91

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Indicator Lights
The instrument panel has many indicators to give you important
information about your vehicle.
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
Immobilizer System Indicator
If an indicator does not light during
this test, it cannot alert you if that system develops a problem. Have the
dealer check your vehicle 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
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR* PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR*
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR SEAT BELT
REMINDERLIGHT
DOOR AND BRAKE
LAMP MONITOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR CRUISE CONTROL INDICATORLOW FUEL
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Indicator Lights

Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by fastening
the seat 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 fewseconds 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 236.
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 234 .

Charging System
Indicator
If this light comes on when the engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete information, see page 235 .
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If itcomes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem in the supplemental restraint system. For
complete information, see page 45 . 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.
2. If it remains lit after you release the parking brake, or comes on
while driving, it can indicate a problem in the brake system. Forcomplete information, see page 237.

Instruments and Controls
SRS

BRAKE
U.S.

Canada
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Indicator Lights

U.S.

Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Indicator
This light normally comes on when you turn the ignition switch ON (II) and goes off after the engine starts.
If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem in the ABS. If this
happens, take the vehicle to your dealer to have it checked. With the
light on, your vehicle 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 207). 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 theoutside of the vehicle 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 lightdoes 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
BRAKE LAMP
INDICATOR

ABS

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