1999 HONDA ODYSSEY check engine light

Additional Information About Your SRS

How the Automatic Seat Belt
Tensioners Work
Your Honda has automatic seat belt
tensioners for added protection

during a moderate to severe frontal

collision.
If your airbags inflate, the tensioners
immediately tighten the front seat
belts to help hold the occupants in
place. The belts will remain tight until you unbuckle them in the

normal way.
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works The purpose of the SRSlight is to alert you to a
potential problem with your
Supplemental Restraint System.
This light will also alert you to a potential problem with yourautomatic seat belt tensioners.
When you turn the ignition ON (II), this indicator will light up brieflythen go out. This tells you that the
system is working properly.
However, if the light comes on at any
other time, you should have the
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.

Driver and Passenger Safety
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Indicator Lights

Malfunction IndicatorLamp
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 301.

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

being charged. For complete
information, see page 302 .
Supplemental Restraint

System Indicator
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, itindicates a problem in thesupplemental restraint system. For
complete information, see page 50 . Parking Brake
and Brake

System

Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It comes on when you turn the ignition switch ON (II) as a
reminder to check the parking
brake. If the parking brake is not set, it goes off after the engine
starts. If the parking brake is set,
it goes off when you release the
parking brake with the engine running. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage the
brakes and tires.
2. If it remains lit after you release the parking brake while the engine
is running, or comes on whiledriving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
information, see page 304 .
Instruments and Controls

See page 303 .

S R S


U.S.


Canada

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Indicator Lights

U.S.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator
This light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to START (III). If this light 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. Traction Control System
(TCS) Indicator

On EX model

This indicator has three functions:
1. It comes on as a reminder that you have turned off the TractionControl System.
2. It flashes when the TCS is regulating wheelspin.
3. If it comes on and stays on when the Traction Control System is on,
it indicates that there is a problemin the TCS.
This light also comes on when you turn the ignition ON (II) and goes off after the engine starts. See page 207 for more information on the

TCS.
Immobilizer System
Indicator
This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go off if
you have inserted a properly-coded ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page 77).
This indicator also blinks several times when you turn the ignitionswitch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0).

Instruments and Controls

Canada

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Indicator Lights

Power Sliding Door
Indicator

EX model only

This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition

switch ON (II). If it comes on at anyother time, there is a problem in the
power sliding door system. With this
light on, move the main switch on
the dashboard to the OFF position, and have the system checked by
your Honda dealer as soon as possible. You can still open or closeeach sliding door manually. For

more information on the power
sliding doors, see page 90 . Turn Signal and
Hazard WarningIndicators
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 267). 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 door
is 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 brake
lights repaired right away.
All the lights in the monitor display come on when you turn the ignitionswitch ON (II). The lights go off
after the engine starts and the
tailgate and all doors are closed

tightly.

Instruments and Controls

SLIDING
DOOR
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Gauges

Trip Meter
This meter shows the number of miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the Select/
Reset button repeatedly. Each trip
meter works independently, so you
can keep track of two different
distances.

To reset a trip meter, display it and then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
"0.0".
Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the side of the road. Turn to page 299 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system.
Fuel Gauge

This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the vehicle
is on level ground. It may show slightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads.
The needle returns to the bottom after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the fuel level reading immediately after you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).

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Preparing to Drive

You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before
you drive your vehicle.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow, or ice.
2. Check that the hood and tailgate are fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying with you inside are storedproperly or fastened downsecurely. 5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 100).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see
page 115).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 72 ).
8. Make sure the doors and tailgate are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastenedtheir seat belts (see page 15). 10.Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
11.Start the engine (see page 197). 12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (seepage 57).

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The Braking System

Your Honda is equipped with front disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist helps reduce the effort needed on
the brake pedal. The ABS helps you retain steering control when braking
very hard.
Put your foot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps the brakes applied lightly, causing themto build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. Italso keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind

you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshifting to a lower gear and taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious and alert in your driving. Brake Wear Indicators
The front disc brakes on all vehicles have audible brake wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic "screeching" sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not confuse this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible "screeching."

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Maintenance

This section explains why it is important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See page 333 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Safety.......................
220

Important Safet
y
Precautions ..

221

Maintenance Schedule.................
.
222

Required Maintenance Record.... 229
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 231

Fluid Locations............................... 232

Engine Oil....................................... 233
Adding Oil................................... 233
Recommended Oil..................... 233
Synthetic Oil............................... 234

Additives..................................... 235
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 235

Cooling System.............................. 237
Adding Engine Coolant............. 237Replacing Engine Coolant........ 239

Windshield Washers..................... 242
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 243
Brake Fluid..................................... 244
Brake System............................. 244

Power Steering............................... 245

Air Cleaner Element...................... 246
Hood Latch..................................... 248

Spark Plugs..................................... 248
Replacement............................... 248
Specifications............................. 250

Battery............................................ 251
Wiper Blades.................................. 253
Air Conditioning System............... 255

Air Conditioning Filter.................. 256

Drive Belts...................................... 256

Timing Belt..................................... 257

Tires................................................ 257 Inflation....................................... 257
Inspection................................... 259Maintenance............................... 260
Tire Rotation.............................. 260
Replacing Tires and Wheels.... 261

Wheels and Tires....................... 262 Winter Driving........................... 262
Snow Tires.............................. 263

Tire Chains............................. 263

Lights..............................................264
Headlight Aiming...................... 266
Replacing Bulbs......................... 266

Storing Your Vehicle..................... 275

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