1999 HONDA ODYSSEY tire type

Important Safety Precautions

You'll find many safety recommendations throughout thissection, and throughout this manual.
The recommendations on this page are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
Always Wear Your Seat Belt A seat belt is your best protection in all types of collisions. Airbagssupplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inflate only in a
moderate to severe frontal collision.
So even though your vehicle is equipped with airbags, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear your seat belts, and wear them properly. (See page 15 .)
Restrain All ChildrenChildren are safest when they are
properly restrained in a back seat, not the front seat. A child who is too
small for a seat belt must be properly
restrained in a child safety seat. (See
page 22.) Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
While airbags save lives, they can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Infants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. (See page 9.)

Don't Drink and Drive

Alcohol and driving don't mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. So don't drink
and drive, and don't let your friends
drink and drive, either. Control Your Speed
Excessive speed is a major factor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed the greater the risk, but serious accidents can alsooccur at lower speeds. Never drive
faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Keep Your Vehicle in SafeCondition
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical failure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition frequently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance. (See page 224.)

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

Timing Belt, Tires
Timing Belt
The timing belt should normally be replaced at the intervals shown in
the maintenance schedule.
Replace the belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)
or 100,000 km (Canada) if you regu-
larly drive your vehicle in one or more of these conditions: In very high temperatures

(over 110°F,43°C).
In very low temperatures

(under —20°F, —29°C).
Tires

To safely operate your vehicle, yourtires must be the proper type and size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inflated. The
following pages give more detailed information on how and when to
check air pressure, how to inspect
your tires for damage and wear, and
what to do when your tires need to be replaced.
Inflation

Keeping the tires properly inflated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread life and riding comfort. Underinflated tires wear
unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more
likely to fail from being overheated. Overinflated tires can make your
vehicle ride more harshly, are more prone to damage from road hazards,
and wear unevenly.
We recommend that you visually check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can cause a crash in which you canbe seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding tire inflation and maintenance.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Tires
When shopping for replacement tires, you may find that some tiresare "directional." This means they
are designed to rotate only in onedirection. If you use directional tires,
they should be rotated only front-to-
back. Replacing Tires and Wheels
The tires that came with your vehicle were selected to match theperformance capabilities of the
vehicle while providing the best combination of handling, ride
comfort, and long life. You should
replace them with radial tires of the same size, load range, speed rating,
and maximum cold tire pressure
rating (as shown on the tire's sidewall). Mixing radial and bias-ply
tires on your vehicle can reduce its
braking ability, traction, and steering
accuracy.
It is best to replace all four tires at
the same time. If that is not possible or necessary, then replace the two
front tires or the two rear tires as a
pair. Replacing just one tire can seriously affect your vehicle's han-
dling.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and stability. This can cause a crashin which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this owner's manual.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Tires

Snow Tires

If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels to balance
your vehicle's handling in all weather conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your vehicle'soriginal equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
are clear. Check with the tire dealer
for maximum speed recommenda-

tions.
Tire Chains

Mount snow chains on your vehicle
when warranted by driving condi- tions or required by local laws. Youshould use only SAE class "S" cable-
type traction devices on your vehicle, mounted on the front wheels. Make
sure they are the correct size for
your tires.
Metal link-type "chains" should not
be used. No matter how tight they seem to be installed, they can come
into contact with the body and suspension, causing serious damage.
When installing chains, follow the manufacturer's instructions andmount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with chains installed. If
you hear the chains contacting the
body or chassis, stop and investigate. Make sure the chains are installed
tightly, and that they are not contacting the brake lines or
suspension. Remove the chains as
soon as you begin driving on cleared

roads.

Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle's brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of the vehicle.
Maintenance

NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Emergency Towing

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or,
if you belong to one, an organization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind another vehicle with just, a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of professional equipment.
Flat-bed Equipment — The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. This is the best way to trans-
port your Honda.

Wheel-Lift Equipment — The tow

truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. This is an acceptable way to tow your
Honda.
Sling-type Equipment — The tow

truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the vehicle off the ground. Your vehicle's sus-
pension and body can be seriously damaged. This method of towing
is unacceptable.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground, do the following.
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D 4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
Improper towing preparation will

damage the transmission. Follow the

above procedure exactly. If you cannot

shift the transmission or start the

engine, your vehicle must he trans-

ported with the front wheels off the
ground.

With the front wheels on the ground, it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep thespeed below 35 mph (55 km/h).

CONTINUED

Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Tire Information

Tire Size Designation

A tire's sidewall is marked with a tire
size designation. You will need this
information when selecting replace-
ment tires for your vehicle. The
following explains what the letters and numbers in the tire size
designation mean.

(Example tire size designation)
P215/65R16 96T
P — Applicable vehicle type (tires
marked with the prefix "P" are
intended for use on passenger
vehicles; however, not all tires have this marking).
215 — Tire width in millimeters.
65 — Aspect ratio. The tire's section
height as a percentage of its width.
R — Tire construction code (Radial).
16 — Rim diameter in inches. 96 — Load Index, a numerical code

associated with the maximum load

the tire can carry.
T — Speed Symbol. See the speed rating chart in this section for
additional information.

Wheel Size Designation

Wheels are also marked with important information that you need
if you ever have to replace one. The
following explains what the letters and numbers in the wheel sizedesignation mean.
(Example wheel size designation)

16
x 6-1/2 JJ
16 — Rim diameter in inches.
6-1/2 — Rim width in inches.
JJ — Rim contour designation.
Tire Speed Ratings
The chart below shows many of the
different speed ratings currently

being used for passenger vehicle

tires. The speed symbol is part of the

tire size designation on the sidewall
of the tire. This symbol corresponds

to that tire's designed maximum safe

operating speed.

Technical InformationProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Warranty Coverages

U.S. Owners
Your new Honda is covered by these
warranties:

New Vehicle Limited Warranty -

covers your new vehicle, except for
the battery, emissions control systems
and accessories, against defects in

materials and workmanship.

Emissions Control Systems Defects Warranty and Emissions

Performance Warranty these two
warranties cover your vehicle's emis- sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact

information.

Original Equipment Battery Limited
Warranty — this warranty gives up

to 100 percent credit toward a

replacement battery.
Seat Belt Limited Warranty — a seat

belt that fails to function properly is covered for the useful life of the

vehicle.

Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
— all exterior body panels are
covered for rust-through from the
inside for the specified time period
with no mileage limit.

Accessory Limited Warranty —
Genuine Honda Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other factors. Please read your warranty manual
for details.

Replacement Parts Limited
Warranty — covers all Genuine
Honda replacement parts against defects in materials and workman-

ship.
Replacement Battery Limited

Warranty — provides prorated
coverage for a replacement battery

purchased from a Honda dealer.

Replacement Muffler LifetimeLimited Warranty — provides

coverage for as long as the pur-
chaser of the muffler owns the
vehicle.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the1999 Honda Warranty Information
booklet that came with your vehicle
for precise information on warranty
coverages. Your Honda's original
tires are covered by their manufacturer. Tire warranty infor-
mation is in a separate booklet.

Canadian Owners

Please refer to the 1999 Warranty
Manual that came with your vehicle.

Warranty and Customer RelationsProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Safety Labels, Location of.............. 54 Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belt, Additional Information.. 45 Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 45
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 47
Seat Belt System Components... 45
Seat Belts..................................... 8, 45
Cleaning...................................... 280
Maintenance................................. 47
Reminder Light and Beeper................................. 45, 57
System Components.................... 45
Tether Attachment Points.......... 43 Use During Pregnancy................ 20
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt.... 15

Seats.................................................. 99
Adjustments............................... 100

Folding the Third Seat.............. 110
Head Restraints......................... 104

Passenger Seating....................... 99

Reclining the Second Seat........ 101
Reclining the Third Seat........... 101
Removing the Second
Seats................................108, 109

Third Seat Access...................... 105

Serial Number................................ 314
Service Intervals............................ 224
Service Manual* ............................ 333
Service Station Procedures .......... 183
Setting the Clock........................... 117 Shifting the Automatic Transmission.............................. 199
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 198
Shift Lock Release......................... 201
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 267

Signaling Turns................................ 68

Sliding Doors.................................... 88

Snow Tires...................................... 263

Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 278
Sound System.........................149, 161
Spare Tire Inflating....................................... 286
Specifications............................. 317
Spark Plugs..................................... 248
Specifications Charts..................... 316
Speed Control................................... 73 Speedometer.................................... 62
SRS, Additional Information........... 48 Additional Safety Precautions.... 52How the Automatic Seat belt Tensioners Work..................... 50
How the SRS Indicator
Works........................................50

How Your Airbags Work............ 48

SRS Components......................... 48
SRS Service................................... 51
SRS Indicator............................. 50, 58
START (Ignition Key Position)..... 79
Starting the Engine........................ 197 In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 197
With a Dead Battery ................. 297
Steam Coming from Engine......... 299
Steering Wheel Adjustment................................... 72
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 78
Stereo Sound System............149, 161 Storing Your Vehicle..................... 275
Storage Box.................................... 123 Sunglasses Holder......................... 120

Sun Visor......................................... 121
Supplemental Restraint System Servicing....................................... 51

SRS Indicator..........................50, 58

System Components.................... 48

Synthetic Oil................................... 234ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t