2000 HONDA ODYSSEY power steering

Additional Informatio n Abou t You r SR S
SRS Component s
Your Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) includes:
Two front airbags. The driver'sairbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the front
passenger's airbag is stored in the dashboard. Both are marked "SRS
AIRBAG."
Automatic seat belt tensioners that tighten the front seat beltsduring a moderate to severe
frontal collision.
Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal
collision.
A sophisticated electronic system that continually monitors and
records information about thesensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, driver and
passenger seat belt use, and all
related wiring when the ignition is
ON (II).
An indicator light on the
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with the
system (see page 50 ).
Emergency backup power in case
your vehicle's electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
Ho w You r Airbag s Wor k
If you ever have a moderate to
severe frontal collision, the sensors
will detect rapid deceleration and signal the control unit to instantly
inflate the airbags and activate the
automatic seat belt tensioners.
Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y

Instrument
s an d Control s

This section gives information about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of

your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach.

Control Locations............................
56

Indicator Lights...............................
. 57

Gauges.............................................. 62

Controls Near the Steering
Wheel........................................ 65

Headlights.................................... 66

Automatic Lighting Off

Feature......................................

67

Daytime Runnin
g Lights.............

67

Instrument
Pane
l Brightness.....

67

Turn
Signals................................
.

68

Windshield
Wipers.....................
. 68

Windshield Washers................... 70
Rear Window Wiper and Washer...................................... 70

Hazard Warning........................ 70

Rear Windo
w Defogger.............. 71

Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 72

Steering Wheel Controls................ 73
Cruise Control.............................. 73

Remote Audio Controls .............. 76

Keys and Locks................................ 76
Keys............................................... 76

Immobilizer System..................... 77

Ignition Switch............................. 78

Power Door Locks....................... 79
Remote Transmitter.................... 81
Childproof Door Locks............... 85

Tailgate......................................... 85
Glove Box..................................... 87

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

Power Sliding Doors........................ 89
HomeLink Universal Transmitter.................................. 95

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

Seat Adjustments....................... 100
Driver's Seat Power
Adjustments........................... 102
Armrests..................................... 103
Head Restraints......................... 104
Third Seat Access...................... 105 Moving the Second Row Bucket Seat............................ 106
Removing the Bucket Seats in the Second Row................. 108
Folding the Third Seat.............. 109
Power Windows............................. 112
Mirrors............................................ 115
Parking Brake................................ 116
Digital Clock................................... 117 Center Table................................... 117
Beverage Holder............................ 118
Sunglasses Holder......................... 120
Sun Visor......................................... 121
Vanity Mirror................................. 121 Rear Compartment........................ 122
Center Pocket................................ 122Coin Holder.................................... 122
Storage Box.................................... 123
Coat Hook....................................... 123
Accessory Power Sockets............. 124 Interior Lights................................ 125
Instrument s an d Control s

Controls Nea r th e Steerin g Whee l
The two levers on the steering
column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The switches for the hazard warning lights and rear window defogger are
located to the right of the steering
column.
The controls under the left air vent are for the TCS, the cruise control,
the power sliding doors and the
power mirrors.
The tilt adjustment lever on the underside of the steering columnallows you to tilt the steering wheel.
* To use the horn, press the pad around the "H" logo.
Instrument s an d Control s
POWER
SLIDIN G
DOO R TRACTIO
N
CONTRO L
SYSTE M WINDSHIEL
D
WIPERS/WASHER SSHIFT
LEVE RHAZAR DWARNIN G
LIGHT S
LIGHT CONTRO L
SWITC H
REA R WINDO W
DEFOGGE R
HORN
*TILT
ADJUSTMEN T
HEADLIGHTS /
TUR N SIGNAL S
CRUIS
E
CONTRO L
MIRRO R
CONTRO L

Power Slidin g Door s (E X Model )
If you shift out of Park while a door
is opening, you will hear a
continuous tone and the door willstop moving. If you keep driving with
the door open, the tone continues until you stop and close the door.
About the Main Switch
The MAIN switch on the dashboard controls electrical power to thesliding doors. During normal
operation, leave the MAIN switch in
the ON position. When the MAIN switch is off, the
electrical power is off and you will
not be able to use the dashboard switches or the remote transmitter
to open or close the power sliding
doors.
When the MAIN switch is off, you must operate each sliding door
manually. To open or close a door,
pull the inside or outside door handle and slide the door. The door will be
difficult to move; this is normal. Do
not use force or try to move the door
rapidly, you could damage the motor.
Operating the Doors With the
Dashboard Switches
The dashboard switches to the left of the steering column allow you toopen or close each sliding door. The
left switch controls the sliding door on the left side, and the right switch
controls the sliding door on the right
side.
Instrument s an d Control s
POWER SLIDIN G DOO R MAI N SWITC H
POWERSLIDIN G
DOO R
SWITCHE S

Automatic Transmissio n
Second (2 ) — To shift to Second,
pull the shift lever towards you, then shift to the lower gear. This position
locks the transmission in second
gear. It does not downshift to first
gear when you come to a stop. Second gives you more power when
climbing, and increased engine
braking when going down steep hills. Use second gear when starting outon a slippery surface or in deep snow.
It will help reduce wheelspin.
When driving down hill with a trailer, use the Second position.
Firs t (1 ) — To shift from Second to
First, pull the shift lever towards you,
then shift to the lower gear. With the
lever in this position, the transmis- sion locks in First gear. By upshift-
ing and downshifting through 1, 2,
D
3 and D4, you can operate this
transmission much like a manual
transmission without a clutch pedal. Engin
e Spee d Limite r
If you exceed the maximum speed
for the gear you are in, the engine speed will enter into the tachometer's
red zone. If this occurs, you may feel the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine's
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone. Shif
t Loc k Releas e
This allows you to move the shift lever out of Park if the normalmethod of pushing on the brake
pedal and pulling the shift lever does not work.
1. Set the Parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Place a cloth on the edge of the shift lock release slot cover on the
steering column. Remove the
cover by carefully prying on the
edge with a small flat-tipped screwdriver (not included in the
toolkit).
Drivin g
CONTINUED

The Brakin g Syste m
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 them
to build up heat. Heat build-up canreduce how well your brakes work. It
also 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. Brak
e Wea r Indicator s
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."
Drivin g

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 normal
driving 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 337 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 226
Important Safety Precautions.. 227
Maintenance Schedule.................. 228
Required Maintenance Record.... 235
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 237
Fluid Locations............................... 238
Engine Oil....................................... 239 Adding Oil................................... 239Recommended Oil..................... 239
Synthetic Oil............................... 240
Additives..................................... 241
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 241
Cooling System.............................. 243
Adding Engine Coolant............. 243
Replacing Engine Coolant........ 245
Windshield Washers..................... 248
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 249
Brake Fluid..................................... 250
Brake System............................ . 250
Power Steering............................... 251
Air Cleaner Element...................... 252
Hood Latch.................................... . 254
Spark Plugs..................................... 254
Replacement............................... 254
Specifications............................. 256
Battery............................................ 257
Wiper Blades.................................. 259
Air Conditioning System............... 261 Air Conditioning Filter.................. 262Drive Belts...................................... 262
Timing Belt.................................... . 263
Tires................................................ 263 Inflation....................................... 263
Inspection.................................. . 265
Maintenance............................... 266
Tire Rotation.............................. 266 Replacing Tires and Wheels.... 267
Wheels and Tires....................... 268
Winter Driving........................... 268
Snow Tires.............................. 269
Tire Chains............................. 269
Lights............................................. . 270
Headlight Aiming...................... 272
Replacing Bulbs......................... 272
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 281
Maintenanc e

Power Steerin g
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. If it is below theLOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL. Always use Genuine Honda Power
Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering
fluid as an emergency replacement. However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power steering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Maintenanc e
UPPER LEVE L
LOWE R LEVE LNOTICE