2003 HONDA ODYSSEY weight

CONT INUED
To ensure the f ront passenger’s seat
weight sensors keep the passenger’s
airbag activated when an adult or
large child weighing about 65 lbs/
30 kg or more sits in the front
passenger’s seat, do not allow
anything to decrease the weight on
the seat. This includes, but is not
limited to, these examples:Front passenger’s seat f orcibly
moved backward into luggage or
other items placed behind it. Front passenger’s seat f orcibly
pushed up by luggage or other
items placed under it. Rear passengers pushing up the
frontpassenger’sseatwiththeir
f eet. If a passenger is tall enough to use
the seat belt and sit properly, but the
passenger airbag cutof f indicator
comes on and of f repeatedly, we
recommend that the passenger sits
in a rear seat. If the passenger must
sit on the f ront seat, move the seat
as far to the rear as possible, have
the passenger sit upright, and make
sure the seat belt is worn securely.
To ensure the f ront passenger’s seat
weight sensors keep the passenger’s
airbag deactivated when an infant or
small child weighing about 65 lbs/
30 kg or less sits in the f ront
passenger’s seat, do not allow
anything to increase the weight on
the seat. This includes, but is not
limited to, these examples:
Rear passengers pushing or
pulling the f ront passenger’s seat-
back or pushing the seat rails with
their f eet.
Heavy items placed in the f ront
passenger’s seat-back pocket.
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety63

If the passenger airbag cutof f
indicator does not light, or comes on
and of f repeatedly while a child seat
is secured on the f ront passenger’s
seat, remove the child seat, then
secure it on a rear seat.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the passenger airbag cutof f
indicator will light brief ly then go out.
This tells you that the system is
working properly.
The indicator may come on or of f a
f ew seconds later if the weight on
the f ront passenger’s seat changes.Your f ront and side airbag systems
are virtually maintenance-f ree, and
there are no parts you can saf ely
service. However, you must have
your vehicle serviced if :
Any
airbag that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit, automatic seat belt
tensioners, and other related parts.
Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by a Honda dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop.
Take your vehicle to
an authorized Honda dealer as
soon as possible. If you ignore this
indication, the airbags might not
inf late when you need them.
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Airbag Service
Your airbags ever inf late.
T he SRS indicat or light alert s yout o a problem.
64

Together, airbags and
seat belts provide the best
protection.
Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury.
If rain or spilled water
soaks into a seat-back, it can
prevent the side airbag system
f rom working properly.
This could make the
driver’s seat position sensor and
the f ront passenger’s weight
sensors inef f ective. Improperly
replacing or covering f ront seat-
back covers can prevent your side
airbags f rom inf lating during a
collision.
This could make the driver’s seat
position sensor and the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective. See page f or f urther inf ormation
and precautions relating to your
airbags.
first contact American
Honda at 800-999-1009. 252
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Donotattempttodeactivateyour
airbags.
Do not t amper wit h airbagcomponent s or wiring f or anyreason.
Do not expose t he f ront seat -backsto water.
Do not place any it ems under t hefront seats. Do not cover or replace f ront seat -
back covers wit hout consult ing aHonda dealer.
Do not modif y t he f ront seat s.If it is necessary t o modif y anadvanced f ront airbag syst em t oaccommodat e a person wit hdisabilities,
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety65

This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags or automatic seat
belt tensioners. This light will also
alert you to a potential problem with
your side airbags, passenger’s side
airbag automatic cutoff system,
driver’s seat position sensor, or f ront
passenger’s weight sensors. For
complete inf ormation, see page .
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For complete inf ormation, see page
.
60
59
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator Side A irbag Cutof f
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
73

The condition of your vehicle and
your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your vehicle accord-
ing to the maintenance schedule.
This will keep it in top operating
condition.A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your vehicle uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your vehicle’s underside adds weight
and rolling resistance. Frequent
cleaning helps your f uel mileage and
reduces the chance of corrosion. An important part of that mainte-
nance is the (see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly. 295
Vehicle Condition
Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
Fuel Economy
250

Covering the outside edge of a
f ront seat-back, with a non-Honda
seat cover for example, could
prevent the airbag from inflating
properly.If a side airbag
inflates,acupholderorotherhard
object attached on or near the
door could be propelled inside the
vehicle and hurt someone.
This could make the driver’s seat
position sensor and the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective.
Some examples are:
Lowering the vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to impact speed
bumps or other raised objects,
which could cause the airbags to
deploy.
Raising the vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective.
Any object
attached to or placed on the covers
marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG,’’ in the
center of the steering wheel and
on top of the dashboard, could
interf ere with the proper operation
of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inf late, the objects could be
propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult with your Honda dealer.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Honda (af termarket) components
could seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability. Modif ications
Additional Saf ety Precautions
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
Do not place any object s over t heoutsideedgeof afront seat-back.
Do not at t ach hard object s on or
near a f ront door.
Do not modif y t he f ront seat s.
Do not at t ach or place object s on
the f ront airbag covers.
252

Î
Î Î
Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas so you can stow cargo
saf ely.
The glove box, and the pockets in
the f ront doors and seat-backs, are
designed f or small, lightweight items.
The cargo area is intended f or larger,
heavier items. In addition, the seats
in the second row can be removed
andthebenchseatinthethirdrow
can be f olded into the f loor to allow
you to carry more cargo or longer
items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability, and
operation, and make it unsaf e.
Bef ore carrying any type of cargo, be
sure to read the f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving253
REAR COMPARTMENT
FRONT DOOR POCKET
CENTER POCKET
GLOVE BOX
STORAGE BOX
SEAT-BACK POCKET
EX and EX-L models only CARGO AREA
SEAT-BACK POCKETS

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals, or with the proper
operation of the seats.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If the lid is open, a
passenger could injure their knees
during a crash or sudden stop.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, accessories,
and the tongue weight if you are
towing a trailer.
The f inal number is the total weight
of cargo you can carry.
If you are towing a trailer, add the
tongue weight to the number
above. Add up the weight of all occupants.
To f igure out how much cargo you
can carry: When you load luggage, the total
weight of the vehicle, all passengers,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The load
for the front and rear axles also must
not exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). The GVWR and
GAWRareprintedonthetire
information label attached to the
driver’s doorjamb (see page ).
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 1,158 lbs (525 kg).
Subtract the total f rom 1,158 lbs
(525 kg). 386Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Load Limit
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving254
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.