2004 HONDA ODYSSEY Seat

A child who has outgrown a forward-
f acing child seat should ride in a
back seat and use a booster seat
until the lap/shoulder belt f its them
properly without the booster.
Some states also require children to
use a booster until they reach a
given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or
60lbs).Besuretocheckcurrent
laws in the state or states where you
intend to drive.Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster meets f ederal
saf ety standards (see page ) and
that you f ollow the booster seat
maker’s instructions.
If a child who uses a booster must
ride in f ront, move the vehicle seat
as far to the rear as possible, and be
sure the child is wearing the seat
belt properly.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle’s or
booster’s seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster.
We strongly recommend that a child
whousedaboosterrideinaback
seat,notthefront.Evenif the
passenger’s f ront airbag is of f , a
back seat is the safest place for the
child.
Even then, the child may still need to
use a booster seat. Note that some
states now require children to use
boosters until they reach a certain
ageand/orweight.Besuretocheck
current laws in the state or states
where you intend to drive.
35
Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Using a Booster Seat
51

The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
age 12 and under be properly
restrained in a back seat.
Even with advanced front airbag, the
back seat is the safest place for a
child of any age or size.
If the passenger’s f ront airbag is on,
and it inflates in a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, the airbag
can cause serious injuries to a child
who is unrestrained, improperly
restrained, sitting too close to the
airbag, or out of position.
The side airbag also poses risks. If
any part of a larger child’s body is in
the path of a deploying side airbag,
the child could receive possibly
serious injuries.Of course, children vary widely. And
while age may be one indicator of
when a child can saf ely ride in the
f ront. There are other important
f actors you should consider.
To saf ely ride in f ront, a child must
be able to f ollow the rules, including
sitting properly, and wearing the seat
belt properly throughout a ride.
Physically, a child must be large
enough f or the lap/shoulder belt to
properly f it (see pages and ). If
the seat belt does not f it properly,
with or without the child sitting on a
booster, the child should not sit in
the front.
If you decide that a child can saf ely
ride up f ront, be sure to:
Caref ully read the owner’s manual
and make sure you understand all
seat belt instructions and all saf ety
inf ormation.
Move the vehicle seat to the rear-
most position.
Have the child sit up straight, back
against the seat, and feet on or
near the f loor.
Check that the child’s seat belt is
properly and securely positioned.
Supervise the child. Even mature
children sometimes need to be
reminded to f asten the seat belts
or sit properly.
5014
Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
When Can a L arger Child Sit in
Front
Maturity
Physical Size
52

This could result in
serious neck injuries during a crash.
This could cause
very serious injuries during a crash.
It also increases the chance that the
child will slide under the belt in a
crash and be injured.
If they do, they could
be very seriously injured in a crash. Devices intended to improve a
child’s comf ort or reposition the
shoulder part of a seat belt can make
the belt less ef f ective, and increase
the chance of serious injury in a
crash.
Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Do not let a child wear a seat belt
across t he neck.
Do not let a child put the shoulderpart of a seat belt behind t he back orunder t he arm.
T wo children should never use t hesame seat belt . Do not put any accessories on a seat
belt.
53

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .58
............................
Instrument Panel .59
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 60
..
Maintenance Required Indicator . 65
.............................................
Gauges .66
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .68
.
Windshield Wipers and Washers . 69
......................................
Turn Signal .71
........................................
Headlights .71
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 72
..............................
Hazard Warning .73
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 73
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 74
...............................
Keys and Locks .75
........................
Immobilizer System .76
................................
Ignition Switch .77
......................................
Door Locks .78
......................
Power Door Locks .78
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 79
........................................
Tailgate .79
.......................
Remote Transmitter .81
...................................
Sliding Doors .84
.................................................
Seats .88
....................................
Seat Heaters .98
..............................
Power Windows .99 ...........................................
Mirrors .102
...............................
Parking Brake .103
.........
Interior Convenience Items . 104
..........................................
Clock .105
.............................
Center Table .105
.....................
Beverage Holders .106
....................
Sunglasses Holder .107
...................................
Sun Visor .108
............................
Vanity Mirror .108
...................
Rear Compartment . 108
..................................
Glove Box .109
........
Accessory Power Sockets . 109
...........................
Center Pocket .110
...............................
Coin Holder .110
...............................
Storage Box .111
..................................
Coat Hook .111
...............................
Interior Lights .112
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols57

Control L ocations
Inst rument s and Cont rols58
HEATING/COOLING CONTROLSCLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE AUDIO SYSTEM/
REAR ENTERTAINMENT
SYSTEM
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
SEAT HEATER
SWITCH POWER DOOR
LOCK SWITCH
(P.78)
(P.99)
(P.98) (P.169) (P.170)
POWER SLIDING
DOOR SWITCHES
(P.85)
(P.102)
(P.60)
GAUGES (P.66) (P.105)
CLOCK
(P.116)
(P.121)
REAR A/C UNIT
CONTROL
(P.123)
(P.126, 145)
MIRROR
CONTROLS
INSTRUMENT
PANEL
INDICATORS

Î
Î
ÎThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols59
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATORPARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
DOOR AND BRAKE LAMP MONITOR
POWER SLIDING
DOOR INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.62)
(P.62)
(P.65) (P.64)
(P.64) (P.61)
(P.61)
(P.60, 252)
(P.60, 252)
(P.253) (P.159)(P.
62)
(P.63) SIDE AIRBAG
OFF
INDICATOR
(P.61)
(P.64)
(P.60)
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR (P.60)

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle.
See page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more inf ormation, see page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .This indicator has two f unctions:
If it remains lit af ter you f ully
release the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the brake
system. For more inf ormation, see
page . This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). It
reminds you and your passengers to
f asten your seat belts. A beeper also
sounds if you have not f astened your
seat belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the indicator stays on
until you do. Both the indicator and
the beeper stay of f if you f asten your
seat belt bef ore turning on the
ignition.
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
It is a reminder to check the
parking brake. Driving with the
parking brake not f ully released
can damage the brakes and tires.
253
252
252 254
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
IndicatorParking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
60
U.S. Canada

This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to 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 indicator 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
more inf ormation, see page .This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For more inf ormation, see page .
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If it comes on at any
other time, there is a problem in the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked by your Honda
dealer. With this indicator on, your
vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock. For more
inf ormation, see page .
30 31
190
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator Side Airbag Of f Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Indicator
61
Canada
U.S.