2012 HONDA ODYSSEY Sensor

46
uuAirbagsuSide Airbags
Safe Driving
Side AirbagsThe side airbags help protect the upper torso of the driver or a front passenger
during a moderate to severe side impact.
The side airbags are housed in the outside
edge of the driver's and passenger's seat-
backs.
Both are marked SIDE AIRBAG.
When the sensors detect a moderate-to-
severe side impact, the control unit signals the
side airbag on the impact side to immediately
inflate.■
Housing Locations
1Side Airbags
Do not attach accessories on or near the side airbags.
They can interfere with the proper operation of the
airbags, or hurt someone if an airbag inflates.
If the impact is on the passenger side, the airbag
deploys even if there is no passenger’s in the
passenger seat.
Do not cover or replace the front seat-back covers
without consulting a dealer.
Improperly replacing or covering front seat-back
covers can prevent your side airbags from properly
deploying during a side impact.
Housing
Location
■
Operation
When
inflated
Side
Airbag

47
uuAirbagsuSide Airbags
Continued
Safe Driving
■
When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag systems senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side
of the vehicle's framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough
impact to deploy the airbag.
■
When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears
severe
It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in
apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was towards
the far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle's crushable body parts
absorbed most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have
been needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

uuAirbagsuSide Airbags
48Safe Driving
To reduce the likelihood that a front passenger may be injured by an inflating side
airbag, the passenger side airbag is automatically turned off when:
•The height sensors detect a child or short-statured adult is seated in the front
passenger seat.
•The position sensor detects that the front passenger is leaning into the
deployment path of the side airbag.
When the side airbag cutoff system is activated, the side airbag off indicator comes
on.
2Side Airbag Off Indicator P. 52
If the side airbag off indicator comes on, have the passenger sit upright. A few
seconds after the passenger is sitting properly, the side airbag will automatically be
turned on, and the indicator will go off.
If the front passenger is a child, stop when it is safe to do so, and have the child sit
properly restrained in a rear seat.■
Side Airbag Cutoff System
■
Side Airbag Off Indicator
1Side Airbag Cutoff System
The sensors that monitor the front passenger's height
and body position may not work if:•The seat-back is wet•The passenger is touching a metal or other
electrical conductive object•A seat cushion is on the seat•The passenger is wearing excessively thick clothing
Sensor that
monitor the
passenger’s height.
Sensor that monitor
the passenger’s position.

Continued
51
uuAirbagsuAirbag System Indicators
Safe Driving
■
When the passenger airbag off
indicator comes on
The indicator comes on to alert you that the
passenger's front airbag has been turned off.
This occurs when the weight sensors detect
65 lbs (29 kg) or less, the weight of an infant
or small child, on the seat.
Infants and small children should always ride properly restrained in a back seat.
2Child Safety P. 54
Objects placed on the seat can also cause the indicator to come on.
If the front passenger seat is empty, the passenger's front airbag will not deploy and
the indicator will not come on.■
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
1Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
If the indicator comes on with no front passenger and
no objects on the passenger’s seat, or with an adult
riding there, something may be interfering with the
weight sensors. Such as:•An object hanging on the seat or in the seat-back
pocket.•A child seat or other object pressing against the
rear of the seat-back.•A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of
the front passenger's seat.•The front seat or seat-back is forced back against
an object on the seat or floor behind it.•An object placed under the front passenger's seat.
If none of these conditions exist, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The passenger airbag off indicator may come on and
goes off repeatedly if the total weight on the seat is
near the airbag cutoff threshold.
U.S.
Canada

53
uuAirbagsuAirbag Care
Safe Driving
Airbag CareYou do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any
airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations:■
When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be
replaced.
■
When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s
seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt
tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash.
■
Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver's seat position sensor or the passenger's weight
sensor. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate a person
with disabilities, contact a Honda dealer, or for U.S. vehicles, American Honda
Automobile Customer Service at 800-999-1009 and for Canadian vehicles, Honda
Canada Customer Relations at 888-9-HONDA-9.
1Airbag Care
We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag
system components, including the airbag, tensioners,
sensors, and control unit.

75
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicator
●
Comes on and the beeper sounds if
you are not wearing a seat belt when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
. If the front passenger is not
wearing a seat belt, the indicator
comes on about a few seconds later.
●
Blinks while driving if either you or
the front passenger has not fastened
a seat belt. The beeper sounds and
the indicator blinks at regular
intervals.
●
The beeper stops and the indicator goes
off when you and the front passenger
fasten their seat belts.
●
Stays on after you or the front
passenger has fastened the seat
belt - A detection error may have
occurred in the sensor. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
2Seat Belt Reminder P. 31
Low Fuel
Indicator
●
Comes on when the fuel reserve is
running low (approximately 3.0 U.S.
gal./11.4 Liter left).
●
Blinks if there is a problem with the
fuel gauge.
●
Comes on - Refuel your vehicle as soon
as possible.
●
Blinks - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem with the ABS.
●
Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. With this indicator
on, your vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock function.
2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
P. 316
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
*
Indicator

77
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Door and Tailgate
Open Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on if any door or the tailgate
is not completely closed.
●
The beeper sounds and the indicator
comes on if any door or the tailgate
is opened while driving.
●
Goes off when all doors and tailgate are
closed.
Parking Sensor
Indicator
*
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
A corresponding indicator comes on
when an obstacle is detected while
parking.
●
Comes on if there is a problem with
the parking sensor system. The
beeper sounds.
●
Comes on without any obstacles or
when you are not parking - Check if
the area around the sensor(s) is covered
with mud, ice, snow, etc. If the
indicator(s) stays on even after you
clean the area, have the system checked
by a dealer.
—
Daytime Running
Lights Indicator
*
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on if there is a problem with
the DRL system.
●
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Daytime Running Lights P. 144
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
*
* Not available on all models

83
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Power Sliding
Door Indicator
*
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on if there is a problem with
the power sliding door system.
●
Stays on constantly or does not
come on at all - Turn off the main
switch and manually operate the power
sliding doors. Have the vehicle checked
by a dealer.
2Opening/Closing the Power
Sliding Doors
* P. 128
BSI (Blind Spot
Information)
Indicator
*
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Stays on while BSI is turned off.
●
Comes on when mud, snow, or ice
accumulates in the vicinity of sensor.
●
Comes on if there is a problem with
the system.
—
●
Comes on while driving - Remove the
obstacle in the vicinity of sensor.
●
Comes on while driving - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
*
U.S.
Canada
U.S.
Canada
* Not available on all models