2012 HONDA ODYSSEY ABS

8Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel
(P71)
U. S.Canada
U. S.
Canada
U. S.
Canada
Canada
U. S.
U. S.
Canada
System Indicators
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) Indicator Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA
®) System
Indicator
VSA
® OFF Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
*/
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
*
Security System Alarm
Indicator
*
Lights Reminders
Lights On Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Fog Light Indicator
*
Immobilizer System
IndicatorSeat Belt Reminder
Indicator
System Indicators
Starter System
Indicator
*
System Message
Indicator
*
Parking Brake
and Brake System
IndicatorSupplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
Door and Tailgate Open Indicator/
Parking Sensor IndicatorCruise Main Indicator TachometerInformation Display
*/
Multi-Information Display
*
Speedometer
Fuel Gauge
Shift Lever
Position Indicator
Power Sliding Door
Indicator
*
Gauges
(P86)
/Information Display
* (P87)
/
Multi-Information Display
* (P98)
/System Indicators
(P72)
Power Tailgate
Indicator
*
Fuel Economy
Indicator
TPMS Indicator
*
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Maintenance Minder
Indicator
*
Daytime Running
Lights Indicator
Washer Level
Indicator
*
Blind Spot Information
System Indicator
*
Cruise Control
Indicator
Temperature
Gauge
Low Fuel
Indicator

21Quick Reference Guide
What to Do If
The ignition switch does
not turn from
(0
to
(q
.
Why?
●
The steering wheel may be locked.
●
Try to turn the steering wheel left and right
while turning the ignition key.
The ignition switch does
not turn from
(q
to
(0
and
I cannot remove the key.
Why?
The shift lever should be moved to
(P
.
Why does the brake pedal
pulsate slightly when
applying the brakes?
This can occur when the ABS activates, and does not indicate a
problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Never
pump the brake pedal.
The rear door cannot be
opened from inside the
vehicle. Why?
Check if the childproof lock is in the
LOCK position. If so, open the rear door
with the outside door handle.
To cancel this function, push the lever to
the UNLOCK position.

44
uuAirbagsuFront Airbags (SRS)
Safe Driving
■
When front airbags should not deploy
Minor frontal crashes: Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts and
help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might occur
during a less than moderate-to-severe frontal crash.
Side impacts: Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration
causes a driver or front passenger to move towards the front of the vehicle. Side
airbags and side curtain airbags have been specifically designed to help reduce the
severity of injuries that can occur during a moderate-to-severe side impact which
can cause the driver or passenger to move towards the side of the vehicle.
Rear impacts: Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a rear
impact. Front airbags cannot provide any significant protection and are not designed
to deploy in such collisions.
Rollovers: Seat belts and, in vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor, side airbags
and side curtain airbags offer the best protection in a rollover. Because front airbags
could provide little if any protection, they are not designed to deploy during a
rollover.
■
When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to deploy.
Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object
that causes a sudden deceleration in the vehicle chassis. Since the impact is
underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.
■
When front airbags may not deploy, even though exterior damage
appears severe
Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags
would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they
had deployed.

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.

72Instrument Panel
IndicatorsIndicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
*
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and goes off when it is
released.
●
Comes on when the brake fluid
level is low.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the brake system.
●
The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive
with the parking brake not fully
released.
●
Comes on while driving - Make sure
the parking brake is released. Check the
brake fluid level.
2What to do when the indicator
comes on while driving P. 408
●
Comes on along with the ABS
indicator - Have the vehicle checked by
a dealer.
2If the Brake System Indicator Comes
On P. 408
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, and goes
off when the engine starts.
●
Comes on when the engine oil
pressure is low.
●
Comes on while driving - Immediately
stop in a safe place.
2If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes On P. 406
U.S.
Canada
U.S. Canada
* Not available on all models

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

285
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 286
Maximum Load Limit........................ 289
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation .......................... 291
Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 295
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 296
When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 297
Precautions While Driving................. 299
Automatic Transmission ................... 300
Shifting ............................................ 301Cruise Control ................................. 303
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System ...... 306
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 308
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 309BSI (Blind Spot Information) System
*.... 312
Braking
Brake System ................................... 314
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 316
Brake Assist System.......................... 317
Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped................................. 318Parking ............................................ 318
Parking Sensor System
*................... 319
Rearview Camera
*............................ 323
Rearview Display Image ................... 324
Refueling
Fuel Information .............................. 325
How to Refuel ................................. 326
Fuel Economy.................................... 328
Improving Fuel Economy .................. 328
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories ...................................... 329
Modifications................................... 329
* Not available on all models

315
uuBrakinguBrake System
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A power assist helps
reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases the
stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency situation.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when braking very
hard.
2Brake Assist System P. 317
2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 316
■
Foot Brake
1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.