2012 HONDA ODYSSEY Electrical

20Quick Reference Guide
Handling the Unexpected
(P389)
Flat Tire
(P391)
●Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire in
under the floor between the front seats
and the second row seats.
Indicators Come On (P 406)
●Identify the indicator and consult the
owner's manual.
Engine Won't Start (P400)
●If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.Blown Fuse
(P411)
●Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating
(P404)
●Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing (P417)
●Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

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.

80
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Fog Light
Indicator
*
●
Comes on when the fog lights are
on.
—
—
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on when the passenger side
airbag system is automatically shut
off.
●
It does not mean there is a problem
with your side airbags.
●
Comes on when nobody is sitting in
the passenger seat - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
●
Comes on when someone is sitting
in the seat - Have the passenger sit
properly.
Immobilizer
System Indicator
●
Comes on briefly when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, then goes
off.
●
Comes on if the immobilizer system
cannot recognize the key
information.
●
Blinks - You cannot start the engine.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0
,
pull the key out, and then insert the key
and turn it to ON
(w
again.
●
Repeatedly blinks - The system may
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
●
Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it. Electrical
problems can occur.
—
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
*
U.S.
Canada
U.S.
Canada
* Not available on all models

Continued
173
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Controls
Press the button to open the center pocket.
■
Using the center pocket as a cool box
*
While the air conditioner is in use, you can
store items in the center pocket to keep them
cool.
Press the COOL BOX button to cool inside the
center pocket (indicator on).
■
Center PocketButton
1Using the center pocket as a cool box
NOTICEDo not put opened cans, or loose ice and containers.
Spilled liquids can damage the upholstery and
electrical components in and around the cool box.
The cool box is not a refrigerator. It only keep chilled
beverage cool.
The climate control system continues to cool the cool
box when the heater is turned on.
Pressing the COOL BOX button automatically turns
on the air conditioning system.
The cool box automatically turns off if:•The air conditioning system is turned off•You turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0
* Not available on all models

uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
174Controls
■
Front panel beverage holder
Pull the beverage holder arm inside the front
panel tray until the arm contacts the tray
front.
■
Removable center console beverage
holders
*
■
Front seat beverage holders
*
■
Beverage Holders
1Beverage Holders
NOTICESpilled liquids can damage the upholstery, carpeting,
and electrical components in the interior.
Be careful when you are using the beverage holders.
Hot liquid can scald you.
Tray
Holder Arm
* Not available on all models

297
Continued
Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2.Check that the shift lever is in
(P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
uAlthough it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N
, it is safer to start it in
(P
.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, heating and
cooling system
*/climate control system
*, and rear
defogger in order to reduce battery drain.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Brake Pedal
* Not available on all models

299
uuWhen DrivinguPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While DrivingAvoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.■
In Rain
■
Other Precautions
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICEDo not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY
(q
or
LOCK
(0
while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
(N
, as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.

313
uuWhen DrivinguBSI (Blind Spot Information) System
*
Driving
Press the BSI OFF button until you hear a beep to turn on and off the system. A
message on the multi-information display appears for five seconds and indicates
that the system is on or off.
When BSI is off, the BSI indicator in the instrument panel stays on.
BSI is in the previously selected on or off setting each time you start the engine.■
BSI On and Off
1BSI (Blind Spot Information) System
Turn the system off when towing a trailer. The system
does not work properly for the following reasons:•The added mass tilts the vehicle and changes the
radar coverage.•The trailer itself can be detected by the radar
sensors, causing the BSI alert indicators to come
on.
BSI may be adversely affected when:•Objects (guard rails, poles, trees, etc,.) are
detected.•An object that does not reflect radio waves well,
such as a motorcycle, is in the alert zone.•Driving on a curved road.•A vehicle is moving from a far lane to the adjacent
lane.•The system picks up external electrical interference.•The rear bumper or the sensors have been
improperly repaired or the rear bumper has been
deformed.•The orientation of the sensors has been changed.•In bad weather (Heavy rain, snow, and fog).
For a proper BSI use:•Always keep the rear bumper corner area clean.•Do not cover the rear bumper corner area with
labels or stickers of any kind. •Take your vehicle to a dealer if you need the rear
bumper corner area or the radar sensors to be
repaired, or the rear bumper corner area is strongly
impacted.
BSI
IndicatorMulti-information
display
BSI OFF Button