2013 HONDA ODYSSEY airbag

66
uuChild SafetyuSafety of Larger Children
Safe Driving
Safety of Larger ChildrenThe following pages give instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what kind
of booster seat to use if one is needed, and important precautions for a child who
must sit in front.
When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the lap/
shoulder seat belt. Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then answer the
following questions.
■Checklist
•Do the child's knees bend comfortably over
the edge of the seat?
•Does the shoulder belt cross between the
child's neck and arm?
•Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as
possible, touching the child's thighs?
•Will the child be able to stay seated like this
for the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder
seat belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a
booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat.
■
Protecting Larger Children
■
Checking Seat Belt Fit
1Safety of Larger Children
3
WARNING
Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in
front can result in injury or death if the
passenger's front airbag inflates.
If a larger child must ride in front, move the
vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible,
have the child sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly, using a booster seat if
needed.

76
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●Comes on if a problem with any of
the following is detected:
-Supplemental restraint system
-Side airbag system
-Side curtain airbag system
-Seat belt tensioner
●Stays on constantly or does not
come on at all - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
VSA® (Vehicle
Stability Assist)
System Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●Blinks when VSA® is active.●Comes on if there is a problem with
the VSA® system.
●Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
2VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka
ESC (Electronic Stability Control),
System P. 300
VSA® (Vehicle
Stability Assist)
OFF Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●Comes on when you deactivate
VSA®.
2VSA® On and Off P. 301
—
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
*

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

153
Continued
Controls
Adjusting the SeatsAdjusting the Seat Positions
Adjust the driver's seat as far back as possible
while allowing you to maintain full control of
the vehicle. You should be able to sit upright,
well back in the seat and be able to
adequately press the pedals without leaning
forward, and grip the steering wheel
comfortably. The passenger's seat should be
adjusted in a similar manner, so that it is as far
back from the front airbag in the dashboard
as possible.
■Adjusting the front driver’s and passenger’s power seat(s)
*
1Adjusting the Seats
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
and Transport Canada recommend that drivers allow
at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the center of the
steering wheel and the chest.
Always make seat adjustments before driving.
Once a seat is adjusted correctly, rock it back and
forth to make sure it is locked in position.
3
WARNING
Sitting too close to a front airbag can result
in serious injury or death if the front
airbags inflate.
Always sit as far back from the front
airbags as possible while maintaining
control of the vehicle.
Move back. Allow sufficient
space.
Horizontal Position
Adjustment
Height Adjustment
(Driver’s seat only)
*
Seat-back
Angle
AdjustmentLumbar
Support
Adjustment
(Driver’s seat
only)
*
* Not available on all models

Continued
155
uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
Adjust the driver's seat-back to a comfortable,
upright position, leaving ample space
between your chest and the airbag cover in
the center of the steering wheel.
The front seat passenger should also adjust
their seat-back to a comfortable, upright
position.
Reclining a seat-back so that the shoulder part of the belt no longer rests against the
occupant's chest reduces the protective capability of the belt. It also increases the
chance of sliding under the belt in a crash and being seriously injured. The farther a
seat-back is reclined, the greater the risk of injury.
■
Adjusting the Seat-Backs
1Adjusting the Seat-Backs
Do not put a cushion, or other object, between the
seat-back and your back.
Doing so may interfere with proper seat belt or airbag
operation.
If you cannot get far enough away from the steering
wheel and still reach the controls, we recommend
that you investigate whether some type of adaptive
equipment may help.
3
WARNING
Reclining the seat-back too far can result in
serious injury or death in a crash.
Adjust the seat-back to an upright position,
and sit well back in the seat.

Continued
159
uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and head restraints, and put on their
seat belts, it is very important that they continue to sit upright, well back in their
seats, with their feet on the floor, until the vehicle is safely parked and the engine is
off.
Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash. For example, if
an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or
sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly
increased.
In addition, an occupant who is out of position in the front seat can be seriously or
fatally injured in a crash by striking interior parts of the vehicle or being struck by an
inflating front airbag.■
Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
1Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
3
WARNING
Sitting improperly or out of position can
result in serious injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright, well back in the seat,
with your feet on the floor.

uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
180Controls
The ignition switch must be in ON
(w
to use
the seat heaters. The HI setting heats the seats
faster than the LO setting.
There is no heater in the passenger's seat-
back due to the side airbag cutoff system.
The appropriate indicator will be on while the
seat heater is on. Each time you press the
switch, the mode changes to HI, LOW and
OFF.
■
Seat Heaters
*
1Seat Heaters
*
Do not use the seat heaters even in LO when the
engine is off. Under such conditions, the battery may
be weakened, making the engine difficult to start.
3
WARNING
Heat induced burns are possible when
using seat heaters.
Persons with a diminished ability to sense
temperature (e.g., persons with diabetes,
lower-limb nerve damage, or paralysis) or
with sensitive skin should not use seat
heaters.
* Not available on all models

322Driving
Accessories and ModificationsAccessoriesWhen installing accessories, check the following:
•Do not install accessories on the windshield. They can obstruct your view and
delay your reaction to driving conditions.
•Do not install accessories on the side pillars or across the side windows.
Accessories installed in these areas may interfere with proper operation of the
side curtain airbags.
•Be sure electronic accessories do not overload electrical circuits or interfere with
proper operation of your vehicle.
2Fuses P. 403
•Before installing any electronic accessory, have the installer contact a dealer for
assistance. If possible, have a dealer inspect the final installation.ModificationsDo not modify your vehicle or use non-Honda components that can affect its
handling, stability, and reliability.
Overall vehicle performance can be affected. Always make sure all equipment is
properly installed and maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
1Accessories and Modifications
Honda Genuine accessories are recommended to
ensure proper operation on your vehicle.
3
WARNING
Improper accessories or modifications can
affect your vehicle's handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a crash in which
you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner's
manual regarding accessories and
modifications.