navigation system HONDA ODYSSEY 2008 RB1-RB2 / 3.G Navigation Manual
Page 101 of 148
Navigation System101
System Initialization
System Initialization
If for any reason, you  lose power to the 
navigation system (like the battery was 
disconnected), the  navigation system 
will require initialization. Once 
completed, your system will be ready to 
use.
This initialization requires the 
following:
 Entry of the 4-digit anti-theft security  code to “unlock” the navigation 
system.
 GPS initialization (may not be needed  depending on the le ngth of time the 
system was without power).
 Map matching to align the GPS  coordinates to a place on the map 
(displays current street at the bottom 
of the map).
Entering the Security Code
If the battery goes dead or is 
disconnected for any reason, you will 
have to enter a secur ity code for both the 
audio system and the navigation system 
before you can use it again.
When you purchased the vehicle, you 
should have received two cards that 
have the audio and navigation system’s 
security codes and serial numbers. Keep 
these cards in a sa fe place in case you 
need the codes. If you lose the cards, 
you must obtain the security codes from 
your dealer. Enter the four-digit security code, then 
select 
Done. If you have entered it 
correctly, the display changes to the 
Disclaimer  screen. If you make a 
mistake, the system will display 
“incorrect PIN.” Re-enter your 4-digit 
security code. You have ten chances to 
enter the correct code. If all ten are 
incorrect, turn the i gnition to OFF, then 
back to ON (II) to have ten more 
chances to enter the correct code.
Follow the instructio ns in the vehicle 
Owner’s manual to enter the 5-digit 
audio code. The navigation voice will 
not operate if the audio code is not 
entered.
NOTE:
The anti-theft security  code is unrelated 
to your optional Navigation system PIN 
(for Personal or Home Address).
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Page 102 of 148
102Navigation System
System Initialization
GPS Initialization
Depending on the length of time the 
battery was disconnected, your system 
may require GPS initialization. If it 
does, the following screen appears:
If this procedure is not necessary, the 
system proceeds directly to the 
Disclaimer screen (see page
18). 
During initialization, the system 
searches for all available GPS satellites, 
and obtains their orbital information. 
During this procedure the vehicle 
should be out in the open with a clear 
view of the sky. If the navigation system finds the 
satellites properly, this box clears, and 
changes to the 
Disclaimer screen. If 
within ten minutes the system fails to 
locate a sufficient number of satellites to 
locate your position, the following 
screen appears:
If the system is still unable to acquire a 
signal, follow the in structions on the 
screen, or contact you r local dealer for 
assistance.
NOTE:
The average acquiring time is less than 
10 minutes, but it can take as long as 45 
minutes.
Map Matching
This part of the initialization matches 
the GPS coordinates found above with a 
road on the  map screen. To perform this 
part of the procedure, ensure that the 
navigation system is displaying a map, 
and drive the vehicle on a mapped road 
(a road shown on the  map screen). Do 
not enter a destina tion at this time. 
When the name of the current road you 
are driving on appears at the bottom of 
the screen, the entire procedure is 
complete. Your system is now ready to 
use.
The navigation system lost power and is acquiring its  
location from the GPS satellites. This usually takes  
less than 10 minutes.
*  Start the engine.
*  Park the vehicle in an open area away from trees,  
  power lines, and tall buildings.
*  Remove loose articles, cell phones, or electrical  
  accessories located near the GPS antenna.
*  If this screen is displayed repeatedly when starting  
  the vehicle, see your dealer.
Something is interfering with the system’s ability to  
acquire its location. Check the following:
*  The vehicle must be in an open area with a clear  
  view of the sky.
*  Remove sources of GPS interference like metallic 
  window tint above antenna, or electrical items 
  near antenna (see owner's manual for details).
*  Check GPS antenna cable connection.
*  Restart the engine and repeat the GPS acquire 
  procedure. If the problem persists, see your dealer.
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Page 103 of 148
Navigation System103
System Limitations
Although your navigation system is one 
of the most highly sophisticated pieces 
of equipment you will find in a modern 
automobile, you may find during its use, 
that it has certain limitations.
The system uses signals from the Global 
Positioning System (GPS) to aid in 
determining its current location. The 
GPS is operated by the U.S.
Department of Defense. For security 
reasons, there are certain inaccuracies 
built into the GPS that the navigation 
system must constantly compensate for. 
This can cause occasional positioning 
errors of up to several hundred feet.
For example, in urban areas where 
streets are close together, this could 
cause the system to show that you are 
traveling on a street that parallels the 
street you are actually on. The system 
will, under most circumstances, correct 
itself while you drive. Also, depending on your current view of 
the sky and the position of the satellites, 
the elevation may be shown incorrectly. 
You may also notice some delay of the 
vehicle position icon at intersections; 
this is normal.
GPS Reception Issues
The signals received from the GPS 
satellites are extremely weak (less than 
a millionth of the strength of a local FM 
station), and require an unobstructed 
view of sky. The signal can easily be 
interrupted or interfered with by the 
following:
 After-market metallic window tint 
above or to the sides of the GPS 
antenna (located under the dash)
 Cell phones, PDAs, or other  electronic devices docked in a cradle 
or laying loose on the dash
 Radar detectors mounted on the dash
 Remote starters, or “hidden” vehicle  location systems mounted near the 
navigation unit
 Other after-market audio electronic  devices mounted near the navigation 
unit  Trees, tall buildings, freeway 
overpasses, tunnels or overhead 
electrical power wires
Although the system will direct you to 
your desired destination, it may not 
always generate what you consider to be 
the most direct rout e. Try changing the 
method of routing. See  Changing the 
Routing Method  on page
48.  You may 
also have Unverified Area Routing set 
to “OFF.” See  Unverified Area Routing  
on page
87 .
Additionally, the mapping database 
contains verified and unverified maps. 
See  Map Overview  on page
6. A 
Disclaimer screen will warn you if your 
route includes unverified streets.
Unverified streets may be missing from 
the map, in the wrong location, or have 
an incorrect name or address range.
Exercise addition al caution when 
driving in these unverified areas.
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Page 104 of 148
104Navigation System
System Limitations
The destination icon shows the 
approximate location of the destination.
This occurs because a city block can 
have as many as 100 possible addresses 
(for example, the 1400 block is followed 
by the 1500 block.) Since most cities 
use only a portion of the 100 possible 
addresses (for example, in the 1400 
block, the addresses may only go up to 
1425 before the 1500 block starts), the 
address 1425 will be shown a quarter of 
the way down the block by the system 
instead of at the end of the block where 
the destination is actually located.
You may find that the system 
occasionally “reboots.” This is indicated 
by the display returning to the globe 
screen. A reboot can be caused by a 
number of things, such as extreme 
temperatures or shock from bumpy 
roads. It does not necessarily indicate a 
problem that requires service. If this 
happens frequently, please see your 
dealer.
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Page 105 of 148
Navigation System105
Database Limitations
You will find that some points of 
interest (POI) may be missing when you 
search the database. This can be caused 
if at the time the database was gathered, 
the name was misspelled, the place was 
improperly categorized, or the POI 
change is not yet in the database. This 
means you may not find places listed 
that you know exist. This is also true for 
police agencies and hospitals. In 
outlying areas, facilities listed may not 
be the closest. Always check with local 
information sources if you need law 
enforcement or hospital services.
Every effort has been made to verify 
that the system’s database was accurate 
at the time it was created. However, 
businesses do fail or move to new 
locations, and new businesses start in 
the old locations. For this reason, you 
may occasionally find “inaccurate” 
information when you select and drive 
to a point of interest (for example, a 
restaurant is now a jewelry store). The 
number of these inaccuracies increases 
the longer you go without an update. The digitized map database reflects 
conditions as they existed at various 
points in time before production. 
Accordingly, your
 DVD may contain 
inaccurate or inco mplete data or 
information due to the passage of time, 
road construction, ch anging conditions, 
or other causes.
Due to ongoing software and database 
improvements, navigation disc versions 
may change in the middle of a 
production year. The version shipped 
with your vehicle was the most recent 
available at the time of production, and 
is considered standard equipment for 
that vehicle. There is no free program to 
retrofit early production vehicles with 
the latest disc. For DVD ordering 
information, see page
108 .In addition, this database does not 
include, analyze, proc
ess, consider, or 
reflect any of the following categories 
of information:
 Neighborhood quality or safety
 Population density
 Availability or proximity of law  enforcement
 Emergency, rescue, medical, or other  assistance
 Construction work,  zones, or hazards
 Road and lane closures
 Legal restrictions (such as vehicular  type, weight, load, height, and speed 
restrictions)
 Road slope or grade
 Bridge height, width, weight, or other  limits
 Road, traffic or traffic facilities  safety, or conditions
 2008  Odyssey 00X31-SHJ-8101  
Page 106 of 148
106Navigation System
Database Limitations
 Weather conditions
 Special events
 Pavement characteristics or conditions
 Traffic congestion
 Travel time
We assume no liability for any incident 
that may result from an error in the 
program, or from changed conditions 
not noted above.
Copyrights
 infoUSA-Data: Certain business data provided by infoUSA, Inc., Omaha, 
Nebraska, Copyright © 2006, All 
Rights Reserved.
 EXIT-Data: © ZENRIN CO., LTD.  2006. All Rights Reserved.
 ZAGAT SURVEY: Copyright ©  [2006] Zagat Survey, LLC. All rights 
reserved.
 2008  Odyssey 00X31-SHJ-8101  
Page 107 of 148
Navigation System107
Customer Assistance
Reporting Errors
Occasionally, you may encounter 
database errors.
 If the error pertains to freeways and 
main “verified” roads shown in black 
on the map, then report it either 
online at:
http://update.navteq.com/ , or to 
Honda Customer Services.
 If the error involves a light brown  “unverified” road, then do not report 
it. These areas have not been verified, 
and are provided for reference only 
(see  Map Overview  on page
6).
 For errors in points of interest (POI),  like a business that has changed their 
name, do not report them. Keep in 
mind that depending on when the data 
was collected, and when your DVD 
was purchased, the database can be 
out of date. The business may have 
not reported the change(s), or not be 
in the database at all. Update 
Navigation DVDs are available for 
purchase, usually in the fall of each 
year.  If the error does not involve the 
database, such as if the vehicle 
position icon does not follow the 
road, screen error messages, or other 
GPS related errors, see  Frequently 
Asked Questions  on page
121,  System 
Limitations  on page
103,  or 
Troubleshooting  on page
128.
Honda Automobile 
Customer Service
Telephone: (800) 999-1009
Fax: (310) 783-3273
Mail:
Honda Navi
America Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Customer Service
MS 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
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Page 108 of 148
108Navigation System
Customer Assistance
Visiting Your Dealer
We strive to make this manual as 
complete as possible and to answer all 
questions regarding operation of the 
system. Occasionally you may run into a 
specific issue that you cannot find in the 
book. You may save yourself a trip to 
the dealer by first consulting the 
following resources:
 The Troubleshooting section (see  page
128 )
 The Frequently Asked Questions  (FAQs) section (see page
121)
 The navi FAQs found on the on-line DVD order site (see “Obtaining a 
Navigation Update DVD”)
 For detailed questions regarding  Audio or other systems that interact 
with the navigation system, see the 
main vehicle Owner’s manual, or the 
Quick Start Guide  Call Honda Customer Relations (see 
“Honda Automobile Customer 
Service”)
 For database or PO I issues, follow the 
guidelines in the “Reporting Errors” 
section (see page
107)
If your question is still unanswered and 
you wish to visit the dealer, please be 
prepared to demonstrate the issue to the 
service advisor. This way, the service 
advisor can document the issue for the 
factory to allow more efficient 
troubleshooting. Some issues may at 
first seem random, but you may notice a 
pattern, like it only occurs when you 
enter some specific address, or when 
driving on a certain road, or just when it 
is cold. This information is very useful 
to the service advisor. Be patient, the 
tech may be unfamiliar with your 
specific issue.
Obtaining a Navigation 
Update DVD
Honda is continually expanding the 
scope of the navigation system. 
Upgraded software may be made 
available to navigation system owners 
periodically, usually in the fall of each 
year.
To purchase an updated DVD or a 
replacement DVD, call the Honda 
Navigation Disc Fulfillment Center at 
(888) 291-4675. You can also order on-
line by going to  www.honda.com  and 
selecting “Honda Automobiles,” 
entering “navi” into the “Type a 
question” field, and following the links.
NOTE:
 DVDs are not available at your  dealer. However, the dealer may 
order a DVD for you as a courtesy. 
There is no program for free DVD 
updates.
 The DVD order line staff cannot  answer technical questions regarding 
navigation operation, coverage, or 
POIs.
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Page 109 of 148
Navigation System109
Customer Assistance
Changing the DVD
NOTE:
The system’s database is stored on a 
removable DVD. The system will not 
work without the DVD. Ensure the door 
remains closed at all times.
1. Remove the DVD wh ile the ignition 
switch is in the Accessory (I) position 
or in the ON (II) position.
2. Locate the control unit. It is under the  front of the driver’s seat.
3. Push the  OPEN button. An error 
message will display on the screen. 
This is normal. 4. Push the Eject button. The DVD will 
automatically come out.
5. Pull the DVD straig ht out. Hold the 
DVD by the edges. Fingerprints, 
scratches, or other contamination on 
the playing surface can make the 
DVD unreadable.
To install the Navigation DVD, make 
sure the white label is facing up. Slide 
the DVD into the slot. The DVD is 
automatically pulled  into the control 
unit. Make sure you close the door. NOTE:
 The system will not play movies or 
other video/audio discs.
 Never “sneak preview” a newer  white labeled DVD in the system 
unless you plan to keep it. The system 
cannot automatically “revert back” 
to a prior version DVD. If you must 
revert to a previous version DVD 
after loading a newer version see 
your dealer for assistance.
 If you see the error message  “Navigation unit door is open… ,” 
close the door. The system will 
reboot. This is normal.
PC Card
A PC card is not supplied. The PC card 
slot is for factory use only. This slot 
cannot be used to play audio files.
PC card slot
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Page 110 of 148
110Navigation System
Coverage Areas
Map Coverage
The system provides map coverage for 
the following 48 US states, and southern 
Canada. The US map coverage consists 
of accurately mapped (verified) 
metropolitan areas (in the following 
list), and a less accurate (unverified) 
rural database. Canada coverage 
consists of major metropolitan areas, 
and major roads connecting the 
metropolitan areas within about 100 
miles north of the U.S. border. If you 
need additional North Canada coverage, 
you may purchase the gray Canadian 
DVD (see Obtaining a Navigation 
Update DVD  on page
108 ). See Map 
Overview  on page
6 fo r a discussion of 
map coverage.
The cities and metropolitan areas in the 
following list are fully mapped. Only 
major streets, roads, and freeways have 
been verified outside these areas. If your 
route passes through these areas, routing 
may be limited in these areas, depending 
on your routing choices. See  Unverified 
Area Routing  on page
87 .If you desire additional map coverage 
information, contact Honda Customer 
Services or go to 
www.honda.com and 
select “Honda Automobiles,” enter 
“navi” into the “Typ e a question” field, 
and follow the links. Enter your vehicle 
model and model year, then select the 
state in which you want to check map 
coverage.
Operation in Hawaii and Alaska
Certain functions that  rely on a satellite 
signal will not work correctly in Hawaii 
and Alaska. These functions include but 
are not limited to automatic clock 
updates and time zone adjustments.
U.S. Detailed Coverage Areas
Alabama
Birmingham/Tuscaloosa
Huntsville
Mobile
Montgomery
Arizona Phoenix Metro
Sedona
Tucson
Arkansas Fayetteville
Hot Springs
Little Rock
California Bakersfield
Fresno
Los Angeles/San Diego Metro
Merced
Modesto
Sacramento Metro
Sacramento-Reno-Lake Tahoe-Yuba
San Francisco Bay  (approximately 
Monterey to Sonoma) – including 
Monterey County and Hollister
San Luis Obispo
Stockton
Southern California Area
 2008  Odyssey 00X31-SHJ-8101