engine HONDA ODYSSEY 1995 User Guide

Heating and Cooling

To Defog and Defrost

To remove fog from the inside of the windows:
1. Switch the fan on.
2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select and
4. Adjust the temperature control lever so the airflow from the
defroster vents feels warm.
5. Turn on the rear window defogger to help clear the rear window.
To remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield and side windowsafter the car has been sitting out in
cold weather:
1. Start the engine. 2. Select and
3. Switch the fan and temperature
controls to maximum. To rapidly remove exterior frost or
ice from the windshield (on very cold days), first select Once the
windshield is clear, select to
avoid fogging the windows.
These settings direct all the air flow to the defroster vents at the base ofthe windshield and the side windowdefroster vents. The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
beside each vent. This will send more warm air to the windshielddefroster vents.
For safety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
before driving away.
To Turn Everything Off

To shut off the system temporarily, slide the fan speed and temperature
control levers all the way to the left.
You should shut the system com- pletely off only for the first few
minutes of driving in cold weather,until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale air does not build up in the interior.

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Break-in Period, Gasoline

Break-in Period
Help assure your car's future
reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive
during the first 1,000 km (600 miles).
During this period:
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.

If you need to add oil, use the engine oil recommended in this
owner's manual.
Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken-in by moderate
use for the first 300 km (200

miles).

You should follow these same re- commendations with an overhauledor exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Gasoline

Your Honda operates most effec- tively on unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 86 or higher.Use of a lower octane gasoline can
cause a persistent, heavy metallic
rapping noise in the engine that can
lead to mechanical damage.
We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent
fuel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car's emission controls.
This contributes to air pollution and can void certain parts of your
warranty. Oxygenated Fuels
Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively referred to as
oxygenated fuels. To meet clean airstandards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
fuels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated fuel, besure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Before using an oxygenated fuel, try
to confirm the fuel's contents. Some states/provinces require this
information to be posted on the

pump.

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Service Station Procedures

Filling the Fuel Tank
1. The fuel fill is on the driver's side
of the car. Park with that side
closest to the service station

pumps.

2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling on the handle to the left of the
driver's seat.
FUEL FILL CAP3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the fuel fill cap on the inside
of the door as shown.
4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel pump automatically clicks off. Do
not try to "top off" the tank, leave
some room for the fuel to expand
with temperature changes.
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on, tighten it until it clicks more than
twice.
6. Push the fuel fill door until it
latches.

Before Driving
Gasoline is highly flammable

and explosive. You can be

burned or seriously injured

when handling fuel.

Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.

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Service Station Procedures

Oil Check
Check the engine oil level every time
you fill the car with fuel. Wait at least two minutes after turning the engineoff before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel. 3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.

Before Driving
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Service Station Procedures
4. Remove it again and check the level. It should be between the
upper and lower marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see page 146 for information on the
proper oil and how to add it. Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see Adding
Engine Coolant on page 151 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.Refer to Periodic Checks on page

144 for information on checking

other items in your Honda.

Before Driving

UPPER MARK

Engine Coolant Check

RESERVE TANK

MAX MIN

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Fuel Economy

The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Vehicle Condition Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Periodic Checks (see
page 144). For example an under-inflated tire causes more "rolling
resistance," which uses fuel. It also
wears out faster, so check the tire
pressure at least monthly. In winter,
the build-up of snow on your car's
underside adds weight and rolling
resistance. Frequent cleaning helps
your fuel mileage and reduces the chance of corrosion. Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to "warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of "cold starts," try tocombine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes ituse more fuel. Turn off the A/C to
cut down on air conditioning use.Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is moderate.
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Accessories

Your Honda dealer has many Genuine Honda Accessories that
allow you to personalize your car.
These have all been approved for installation and use on your car, andare covered by warranty.
Some non-Honda accessories you
can buy in the "aftermarket" are
designed for universal applications.
Although they may fit your Honda, they may not be within factoryspecifications. For example, after-
market wheels may not meet Honda's specifications for width and offset.
They could cause suspension problems which would not be
covered by your warranty. Im-
properly-designed accessories can adversely affect your car's handling
and stability. Your car has several computer-

controlled systems, including the

SRS system, the engine's fuel
injection, and the Anti-lock brake system. Strong electronic inter-
ference can affect their operation.

Electronic communications equip-

ment, such as cellular telephones
and two-way radios are regulated by
the FCC (DOC in Canada) and should not interfere with your car's
systems. Improper installation, or
using electrical equipment not in-
tended for mobile use may interfere
with your car's operation. If you want to install a cellular telephone, other

mobile communications equipment
or even add-on stereo amplifiers,
please discuss it first with your Honda dealer. In many cases, improper installation
is the real cause of problems with
aftermarket accessories. Have these
accessories installed by qualified
technicians who are familiar with
your Honda. If possible, have your Honda dealer inspect the final
installation.

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Driving

This section gives you tips on starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also includes important information on
your car's braking system and facts
you need if you are planning to tow a trailer.
Preparing to Drive......................... 118
Starting the Engine........................ 119
Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude ..................... 119
Automatic Transmission............... 120 Shift Lever Positions................. 120
Maximum Speeds...................... 123
Shift Lock Release..................... 123
The Braking System...................... 124 Brake Wear Indicators.............. 124
Brake System Design................ 124
Anti-lock Brakes........................ 125
Driving in Bad Weather................ 126
Towing a Trailer............................ 128

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Preparing to Drive

You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before
you drive your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood and tailgate are fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely. 5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 56).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see
page 66).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 46).
8. Make sure the doors are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 7). 10. Turn the ignition ON (II). Check
the indicator lights in the instru-
ment panel.
11. Start the engine (see page 119).
12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see
page 35).

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Starting the Engine

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
3. Make sure the shift lever is in Park. Press on the brake pedal.
4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to theSTART (III) position. If the enginedoes not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) for
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
5. If the engine does not start within 15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race. 6. If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while starting in order to clear flooding.
As before, keep the ignition key in the START (III) position for nomore than 15 seconds. Return tostep 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.

Starting in Cold Weather at High
Altitude (Above 2,400 meters/ 8,000 feet)

An engine is harder to start in cold weather. The thinner air found athigh altitude above 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) adds to the problem.
Use the following procedure:
1. Turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery. 2. Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the floor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do nothold the ignition key in START (III) for more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smoothsout.
3. If the engine fails to start in step 2, push the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it there while youtry to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine does not start, return to step 2.

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