fuel HONDA ODYSSEY 1995 User Guide

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.

PullProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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
DIPSTICKProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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.
Before DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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.

Before DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Automatic Transmission

Your Honda's transmission has fourforward speeds, and is electronically
controlled for smoother shifting. Italso has a "lock-up" torque converter
for better fuel economy. You may
feel what seems like another shift
when the converter locks. Shift Lever Positions
This display is on the instrument panel. It shows you the position of
the shift lever. It also indicates a
possible problem in the transmissionif the "D4" indicator light flashes. The shift lever has seven positions.
It must be in Park or Neutral to start
the engine. When you are stopped in D4, D3, 2,1, N or R, press firmly on
the brake pedal and keep your foot off the accelerator pedal.

Driving
SHIFT LEVERProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Maintenance Safety

Important Safety Precautions Before you begin any maintenance,
make sure your car is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is on. Also, be sure the engine is off. This will help to eliminateseveral potential hazards:

Carbon monoxide poisoning

from engine exhaust. Be sure there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
Burns from hot parts. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
before touching any parts.
Injury from moving parts. Do
not run the engine unless in- structed to do so. Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have the
tools and skills required.
To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be careful when workingaround gasoline or batteries. Use a
nonflammable solvent, not gasoline,
to clean parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames away from the
battery and all fuel-related parts.
You should wear eye protection and protective clothing when working
near the battery or when usingcompressed air.

MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Periodic Checks

You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 112.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 113.
Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 154. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
155.
Brakes and power steering —
Check the fluid level monthly. See
page 156.
Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
169.
Battery — Check its condition and
the terminals for corrosion monthly. See page 162. Air conditioning — Check its
operation weekly. See page 168. Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See

page 175.

Maintenance
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Engine Oil
Recommended Oil Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter- gent oil.
You can determine an oil's SAE
viscosity and Service Classification
from the API Service label on the oil container.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended for your Honda. This is shown on the
API Service label by the words "Energy Conserving II." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use
less fuel. The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that says "API Service SG or SH." This service
rating may also include other
designations, such as CD. These

additional classifications are not a
problem, as long as the label also carries the SG or SH classification.
An oil that is only classified SF is not
recommended.

* * : SG or SH The oil container may also display
the API Certification mark shown
below. Make sure it says "For Gasoline Engines."
API CERTIFICATION MARK
CONTINUED

Maintenance

API SERVICE LABELProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Engine Oil

The SAE numbers tell you the oil's viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your car according to this chart.
Ambient Temperature
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
preferred for improved fuel economy and year-round protection in your
Honda. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never

goes below 20° F ( —
7° C).
Additives
Your Honda does not need any oil
additives. Purchasing additives for

the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost of operating your car. Oil and Filter Changes
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule. The oil and filter collect contaminants that can dam-
age your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled

mechanic.

1. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Cooling System, Windshield Washers

10.Turn off the engine. Check the level in the radiator, add coolant if needed. Install the radiator cap,
tighten it fully.
11.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Windshield Washers

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop

for fuel.

The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the left headlight.Check the reservoir's fluid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.

Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
LEVEL GAUGE

Antifreeze can damage your car's paint, while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.

Maintenance
RESERVE TANK

NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t