ECU HONDA ODYSSEY 1996 User Guide

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instruments and Controls

3. Move the steering wheel up or
down to the desired position.
Position the wheel so you can see
all the instrument panel gauges
and warning lights. Push the lever
up to lock the steering wheel in
that position.
4. Make sure you have securely locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Seats

Seven-passenger model

LOCK RELEASE LEVER

Pull the seat-back angle adjustment
lever on the second row seat to tilt
the seat-back forward. Pull the lock release lever and pivot the seat upout of the way. Move the second seat back into
place by pivoting the seat down.
Make sure it locks to the floor. Pull
the seat-back angle adjustment lever
forward and push the seat-back to
the desired position, then release the
lever. Make sure the seat is securely locked in place. Removing the Second Seats in the
Six-Passenger Model
Both seats can be removed to give
more cargo capacity.
To remove a seat, unlock the seat from the floor by pulling both lock
release levers up at the same timeand pulling up on the rear of the seat.

CONTINUED

Instruments and Controls
LOCK RELEASE LEVERProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Seats

Unhook the front of the seat from
the floor by pulling it back slightly,
then pivoting it upward.
Always remove an unlocked seat from the vehicle before driving. Aseat that is not locked in place could
fly around and cause injury in a sudden stop or crash. To reinstall a seat, hook the front of
the seat to the floor, then push the
back into the locks. Make sure both
the front and the back of the seat are securely fastened down before
driving. Folding the Second Seats in the
Seven-Passenger Model
The left and right halves of the second seat can be folded up
separately to create more cargo

space.

Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Seats

SEAT-BACK ANGLE

ADJUSTMENT LEVER

LOCK RELEASE LEVER

Pull the seat-back angle adjustment
lever and tilt the seat-back forward.
Then pull the lock release lever and pivot the seat forward.
RIVET

Pull out the fastening strap. Hook
the ring on the fastening strap to the rivet on the side of the seat-back.
Make sure the seat is secure.
Reverse this procedure to return the seat to the upright position. Make
sure you store the fastening strap
properly, and that the seat is locked securely before driving. Reclining the Second Seat
Seven-passenger model only
You can recline the seat-backs on the second seat so they are level with
the seat cushion of the third seat,
making a large, cushioned area. To do this:
1. Remove the head restraints. Store them in the pocket in the left side
panel behind the third seat.

Instruments and Controls
CONTINUED

FASTENING STRAPProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Seats

KNOB

3. Turn the knob on the back of the seat cushion while you pull the
entire seat towards you. Pivot the
seat into the floor recess.
To return the seat to the upright

position:

1. Pull the seat out of the recess by
pulling on the handle. Pivot the

seat forward all the way.
KNOB

2. Turn the knob on the seat-back and pull the seat-back upright.
Make sure the seat is securely
locked in place.
3. Reinstall the head restraints.
Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.coms t Main Menu Table of Contents

Loading Cargo

The maximum load you can carry in your Honda is 535 kg (1,150 Ibs). It includes the total weight of all
passengers and their belongings, anyaccessories, and the tongue weight
figure is shown as the Vehicle Capacity Weight on the tire infor-
mation label attached to the driver's doorjamb. To figure out how much cargo you
can carry:
Figure the total "occupant weight"
you will be transporting. To. do this. (driver and all passengers) by 70

kg
(150 Ibs).
Subtract this number from the
Vehicle Capacity Weight (535 kg/ 1,150 Ibs).
If you are towing a trailer, subtract
the tongue weight. See Towing a
Trailer on page 128.
This final number is the total weight of cargo you can load in or on the car.
With seven occupants (driver and six passengers), the maximum recom-
mended weight for cargo is 45 kg (100 Ibs).
Where you store this cargo, and how
well you secure it, are just as important as how much it weighs.Make sure you load cargo so it will not shift while driving. Items stored
in the cargo area behind the third
seat should be placed as far forward
as possible. You could store addi-
tional items on the floor behind the
roll under the front seat and
interfere with the pedals.
For greater cargo capacity, the third seat can be folded into the floor and
the second row seats can either be
removed or folded up (depending on
model). Passengers should never sit in the open cargo area while the car
is moving. They should sit in one of
the seats and wear their seat belts.
If you must carry large objects that
prevent you from closing the tailgate
be aware that exhaust gas can enter
the interior. See Carbon Monoxide
Hazard on page 29 .

Before DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

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 54).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see
page 64).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 44).
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 33 ).

DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Towing a Trailer

Mirrors
Many states and provinces have laws
requiring special outside mirrors
when you are towing a trailer. Check the laws in your area. You may want
to install mirrors, even if they are notrequired. Hook up the trailer and see
how much it obscures your ability to see behind you with the standard
mirrors. If you cannot see directly
behind you, or have a large blind spot next to the trailer or the car,
you should install mirrors intended
if or towing.
Connecting the Trailer
Most trailers that have a gross
weight of 450 kg (1,000 Ibs) do not have their own braking system. If
you are thinking of getting a trailer that does have brakes, make sure
they are electrically-operated. There are no provisions in your car to tap
into its hydraulic braking system.
Any attempt to attach the trailer's brakes to your car's hydraulicsystem, no matter how successful it
may seem, will lower braking effectiveness and create a potential

hazard.
Always use a safety chain when
towing a trailer. Connect the safetychain securely at both ends. Makesure the chain crosses under the
tongue so it will catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough slack in the chain so it can't bind in a
sharp turn. Do not let it drag on the
ground.

DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Towing a Trailer

Your car has a trailer lighting
connector. To use the connector,

remove the left rear light cover. Refer to the drawing above for the

wiring color code and purpose of
each connector pin.
Since the lighting and wiring can be
different for various brands of
trailers, have a technician who is
familiar with your trailer modify its lighting plug. A converter may berequired between the car and trailer
for the lights to work correctly. Before Starting Out
As you are preparing to tow your trailer, do the following:
Measure the trailer's tongue load.
You can do this with a bathroom
scale.

Verify that the hitch and safety chain are securely fastened.Check the condition and air
pressure of all tires on the trailer
and your car. Low tire pressure
can seriously affect the handling.
Also check the spare tire. With everything loaded and thetrailer connected, check that the
rear of the car is not sagging. If so,
redistribute the load in the car.Check that all lights on the car and
trailer are working properly.

Driving

GROUND
(BLACK) BACK-UP LIGHT
(GREEN/BLACK) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/BLUE)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW)
BRAKE LIGHT

(GREEN/WHITE)
TAILLIGHT
(RED/BLACK)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Engine Oil

Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil a couple of
minutes after shutting off the engine.
This will allow the oil to drain down to the bottom of the engine. Makesure the car is parked on level

ground.

1. Pull out the dipstick (orange loop) and wipe it with a cloth or paper

towel.

2. Insert it all the way back in its tube. 3. Pull it out again and look at the oil
level at the end of the dipstick. If it
is between the upper and lower
marks, the level is correct. Add oil
if the level is at or below the lower
mark.
Adding Oil

To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil fill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and replace the engine oil fill cap. Tighten it securely
Wait a few minutes and recheck the oil level. Do not fill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.
Maintenance
DIPSTICK

UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK ENGINE OIL FILL CAPProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents