tailgate HONDA ODYSSEY 1996 User Guide

Interior Lights

Tailgate Light
The tailgate light has a two positionswitch. In the OFF (down) position,
the light does not come on. In the ON (up) position, the light comes on
when you open the tailgate. Courtesy Lights
Each door has a courtesy light. This
light comes on when you open the door.
Your car also has a courtesy light in the ignition switch. This light comeson when you open the driver's door.
It remains on for several seconds
after the door is closed.

Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t 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

Lights

Replacing Rear Bulbs

1. Open the tailgate. Swing the taillight cover open and remove it.
To replace a bulb on the right side, remove the spare tire (see page
194
).
2. Determine which of the three bulbs is burned out: tail/stoplight,
back-up light or turn signal.
3. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. Remove the burned out bulb from the socket by pulling it straight outof its socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the socket. 6. Reinstall the socket into the light

assembly.

7. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
8. Reinstall the taillight assembly cover.
9. (Right side) Reinstall the spare tire.

Maintenance

COVERProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Lights

Replacing a Rear License Bulb

1. Remove the two screws and
remove the lens.

2. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket. 3. Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is

working.

4. Reinstall the lens. Reinstall the two screws and tighten them
securely.
Replacing Bulbs in the Interior

Lights

The courtesy lights in the doors, tailgate and ceiling come apart the same way. They do not all use the
same bulb.
1. Remove the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens with
a fingernail file or a small flat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the

lens.

Door light: pry on the bottom middle of the

lens.

Ceiling light: pry on the front edge of the lensin the middle.

MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Lights
CEILING LIGHT
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal tabs. Snap the lens back in place. SPOTLIGHT
SUN VISOR DOOR LIGHT
TAILGATE LIGHT

MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Storing Your Car

If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. It is
best to store your car indoors if at all

possible.
Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 148). Wash and dry the exterior

completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield. Apply a silicone spray lubricant to
all door and tailgate seals. Also,
apply wax to the painted surfaces
that mate with the door and
tailgate seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
car cover, one made from a porous

material such as cotton.

Nonporous materials, such as

plastic sheeting, trap moisture
which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once
a month).

If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Honda dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/48,000 km (30,000 miles) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page 140 )
The replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Changing a Flat Tire
If you have a flat tire while driving, stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that
is far away from the traffic lanes. TOOL KIT

JACK

1. Park the car on firm, level ground away from traffic. Turn on the
hazard warning lights and turn the
ignition to LOCK (0).
2. Put the transmission in Park. Set the parking brake. Have your
passengers get out of the vehicle. LID
TRAY
3. Open the tailgate. Fold down the third seat's seat-back (see page60).

4. The tool kit and jack are stored
under the third seat armrest on
the driver's side. Remove thearmrest pad by pulling it straight

up.

CONTINUED

Taking Care of the Unexpected

SPARE TIRE
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.

Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Index
Jacking up the Car......................... 195

Jack, Tire........................................ 193
Jump Starting................................. 200
Keys................................................... 49
Label, Certification........................ 216
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 41Lap Belt............................................... 7
Lap/Shoulder Belts........................... 6
Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 29
Lighter, Cigarette............................ 69
Lights Headlight Aiming...................... 175Bulb Replacement..................... 177

Indicator........................................ 33

Parking.......................................... 40
Turn Signal................................... 41
Loading Cargo................................ 116
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 50 Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 49
Fuel Fill Door............................. 110Glove Box..................................... 53
Power Door.................................. 50
Tailgate......................................... 52
Low Coolant Level......................... 150 Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 34, 204
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 218
Luggage.......................................... 116
Maintenance................................... 135 Periodic Items............................ 144

Record.................................. 142-143

Required Indicator....................... 38
Safety........................................... 136Schedule.............................. 138-141
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 34, 206 Maximum Speeds.......................... 123
Meters, Gauges................................ 37
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 109

Mirrors, Adjusting...........................
64

Neutral Gea r
Position.................... 122
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 108
NOTICE, Explanation of................... ii
Numbers, Identification................ 216

Occupant Protection System............ 4
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 108

Odometer.......................................... 37

Odometer, Trip................................ 37

Oil Change, How to......................... 148

Change, When to....................... 140

Checking Engine....................... 146
Pressure Indicator....................... 34

Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 148

ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 50

Opening the Hood......................... 111

Operation in Foreign Countries... 109

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index
Seats
Reclining the Second Seat.......... 59

Removing the Second Seats....... 57

Third Seat Access...................... 56

Serial Number................................ 216

Service Intervals*.......................... 140

Service Manual.............................. 233

Service Station Procedures.......... 110
Setting the Clock............................. 66

Shifting the Automatic
Transmission.............................. 120

Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 120
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 178

Signaling Turns................................ 41
Snow Tires...................................... 174

Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 184
Sound System................................... 83

Spare Tire
Inflating....................................... 192

Specifications............................. 219

Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 160
Specifications Charts..................... 218

Speed Control...................................
46

Speedometer.................................... 3 7

SR
S Indicator............................. 16,

34

START (Ignitio
n
Key Position)..... 50
Starting the Engine........................ 119 In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 119
With a Dead Battery................. 200
Steam Coming from Engine......... 202

Steering Wheel
Adjustment................................... 44
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 49
Stereo Sound System...................... 83 Storing Your Car............................ 182

Sunroof............................................. 63
Closing Manually....................... 207
Operation......................................

63

Supplemental Restrain t
System
Service Precautions..................... 17
Servicing....................................... 16
SRS Indicator.......................... 16, 34
System

Components................... .
12

Synthetic Oil................................... 148
Tailgate........................................... 52

Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 179
Taking Care of the Unexpected.. 191 Tape Player................................ 87, 99
Technical Descriptions Anti-lock Brake System............ 220Emission Control Systems........ 224
Three Way Catalytic

Converter................................ 226

Tire Information........................

221

Temperature Gauge....................... .
38
Tether Attachment Points.............. 26 Three Way Catalytic Converter... 226
Time, Setting the...........................

66

Tire Chains.................................... .
174
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 193
Tires................................................ 169 Air Pressure............................... 170
Checking Wear.......................... 171
Compact Spare........................... 192
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 222
Inflation....................................... 170
CONTINUED
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t