charging HONDA ODYSSEY 1996 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: HONDA, Model Year: 1996, Model line: ODYSSEY, Model: HONDA ODYSSEY 1996Pages: 240, PDF Size: 2.64 MB
Page 34 of 240

Indicator Lights
The instrument panel has many indicators to give you important
information about your car.
Lamp CheckMany of the indicator lights come on
when you turn the ignition switch ON (II), allowing you to see that they
are working. If an indicator does not
light during this test, it cannot alert
you if that system develops a prob-
lem. Have the dealer check your car
for burned-out bulbs or other
problems.
* The U.S. instrument panel is
shown. Differences for the Canadian
model are noted in the text.
Instruments and Controls
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
DOOR AND BRAKE
LAMP MONITOR
HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
CHARGING
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
LIGHT
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW FUEL
INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 35 of 240

Indicator Lights
Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition ON (II). It is a reminder
to you and your passengers to
protect yourselves by fastening theseat belts. A beeper also sounds if
you have not fastened your seat belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a fewseconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.
See page 206. Malfunction Indicator
Lamp Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
information, see page 204.
Charging System
Indicator
If this light comes on when the engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 205.
See page 16. Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you have set the parking brake.
Driving with the parking brake set
can damage the brakes and tires,
and cause the Anti-lock brakesystem to turn off (see page 125).
2. It can indicate the brake fluid level is low if it remains lit after you
release the parking brake orcomes on while driving. This is
normally due to worn brake pads. Have your dealer check the
braking system for worn pads or
fluid leaks.
Instruments and Controls
S R S U.S.
Canada
BRAKE
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 162 of 240

Battery
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window on the battery:
Blue — Good conditionRed — Add distilled water
White — Charging necessary Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the terminals with a solution of bakingsoda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it off with plain water. Dry off the
battery with a cloth or paper towel. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion.
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables from the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative (—) cable first and recon-nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.
Maintenance
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 163 of 240

Battery
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car's electri-
cal system.
On the U.S. EX model
If your car's battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system will disable itself. The next time you turn
on the radio you will see "Code" in
the frequency display. Use the
Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page 106). Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car's electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables before connecting the
battery to a charger.
Maintenance
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled mechanic do the battery
maintenance.
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 167 of 240

Air Conditioning
Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified technician. There are a couple of things you can do to makesure the air conditioning works
efficiently.
Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning condenser for leaves, insects, anddirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSER
Run the air conditioning at least once a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least tenminutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge thesystem with Refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a). (See Specifications on page 218.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
Maintenance
NOTICE
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 189 of 240

Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their cars. It gives
you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what to do
to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructionson getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 192
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 193
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 199
Nothing Happens....................... 199
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 200
Jump Starting................................. 200
If Your Engine Overheats............. 202
Low Oil Pressure........................... 204
Charging System Indication......... 205
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........ 206
Closing the Sunroof....................... 207
Fuses............................................... 208
Checking and Replacing........... 209
Towing............................................ 213
Taking Care of the UnexpectedProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 203 of 240

Charging System Indication
This indicator should come on when the ignition is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. If it comes on
brightly when the engine is running,it indicates that the charging system
has stopped charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear defogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated
controls such as the power windows. Keep the engine running and takeextra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly. By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles before the
battery is too discharged to keep the engine running. Drive to a servicestation or garage where you can get
technical assistance.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 232 of 240

Index
Accessories
Installation.................................. 115
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 50
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 155
Brake Fluid................................. 156
Engine Coolant........................... 151
Engine Oil................................... 146
Power Steering Fluid................. 157
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 154
Additional Safety Information........ 18
Door Locks................................... 19Driving with Pets......................... 19
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18
Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 148
Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 64
Head Restraints........................... 56
Seats.............................................. 54
Steering Wheel............................ 44
Airbag (SRS).................................... 12
Air Cleaner..................................... 158
Air Conditioning............................... 74
Maintenance............................... 168
Usage............................................. 74
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 76
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 170
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 108
Antifreeze....................................... 150
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Description................................. 220
Indicator Light..................... 35, 125
Operation.................................... 125
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 49
Appearance Care........................... 183
Ashtray.............................................. 69
Audio System................................... 83
Automatic Speed Control................ 48
Automatic Transmission............... 120
Capacity, Fluid........................... 218
Checking Fluid Level................ 155
Shifting........................................ 120
Shift Lever Positions................. 120
Shift Lock Release..................... 123 Battery
Charging System Light............... 34
Jump Starting............................. 200 Maintenance............................... 162
Specifications............................. 219
Before Driving............................... 107
Belts, Seat........................................... 5
Beverage Holder.............................. 66
Body Repair.................................... 189
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 125Break-in, New Linings .............. 108
Fluid............................................ 156
Light, Burned-out...................... 179
Parking.......................................... 65
System Indicator.......................... 34
Wear Indicators......................... 124
Brakes, ABS Description................................. 220Operation.................................... 125
System Indicator.................. 35, 125
Braking System.............................. 124
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 233 of 240

Index
Break-in, New Car......................... 108
Brightness Control, Instruments... 41
Brights, Headlights......................... 40
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 179
Brake Lights............................... 179
Ceiling Light............................... 181
Front Parking Lights................. 178
Front Side Marker Lights......... 178
Headlights.................................. 177
License Plate Lights.................. 180 Specifications............................. 219
Turn Signal Lights..................... 178
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 177
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 200
Capacities Chart............................. 218
Carbon Monoxide Hazard............ 29
Cargo, Loading............................... 116
Cassette Player Care............................................. 101
Operation.............................. 87, 99
CAUTION, Explanation of............. ii
CD Player................................. 90, 102 Center Pocket.................................. 68
Certification Label......................... 216
Chains............................................. 174
Change Oil How to......................................... 148
When to....................................... 140
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 193
Changing Engine Coolant............. 152 Charging System Indicator.... 34, 205
Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 155
Battery Condition...................... 162
Brake Fluid................................. 156
Drive Belts.................................. 169
Engine Coolant........................... 150
Engine Oil................................... 146
Fuses........................................... 209
Power Steering Fluid................. 157
Checklist, Before Driving............. 118
Child Safety...................................... 20 Childproof Door Locks................... 52
Cigarette Lighter............................. 69
Cleaner, Air.................................... 158
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 185
Carpeting................................... 186
Exterior...................................... 184
Fabric......................................... 186
Interior....................................... 186
Seat Belts................................... 187
Vinyl........................................... 186
Window...................................... 187
CLEAN Light................................ 101
Clock, Setting the .........................
66
CO in the Exhaust........................
224
Cold Weather, Starting in............ 119
Compact Spare............................... 192
Consumer Information*................ 227
Controls, Instruments and.............. 33
Coolant
Adding........................................
151
Checking................................ 150
Proper Solution......................
150
Temperature Gauge.................. 38
Corrosion Protection.................... 188
Crankcase Emission Control
System........................................ 224
Cruise Control Operation............. 46
Customer Relations Office.......... 229ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 234 of 240

Index
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 32 Dashboard Compartment............... 68
Daytime Running Lights................. 40Dead Battery, What to Do............ 200
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 232
Defogger, Rear Window................. 43 Defrosting the Windows................. 79
DEXRON® II Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 155
Dimensions.................................... 218
Dimming the Headlights................ 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 155
Engine Oil................................... 146
Directional Signals.......................... 43
Disabled, Towing Your Car If..... 213
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 124
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 150Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 50
Power Door Locks....................... 50
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 222
Drive Belts...................................... 169
Driving............................................ 117
Economy..................................... 114
In Bad Weather.......................... 126
In Foreign Countries................. 109
Economy, Fuel............................... 114
Emergencies on the Road............. 191
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 200
Changing a Flat Tire................. 193
Charging System Indicator...... 205
Checking the Fuses................... 209
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 204
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 206
Manually Closing Sunroof........ 207
Overheated Engine................... 202
Emergency Brake............................ 65
Emergency Flashers....................... 43
Emission Controls......................... 224
Engine
Belts............................................. 169
Coolant Temperature Gauge..... 38
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................ 34,
206
Oil Pressur e
Indicator......... 34, 204Oil, What Kind to Use............... 147
Overheating................................ 202
Specifications............................. 219
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 109
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 224
Exhaust Fumes................................ 29Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 10
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 184
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 186
Fan, Interior...................................... 74
Features, Comfort and
Convenience............................... 73
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 110
Filter
Air................................................ 158
Oil................................................ 148
First Gear Position......................... 122
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 43
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 193
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t