headlights HONDA ODYSSEY 1996 Owners Manual

Instruments and Controls

This section gives information about the controls and displays thatcontribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations............................ 32
Indicator Lights................................ 33
Gauges.............................................. 37
Speedometer................................ 37

Trip Meter.................................... 37
Odometer......................................
37

Temperature Gauge................... .
38

Fuel Gauge.................................. 38

Maintenanc
e Required

Indicator...................................

38

Controls Nea r
the Steering

Wheel........................................ 39

Headlights.................................... 40
Daytime Running Lights............. 40
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 41
Turn Signals................................. 41
Windshield Wipers...................... 42
Windshield Washers................... 42 Rear Window Wiper and Washer...................................... 43

Hazard Warning........................... 43

Rear Window Defogger.............. 43
Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 44
Steering Wheel Controls................ 46 Cruise Control.............................. 46
Keys and Locks................................ 49
Keys............................................... 49
Ignition Switch............................. 49
Power Door Locks....................... 50
Remote Transmitter.................... 51Childproof Door Locks............... 52
Tailgate......................................... 52
Glove Box..................................... 53

Seats.................................................. 54
Passenger Seating....................... 54

Seat Adjustments......................... 54
Driver's Seat Power Height Adjustment............................... 55
Head Restraints........................... 56 Third Seat Access........................ 56
Removing the Second Seats in the Six-Passenger Model.... 57
Folding the Second Seats in the Seven-Passenger
Model....................................

58

Reclining th e
Second Seat.......... 59

Folding the Third Seat
in All Models............................ 60

Power Windows............................... 62

Sunroof.............................................. 63

Mirrors.............................................. 64
Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 64

Parking Brake..................................

65

Digital Clock.................................... .
66
Beverage Holder.............................. 66
Dashboard Compartment............... 68 Center Pocket.................................. 68
Vanity Mirror................................... 68 Cigarette Lighter............................. 69
Ashtrays............................................ 69 Interior Lights.................................. 70

Ceiling Lights............................... 70

Spotlights...................................... 70
Tailgate Light............................... 71 Courtesy Lights........................... 71

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Indicator Lights

"Daytime Running

Lights" Indicator

Canadian models only

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition to ON (II) with the
headlight switch off and the parkingbrake set. It should go off if you turn on the headlights or release the
parking brake. If it comes on at any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may also be a problem with the high
beam headlights. High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 40 forinformation on the headlight
controls.
Cruise Control Indicator
This lights when you set the cruise control. See page 46 for informationon operating the cruise control.
Low Fuel Indicator
This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon.
Instruments and Controls
DRL

CRUISE

CONTROL
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Controls Near the Steering Wheel

The two levers on the steering column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The right lever controls the windshield
wipers.
The rear window defogger switch and hazard warning switch are on
the dashboard under the center air
vent.
The controls near the left air vent are for the sunroof, cruise control
and instrument panel brightness.
The lever on the underside of the steering column allows you to tilt the
steering wheel.

Instruments and Controls

HAZARD WARNING LIGHT

SHIFT LEVER
REAR WINDOW

DEFOGGER
HORN
BUTTONS

SUNROOF

SWITCH

CRUISE
CONTROL

INSTRUMENT
BRIGHTNESS
HEADLIGHTS/

TURN SIGNALS
TILT

ADJUSTMENT
WINDSHIELD

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Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Headlights

The rotating switch on the left lever controls the lights. Turning this switch to the first position
turns on the parking lights, taillights, instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate lights.
Turning the switch to the second position turns on the
headlights. If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder chime when you open the
driver's door.
To change between low beams and high beams, pull back on the turnsignal lever until you hear a click,
then let go. The blue high beam indicator will light (see page 36). To flash the high beams, pull back
and hold the turn signal lever.
Release the lever and the high
beams will go off.
The high beams will stay on for as long as you hold the lever, no matter
what position the headlight switch is
in.

Daytime Running Lights (Canadian Models)
With the headlight switch off, the high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
off, even if you set the parking brake
The headlights revert to normal operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
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Sunroof, Mirrors

If you try to open the sunroof in below-
freezing temperatures, or when it is covered with snow or ice, you can
damage the sunroof panel or motor. Mirrors
Keep the inside and outside mirrors
clean and adjusted for best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors before
you start driving.
The inside mirror has day and nightpositions. The night position reduces
glare from headlights behind you.Flip the tab on the bottom edge of
the mirror to select the day or night
position.
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirrors with theadjustment switch on the driver's
door armrest:
1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
2. Move the selector switch to L (driver's side) or R (passenger's

side).

Instruments and Controls

Closing the sunroof on
someone's hands or fingers can

cause serious injury.

Make sure passengers are
clear of the sunroof before

closing it.

TAB
NOTICE
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Driving in Bad Weather

Visibility — Being able to see clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This ismore difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see page 79 ). Traction — Check your tires
frequently for wear and properpressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss oftraction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully, they can change from moment tomoment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditionscan be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near freezing.
The road surface can become covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the drive wheels for a moment and cause
a skid. Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by, other vehicles. The
spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting can cause you to lose control.
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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.

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Lights

Check the operation of your car's
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an unsafe condition by reducing your car's visibility and the ability to
signal your intentions to other
drivers.
Check the following: Headlights (low and high beam)

Parking lights

Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light function
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights

(Canadian cars)

If you find any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible. Refer to the chart on page 219 todetermine what type of replacement
bulb is needed. Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed when your car was new. You should check their aim if you regularly carryheavy items in the cargo area or pulla trailer. Each headlight assembly
has horizontal and vertical adjust- ment indicators. These are set to
their "0" positions after the head-
lights are aimed at the factory.
To check these settings:
1. Make sure the fuel tank is full. Park the car on level ground.
2. The driver or someone who weighs the same should be sittingin the driver's seat for all checks and adjustments.
Load your car with the items you normally carry. HORIZONTAL ANGLE GAUGE
If you usually pull a trailer, load it as
you would normally and attach it to
the car. Push down on the front and rear bumpers several times to makesure the car is sitting normally.

3. Open the hood.

4. Check the horizontal angle gauge.
The line on the adjustment screwindicator should line up with the"0" mark on the gauge.

Maintenance
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Lights

Replacing a Headlight Bulb

Your car has halogen headlight bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass fromcontact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.

Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratchon the glass can cause the bulb to

overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.

If you need to change a bulb on

the passenger's side, remove the

air intake cover (see page 158).

2. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by squeezing the
connector on both sides to unlock

the tab. Pull the connector straight
off.

3. Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
4. Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire from its slot. Pivot it out ofthe way and remove the bulb.
5. Insert the new bulb into the hole, making sure the tabs are in theirslots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into the slot.
6. Install the rubber seal over the back of the headlight assembly.Make sure it is right side up; it is

marked "TOP".

7. Push the electrical connector onto the tabs of the new bulb. Makesure it locks in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.
8. (Passenger's side) Reinstall the air intake cover.
Maintenance

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If Your Engine Won't Start
Diagnosing why your engine won't start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III): You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, oroperates very slowly. You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, but the engine
does not start up and run. Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park or Neutral or the starter will not

operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check their brightness. If the headlights are very dim or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting on page 200. Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician todetermine the problem. (See
Towing on page 213.)
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start theengine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec- tions (see page 162 ). You can
then try jump starting the car from a booster battery (see page 200 ).
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