oil level HONDA ODYSSEY 1996 Owners Manual

Carbon Monoxide Hazard

Your car's exhaust contains carbon monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving ifyou maintain your car properly.Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:
The car is raised for an oil change.
You notice a change in the soundof the exhaust. The car was in an accident that
may have damaged the underside. High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas, such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
car out of the garage.
With the tailgate open, air flow can pull exhaust gas into your car'sinterior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
tailgate open, open all the windows and set the heating and cooling
system as follows. If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconfined area, with the engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as follows:

1. Push the
button. 2. Select the mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and can even

kill you.

Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that expose you tocarbon monoxide.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

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
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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 s t Table of Contents

Service Station Procedures

4. Remove it again and check the level. It should be between the
upper and lower marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see Adding Oil on page 146 .
Engine Coolant Check

Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If it is below the MIN line, see Adding
Engine Coolant on page 151 for
information on adding the proper

coolant.
Refer to Periodic Checks on page
144 for information on checking
other items in your Honda.

Before Driving

UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
RESERVE TANK

MAX

MINProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Maintenance

This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools
required to perform more complex
maintenance tasks on your Honda,
you may want to purchase the Service Manual. See page 233 for
information on how to obtain a copy,or see your Honda dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 136

Important Safety Precautions.. 137

Maintenance Schedule.................. 138

Maintenance Record..................... 142
Periodic Checks............................. 144

Fluid Locations............................... 145
Engine Oil....................................... 146
Checking Engine Oil................. 146

Adding Oil................................... 146 Recommended Oil..................... 147
Synthetic Oil............................... 148

Additives..................................... 148
Oil and Filter Changes.............. 148

Cooling System.............................. 150

Checking the Engine Coolant
Level........................................ 150

Adding Engine Coolant............. 151 Replacing Engine Coolant........ 152

Windshield Washers..................... 154

Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 155
Brake Fluid..................................... 156
Brake System............................. 156

Anti-lock Brake System............ 157

Power Steering............................... 157

Air Cleaner..................................... 158 Spark Plugs..................................... 160
Replacement............................... 160
Specifications............................. 161
Battery............................................ 162
Windshield Wipers........................ 165
Air Conditioning............................. 168 Drive Belts...................................... 169
Tires................................................ 169 Inflation....................................... 170
Inspection................................... 171
Maintenance............................... 171
Tire Rotation.............................. 172 Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 172
Wheels and Tires....................... 173
Winter Driving........................... 173 Snow Tires.............................. 174
Tire Chains............................. 174
Lights.............................................. 175 Headlight Aiming...................... 175Replacing Bulbs......................... 177
Storing Your Car............................ 182
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu 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.

MaintenanceProCarManuals.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

Engine Oil

2. Open the hood and remove the
engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt from the bottom of the

engine. Drain the oil into an

appropriate container.
3. Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your Honda dealer) is required to
remove the filter.
4. Install a new oil filter according to instructions that come with it.
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:43 N.m (4.4 kgf.m , 32 Ibf.ft) 6. Refill the engine with the recom-

mended oil.

Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
3.8 (4.0 US qt, 3.3 Imp qt)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain boltand oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

WASHER
DRAIN BOLT OIL FILTER
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Engine Oil, Cooling System

If you change your own oil, pleasedispose of the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed container and take it to arecycling center. Do not discard it in a
trash bin or dump it on the ground.
Checking the Engine Coolant
Level
Check the level of the engine coolant
by looking at the radiator reserve tank next to the battery. If the coolant level in the reserve tank is ator below the MIN line, add coolant to
bring it up to the MAX line. Inspect the cooling system for leaks. Thiscoolant should always be a mixtureof 50% antifreeze and 50% water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water. Always use Genuine Honda Anti-
freeze/Coolant. The cooling systemcontains many aluminum compo-nents that can corrode if an improper
antifreeze is used. Some antifreeze,even though labeled as safe for
aluminum parts, may not provideadequate protection.

Maintenance
RESERVE TANK

MIN
MAX

NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Low Oil Pressure

This indicator should light when the ignition is ON (II), and go out after
the engine starts. It should nevercome on when the engine is running.
If it starts flashing, it indicates that
the oil pressure dropped very low for a moment, then recovered. If the
indicator stays on with the engine
running, it shows that the engine has
lost oil pressure and serious engine damage is possible. In either case,
you should take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.

1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 146). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving

maneuvers.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 146). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure light. If the light does nogo out within ten seconds, turn of
the engine. There is a mechanical problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving.
(See Towing on page 213 .)

Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents