HONDA ODYSSEY 1997 Owners Manual

1997 Odyssey Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.

Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
............................................................... i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
....................................... ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
.................................... 3
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ 31
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
...................... 73
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................107
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
......................................................................117
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................137
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .185
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................193
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................217
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................229
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................235
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
.............................................................................. I
Gas Station Information
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

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Introduction

Congratulations ! Your selection of a 1997 Honda Odyssey was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Honda is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner's manual in your vehicle so
you can refer to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new Honda. Read the warranty booklet
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual
helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment.
When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Honda dealer's staff is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to
your Honda. Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be pleased to answer any questions and concerns. As you read this manual, you will
find information that is preceded by
symbol. This
information is intended to help you avoid damage to your Honda, other
property, or the environment.
a

NOTICE
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
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A Few Words About Safety

Your safety, and the safety of others, is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important responsibility.
To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have
provided operating procedures and other information on labels and in
this manual. This information alerts
you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement. You will find important safety information in a variety of forms, including: Safety Labels — on the vehicle.
Safety Messages — preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of

three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.

These signal words mean:

You WILL be KILLED orSERIOUSLY HURT if you do not
follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED orSERIOUSLY HURT if you do not
follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you do not
follow instructions. Safety Headings — such as Important Safety Reminders or Important

Safety Precautions.

Safety Section — such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
Instructions — how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information — please read it carefully.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Driver and Passenger Safety

This section gives you important
information about occupant protec-

tion. It shows how to use seat belts

properly. It explains the Supple-
mental Restraint System. And it

gives useful information about how

to protect infants and children in
your car.

Your Occupant Protection System.. 4

The Seat Belt System
and How It Works...................... 5

Why Wear Seat Belts.................... 5
Important Safety Reminders........ 5

Seat Belt System Components..... 6

Lap/Shoulder Belt......................... 6

Lap Belt........................................... 7

Wearing Seat Belts Properly........ 7

Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt...... 7

Wearing the Lap Belt.................... 9

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 10
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 11

Supplemental Restraint System..... 12
SRS Components......................... 12

What Happens In a Crash........... 12

Important Facts About
Airbags...................................... 13
How the Driver's Airbag Works........................................ 14
How the Passenger's Airbag Works........................................ 15
How the SRS Indicator Light Works........................................ 16

System Service............................. 16

System Service Precautions....... 17
Additional Safety Information........ 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Door Locks................................... 19 Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Driving with Pets......................... 19
Child Safety...................................... 20 Where Should Children Sit?....... 20Important Safety Reminders...... 21
General Guidelines for Restraining Children Under 40 Ibs (18 kg) ............... 22

Restraining
an Infant Who WeighsLess Than 20 Ibs (9 kg).......... 22

Restraining
a Child Who Weighs Between 20 and 40 Ibs (9 and 18 kg)..... 23
Restraining a Child Who Weighs Over 40 Ibs (18 kg).................. 24
Securing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Belt................... 25
Using Child Restraints with Tethers............................. 26
Storing a Child Seat..................... 27
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28 Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 29
Safety Labels.................................... 30
Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Your Occupant Protection System
Your Honda is equipped with seat
belts and other features that work
together to protect you and your
passengers during a crash.
Seat belts are the most important
part of your occupant protection system. When worn properly, seat
belts can reduce the chance of serious injury or death in a crash.
For added protection during a severe
frontal collision, your Odyssey has a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with airbags for the driver and
a front seat passenger. Two indicator lights are also part of
your safety system. One reminds youto make sure you and your passen-
gers wear seat belts. The otheralerts you to a possible problem with
your supplemental restraint system (see page 16).
The seats, head restraints and door locks also play a role in occupantsafety. For example, reclining the
seat-back can decrease the effec-
tiveness of your seat belt. Head restraints can help protect your neckand head, especially during rear-end
impacts. Door locks help keep your doors from being accidentally
opened during a crash. To get the maximum protection from
your occupant protection system, check the following before you drive

away:
Everyone in the car is wearing a
seat belt properly (see page 7). Infants and small children are
properly secured in child safety seats (see page 20). All doors and the tailgate are
closed and locked (see page 19). Seat-backs are upright and head
restraints are properly adjusted (see pages 18 and 55). There are no loose items that
could be thrown around and hurtsomeone during a crash or sudden
stop (see page 19).
By following these guidelines, you
can reduce injuries to yourself and
your passengers in many crash situations. Remember, however, that
no safety system can prevent all
injuries or deaths that can occur in severe crashes.

Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

The Seat Belt System and How It Works
Why Wear Seat Belts Wearing seat belts, and wearingthem properly, is fundamental to
your safety and the safety of your
passengers.

During a crash or emergency stop,seat belts can help keep you from
being thrown against the inside of
the car, against other occupants, or
out of the car.

Of course, seat belts cannot com-
pletely protect you in every crash.
But, in most cases, seat belts reduce
your chance of serious injury. They can even save your life. That is why
many states and all Canadian pro-
vinces require you to wear seat belts. Important Safety Reminders
Seat belts are designed for adults
and larger children. All infants and
small children must be properly
restrained in child safety seats (see
page 20).
Never let passengers ride in the
cargo area or on top of a folded-downseat. Carry passengers in the rear
only when they are sitting in a locked,
upright seat, and are properly
restrained by seat belts.

Passengers should not stand up or
change seats while the vehicle is
moving. If they are not wearing seat
belts during a crash or emergency stop, they can be thrown against the
inside of the vehicle, against other occupants, or out of the vehicle.
A pregnant woman needs to wear a seat belt to protect herself and her
unborn child (see page 10).
Two people should never use the same seat belt. If they do, they could
be very seriously injured in a crash.
Do not place the shoulder portion of a lap/shoulder belt under your arm
or behind your back. This could
increase the chance of serious
injuries in a crash.
Do not put shoulder belt pads or
other accessories on seat belts. They
can reduce the effectiveness of the
belts and increase the chance of
injury.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Not wearing a seat belt
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

The Seat Belt System and How It Works
Seat Belt System Components

Your Honda has seat belts in all seating positions. All the seat belts in
the six-passenger model are lap/ shoulder belts. In the seven-
passenger model, the center position
of the bench-type second seat has a
lap belt.
Your seat belt system also includes a light on the instrument panel to
remind you to fasten your seat belt,
and to make sure your passengers
fasten theirs. This light comes on
when you turn on the ignition if you
have not fastened your seat belt. A beeper also sounds for severalseconds (see page 34).
The following pages cover more about the seat belt components and
how they work.
Lap/Shoulder Belt

This style of seat belt has a single belt that goes over your shoulder,across your chest, and across your

hips.

Each lap/shoulder belt has an
emergency locking retractor. In
normal driving, the retractor lets you move freely in your seat while it
keeps some tension on the belt.
During a collision or sudden stop,
the retractor automatically locks the belt to help restrain your body. The lap/shoulder belt retractor in
each passenger seating position has
an additional locking mechanism
intended to secure a child seat (see
page 25). If the shoulder part of the
belt is pulled all the way out, this mechanism will engage. The belt will
retract, but it will not allow the
passenger to move freely. If the belt feels too tight, unlatch it, let it retract
fully, then pull it out as far as needed.

Driver and Passenger Safety
SHOULDER
PORTION UPPER SEAT
BELT ANCHOR

To retractor

LAP
PORTION
LATCH

PLATE

BUCKLEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

The Seat Belt System and How It Works
Lap Belt Seven-passenger model only

BUCKLE

LATCH PLATE

The lap belt has one manually- adjusted belt that fits across the hips.
It is similar to safety belts used in

airplanes.
Wearing Seat Belts Properly
You can increase the effectiveness of
your seat belts if you take a little time to read the following pages and
make sure you know how to wearseat belts properly.
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt

Before putting on the seat belt, move
the driver's seat as far back as is
practical while still allowing you to
maintain full control of the vehicle.
Make sure the seat-back is upright (see page 18). The front seat
passenger should move the seat as
far back as possible.

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

The Seat Belt System and How It Works
1. Pull the latch plate across your body and insert it into the buckle.
Tug on the belt to make sure the latch is securely locked. 2. Check that the belt is not twisted.
3. Position the lap portion of the belt
as low as possible across your hips,
not across your stomach. This lets
your strong pelvic bones take the
force of a crash. 4. Pull up on the shoulder part of the
belt to remove any slack. Makesure the belt goes over your
collarbone and across your chest.

Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

The Seat Belt System and How It Works

RELEASE

BUTTON

RELEASE

BUTTON
5. If the belt crosses your neck, you need to adjust the belt anchor
height or your seating position.

Front seats:

Adjust the belt anchor by squeez- ing the two buttons and sliding the
anchor downward (it has four posi-

tions) .

Second and third seats:

Move toward the center of the
seat until the belt fits over your

collarbone.
To unlatch the seat belt, push the
red PRESS button on the buckle.
Guide the belt across your body to
the door pillar.
After you exit the vehicle, make sure the seat belt is out of the way and
will not get closed in the door. Wearing the Lap Belt
1. Pull the latch plate across your hips and insert it into the bucklemarked CENTER.
If the belt is too short, hold the
latch plate at a right angle, and
pull it to extend the belt. Insert the
latch plate into the buckle.

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t