wheel HONDA ODYSSEY 1997 Owners Manual

Supplemental Restraint System

Your car is equipped with a Supple- mental Restraint System (SRS) to
help protect the head and chest of
the driver and front seat passenger during a severe frontal collision.

This system does not replace your seat

belts. It supplements, or adds to, the
protection offered by seat belts and
other occupant protection features.
SRS Components

Your supplemental restraint system
includes:
One airbag in the steering wheel
for the driver and another in the dashboard for the passenger. Sensors that can detect a severe
frontal collision. A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors thesensors, control unit, airbag
activators, and all related wiring
when the ignition is ON (II). An indicator light on the instru-
ment panel to alert you to a possi-
ble problem with the system. Emergency backup power in case
your car's electrical system is disconnected in a crash. What Happens In a Crash
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, the sensors will detect
rapid deceleration and signal the
control unit to instantly inflate the

airbags.

During a crash, your seat belts will
help to restrain your lower body and
torso. The airbags will provide a cushion to absorb crash energy and
help keep the head and chest of the driver and front passenger from
striking the interior of the car.
After inflating, the airbags will immediately deflate. The entire
process, from detection to deflation,
takes a fraction of a second. This
process occurs so quickly that you may not hear the loud noise created
by the airbag inflators, or realize
what has happened.

Driver and Passenger Safety

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

Supplemental Restraint System

How the Driver's Airbag Works
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, your airbag will instantly
inflate to help protect your head and
chest. To do its job, the airbag inflates with
considerable force. So, while it can
reduce serious injuries and even save
your life, the airbag might cause some facial abrasions or other
injuries. To reduce the possibility of
injury, you should always sit back as
far from the steering wheel as practical while still maintaining full
vehicle control.
After the bag completely inflates, itimmediately starts deflating so it
won't interfere with your visibility, ability to steer, or ability to operate
other controls. The total time for
inflation and deflation is a fraction of
a second. You may not even be
aware that the airbag has been fully
inflated.
Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Supplemental Restraint System

The driver's airbag is stored in the
center of the steering wheel. For

your safety, do not attach any items
to the steering wheel. They could

interfere with the proper operation
of the airbag. Or, if the airbag

inflates, they could be propelled

inside the car and hurt someone. How the Passenger's Airbag
Works
If you ever have a severe frontal

collision, the passenger's airbag will

inflate at the same time as the driver's

airbag.

This airbag is quite large and inflates with considerable force. It canseriously hurt a front seat passenger
who is not in the proper position and
wearing the seat belt properly. Front seat passengers should move
the seat as far back as practical and sit well back in the seat.
We strongly recommend that you do not put an infant seat in the front
passenger's seat. If the airbag
inflates, it can hit the infant seat with
great force. The infant seat can be dislodged or struck with enough
force to cause very serious injury to
the infant.
If a toddler seat is used in the front
passenger's seat, the vehicle seat should be moved as far back as
possible. If the passenger's bag inflates, it could seriously hurt a
toddler who is not in the proper
position or properly restrained.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Supplemental Restraint System

If the SRS indicator light alerts
you to a problem, have the supplemental restraint system
inspected as soon as possible. If
you ignore this indication, the airbags might not inflate when you
need them. System Service Precautions
Do not modify your steering wheel
or any other part of the supplemental
restraint system. Modifications could
make the system ineffective.
Do not tamper with the system's
components or wiring. This could cause the airbags to inflate inadver-
tently, possibly injuring someone
very seriously.
Tell anyone who works on your car that you have a supplemental
restraint system. Failure to follow
the procedures and precautions in
the official Honda service manualcould result in personal injury ordamage to the system. Scrapping an entire car that has
uninflated airbags can be dangerous.
Get assistance from a Honda dealer
if your car must be scrapped.
If you sell your car, please be sure to
tell the new owner that the car has a supplemental restraint system. Alert
them to the information and precau- tions in this part of the owner's

manual.

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

Alcohol and Drugs

Driving a car requires your full at-
tention and alertness. Traffic condi-
tions change rapidly. You must be able to react just as rapidly. Alcohol
or drugs directly affect your alert-
ness and ability to react. Even pre-
scription and non-prescription medi-

cines can have this effect.
There are laws that deal with drunken driving. These laws define
how much alcohol it takes in your system to be legally "drunk." How-
ever, your judgment and reaction
time get worse with every drink — even the first one. The safest thing you can do is never
drink and drive. This can be done if
you plan ahead. If you know you are
going to be drinking, make plans to
ride with a friend who will not be drinking.
What if you find that you've been drinking and cannot get a ride from a
friend? Find alternative transpor-
tation. Call a taxi. Take a bus. Many communities have transportation
services devoted to shuttling people
who have been drinking. If you have no choice but to drive,
stop drinking and give yourself lots
of time to sober up. Time is the only
thing that can make you sober.
Things like coffee or a cold shower don't speed up the process.
If you see friends trying to get
behind the wheel after drinking, stop
them. Drive them yourself or arrange other transportation. If you
think you are interfering, remember
that your interference will keep them
from sharing the road with you.
Driver and Passenger SafetyProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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
Maintenance Required Indicator.................................... 38
Controls Near the Steering
Wheel........................................ 39

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

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

Rear Window Defogger.............. 44
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....................

51

Childproof 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-PassengerModel.................................... 58
Reclining the 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

Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

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
washers and 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 tilt adjustment lever on the underside of the steering columnallows you to tilt the steering wheel. HAZARD WARNING LIGHT
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
SUNROOF
SWITCH
CRUISE
CONTROL HORN
BUTTONS

INSTRUMENT
BRIGHTNESS
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
TILT

ADJUSTMENT
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS

Instruments and Controls

SHIFT LEVERProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Headlights

The rotating switch on the left lever controls the lights. Turning this switch to the position turns
on the parking lights, taillights,
instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate lights. Turning the switch to the
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 the turn signal 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 the
turn signal lever back lightly, thenrelease it. The high beams will come

on
and
go off.

The high beams will stay on for as long as you hold the lever back, 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 turnthe ignition switch to ON (II) andrelease 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.

Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

Instrument Panel Brightness

The knob on the dashboard to the left of the steering column controls
the brightness of the instrument
panel lights. Push the knob to get it
to pop out. Turn the knob to adjust
the brightness. Push the knob back
in to lock your adjustment. Turn Signals
Signal a turn or lane change with this
lever. Push down on the lever tosignal a left turn, and up to signal a
right turn. If you push it up or down
all the way, the turn signal continues
to blink even when you release the
lever. It shuts off automatically as
you complete the turn. To signal a lane change, push lightly
on the turn signal lever in the proper
direction and hold it. The lever will
return to the center position as soon as you release it.

Instruments and Controls

TURN SIGNAL LEVERProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Windshield Wipers

The right lever controls the wind- shield wipers and washers. The
rotary switch at the end of the lever
has three positions: INT: intermittent
: low speed
: high speed
In intermittent, the wipers operate
every few seconds. In low speed and
high speed, the wipers run continu-
ously. On U.S. models

In intermittent,you can vary how
often the wipers sweep the
windshield by turning the INT TIME

ring.
To operate the wipers in mist mode,
push the control lever down. The
wipers run at high speed until you release the lever. This gives you a
quick way to clear the windshield.

Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t