key HONDA ODYSSEY 1998 User Guide

Starting the Engine

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
3. Make sure the shift lever is in Park. Press on the brake pedal.
4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to theSTART (III) position. If the enginedoes not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) for
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
5. If the engine does not start within 15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race. 6. If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while starting in order to clear flooding.
As before, keep the ignition key in the START (III) position for no
more than 15 seconds. Return tostep 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.

Starting in Cold Weather at High
Altitude (Above 8,000 feet/ 2,400 meters)

An engine is harder to start in cold weather. The thinner air found at
high altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400meters) adds to the problem.
Use the following procedure:
1. Turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery. 2. Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the floor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do nothold the ignition key in START (III) for more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths out.
3. If the engine fails to start in step 2, push the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the enginedoes not start, return to step 2.
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Automatic Transmission

Park (P) — This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning off or starting the engine. To shift out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your foot off the accelerator pedal. Pull the shift lever
towards you, then move it out of Park.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shift Lock Release on page
123.

You must also pull the shift lever towards you to shift into Park. Toavoid transmission damage, come to
a complete stop before shifting into
Park. The shift lever must be in Park
before you can remove the key from
the ignition switch. Reverse (R) — To shift to Reverse
from Park, see the explanation under
Park. To shift to Reverse from
Neutral, come to a complete stop and
then shift. Pull the shift lever
towards you before shifting into Reverse from Neutral.
CONTINUED
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Automatic Transmission

Maximum Allowable Speeds
The speeds in this table are the maximum allowable speeds in each
position. If you exceed these speeds, the engine speed will enter into the
tachometer's red zone. If this occurs,
you will feel the engine cut in and out. This is caused by a limiter in the
engine's computer controls. The engine will run normally when you
reduce the RPM below the red zone.
Before downshifting, make sure the
vehicle will not exceed the maximum allowable speed in the chart in the
lower gear to avoid engine damage. Shift Lock Release
This allows you to move the shift lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pulling the shift lever doesnot work.
1. Set the Parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Insert the key in the Shift Lock Release slot on the steering
column.
4. Push down on the key while you pull the shift lever towards youand move the shift lever out of
Park to Neutral. 5. Remove the key from the Shift
Lock Release slot. Depress the
brake pedal and restart the engine.
If you need to use the Shift Lock
Release, it means your vehicle is developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by your Honda dealer.

Driving

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Parking

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. The indicator on the instrument panel shows that
the parking brake is not fully
released; it does not indicate that the
parking brake is firmly set. Make sure the parking brake is set firmly
or your vehicle may roll if it is
parked on an incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission — making it
easier to move the shift lever out of
Park when you want to drive away. If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the curb.
If the vehicle is facing downhill, turn
the front wheels toward the curb.
Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes. Parking Tips Make sure the sunroof and the
windows are closed. Turn off the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them
with you. Lock the doors with the key or the
remote transmitter.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on

fire.

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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 almostnothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, 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 tostart. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things: Your vehicle has the Immobilizer
System. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 67).
A key that is not properly coded will cause the immobilizer systemindicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly.
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 headlightsare very dim or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See

Jump Starting on page 230.
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 ignitionswitch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to determine the problem. (See
Towing on page 244.)
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 189). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
from a booster battery (see page
231).
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Index

Accessories and Modifications.... 134 Accessories................................. 134
Additional Safety Precaution.... 135Modifications............................. 135
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 70

Adding Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 177

Brake Fluid................................. 183
Engine Coolant........................... 177

Engine Oil................................... 173

Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 181
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 41
Lap Belt......................................... 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 41
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42
Seat Belt System Components... 41
Additional Information About
Your SRS.................................. 42
Additional Safety Precautions.... 46 How Your Airbags Work............ 44
How Your SRS Indicator

Works........................................ 46

SRS Components......................... 44

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 175

Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 84

Head Restraints........................... 76

Seats.............................................. 74

Steering Wheel............................ 62

Airbag (SRS) ...................................... 7

Air Cleaner Element...................... 185

Air Conditioning............................... 94
Maintenance............................... 194

Usage............................................. 94

Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 96
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 196
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 128
Antifreeze....................................... 177
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light..................... 53, 149Operation.................................... 148
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 70
Appearance Care........................... 213
Ashtray.............................................. 89
Audio System................................. 103
Automatic Speed Control................ 64
Automatic Transmission............... 142

Capacity, Fluid........................... 248

Checking Fluid Level................ 182

Shifting........................................ 142

Shift Lever Positions................. 142

Shift Position Indicator............. 142

Shift Lock Release..................... 145

Battery
Charging System
Indicator............................ 52, 235

Jump Starting............................. 230
Maintenance............................... 189

Specifications............................. 249

Before Driving............................... 127

Belts, Seat........................................... 6

Beverage Holder.............................. 86
Body Repair.................................... 219

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Ignition
Keys............................................... 67

Switch............................................ 69
Timing Control System............. 256
Important Safety Precautions .......... 4
Indicator Lights, Instrument Panel.............................................. 51
Infant Restraint................................ 27
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 196
Inside Mirror.................................... 84
Inspection, Tire.............................. 198
Instrument Panel............................. 51
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 59
Interior Cleaning............................ 216
Interior Lights.................................. 90 Introduction......................................... i

Jacking up the Car......................... 225

Jack, Tire........................................ 223

Jump Starting................................. 230

Keys................................................... 67
Label, Certification........................ 246

Lane Change, Signaling.................. 59

Lap Belt............................................. 42

Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... 41
Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 47
Lighter, Cigarette............................ 89
Lights
Headlight Aiming...................... 204
Bulb Replacement..................... 206
Indicator........................................ 51

Parking.......................................... 58

Turn Signal................................... 59

LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 70

Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 50Fuel Fill Door............................. 129
Glove Box..................................... 73
Power Door................................... 70

Tailgate ...................................... 72

Low Coolant Level......................... 177
Lo
w Oil
Pressure Indicator.... 50, 234
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 248

Luggage.......................................... 137
Maintenance..................................

. 159

Owner Maintenance Checks.... 171

Record.................................. 169- 170

Required Indicator......................
. 56

Safety........................................... 160

Schedule.............................. 164- 168

Malfunction Indicato

r Lamp.. 52, 236

Maximum Allowable Speeds........ 145

Meters, Gauges................................ 55

Methanol in Gasoline.................... 253

Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 84

Neutral Gear Position.................... 144

New Vehicle Break-in ................... 128

NOTICE, Explanation of................... ii

Numbers, Identification................ 246

CONTINUED
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Index

Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 128
Odometer.......................................... 55

Odometer, Trip................................ 54

Oil Change, How to ......................... 175

Change, When to....................... 164
Checking Engine....................... 131
Pressure Indicator............... 52, 234
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 174
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 70

Opening the Hood......................... 130

Operation in Foreign Countries... 254
Outside Mirrors............................... 84

Overheating, Engine..................... 232

Owner Maintenance Checks........ 171
Panel Brightness Control............... 59
Park Gear Position......................... 143
Parking............................................ 146

Parking Brake.................................. 85

Parking Lights.................................. 58
Parking Over Things that Burn... 257
PGM-FI System.............................. 256
Polishing and Waxing................... 215

Power

Door Locks................................... 70

Mirrors.......................................... 84

Steering....................................... 184
Windows....................................... 82
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............... 9
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 17
Protecting Adults............................. 10
Additional Safety Precautions.... 17
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 17
Protecting Children......................... 19 Protecting Infants........................ 27
Protecting Larger Children........ 35
Protecting Small Children.......... 31
Using Child Seats withTethers...................................... 38

Radiator Overheating.................... 232
Radio/Cassette Sound System .... 103
Rear A/C Unit................................ 102

Rear End Towing........................... 244
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 208
Rear View Mirror............................. 84
Rear Window Defogger.................. 62
Rear Window Wiper and Washer.. 61
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 75
Reclining the Second Seats............ 79 Reminder Lights.............................. 51
Remote Transmitter........................ 71 Removing the Second Seats........... 78
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 185
Coolant........................................ 179
Engine Oil and Filter................. 175
Fuses........................................... 240
Light Bulbs................................. 206
Schedule..................................... 162
Spark Plugs................................. 187
Timing Belt................................. 195
Tires............................................ 199
Wiper Blades.............................. 191
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash............................................. 43
Reserve Tank, Coolant.................. 132 Restraint, Child................................ 19
Reverse Gear Position................... 143
Rotation, Tire................................. 199ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Safety Belts......................................... 6

Safety Defects, Reporting* .......... 264

Safety Features.................................. 5
Air bags........................................... 7Door Locks..................................... 9

Head Restraints............................. 8

Seat Belts........................................ 6
Seats & Seat-Backs........................ 8

Safety Labels, Location of.............. 48

Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belt, Additional Information ..41 Lap Belt......................................... 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 41
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42
Seat Belt System Components... 41

Seat Belts............................................ 6

Cleaning...................................... 217

Maintenance................................. 42

Reminder Light and Beeper....... 52
System Components.................... 41
Tether Attachment Points.......... 38 Use During Pregnancy................ 17

Seats.................................................. 74

Adjustments................................. 74
Driver's Seat Power
Height Adjustment.................. 75
Folding the Second Seats........... 78
Folding the Third Seats.............. 80
Head Restraints........................... 76
Passenger Seating....................... 74
Reclining the Second Seat.......... 79 Removing the Second Seats....... 78
Third Seat Access........................ 77
Serial Number................................ 246
Service Intervals*.......................... 164
Service Manual.............................. 265 Service Station Procedures .......... 129
Setting the Clock............................. 86
Shifting the Automatic Transmission.............................. 142
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 142
Shift Lever Positions..................... 142
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 207

Signaling Turns................................ 59

Snow Tires...................................... 201

Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 214
Sound System................................. 103
Spare Tire
Inflating....................................... 222
Specifications............................. 249

Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 187

Specifications Charts..................... 248

Speed Control................................... 64

Speedometer.................................... 55

SRS, Additional Information........... 42
Additional Safety Precautions.... 46How Your Airbags Work............ 44
How Your SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 46

SRS Components......................... 44

SRS Service................................... 46

SRS Indicator.............................. 46, 52

START (Ignition Key Position)..... 70
Starting the Engine........................ 141 In Cold Weather at High
Altitude................................... 141

With a Dead Battery................. 230
Steam Coming from Engine......... 232

Steering Wheel
Adjustment................................... 62

Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 70
Stereo Sound System.................... 103
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Index

Warning Beepers Key in Ignition.............................. 70

Seat Belts...................................... 52

WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii

Warning Labels, Location of.......... 48

Warranty Coverages*................... 263
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level......... 181
Operation...................................... 60
Washing.......................................... 214
Waxing and Polishing................... 215

Wheels
Adjusting the Steering................ 62
Alignment and Balance............. 198Compact Spare........................... 222
Wrench....................................... 225
Windows Cleaning...................................... 217Operating the Power................... 82
Rear, Defogger............................ 62
Windshield Cleaning........................................ 60
Defroster...................................... 99 Wipers, Windshield
Changing Blades........................ 191
Operation...................................... 60
Rear Windshield Wiper and Washer...................................... 61
Worn Tires..................................... 198
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 244
* : U.S. and Canada onlyProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t