If your battery dies, like if you accidentally leave the interior lights on, there’s a way to get the car out of park without power. You just need to pop off a small plastic panel on top of the steering column and use the key to press a tab inside. This will allow you to shift out of park so you can push the car out of your garage (or your “car hole” if you prefer), and get a jump start from a neighbor.
Once you get it running and charged, you’ll need your radio’s security code. I learned this the hard way, and now I keep mine written inside the back cover of the manual. It’s surprising that this code isn’t just printed in the manual itself. I also wonder if the code is the same for everyone or unique.
Not complaining here, just sharing something I didn’t know, hoping to learn more tips about my Odyssey. I really love this car—it’s got over 200K miles, and I wish I had a twin one in storage for when this one eventually wears out.
Dallas said:
Neither of these seem all that peculiar. Both are pretty standard.
Not weird, just kind of unique… things you wouldn’t know unless you’ve got an Odyssey. Also, you have to remove a plastic bar to install a new cabin air filter.
@Reeve
It’s actually a common thing, even on other makes. But yeah, the cabin air filter setup on the 2nd gen is a bit of a pain. Later models made it much easier.
Dallas said: @Reeve
It’s actually a common thing, even on other makes. But yeah, the cabin air filter setup on the 2nd gen is a bit of a pain. Later models made it much easier.
Fair point. I had no idea… and when my battery died, I thought I could just shift to neutral and push it out of the way, but it wouldn’t budge! I had to look it up on YouTube to figure out what to do. This was way before I joined this forum, but now I’m a fan, and I wish I had another Odyssey stored somewhere just in case!
Mason said: @Reeve
All cars with a park interlock have a way to release the shifter, not just the Odyssey.
I get that now, but it was a shock at the time. It’s not like this stuff gets talked about in movies or shows. You only find out when you need to, usually in a moment of panic.
Dallas said: @Reeve
It’s actually a common thing, even on other makes. But yeah, the cabin air filter setup on the 2nd gen is a bit of a pain. Later models made it much easier.
And if you’re dealing with that plastic bar for the air filter, there’s also a metal bracket behind it. Only remove the right bolt, and just loosen the left one enough to move it aside. Saves you a headache trying to get that left bolt back in.