Steering HONDA ODYSSEY 2004 RB1-RB2 / 3.G Owner's Manual

Your Honda is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Braking System
Driving
Braking System Design
Brake Wear Indicators
189
Front

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The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent the brakes f rom
locking up and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The ABS also balances the f ront-to-
rear braking distribution according
to vehicle loading.
this def eats the purpose of the ABS.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal as you steer away from
the hazard. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
If the ABS indicator comes on, the
anti-lock f unction of the braking
system has shut down. The brakes
still work like a conventional system,
but without anti-lock. You should
have the dealer inspect your vehicle
as soon as possible.
You should never pump the brake pedal;
A nti-lock BrakesA ctivating the A nti-lock Brakes A BS Indicator
Driving
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
190
U.S. indicator shownABS INDICATOR

If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also be shut
down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your Honda dealer as
soon as possible. Avoid sudden hard
braking which could cause the rear
wheels to lock up and possibly lead
to a loss of control.
The TCS indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicatorif there
is a problem with the anti-lock brake
system.It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
254
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
Import ant Saf et y Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent the loss of
stability. A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
191

To saf ely tow a trailer, you should
observe the load limits, use the
proper equipment, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section.The
maximum weight you can tow
depends on several f actors. See
page f or limits f or your towing
situation. Towing a load that is too
heavy can seriously affect your
vehicle’s handling and
perf ormance. The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
trailer weight. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway. Too much
tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control.
195
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight: T ongue L oad:
194
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

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ÎÎ Including driver. Based on 150 lbs (70 kg) per occupant.
Weight limited to avoid exceeding rear GAWR (see below). Equipped with transmission cooler
and power steering fluid cooler 3,500 lbs (1,580 kg)
3,350 lbs (1,520 kg)
3,200 lbs (1,450 kg)
3,050 lbs (1,380 kg)
2,900 lbs (1,310 kg)650 lbs (295 kg)
Maximum Total Trailer Weight
Number of Occupants
2
3
4
5
6
7
:
:
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 percent of the
load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed. The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 5,665 lbs
(2,570 kg).
The maximum allowable weights
on the vehicle axles are 2,833 lbs
(1,285 kg) on the f ront axle, and
2,845 lbs (1,290 kg) on the rear
axle.
The maximum allowable weight of
the f ully loaded vehicle and trailer
is 8,265 lbs (3,750 kg) with the
proper hitch and f luid coolers.
(See page f or inf ormation
about f luid coolers.)
197
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR):
195

Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check with
your local recreational vehicle dealer
f or the requirements in your area,
and use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located behind the lef t
side panel in the cargo area. Ref er to
thedrawingaboveforthewiringcolor code and purpose of each pin.
To use the trailer lighting connector,
you will need a wiring harness and
converter. This comes with the
Honda hitch (see page ), or it
may be obtained separately from
your dealer.
If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle f rom your Honda dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.
Seeyourtrailerdealerformore
inf ormation on installing electric
brakes. If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electrically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard. Honda recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes. You must also have a transmission
f luid cooler and a power steering
f luid cooler installed. These coolers
are available only f rom your Honda
dealer. 196
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Driving
T railer L ights
T ransmission Fluid Cooler and
Power St eering Fluid Cooler
Trailer Brakes
197
BACK-UP LIGHT
(GREEN/BLACK) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/BLUE)
GROUND
(BLACK)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW) TAILLIGHT
(RED/BLACK)
BRAKE LIGHT
(WHITE/BLACK)

CONT INUED
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See ‘‘
’’ in the next column f or
additional gear inf ormation. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
af f ect vehicle handling. Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .
bottom
3
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing UpParking T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving on
Hills Making T urns and Braking
Driving on HillsDriving Saf ely With a T railer
199

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .202
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 203
....................
Maintenance Record .207
..............................
Fluid Locations .210
........................
Adding Engine Oil .211
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 212
..............................
Engine Coolant .214
....................
Windshield Washers .216
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 216
....................................
Brake Fluid .218
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 219
....................................
Timing Belt .219
....................................
Hood Latch .220
.............................................
Lights .220
.......................................
Seat Belts .226
.....................................
Floor Mats .226
..............................
Audio Antenna .227
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 227
.................................
Wiper Blades .228
...............................................
Tires .230
........................
Check the Battery .235
.............................
Vehicle Storage .236
281
Maintenance
Maint enance201

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Maint enance205
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000 15
2430
48 60
9690
144 150
240
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever comes first
Inspect every 105,000 miles (168,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 105,000 miles (168,000 km) or every 7 years, whichever comes first
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
232)
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brake wear
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 45
72
75
120 135
216
120
192
105
168
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
Replace at 45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
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: 204
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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Maint enance206
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000 15
2430
4845
72 75
120 135
216
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 232)
Check front and rear brake wear
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever comes first
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) (Use normal schedule except in dusty condition) Inspect every 105,000 miles (168,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy 60
96
90
144 120
192
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever comes first
Every 105,000 miles (168,000 km) or every 7 years, whichever comes first
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage) 105
168
150
240
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
See timing belt on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
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227
219
1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions