emergency towing HONDA ODYSSEY 2005 RB1-RB2 / 3.G Owners Manual

CONT INUED
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.Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check the
requirements f or the areas where
you plan to tow, and use only
equipment designed f or your vehicle.
If the total trailer weight exceeds
2,000 lbs (900 kg), you should install
a sway control device to minimize
swaying that can occur in crosswinds
and in normal and emergency
driving maneuvers. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
To help prevent overheating, a
transmission f luid cooler and a
power steering f luid cooler are
required f or trailer towing. These
coolers are available only f rom your
Honda dealer. 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.
Seeyourtrailerdealerformore
inf ormation on installing electric
brakes.
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Brakes
Trailer Lights
Sway Cont rol
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
Driving
309

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed................
Driving with a Flat Tire . 356
......................
Compact Spare Tire .359
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .360
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 366
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .366
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .366
................................
Jump Starting .367
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 369
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 371
..........
Charging System Indicator . 371
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 372
...........................
Readiness Codes .372
...............
Brake System Indicator . 373
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 374
..............................................
Fuses .375
..............................
Fuse Locations .375
......................
Emergency Towing .381
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
355

Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page . Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it. Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
1.
2.
376
381 129
CONT INUED
Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
367
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator. Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (seeon page ).
Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
5.
6.
7.
8.9.
10.
11.
381
381
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
370
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (seeon page ). If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. The brake system
indicator normally
comesonwhenyou
turn the ignition switch to ON (II),
and as a reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay on if you
do not f ully release the parking
brake. If the ABS indicator and the VSA
indicator come on with the brake
system indicator, have the vehicle
inspected by your dealer
immediately.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display when this
indicator comes on.
335
381
On Touring model
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
373
U.S. Canada

µµ
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do the f ollowing:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
CONT INUED
Flat bed Equipment Wheel-lif t Equipment
T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle, and it is
only way to transport a Touring
model. T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
vehicleexceptfortheTouring
model.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
381
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the f ront wheels of f
the ground.

If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described previously, and leave the
ignition switched in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock. Make
sure the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets are
turned of f so they do not run down
the battery.
Emergency T owing
382
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.

CONT INUED
Dipstick..........
Automatic Transmission . 334
..................................
Engine Oil .281
........................
Directional Signals .122
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 299
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .330
Doors ............
Locking and Unlocking . 137
..................
Lockout Prevention . 137
..............
Manual Sliding Doors . 142
..............................
Monitor Light .67
....................
Power Door Locks . 137
.................
Power Sliding Doors . 142
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 388
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
Driver’s Seat Position Memory ........................................
System .161
...........................................
Driving .291
....................................
Economy .283
....................
DVD Error Message .259
...................................
DVD Player .230
..............................
Economy, Fuel .283 ..................................
Emergencies .355
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 367
...........
Brake System Indicator . 373
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 360
.....
Charging System Indicator . 371
..................
Checking the Fuses . 376
..............
Closing the Moonroof . 374
...........
Driving with a Flat Tire . 356
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers . 126
............................
Jump Starting .367
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 371
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 372
..................
Overheated Engine . 369
.......................................
Towing .381
.........................
Emergency Brake .169
....................
Emergency Flashers .126
......................
Emergency Towing .381
.......................
Emissions Controls .392
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 395
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 71
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 296
.........................
If It Won’t Start .366
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .63, 372
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 63,371 ..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 328
...............................
Overheating .369
............................
Specif ications .387
.......................................
Starting .293
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 392
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .393
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .20
...................................
Fan, Interior .189
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .187
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 279
......................................
Filters, Oil .329
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 126
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 360
.....................................
Floor Mats .343
.......................
Floor Storage Area .177
Index
E FINDEX
III

Î
CONT INUED
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 355
Technical Descriptions .....
Emissions Control Systems . 392
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .393
.......................
Temperature Gauge .71
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 198
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 23
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 50
............................
Thef t Protection .229
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 393
................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 127
..........................
Time, Setting the .227
....................................
Timing Belt .336
....................................
Tire Chains .350
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 360
...............................................
Tires .346
..............................
Air Pressure .346
...................................
Balancing .348
.........................
Checking Wear .347
..........................
Compact Spare .359
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 388
......................................
Inf lation .346
..................................
Inspection .347
.....................................
Labeling .390
...................................
Replacing .349 ......................................
Rotating .348
...........................................
Snow .350
............................
Specif ications .387
................................
Tire Chains .350
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 360
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .306
................
Emergency Wrecker . 381
....
Equipment and Accessories . 308
.....................
Weight Limit .287, 306
.............................
Trailer Loading .308
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .311
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 334
...........................
Fluid Selection .334
..............
Identif ication Number . 384
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 294
.....................................
Treadwear .388
.................................
Trip Meter .72, 77
..................................
Turn Signals .122
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .355
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 388........................
Unleaded Gasoline .278
...........................
Upper Glove Box .180
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 330
................................
Vanity Mirror .176
.........
Vehicle Capacity Load . 287,306
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .386
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 384
.............................
Vehicle Storage .353
.....................................
Ventilation .191
.................................................
VIN .384
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .328
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 57
..................
Warranty Coverages .399
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 333
............................
Level Indicator .69
...................................
Operation .121
Index
U V
WINDEX
IX

Î
Wheels.............
Adjusting the Steering . 127
............
Alignment and Balance . 348
..........................
Compact Spare .359
......................................
Wrench .362
Windows .............................
Auto Reverse .163
................
Operating the Power . 163
.........................
Rear, Def ogger .126
Windshield .....................................
Cleaning .121
...................................
Def roster .192
.....................................
Washers .121
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .344
...................................
Operation .121
Rear Windshield Wiper and ...................................
Washer .122
..................
Wireless Headphones . 260
....................................
Worn Tires .347
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 381
:U.S.only
Index
X