towing HONDA ODYSSEY 2011 RB3-RB4 / 4.G Owners Manual

CONT INUED
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two f unctions:If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost pressure, and determine the
cause. If it is because of a f lat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page . If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost pressure, and determine the
cause. If it is because of a f lat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service.
Refer to page for more
inf ormation.
1.
91
655
683 572 655
574On Touring models
On LX, EX, EX-L models
Instrument Panel Indicators
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Instruments and Controls
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µ·
µ The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the
available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs. Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 1,340 lbs (608 kg).
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
Label Example
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(6) (5) (4)
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo552
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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2011 Odyssey

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA
) system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and
f acts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer. ........................
Preparing to Drive .558
.......................
Starting the Engine .559
Check Starter System .................................
Message .560
..............
Automatic Transmission . 561
...........................................
Parking .566
.............................
Braking System .567
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 568
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ........
Control (ESC), System . 570
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .572
Blind Spot Inf ormation System ...........................................
(BSI) .579
...........................
Towing a Trailer .588
...................
Towing Your Vehicle . 595
Driving
Driving
557
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µµ
µµ
µ
CONT INUED
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, seeon
page .
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. You must also press the
release button to shift into Park. The
shif t lever must be in Park bef ore
you can remove the key f rom the
ignition switch. Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear. Use this position f or
normal driving. The transmission
automatically selects a suitable gear
f or your speed and acceleration.
This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Press the release
buttononthefrontof theshiftlever
to move it. Press the brake
pedal and the release button on the
frontoftheshiftlevertoshiftfrom
Park to reverse. To shif t f rom
reverse to neutral, come to a
completestop,andthenshift.Press
the release button bef ore shif ting
into reverse f rom neutral. To use D3, press the
D3buttonwhentheshiftleverisin
the ‘‘D’’ position. This position is simi-
lartoD,exceptonlythefirstthree
gears are selected instead of all f ive.
Use D3 when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain, or to provide engine braking
when going down a steep hill. D3 can
also keep the transmission f rom
cycling between third and f ourth
gears in stop-and-go driving.
565
Except Touring models
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ock Release Neutral (N) Drive (D)
Park (P) Reverse (R)
Drive (D3)
Driving
563
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µµ
To use D4, press the
D4 button when the shif t lever is in
the ‘‘D’’ position. This position is
similar to D, except only the f irst
f our gears are selected instead of all
six. Use D4 when towing a trailer in
hilly terrain, or to provide engine
braking when going down a steep hill.
D4 can also keep the transmission
f rom cycling between f ourth and
f if th gears in stop-and-go driving. To shif t to Low, press
the release button on the front of the
shif t lever. Use Low to make better
use of engine power when climbing,
and f or maximum engine braking
when going down steep hills. If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
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.
On Touring modelsAutomatic TransmissionDrive (D4)
Low (L)
Engine Speed Limiter564
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Like all assistance systems, BSI has
limitations. Over-reliance on BSI may
result in a collision. Always look in
your mirrors, to either side of your
vehicle, and behind you f or other
vehicles bef ore changing lanes.The system should be turned of f
when towing a trailer. Due to the
added mass and resulting changes in
radar coverage, the system cannot
operate as intended, and detection of
the trailer itself by the radar sensors
may cause the BSI alert indicators to
illuminate.
The speed dif f erence between
your vehicle and a vehicle
approaching f rom behind is
greaterthan31mph(50km/h).
A vehicle is parked in a side lane.
The speed dif f erence between
your vehicle and the vehicle you
are passing is greater than 6 mph
(10 km/h).
An object not detected by the
radar sensors approaches or
passes your vehicle.
The BSI alert indicators may not
illuminate under the f ollowing
circumstances:
CONT INUED
Blind Spot Inf ormation System (BSI)
Important Precautions
Limitations
Driving
583
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BSI may be adversely af f ected under
the f ollowing circumstances:When objects such as guard rails,
poles, trees, etc., are detected.
When an object that doesn’t
reflect radio waves well, such as a
motorcycle, is in the alert zone.
A vehicle is behind or approaching
your vehicle while on a curved
road.
When towing a trailer.
A vehicle is moving f rom a f ar lane
to the adjacent lane.
The system picks up external
electrical interf erence.
The rear bumper has been
def ormed, or improperly repaired. The system is f or your convenience.
Even if an object is within the alert
zone, the system may not detect it,
depending on its shape.
Always look in your mirrors, to
either side of your vehicle, and
behind you f or other vehicles bef ore
changing lanes.
The orientation of the sensors has
been changed.
Bad weather conditions, such as
heavy rain, snow and f og.Blind Spot Inf ormation System (BSI)584
EXAMPLES
GUARD RAILPOLE OR TREE
MOTORCYCLE
: BSIAlertindicatorison BSIAlertindicatorisoff
:
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2011 Odyssey

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
depends on several f actors. See page f or the driving limits f or your
towing situation. Towing a load that
is too heavy can seriously af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance.
It can also damage the engine and
drivetrain. Theweightthatthe
tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight. Too
much tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).
540
589
Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight:
T ongue L oad:Towing a TrailerBreak-In Period588
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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Î
Î
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue load must not exceed
2,910 lbs (1,320 kg) on the f ront axle,
and 3,197 lbs (1,450 kg) on the rear
axle. The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 6,019 lbs
(2,730 kg).
To achieve a proper tongue load, start by loading 60% of the load toward the
f ront of the trailer and 40% toward the rear, then re-adjust the load as needed. The maximum allowable weight of
the f ully loaded vehicle and trailer is
8,477 lbs (3,845 kg).
Maximum Total Trailer Weight
Number of Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants f ill seats f rom the f ront of the vehicle to the
back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs (68 kg), and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area.
Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings. Equipped with ATF cooler
3,500 lbs (1,587 kg)
3,350 lbs (1,520 kg)
3,200 lbs (1,451 kg)
3,050 lbs (1,383 kg)
2,900 lbs (1,315 kg)
1,450 lbs (658 kg)
Towing is Not Recommended.
:
Towing a Trailer
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR): Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR):
Driving
589
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Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
If you cannot get to a public scale,
you can estimate the total trailer
weight by adding the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the
manuf acturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment,
depending on the size of your trailer,
how much load you are towing, and
where you tow. To ensure the best
quality, we recommend that you
purchase Honda equipment
whenever possible.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and meets f ederal, state,
province, and local regulations.
If you normally pull the same load
each time you tow a trailer, you can
use a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge to check the
tongue load the f irst time you set up
a towing combination (a f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
Checking L oads
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesTowing a Trailer590
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