engine coolant HONDA ODYSSEY 1997 User Guide

Cooling System

1. Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.

2. Turn the radiator cap counter- clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
3. Remove the radiator cap by pushing down and turningcounterclockwise.
4. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Addcoolant if it is low.
5. Put the radiator cap back on. Tighten it fully.
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank. Fill it to halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car's cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo- nents.

Maintenance

RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANKProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Cooling System

Replacing Engine Coolant
The cooling system should be completely drained and refilled with
new coolant according to the time and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use Genuine Honda antifreeze/coolant.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge, you should have this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic.
1. Slide the heater temperaturecontrol lever to maximum heat.Open the hood. Make sure the
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
2. Remove the radiator cap.
3. Loosen the drain plug on the

bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard. Remove the drain

bolt and washer from the engine

block.

Maintenance DRAIN BOLT
DRAIN PLUGProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Cooling System

4. Remove the reserve tank from its holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
5. When the coolant stops draining, tighten the drain plug in the
bottom of the radiator. Put a new
washer on the drain bolt, thenreinstall the drain bolt in the
engine block. Tighten it securely. Tightening torque:
61 lbf.ft (8.5 kgf.m,83 N.m)

6. Mix the recommended antifreeze
with an equal amount of purifiedor distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:

1.66 US gal (6.3 ,1.39 Imp gal)

7. Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck. 8. Loosen the bleeder bolt on top of
the engine. Tighten it again whencoolant comes out in a steady
stream with no bubbles.
9. Refill the radiator to the base of the filler neck. Put the cap on theradiator, and tighten it only to the
first stop. Start the engine and let it run until it warms up (the
radiator cooling fan comes on at
least twice).
Maintenance
CONTINUED

RESERVE TANK

RESERVE

TANK CAP

HOLDER
FILLER NECK
Fill up to here BLEEDER BOLT


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Cooling System, Windshield Washers

10.Turn off the engine. Check the level in the radiator, add coolant if
needed. Install the radiator cap,
and tighten it fully.
11.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark. Install the reserve tank cap. Windshield Washers

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop

for fuel.

The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the driver's side
headlight. Check the reservoir's fluid
level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached

to the
cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in the wind-
shield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage your car's paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.

Maintenance
RESERVE TANK
LEVEL GAUGE
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

If Your Engine Overheats
The pointer of your car's tempera- ture gauge should stay in the mid-range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should

determine the reason.

Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause serious damage to your engine. Your car can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a

mechanical problem. The only

indication may be the temperature

gauge climbing to or above the red mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming from under the hood.

In either case, you should take

immediate action.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn off the heating and cooling system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning indicators.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turnoff the engine.
3. If you do not see steam or spray, leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If the high heat is due to overloading (climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately. If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE

Steam and spray from an

overheated engine can

seriously scald you.

Do not open the hood if steam

is coming out.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

If Your Engine Overheats
4. If the temperature gauge stays at the red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs of steam or spray, then open the

hood.

6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot, so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see Towing on
page 215).
7. If you don't find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page113). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
8. If there was no coolant in the reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before check-
ing the radiator.
9. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
10.Start the engine and set the
temperature control lever tomaximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water. Remember to have the coolingsystem drained and refilled with
the proper mixture as soon as you

can.

11. 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. (See Towing on
page 215.)
12.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.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

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.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Specifications

* 1 : For front A/C only

* 2 : For front and rear A/C
*
1 : Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the

engine.

Reserve tank capacity:
0.16
US gal
(0.6 , 0.13 lmp gal)

* 2 : Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.

Technical InformationProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Accessories
Installation.................................. 115
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 50
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 152
Brake Fluid................................. 158
Engine Coolant........................... 152
Engine Oil................................... 148 Power Steering Fluid................. 159
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 156
Additional Safety Information........ 18 Door Locks................................... 19
Driving with Pets......................... 19
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18
Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 150
Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 64

Head Restraints........................... 56

Seats.............................................. 54

Steering Wheel............................ 44
Airbag (SRS).................................... 12
Air Cleaner Element...................... 160
Air Conditioning............................... 74
Maintenance............................... 169
Usage............................................. 74
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 76
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 171
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 108
Antifreeze....................................... 152 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light..................... 35, 127
Operation.................................... 126
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock .. 50
Appearance Care........................... 185

Ashtray.............................................. 69

Audio System................................... 83
Automatic Speed Control................ 46
Automatic Transmission............... 120 Capacity, Fluid........................... 218
Checking Fluid Level................ 157
Shifting........................................ 120

Shift Lever Positions................. 120

Shift Position Indicator............. 120

Shift Lock Release..................... 123
Battery
Charging SystemIndicator............................ 34, 207
Jump Starting............................. 202
Maintenance............................... 164
Specifications............................. 221
Before Driving............................... 107
Belts, Seat........................................... 5
Beverage Holder.............................. 66 Body Repair.................................... 191

Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 126
Break-in, New Linings .............. 108

Fluid............................................ 158
Light, Burned-out...................... 181
Parking.......................................... 65
System Indicator.......................... 34
Wear Indicators......................... 125
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 126
System Indicator.................. 35, 127
Braking System.............................. 125
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Break-in, New Car......................... 108
Brightness Control, Instruments... 41
Brights, Headlights......................... 40
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 181
Brake Lights............................... 181
Ceiling Light............................... 183
Front Parking Lights................. 180
Front Side Marker Lights......... 180
Headlights.................................. 179
License Plate Lights.................. 182
Specifications............................. 221
Turn Signal Lights..................... 180
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 179

Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 203

Capacities Chart............................. 220

Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 29

Cargo, Loading............................... 116

Cassette Player
Care............................................. 101

Operation................................ 87, 99
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Player ................................. 90, 102 Center Pocket.................................. 68
Certification Label......................... 218
Chains............................................. 176
Change Oil

How to......................................... 150

When to....................................... 142

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 195
Changing Engine Coolant............. 154
Charging System Indicator.... 34, 207
Checking Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 157

Battery Condition...................... 164
Brake Fluid................................. 158
Drive Belts.................................. 170
Engine Coolant........................... 113

Engine Oil................................... 112

Fuses........................................... 211
Power Steering Fluid................. 159
Checklist, Before Driving............. 118
Child Safety...................................... 20
Childproof Door Locks................... 52
Cigarette Lighter............................. 69
Cleaner, Air.................................... 160

Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 187 Carpeting.................................... 188

Exterior....................................... 186

Fabric.......................................... 188

Interior........................................ 188

Seat Belts.................................... 189
Vinyl............................................ 188

Window....................................... 189

CLEAN Light................................. 101

Clock, Setting the ............................ 66

CO in the Exhaust......................... 225

Cold Weather, Starting in............. 119
Compact Spare............................... 194
Consumer Information*................ 230
Controls, Instruments and.............. 33

Coolant
Adding.........................................152

Checking..................................... 113
Proper Solution.......................... 152
Temperature Gauge.................... 38
Corrosion Protection..................... 190

Crankcase Emission Control
System......................................... 225
Cruise Control Operation............... 46
Customer Relations Office........... 231ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 32
Dashboard Compartment............... 68
Daytime Running Lights................. 40
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 202
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 234
Defogger, Rear Window................. 43
Defrosting the Windows................. 79 DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 157
Dimensions..................................... 220
Dimming the Headlights................ 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 157

Engine Oil................................... 112

Directional Signals........................... 41
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 215
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 125
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 151 Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 50
Power Door Locks....................... 50
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 223
Drive Belts...................................... 170
Driving............................................ 117

Economy..................................... 114

In Bad Weather.......................... 126

In Foreign Countries................. 109

Economy, Fuel............................... 114

Emergencies on the Road............. 193
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 202

Changing a Flat Tire................. 195
Charging System Indicator ...... 207
Checking the Fuses................... 211
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 206
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 208
Manually Closing Sunroof........ 209
Overheated Engine................... 204

Emergency Brake............................ 65

Emergency Flashers....................... 43
Emission Controls......................... 225
Engine

Belts............................................. 170

Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 38
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 34, 208

Oil Pressure Indicator......... 34, 206 Oil, What Kind to Use............... 148

Overheating................................ 204

Specifications............................. 221

Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 109

Evaporative Emission Controls.... 225

Exhaust Fumes................................ 29

Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 10

Exterior, Cleaning the................... 186

Fabric, Cleaning............................. 188
Fan, Interior...................................... 74
Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 73
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 110
Filter
Air................................................ 160

Oil................................................ 150

First Gear Position......................... 122 Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 43
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 195
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t