towing HONDA ODYSSEY 1999 Owner's Manual

Emergency Towing

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or,
if you belong to one, an organization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind another vehicle with just, a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of professional equipment.
Flat-bed Equipment — The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. This is the best way to trans-
port your Honda.

Wheel-Lift Equipment — The tow

truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. This is an acceptable way to tow your
Honda.
Sling-type Equipment — The tow

truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the vehicle off the ground. Your vehicle's sus-
pension and body can be seriously damaged. This method of towing
is unacceptable.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground, do the following.
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D 4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
Improper towing preparation will

damage the transmission. Follow the

above procedure exactly. If you cannot

shift the transmission or start the

engine, your vehicle must he trans-

ported with the front wheels off the
ground.

With the front wheels on the ground, it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep thespeed below 35 mph (55 km/h).

CONTINUED

Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Emergency Towing

If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all four wheels on the groud, make sure you use a properly-designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described above, and leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I) so
the steering wheel does not lock. Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory powersocket are turned off so they do not
run down the battery.
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
freely before you begin towing.
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the

bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to

support the vehicle's weight.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Checklist, Before Driving............. 196
Childproof Door Locks................... 85
Child Safety...................................... 22
Cleaner Element, Air..................... 246

Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 279
Carpeting.................................... 280

Exterior....................................... 278

Fabric.......................................... 280

Interior........................................ 280

Seat Belts.................................... 280

Vinyl............................................280

Windows..................................... 281
Climate Control System................ 138
Clock, Setting the.......................... 117
Coat Hook....................................... 123
Code, Audio System...................... 180
CO in the Exhaust......................... 323
Coin Holder.................................... 122

Cold Weather, Starting in............. 197

Compact Spare............................... 286
Consumer Information*................ 328
Controls, Instruments and.............. 55

Coolant
Adding......................................... 237
Checking..................................... 187
Proper Solution.......................... 237

Replacing.................................... 239

Temperature Gauge.................... 63

Corrosion Protection..................... 282

Crankcase Emissions Control
System.........................................323

Cruise Control Operation............... 73
Customer Relations Office........... 328

DANGER, Explanation of................. ii

Dashboard.................................... 2, 56

Daytime Running Lights................. 67

Dead Battery, What to Do............ 297

Defects, Reporting Safety............. 332

Defogger, Rear Window................. 71

Defrosting the Windows.......135, 144

DEXRON ®
III Automatic

Transmission Fluid.................... 243

Dimensions..................................... 316

Dimming the Headlights................ 66

Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 243

Engine Oil................................... 186

Directional Signals........................... 68
Disabled, Towing Your

Vehicle If..................................... 311

Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 204
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 236

Doors
Locking and Unlocking............... 79Lockout Prevention..................... 80
Manual Sliding Doors.................. 88
Monitor Light............................... 60
Power Door Locks....................... 79
Power Sliding Doors.................... 90
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 319
Drive Belts...................................... 256
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 195 Economy..................................... 188
In Bad Weather.......................... 210
In Foreign Countries................. 322

Economy, Fuel............................... 188

Emergencies on the Road............. 285
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 297

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Emergencies on the Road Brake System Indicator............ 304
Changing a Flat Tire................. 287
Charging System Indicator...... 302
Checking the Fuses................... 305
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 301
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 303 Overheated Engine................... 299
Emergency Brake.......................... 116
Emergency Flashers....................... 70
Emergency Towing....................... 311
Emissions Controls........................ 323

Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 63
Drive Belts.................................. 256
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp............................... 58, 303

Oil Pressure Indicator........58, 301
Oil, What Kind to Use...............
233

Overheating................................
299

Specifications.............................
317

Ethanol i n
Gasoline .......................

321

Evaporative Emission
s
Controls..

323

Exhaust Fumes...............................
.
53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System......................................... 324 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat

Belts by......................................... 20

Exterior, Cleaning the................... 278

Fabric, Cleaning............................. 280
Fan, Interior...........................130, 142 Features, Comfort and Convenience............................... 129
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 183
Filters
Air................................................246

Air Conditioning........................ 256
Oil................................................ 235

First Gear Position......................... 201
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 70
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 287

Fluids
Automatic Transmission...........

243

Brake...........................................244
Powe r
Steering........................... 245
Windshield Washer................... 242
FM Stereo Radio Reception............................150, 162
Folding the Third Seat..................110
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 322

Four-way Flashers........................... 70

Front End, Towing by Emergency
Wrecker...................................... 311

Fuel..................................................182
Fill Door and Cap....................... 183
Gauge............................................ 63

Octane Requirement................. 182

Oxygenated................................ 321

Reserve Indicator......................... 61

Tank, Filling the......................... 183

Fuses, Checking the...................... 306

Gas Mileage, Improving................ 188

Gasohol........................................... 321

Gasoline.......................................... 182
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 61

Gauge............................................ 63

Octane Requirement................. 182

Tank, Filling the......................... 183

Gas Station Procedures................. 183

Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 63

Fuel................................................63ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Parking Brake................................ 116 Parking Lights.................................. 66
Parking Over Things that Burn... 203
PGM-FI System.............................. 324
Polishing and Waxing................... 279

Power
Door Locks................................... 79
Mirrors........................................ 115
Seats............................................ 102

Sliding Doors................................ 90
Steering....................................... 245
Windows..................................... 113
Power Sliding Doors Indicator................................. 60, 94
Operation...................................... 90
Switches........................................ 90
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 20

Protecting Adults.............................12
Additional Safety Precautions.... 20
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 20
Protecting Children......................... 22
Protecting Infants........................ 30
Protecting Larger Children........ 39
Protecting Small Children.......... 35
Using Child Seats with

Tethers...................................... 43
Radiator Overheating.................... 299
Radio/CD Sound System.............. 161
Rear A/C Unit................................ 146 Rear Compartment........................ 122

Rear End Towing........................... 311

Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement...................... 268, 269
Rear View Mirror........................... 115
Rear Window Defogger.................. 71

Rear Windows................................ 114

Rear Window Wiper and Washer.. 70
Reclining the Seat Backs..... 101, 103
Reclining the Second Seats.......... 101
Reclining the Third Seat...............101
Reminder Lights.............................. 57
Remote Audio Controls................. 179 Remote Transmitter........................ 81
Removing the Second

Seats................................... 108, 109

Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 246
Coolant........................................239

Engine Oil and Filter................. 235

Fuses...........................................306

Light Bulbs................................. 266 Schedule..................................... 222
Spark Plugs................................. 248
Timing Belt................................. 257

Tires............................................261
Wiper Blades.............................. 253

Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 47

Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 187

Reverse Gear Position................... 200
Rotation, Tire................................. 260
Safety Belts................................... 8, 45
Safety Defects, Reporting* .......... 332
Safety Features.................................. 7 Air bags........................................... 9Door Locks................................... 10
Head Restraints........................... 10

Seat Belts........................................ 8

Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10
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Index

Tachometer...................................... 62
Tailgate............................................. 85
Opening the.................................. 85

Open Monitor Light.................... 60
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 269
Taking Care of the Unexpected .. 285
Tape Player ........................... 154, 175
Technical Descriptions Driving in Foreign Countries... 322
Emissions Control Systems...... 323
Oxygenated Fuels...................... 321
Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 325

Tire Information........................ 318
Temperature Gauge........................ 63
Tensioners, Seat Belts .................... 50
Tether Attachment Points.............. 43
Theft Protection............................. 180 Three Way Catalytic Converter... 325
Time, Setting the........................... 117
Timing Belt..................................... 257
Tire Chains..................................... 263
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 287 Tires................................................ 257
Air Pressure............................... 257Balancing.................................... 260Checking Wear.......................... 259
Compact Spare........................... 286
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 319
Inflation....................................... 257
Inspection................................... 259
Replacing.................................... 261
Rotating....................................... 260
Snow............................................ 263 Specifications............................. 317
Tire Chains................................. 263
Technical Information.............. 318
Towing
ATrailer..................................... 212
Emergency Wrecker.................
311

Traction Contro l
System (TCS)... 207

Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 243

Fluid Selection............................ 243
Identification Number............... 315
Shifting the Automatic..............199
Treadwear...................................... 319
Trip Meter........................................ 63
Turn Signals..................................... 68
Tools, Tire Changing.................... 287

Underside, Cleaning...................... 282

Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 285

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 319

Unleaded Gasoline......................... 182

Upholstery Cleaning...................... 280

Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 236
Vanity Mirror................................. 121
Vehicle Capacity Load......... 192, 212

Vehicle Dimensions....................... 316

Vehicle Identification Number..... 314

Vehicle Storage.............................. 275
Ventilation............................. 133, 138

VIN.................................................. 314

Vinyl Cleaning................................ 280

Viscosity, Oil................................... 234

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Warning Beepers Headlights on............................... 66
Key in Ignition.............................. 79

Seat Belts............................... 45, 57

WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii

Warning Labels, Location of.......... 54

Warranty Coverages*................... 331
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level......... 242
Level Indicator............................. 61
Operation...................................... 70

Washing..........................................278
Waxing and Polishing................... 279

Wheels
Adjusting the Steering................ 72
Alignment and Balance............. 260Compact Spare........................... 286
Wrench....................................... 289

Windows
Cleaning...................................... 281
Operating the Power................. 113

Rear.............................................114
Rear, Defogger............................ 71
Windshield

Cleaning........................................ 68

Defroster........................... 135, 144
Wipers, Windshield
Changing Blades........................ 253
Operation...................................... 68

Rear Windshield Wiper and Washer......................................70

Worn Tires..................................... 259

Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 311
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