emergency towing HONDA ODYSSEY 2000 RA6-RA9 / 2.G Owners Manual

Towing a Traile r
Towin g Equipmen t an d
Accessorie s
Towing can require a variety of equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, and how much load you are towing.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and follow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is properly installed and that it meets
federal, state, province, and local
regulations.
Hitches
Any hitch used on your vehicle mustbe properly bolted to the underbody, using the six threaded holes
provided. A hitch designed especially
for your Odyssey can be obtained
from your Honda dealer.
Weight Distributing Hitch
If the total trailer weight is more
than 2,000 Ibs (900 kg), you must
also use a weight distributing hitch.
This device transfers weight from the vehicle's rear wheels to the front
wheels, and to the trailer's wheels. Carefully follow the hitch maker's
instructions for proper installation
and adjustment.
Safety Chain
Always use a safety chain. Make sure that it is secured to both the
trailer and hitch, and that it crosses under the tongue so it can catch the
trailer if it becomes unhitched. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not let the chain drag on the ground.
Sway Control
If the total trailer weight exceeds
2,000 Ibs (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.
Transmission Fluid Cooler
If the total trailer weight is more
than 2,000 Ibs (900 kg), you must also have a transmission fluid cooler
installed. This device will help
prevent transmission overheating,
which could cause serious damage.
A transmission fluid cooler designed for your Odyssey can be obtained
from your Honda dealer.
Drivin g

Taking Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information 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 find instructionson getting your vehicle towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 292
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 293
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 302 Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor OperatesVery Slowly......................... 302
The Starter Operates Normally................................ . 303
Jump Starting................................. 303
If Your Engine Overheats............. 305
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 307Charging System Indicator........... 308
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 309
Brake System Indicator................ 310
Fuses............................................... 311 Checking and Replacing........... 312
Emergency Towing....................... 317
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

If You r Engin e Won' t Star t
Diagnosing why your engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):
You hear nothing, or almostnothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine does not start up and run.
Nothin g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y Slowl y
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Your vehicle has the ImmobilizerSystem. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 77).
A key that is not properly coded will cause the immobilizer systemindicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly.
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park or Neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and checktheir brightness. If the headlightsare very dim or don't light at all,the battery is discharged. See
Jum p Startin g on page 303 .
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to determine the problem. (See
Emergency Towing on page 317.)
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 257). You can then try jump starting the vehicle
from a booster battery (see page 303).
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Emergency Towin g
If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground, 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 power socket are turned off so they do not
run down the battery.
The steering wheel 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.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTICE NOTIC
E

Index
Emergencies on the Road
Brake System Indicator............ 310Changing a Flat Tire................. 293
Charging System Indicator...... 308
Checking the Fuses................... 311
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 307
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 309Overheated Engine................... 305
Emergency Brake.......................... 116
Emergency Flashers....................... 70
Emergency Towing....................... 317
Emissions Controls........................ 328
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 63
Drive Belts.................................. 262
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 58, 309
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 58, 307
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 239
Overheating................................ 305
Specifications............................. 323
Ethanol in Gasoline....................... 326
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 328
Exhaust Fumes............................... . 53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
System......................................... 329
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 20
Exterior, Cleaning the .................. 284
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 286
Fan, Interior.......................... 130, 142
Features, Comfort and Convenience............................... 129
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 189
Filters Air............................................... . 252
Air Conditioning........................ 262
Oil................................................ 241
First Gear Position......................... 207
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 70
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 293
Fluids Automatic Transmission.......... 249Brake........................................... 250
Power Steering.......................... . 251
Windshield Washer................... 248
FM Stereo Radio Reception........................... 156, 168
Folding the Third Seat ................. 109 Foreign Countries, Driving in......
327
Four-way Flashers........................... 70
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker...................................... 316
Fuel.................................................. 188
Fill Door and Cap....................... 189
Gauge............................................ 63
Octane Requirement................. 188
Oxygenated................................ 326
Reserve Indicator........................ . 61
Tank, Filling the......................... 189
Fuses, Checking the...................... 312
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 194
Gasohol .......................................... 324
Gasoline ......................................... 186 Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 61
Gauge............................................ 63
Octane Requirement................. 186
Tank, Filling the......................... 189
Gas Station Procedures................. 189
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 63
Fuel
.............................................. . 63

Index
Tachometer...................................... 62
Tailgate............................................. 85
Opening the.................................. 85
Open Monitor Light.................... 60
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 275
Taking Care of the Unexpected .. 291
Tape Player ........................... 160, 181
Technical Descriptions DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 324
Driving in Foreign Countries... 327
Emissions Control Systems...... 328Oxygenated Fuels...................... 326
Three Way Catalytic Converter................................ 330
Temperature Gauge........................ 63 Tensioners, Seat Belts.................... 50Tether Attachment Points.............. 43
Theft Protection............................ .
186
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 330
Time, Setting the........................... 117
Timing Belt..................................... 263
Tire Chains..................................... 269
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 293 Tires...............................................
. 263
Air Pressure.............................. . 263
Balancing.................................... 266
Checking Wear.......................... 265
Compact Spare........................... 292
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 324
Inflation....................................... 263
Inspection................................... 265 Replacing.................................... 267
Rotating....................................... 266
Snow........................................... . 269
Specifications............................ . 323
Tire Chains................................. 269
Towing
A Trailer ................................. 218
Emergency Wrecker................. 317
Traction Control System (TCS)... 213
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 249
Fluid Selection........................... . 249
Identification Number............... 321
Shifting the Automatic.............. 205
Treadwear...................................... 324
Trip Meter......................................... 63
Turn Signals..................................... 68
Tools, Tire Changing ................... 293
Underside, Cleaning...................... 288
Unexpected, Taking Care
of the .......................................... 29 1
Uniform Tire Quality Grading .... 324
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 188
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 286
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 242
Vanity Mirror................................. 121
Vehicle Capacity Load.......... 198, 218
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 322
Vehicle Identification Number..... 320
Vehicle Storage.............................. 281
Ventilation............................. 133, 138
VIN ................................................. 320
Vinyl Cleaning ............................... 286
Viscosity, Oil.................................. . 240
CONTINUED

Index
Warning Beepers
Headlights on............................... 66
Key in Ignition.............................. 79
Seat Belts................................ 45, 5 7
WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii
Warning Labels, Location of.......... 54
Warranty Coverages*................... 335
Washer, Windshield
Checking the Fluid Level......... 248
Level Indicator............................. 6 1
Operation..................................... . 70
Washing.......................................... 284
Waxing and Polishing................... 285
Wheels
Adjusting the Steering................ 7 2
Alignment and Balance............. 266 Compact Spare........................... 292
Wrench...................................... . 295
Windows
Cleaning...................................... 287
Operating the Power................. 112
Rear............................................. 114
Rear, Defogger............................ 71Windshield
Cleaning....................................... . 68
Defroster............................
135, 145
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades........................ 259
Operation...................................... 68
Rear Windshield Wiper and Washer...................................... 70
Worn Tires..................................... 265
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 317
* : U.S. and Canada only