engine coolant HONDA ODYSSEY 2000 RA6-RA9 / 2.G Owners Manual

Gauges
Trip Mete r
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the Select/
Reset button repeatedly. Each trip
meter works independently, so you can keep track of two different
distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it and then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
"0.0".
Temperatur e Gaug e
This shows the temperature of the engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about the middle of the gauge. In severedriving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper white mark. If it reaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the side of the road. Turn to page 305 for
instructions and precautions on checking the engine's cooling
system.
Fue l Gaug e
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the vehicle
is on level ground. It may showslightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads.
The needle returns to the bottom after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the fuel level reading
immediately after you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
Instrument s an d Control s

Heating an d Coolin g
How to Us e th e Syste m
This section covers how to set up the
system controls for ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and
defrosting.
The engine must be running for the heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes before you feel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on engine temperature.
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions. Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C off,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the conditionFA N CONTRO LDIALMOD E BUTTON STEMPERATUR ECONTROL DIA L
RECIRCULATIO N
BUTTO N
clears.
The outside air intakes for the
heating and cooling system are atthe base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
Ventilation
The flow-through ventilation system draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the rear side
panels.
1. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the left.
Make sure the A/C is off.
2. Select and Fresh Air mode.
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s
CONTINUED
AIR CONDITIONIN G
BUTTO N

Heating an d Coolin g
To Cool with A/C
1. Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The light above the button
should come on when a fan speed
is selected.
2. Make sure the temperature control dial is all the way to the left.
3. Select
4. If the outside air is humid, selectRecirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
5. Set the fan to the desired speed.
If the interior is very warm from
being parked in the sun, you can cool
it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way:
1. Start the engine.
2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control dial is turned all the
way to the left.
3. Set the fan to maximum speed.
4. Open the windows partially. Select
and Fresh Air mode.
FA N CONTRO L
DIA L MOD
E BUTTON S TEMPERATUR ECONTROL DIA L
RECIRCULATIO N
BUTTO N AI
R CONDITIONIN G
BUTTO N
When the interior has cooled down
to a more comfortable temperature,close the windows and set the
controls as described for normal
cooling.
Air conditioning places an extra load on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page 63 ) when driving in stop-and-go
traffic or climbing a long, steep hill. If it moves near the red zone, turn
off the A/C until the gauge reads
normally.
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

Heating an d Coolin g
These settings direct all the air flow
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side windowdefroster vents. The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster as the engine warms up. You canclose the corner vents with the dial
beside each vent. This will send more warm air to the windshield
defroster vents.
For safety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
before driving away.T o Tur n Everythin g Of f
To shut off the system temporarily,
turn the fan speed and temperaturecontrol dials all the way to the left.
You should shut the system completely off only for the first few
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale air does not build up in the interior.
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

Befor
e Drivin g

Before you begin driving your Honda,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage or packages. The information in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
please read the information in this section first. Break-in Period.............................. 188
Gasoline.......................................... 188
Service Station Procedures .......... 189 Filling the Fuel Tank................. 189Opening the Hood..................... 190 Oil Check................................ 192
Engine Coolant Check.......... 193
Fuel Economy................................ 194 Vehicle Condition...................... 194
Driving Habits............................ 194
Accessories and Modifications.... 195 Carrying Cargo.............................. 197

Before Drivin g

Service Statio n Procedure s
4. Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark, see Addin g Oi l on page 239 .
Engine Coolant Check
MA X RESERV E TAN K
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see Addin g
Engin e Coolan t on page 243 for
information on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to Owne
r Maintenanc e
Check s on page 237 for information
on checking other items in your
Honda.
Befor e Drivin g
MIN
UPPE R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K

Maintenance
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See page 337 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 226
Important Safety Precautions.. 227
Maintenance Schedule.................. 228
Required Maintenance Record.... 235
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 237
Fluid Locations............................... 238
Engine Oil....................................... 239 Adding Oil................................... 239Recommended Oil..................... 239
Synthetic Oil............................... 240
Additives..................................... 241
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 241
Cooling System.............................. 243
Adding Engine Coolant............. 243
Replacing Engine Coolant........ 245
Windshield Washers..................... 248
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 249
Brake Fluid..................................... 250
Brake System............................ . 250
Power Steering............................... 251
Air Cleaner Element...................... 252
Hood Latch.................................... . 254
Spark Plugs..................................... 254
Replacement............................... 254
Specifications............................. 256
Battery............................................ 257
Wiper Blades.................................. 259
Air Conditioning System............... 261 Air Conditioning Filter.................. 262Drive Belts...................................... 262
Timing Belt.................................... . 263
Tires................................................ 263 Inflation....................................... 263
Inspection.................................. . 265
Maintenance............................... 266
Tire Rotation.............................. 266 Replacing Tires and Wheels.... 267
Wheels and Tires....................... 268
Winter Driving........................... 268
Snow Tires.............................. 269
Tire Chains............................. 269
Lights............................................. . 270
Headlight Aiming...................... 272
Replacing Bulbs......................... 272
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 281
Maintenanc e

Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A, B , C as required for each distance/time interval. Follow this
schedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Conditions Schedule on the next page do not apply.
Canadia n owners : Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.
NOTE:Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.
Maintenanc e
#: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page 229. pag
e 26 6

# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, lastcolumn, page 229.
* 1: See Timing Belt on page 263 to determine need for replacement.
* 2: See Air Conditioning Filter on page 262 for replacement
information under special conditions.
NOTE:Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.
Maintenanc e

Owner Maintenanc e Check s
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 192.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 193.
Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 248.
Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly. See page
249.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 250. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
263.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page 270.
Maintenanc e