low oil pressure HONDA ODYSSEY 2000 RA6-RA9 / 2.G Owners Manual

Driving in Ba d Weathe r
Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-
quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your vehicle well- maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-
tions.
Drivin g Techniqu e — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your vehicle longer to react, even in conditions that mayseem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli- cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery. Visibilit
y — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This ismore difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the
windshield washer reservoir full of the proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defroster and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see pages 135 and 145/150).
Drivin g

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

Air Conditionin g Syste m
Your vehicle's air conditioning is a
sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be done by a qualified mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to make sure the air conditioning works
efficiently.
Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page 322.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
Maintenanc e
NOTICE
AIR CONDITIONIN GCONDENSER
NOTICE

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

Low Oi l Pressur e Indicato r
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is running. If it starts flashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page 192). Although oil level and oil pressure are not
directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 239). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving. (See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 317.)
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
LOW OI L PRESSUR E INDICATO R
NOTICE

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
Leaking of Exhaust into Vehicle ... 53
Light Control Switch..................... 125
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 272
Indicator........................................ 57
Interior........................................ 125
Parking.......................................... 66
Turn Signal................................... 68
Load Limits............................. 198, 218
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 7 8
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column........ 78
Fuel Fill Door............................ . 189
Glove Box.................................... . 87
Lockout Prevention..................... 80
Power Door.................................. 79
Sliding Doors................................ 88
Tailgate......................................... 85
Low Coolant Level......................... 193
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 61
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 58, 307
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 322
Luggage.......................................... 197 Maintenance...................................
225
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 237
Record.................................. 235-236
Required Indicator...................... . 64
Safety.......................................... . 226
Schedule.............................. 230-234
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 58, 309
Manual Sliding Doors...................... 88
Maximum Allowable Speeds........ 207
Meters, Gauges................................ 62
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 326
Mirrors, Adjusting.........................
115
Moving the Second Row Bucket
Seat.............................................. 106
Neutral Gear Position.................... 206
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 188
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 320
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 188
Odometer.......................................... 62
Odometer, Trip............................... . 63
Oil
Change, How to......................... 241
Change, When to....................... 230
Checking Engine....................... 192
Pressure Indicator............... 58, 307
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 240
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 79
Opening the Hood......................... 190
Operation in Foreign Countries... 327
Outside Mirrors............................ . 115
Overheating, Engine..................... 305
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 237
Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 327
Paint Touch-up.............................. . 285
Panel Brightness Control............... 67
Park Gear Position......................... 205
Parking............................................ 209