traction control HONDA ODYSSEY 2003 RB1-RB2 / 3.G Owners Manual

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To use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘H’’ logo.
:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
POWER SLIDING
DOOR SWITCHES HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTSDIGITAL CLOCK
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGERLIGHT CONTROL
SWITCH
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
CRUISE
CONTROL
HORN
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS
CRUISE
CONTROL MIRROR
CONTROLS
PASSENGER
AIRBAG CUTOFF
INDICATOR
(P. 62)
(P.269)
(P.103) (P.82/
84)
(P.128) (P.199) (P.88) (P.84/
86) (P.139)
(P.
87)
(P.130)
(P.87)
(P.235)
(P.235)

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The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols71
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATORPARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG
CUTOFF
INDICATOR
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT
DOOR AND BRAKE LAMP MONITOR
POWER SLIDING
DOOR INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.74)
(P.74)
(P.80) (P.77)
(P.76) (P.73)
(P.74)
(P.72)
(P.73)
(P.77)
(P.73)
(P. 75)
(P.75)
(P.371) (P.72,
369)
(P.72, 370)
(P.234)

This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked. With the light on, your
vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock. For complete
inf ormation, see page .This indicator has three f unctions:
This light also comes on when you
turn the ignition ON (II) and goes off
af ter the engine starts. See page
f or more inf ormation on the
TCS. If itcomesonandstaysonwhen
the Traction Control System is on,
it indicates that there is a problem
in the TCS. It f lashes when the TCS is
regulating wheelspin. Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the Traction
Control System.
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
1.
2.
3.
90
268 269
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator Traction Control System
(T CS) Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
74
U.S. Canada

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Thetwoleversonthesteering
column contain controls f or driving
f eatures you use most of ten. The lef t
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The switches for the hazard warning
lights and rear window def ogger are
located to the right of the steering
column.
The controls under the lef t air vent
arefortheTCS,thecruisecontrol,
the power sliding doors and the
power mirrors.
The tilt adjustment lever on the
underside of the steering column
allows you to tilt the steering wheel.To use the horn, press the pad
around the ‘‘H’’ logo.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
81
POWER SLIDING DOOR
(EX and EX-L models) TRACTION
CONTROL SYSTEM HAZARD
WARNING
LIGHTS
PASSENGER AIRBAG
CUTOFF INDICATOR
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
SHIFT
LEVER
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
LIGHT CONTROL
SWITCH
HORN
TILT
ADJUSTMENT
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
CRUISE
CONTROL
MIRROR
CONTROL

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Traction Control System,
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .258
.......................
Starting the Engine .259
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude .259
..............
Automatic Transmission . 260
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 260
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 261
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 263
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 263
...........................................
Parking .265
.....................
The Braking System .266
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 266
...............
Brake System Design . 267
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .267
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .268
........................
ABS Indicator .268
..............
Traction Control System . 269
...............
TCS ON/OFF Switch . 270
............................
TCS Indicator .271
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 272
...........................
Towing a Trailer .274
Driving
Driving257

You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal; it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes.this defeats the
purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work f or you by always keeping f irm,
steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes ref erred to as
Activation varies with the amount of
traction your tires have. On dry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforeyou
activate the ABS. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
Your vehicle has an Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) as standard
equipment. ABS helps to prevent the
wheels f rom locking up and skidding
during hard braking, allowing you to
retain steering control.
When the f ront tires skid, you lose
steering control; the vehicle
continues straight ahead even
though you turn the steering wheel.
The ABS helps to prevent lock-up
and helps you retain steering control
by pumping the brakes rapidly; much
f aster than a person can do it.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
The ABS also balances the f ront-to
rear braking distribution according
to vehicle loading.
‘‘stomp and steer.’’
CONT INUED
The Braking System
Driving
You should never pump the
brake pedal;
Anti-lock Brakes
Brake System Design
267
Front

CONT INUED
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also shut
down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.Driving with TCS requires no special
skills or technique. The TCS does
not control your vehicle’s whole
braking system and cannot prevent
skidding if you enter a corner too
f ast. It is still your responsibility to
drive at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
The TCS indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicatorif there
is a problem with the anti-lock brake
system. Your Honda is equipped with a
Traction Control System (TCS) to
assist you in maintaining traction
while driving slowly on loose or
slippery surf aces. The TCS assists
only in low-speed, low-traction
conditions; up to approximately 18
mph (30 km/h).
TCS monitors the speed of all f our
wheels. When it senses a f ront wheel
losing traction, it applies braking to
that wheel. The TCS indicator
f lashes when this occurs.
373
The Braking System, Traction Control System
Driving
Traction Control System
269
TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM INDICATOR

When starting out or driving at low
speeds on a loose or slippery road
surface, you may notice that the
vehicle does not respond to the
accelerator in the same way it does
at other times. This is a sign TCS is
activating. You will see the TCS
indicator light f lash.
You should still install winter tires on
your vehicle during the winter. Make
sure to use the same size originally
supplied with vehicle. Exercise the
samecautioninwinterdrivingasyou
would if your vehicle was not
equipped with TCS.
Driving with the compact spare tire
installed (see page ) may
activate the TCS. You should turn of f
the system.If the brakes overheat while TCS is
activating, the TCS indicator will
stop flashing and stay on temporarily.
This indicates that TCS has turned
off. After the brakes have cooled
down (usually f or about 10 minutes),
TCSwillturnbackonandthe
indicator will turn of f .
This switch is under the side vent. It
letsyouturntheTractionControl
System on and of f . You cannot turn
of f the TCS while the TCS indicator
light is f lashing.
Deactivate the system by pressing
the TCS On/Off switch. The TCS
indicator light comes on as a
reminder. Pressing the switch again
turns the system back on.
352
Traction Control System
Driving
TCS ON/OFF Switch
270
TCS ON/OFF SWITCH

If the TCS indicator comes on and
stays on for more than 10 minutes
while driving, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine, and watch the
TCS indicator. If the indicator
remains on, or comes back on while
driving, have the system inspected
by your Honda dealer. You can still
drive the vehicle without TCS.
This indicator will come on along
with the ABS indicator if there is a
problem in the anti-lock brake
system (seeon page
).
The TCS indicator may occasionally
come on f or one or two seconds and
then go out. This is normal.
The Traction Control System turns
on every time you start the engine,
even if you turned it of f the last time
you drove the vehicle.
The TCS indicator comes on or
f lashes under the f ollowing condi-
tions:
When you turn the ignition switch
to ON (II).
When you manually turn of f TCS.
It f lashes when TCS is regulating
wheelspin.
If the system’s diagnostics senses
a problem with TCS, the indicator
will come on and stay on.
If the brakes overheat, the
indicator will come on. 268
Traction Control System
Driving
ABS Indicator
T CS Indicat or
271

µµAlways drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your vehicle longer
to react, even in conditions that may
seem 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 f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions re-
quire a dif f erent 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. Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the
windshield washer reservoir f ull of
the proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def roster and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
pages and ). 149 159/ 164
Driving
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving T echnique Visibility
272