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

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your vehicle
according to this chart.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Honda, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less f uel.
Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance298
Ambient Temperature
API CERTIFICATION SEAL

Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off. Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Your Honda does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
1.2.
CONT INUED
Additives
Changing the Oil and Filter
Engine Oil
Maint enance299
WASHER
DRAIN BOLT

Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the f ilter.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
9. 8. 7. 6.
4.
5. 3.
Engine Oil
Maint enance300
OIL FILTER
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m) 4.6 US qt (4.4
, 3.9 Imp qt)
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
The coolant you add should always
be a mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water. It
does not require any additional
mixing.
If it is not available, you may use
another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malf unction or f ail. Have
the cooling system f lushed and
ref illed with Honda antif reeze/
coolant as soon as possible.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance301
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
Pour the coolant slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled coolant
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
3. 4.5.
6.
1.
2.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance302
RADIATOR CAP RESERVE TANK

CONT INUED
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the vehicle.
Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the heater temperature control
dial f ully clockwise or set the
climate control system to
90°F (32°C). Turn the ignition of f .
Openthehood.Makesurethe
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
Remove the radiator cap.Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard. Drain the coolant
into an appropriate container.
1.
3.
2.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance303
DRAIN PLUG
DRAIN BOLT

When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Tighten the drain bolt at the rear
of the engine cylinder block
securely.
Tightening torque:
Remove the reserve tank f rom its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant into an
appropriate container, then put the
tank back in its holder.
Install a rubber hose on the drain
bolt in the back of the engine
block. Loosen the drain bolt. Drain
the coolant into an appropriate
container. 6.
4. 5. 7.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance304
RESERVE TANK RESERVE
TANK CAP
HOLDER
7 lbf·ft (10 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m)

Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine.
Remove the radiator cap. Fill the
radiator with coolant up to the
base of the f iller neck.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.
The cooling system capacity is:
8. 10.
11.
12.
13.9.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance305
FILLER NECK
Fill up to here
1.98 US gal (7.5, 1.65 Imp gal)

Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
duringnormaluse.Inbadweather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
f or f uel. This reservoir supplies the
windshield and rear window washers.
The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the passenger’s side
headlight.
Check the reservoir’s f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
The low washer level indicator will
light when the level is low (see page
).
77
On Canadian models
Windshield Washers
Maint enance306
LEVEL GAUGE
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your vehicle’s
paint, while a vinegar/water solution
can damage the windshield washer
pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission as shown.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
1.
2.3.
4.
CONT INUED
Maint enance
Automatic Transmission Fluid
307
DIPSTICK DIPSTICK
UPPER MARKLOWER MARK