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

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

Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.
8.
7.
CONT INUED
Spark Plugs
Maint enance315
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m) Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation 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 f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .352
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .353
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 362
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .362
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .363
................................
Jump Starting .364
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 366
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 369
..........
Charging System Indicator . 370
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 371
.......................
Readiness Codes .372
...............
Brake System Indicator . 373
..............................................
Fuses .374
..........
Checking and Replacing . 375
......................
Emergency Towing .380
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed351

Your vehicle can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling/
climate control system and all
otheraccessories.Turnonthe
hazard warning indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
The pointer of your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
Itmaygohigherif youaredrivingup
a long steep hill on a very hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.
1.
2.
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed366
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, f or
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
3.
7. 6.
5. 4. 380
249 8.
CONT INUED
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed367
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.

Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
9.
10. 11.
12.
380
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
368

CONT INUED
Def rosting.............
the Windows . 149,159,164
....................................
Dimensions .386
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 82
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 307
..................................
Engine Oil .248
..........................
Directional Signals .84
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 266
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .300
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 92
....................
Lockout Prevention . 93
..............
Manual Sliding Doors . 101
..............................
Monitor Light .75
......................
Power Door Locks .92
.................
Power Sliding Doors . 103
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 388
.....................................
Drive Belts .322
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .257
....................................
Economy .250
.........................
In Bad Weather .272
................
In Foreign Countries . 391
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 322
...................................
DVD Player .217 ............................
Fabric, Cleaning .347
..................
Fan, Interior . 144,157,162
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .143
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 245
Filters ................................
Air Cleaner .311
.........................
Dust and Pollen .322
...............................................
Oil .299
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 87
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 353
..............................
Economy, Fuel .250
............
Emergencies on the Road . 351
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 364
...........
Brake System Indicator . 373
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 353
.....
Charging System Indicator . 370
..................
Checking the Fuses . 374
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 369
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 371
..................
Overheated Engine . 366
.........................
Emergency Brake .129
......................
Emergency Flashers .87
......................
Emergency Towing .380
.......................
Emissions Controls .392
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 395
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 79
.................................
Drive Belts .322
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 263
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .72, 371
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 72,369
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 297
...............................
Overheating .366 ............................
Specif ications .387
.......................................
Starting .259
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .390
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 392
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .66
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .393
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .22
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 344
Index
E
F
III

...................
Neutral Gear Position . 262
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 244
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 384
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 244
.........................................
Odometer .78
...............................
Odometer, Trip .79
Oil ........................
Change, How to .299
......................
Change, When to .288
......................
Checking Engine .248
..............
Pressure Indicator . 72,369
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .298
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 92
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .392
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 391
............................
Outside Mirrors .128
....................
Overheating, Engine .366
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 295.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .390
...................
Radiator Overheating . 366
.....
Radio/CD Sound System . 181,201
...........................
Readiness Codes .372
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .166
.......................
Rear Compartment .135
........
Rear Entertainment System . 217
Rear Lights, Bulb ......................
Replacement .334, 335
..........................
Rear View Mirror .128
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 87
...............................
Rear Windows .127
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 86
.....
Reclining the Seat Backs . 111,114
.........
Reclining the Second Seats . 111
..............
Reclining the Third Seat . 111
.............................
Reminder Lights .71
..............................
Paint Touch-up .345
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 83
........................
Park Gear Position .261
...........................................
Parking .265
...............................
Parking Brake .129
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 72,373
.................................
Parking Lights .82
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 265
Passenger Airbag Cutof f .......................................
Indicator .62
.............................
PGM-FI System .393
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 345
Power Sliding Doors ...............................
Indicator .75, 108
...................................
Operation .103
.....................................
Switches .104
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 22
............................
Protecting Adults .13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 22
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 22........................
Protecting Children .24
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .34
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 42
.........
Protecting Small Children . 38
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .46
.............................
Using LATCH .48
Index
P
R
O N
VI