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

The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicleorremovetheradio.This
alarm continues f or two minutes,
then the alarm stops. To reset an
alarming system before the two
minutes have elapsed, unlock either
f ront door with the key or the
remote transmitter.
The security system sets
automatically fifteen seconds after
you lock the doors, hood, and
tailgate. For the system to activate,
you must lock the doors f rom the
outside with the key, the lock tab,
the door lock switch, or the remote
transmitter. The security system
light next to the low oil pressure
indicator starts blinking immediately
to show you the system is settingitself .
Once the security system is set,
opening any door (without using the
key or the remote transmitter), or
the hood, will cause it to alarm. It
also alarms if the radio is removed
f rom the dashboard or the wiring is
cut.With the system set, you can still
open the tailgate with the master key
or the remote transmitter without
triggering the alarm. The alarm will
sound if the tailgate lock is f orced, or
smashed.
The security system will not set if
the hood, tailgate, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door Lamp Monitor on
the instrument panel (see page ),
to see if the doors and tailgate are
f ully closed. Since it is not part of the
monitor display, manually check the
hood.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
75
On EX and EX-L models
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures234
SECURITY SYSTEM
LIGHT

Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .244
.........................................
Gasoline .244
.........
Service Station Procedures . 245
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 245
....................
Opening the Hood .246
...............................
Oil Check .248
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 249
...............................
Fuel Economy .250
.....................
Vehicle Condition .250
...........................
Driving Habits .250
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 251
.............................
Carrying Cargo .253
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving243

Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank, leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.Shift to Park or Neutral and set
the parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Screw the f uel f ill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks several
times. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page ).
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
Your vehicle has an on-board
ref ueling vapor recovery system to
help keep f uel vapors f rom going
into the atmosphere. If the fuel
nozzle keeps clicking of f even
though the tank is not full, there may
be a problem with this system.
Consult your dealer. 1.
3.
4.
5.
6.
371
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Opening the Hood
246
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE

CONT INUED
Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole on
the driver’s side of the hood.
If you can open the hood without
lifting the hood latch handle, or the
hood latch handle moves stif f ly or
does not spring back as bef ore, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated (see page ).
Standing in f ront of the vehicle,
put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood. The hood latch
handle is above the ‘‘H’’ logo. Pull
up on this handle until it releases
the hood. Lif t the hood. 3.
2. 313
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving247
LATCH SUPPORT ROD

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

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

CONT INUED
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
To replace a wiper blade:
Front windshield: Raise the driver’s
side first, then the passenger’s
side. 2.
1.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance319
WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the arms.

Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb. Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab. Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Open the hood.
If you need to change the head-
light bulb on the driver’s side,
remove the air intake cover (see
page ).
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustment of the headlights should
be perf ormed by a Honda technician
or other qualif ied mechanic.
1.2.
3.
4.
311
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
332
HOLD-DOWN WIRE WEATHER
SEAL
BULB CONNECTOR
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

´´
If your vehicle’s battery has run
down,youmaybeabletostartthe
engine by using a booster battery.
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start a Honda by pushing
or pulling it. To jump start your vehicle, f ollow
these directions closely:
Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery
(see page ). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, stereo system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake. Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
Honda’s battery. Connect the
other end to the positive ( )
terminal on the booster battery.
1.
2.
3.
317
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Jump Starting
364
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

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.