towing HONDA ODYSSEY 2008 RB1-RB2 / 3.G User Guide

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. Do not exceed
55 mph (88 km/h). At higher speeds,
the trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension,
cooling system, and lights are in
good operating condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
You may want to fill the fuel tank
with premium f uel. Premium f uel
provides improved perf ormance.
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Towing a Trailer
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Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to second
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
480
3
bottom
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills Backing Up
Parking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Towing a Trailer, Towing Your Vehicle
Towing Your Vehicle
Driving
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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................
Driving with a Flat Tire .454
.........
Michelin
PAX System . 454
......................
Compact Spare Tire .457
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .458
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 465
................................
Jump Starting .467
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 469
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 471
..........
Charging System Indicator . 471
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 472
...........................
Readiness Codes .472
...............
Brake System Indicator . 473
..............................................
Fuses .474
..............................
Fuse Locations .477
......................
Emergency Towing .480
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
453
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If you see the above message on the
multi-inf ormation display, you have
reached the limit of run f lat driving,
and you should stop driving
immediately. Be aware that if you
continue to drive, the noise and
vibration level f rom the tire will
increase signif icantly, and the tire
may no longer be repairable.Stop driving immediately when
you see a ‘‘RUN FLAT LIMIT
STOP DRIVING’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display.
Continuous driving af ter this
message will make it impossible to
repair the tire.
If you cannot f ind a Honda dealer or
an authorized Michelin PAX system
dealer where you are driving, call the
PAX help hotline at 1-877-PAXTIRE
(1-877-729-8473).
Call a prof essional towing service
who can transport your vehicle on
f lat-bed equipment. Never tow your vehicle behind another vehicle with a
rope or chain. Flat-bed equipment is
the best way to transport your
vehicle. Your vehicle can also be
towed by wheel-lif t equipment with
the wheels of f the ground (see page
).
Although your vehicle is capable of
runflatdriving,youshouldalways
observe the f ollowing: Do not drive f aster than 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Drive caref ully. Your vehicle may
handle dif f erently f rom when the
tires are properly inf lated,
especially when cornering.
In its run f lat mode, a PAX system
tire is somewhat noisier than when
it is f ully inf lated, this is normal.
480
Driving With a Flat Tire
Important Saf ety Precautions
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The jack is behind a cover in the
cargo area on the driver’s side,
and tools are on the back of the
cover. Remove the cover by
pushing the tabs down and pulling
the cover out. Open the tailgate.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area that is
far away from the traffic lanes.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
2. 1.
3.
Models without Michelin PAX System
Changing a Flat Tire
458
JACK
SPARE TIRE
TOOLS
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
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If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. Seeon page .
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page . 377
475143
480Emergency
Towing
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine
If theEngineWon’tStart
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The pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. 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.If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning indicators. 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,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
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 ).
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
480
CONT INUED
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
469
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 the engine.
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If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need 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.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter 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 heat (climate control to
AUTO at ‘‘ ’’). 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 check
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.
6.
7.
8.
9.10.
11.
480
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
470
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.
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The brake system
indicator normally
comesonwhenyou
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and as a reminder to
check the parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully release the
parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ). Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
indicator come on with the brake
system indicator, have the vehicle
inspected by your dealer
immediately. If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
You will also see a ‘‘BRAKE FLUID
LOW’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
88 88
427 480
On Touring models
On Touring models
Brake System Indicator
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
473
U.S. Canada
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µµ
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle:
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires and lif t them of f the
ground. The f lat tire side (f ront or
rear)shouldbeliftedbythewheel-
lift equipment. The other two tires
remain on the ground.
If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this:
Start the engine.
Press on the brake pedal. Move
the shif t lever through all its
positions.
Shif t to D position f or 5 seconds,
then to N.
Turn of f the engine.
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.Flat -bed Equipment Wheel-lif t Equipment
T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle. T his is an
acceptable way to tow your
vehicle.
Emergency Towing
480
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the f ront wheels of f
the ground.
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