trailer HONDA ODYSSEY 2010 RB3-RB4 / 4.G User Guide

Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody,
using the six threaded holes
provided. A hitch and the required
f luid coolers designed especially f or
your Odyssey can be obtained f rom
your Honda dealer.
If the total trailer weight is more
than 1,850 lbs (840 kg), you must
also use a weight distributing hitch.
This device transf ers weight f rom
the vehicle’s rear wheels to the f ront
wheels, and to the trailer’s wheels.
Caref ully f ollow the hitch maker’s
instructions f or proper installation
and adjustment.Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
If the total trailer weight exceeds
2,000 lbs (900 kg), you should install
a sway control device to minimize
swaying that can occur in crosswinds
and in normal and emergency
driving maneuvers. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
To help prevent overheating, a
transmission f luid cooler and a
power steering f luid cooler are
required f or trailer towing. These
coolers are available only f rom your
Honda dealer.
CONT INUED
Hitches
Weight Distributing Hitch Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rol
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
Towing a Trailer
Driving
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Honda recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes. Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check the
requirements f or the areas where
you plan to tow, and use only
equipment designed f or your vehicle.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector behind the right side
panel in the cargo area. Ref er to the
drawing above f or the purpose of
each pin.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicles hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Trailer Brakes
Trailer Lights
Towing a Trailer
408
GROUND
SMALL LIGHTSLEFT TURN SIGNAL
RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL SMALL LIGHTS
B HAC
B HAZARD
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Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. If you use the compact
sparetirethatcamewithyour
vehicle, it could adversely af f ect
vehicle handling. See page f or
proper tire size, page f or how to
store a f ull size wheel and tire, and
page f or inf ormation on
changing a f lat tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare
tire.Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories require special
outside mirrors when towing a trailer.
Even if they don’t, you should install
special mirrors if you cannot clearly
see behind you, or if the trailer
creates a blind spot.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ). Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
455
468
463
368Spare T iresA ddit ional T owing Equipment
Break-In Period
Towing a Trailer
Driving
409
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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
410
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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 left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t, and
turn the wheel right to move the
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 .
486
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
411
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Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, two on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its base
and protect the glass from contact
with your skin or hard objects. If you
touch the glass, clean it with
denaturedalcoholandacleancloth.The high beam headlight bulb and
the low beam headlight bulb are
replaced the same way.Open the hood. To change the
high beam headlight bulb on the
passenger’s side, remove the
power steering f luid reservoir
f rom its holder by pulling it
straight up.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied technician.
1.
CONT INUED
Lights
Headlight A imingReplacing a Headlight Bulb
Maint enance
437
POWER
STEERING
FLUID
RESERVOIR
Passenger’s side
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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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.
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.
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.
2. 1.3.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
463
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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CONT INUED
................................
Vanity Mirror .199
Supplemental Restraint System
......................................
Servicing .36
.........................
SRS Indicator .34 ,67
...................
System Components . 25
..................................
Synthetic Oil .427
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .461
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 494
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .368
...........................
Upper Glove Box .201
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 429
.....................................
Tachometer .77
..........................................
Tailgate .157
.......................
Opening the .157, 158
.......
Open Monitor Indicator . 75,92
..
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 441,442
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 461
Technical Descriptions .....
Emissions Control Systems . 501
Three Way Catalytic .......................
Converter .502, 503
.......................
Temperature Gauge .77
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 220
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 23
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 54
............................
Thef t Protection .284
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 503
Tilt and Telescoping the .........................
Steering Wheel .141 ..........................
Time, Setting the .281
....................................
Timing Belt .436
....................................
Tire Chains .456
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 463
...............................................
Tires .450
..............................
Air Pressure .451
...................................
Balancing .453
.........................
Checking Wear .452
..........................
Compact Spare .462
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 494
......................................
Inf lation .450
..................................
Inspection .452
.....................................
Labeling .496
...................................
Replacing .454
......................................
Rotating .453
................................
Service Lif e .453
...........................................
Snow .455
............................
Specif ications .493
................................
Tire Chains .456
Tire Pressure Monitoring ............
System (TPMS) . 396,399
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 463
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .404
................
Emergency Wrecker . 486
....
Equipment and Accessories . 406.............................
Weight Limit .404
.............................
Trailer Loading .404
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .410
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 433
...........................
Fluid Selection .434
..............
Identif ication Number . 491
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 386
.....................................
Treadwear .494
.................................
Trip Meter .78, 86
..................................
Turn Signals .135
Index
U
V
T
INDEX
IX
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