HONDA ODYSSEY 2010 RB3-RB4 / 4.G Owners Manual

´
´
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
——
y

y
(y
y
2010 Odyssey

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
——
y
y
(y
y
2010 Odyssey

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
——
y
y
(y
y
2010 Odyssey

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
——
y
y
(y
y
2010 Odyssey

412
——
y
y
(y
y
2010 Odyssey

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
models), and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .414
....................
Maintenance Minder . 415
..............................
Fluid Locations .425
........................
Adding Engine Oil .426
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .428
..............................
Engine Coolant .430
....................
Windshield Washers .432
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 433
....................................
Brake Fluid .435
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 436
....................................
Timing Belt .436
.............................................
Lights .437
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 444
.....................................
Floor Mats .444
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 444
.................................
Wiper Blades .445
...........................................
Wheels .450
...............................................
Tires .450
...................
Checking the Battery . 458
.............................
Vehicle Storage .459
511
Maintenance
Maint enance
413
——
y
y
(y
y
2010 Odyssey

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions Injury f rom moving parts.
Burns f rom hot parts. Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
414
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
——
y

y
(y
y
2010 Odyssey

CONT INUED
If the oil lif e is 15 percent or less,
you will see the oil lif e indicator
everytimeyouturntheignition
switch to the ON (II) position. This
indicator stays on until you cancel it
by pressing the select/reset knob.
The maintenance minder indicator
will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
next to the engine oil lif e indicator.
To see the current engine oil lif e,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and push and release
the select/reset knob on the
instrument panel repeatedly, until
the engine oil lif e is displayed.
Your vehicle displays engine oil lif e
and maintenance service items on
the information display (LX, EX,
EX-L and Canadian DX models), or
on the multi-information display
(Touring models), to show you when
you should have your dealer perf orm
engine oil replacement and indicated
maintenance service.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil lif e and displays it as a
percentage.
On LX, EX, EX-L and Canadian DX
models
Maintenance Minder
Engine Oil L if e Indicator
Maint enance
415
MAINTENANCE ITEM CODE ENGINE OIL LIFE
INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR
——
y
y
(yy
2010 Odyssey

You can change the display to the
odometer, the trip meter, or the
outside temperature by pushing the
select/reset knob on the instrument
panel.
When the remaining engine oil lif e is
less than 5 percent, you will see a
‘‘CHANGE OIL’’ message on the
inf ormation display, along with the
same maintenance item code(s),
everytimeyouturntheignition
switch to the ON (II) position. When the remaining engine oil lif e is
0 percent, you will see the above
display. In this display, the remaining
oil lif e indicator will be blinking. This
display comes on and stays on every
time you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position. When you see
this message, have the indicated
maintenance perf ormed by your
dealer as soon as possible.
Maintenance Minder
416
——
y
y
(y
y
2010 Odyssey

µ
CONT INUED
If you still do not perf orm the
indicated maintenance, you will see a
negative mileage, f or example
‘‘ 543,’’ blinking in the display. This
negative mileage means that you
should have perf ormed the indicated
maintenance 543 miles ago.
Immediately have the indicated
maintenancedonebyyourdealer.When the remaining engine oil lif e is
15 percent or less, the display shows
a ‘‘SERVICE DUE SOON’’ message
along with the maintenance item
code(s) f or other scheduled
maintenance items needing service.
To see the current engine oil lif e,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, then push and release
the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly, until the
engine oil lif e is displayed.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the system
message indicator will also come on.
On Touring models
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
417
SYSTEM MESSAGE INDICATOR
——
y
y
(yy
2010 Odyssey