check engine light HONDA ODYSSEY 2012 RB3-RB4 / 4.G Owners Manual

Contents
Child Safety P. 54 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 68 Safety Labels P. 69Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 120 Opening and Closing the Sliding Doors P. 126
Opening and Closing the Moonroof
* P. 140 Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 141
Adjusting the Seats P. 154 Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 169
Climate Control System
* P. 187
Audio Error Messages P. 235 General Information on the Audio System P. 237
Bluetooth
® HandsFreeLink
®* P. 259 Compass
* P. 282
When Driving P. 297 Braking P. 314 Parking Your Vehicle P. 318
Fuel Economy P. 328 Accessories and Modifications P. 329Maintenance Under the Hood P. 343 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 355
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 370 Battery P. 379 Remote Transmitter Care P. 380
Heating and Cooling System
*/Climate Control System
* Maintenance P. 384 Cleaning P. 385
Engine Does Not Start P. 400 Jump Starting P. 401 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 403
Fuses P. 411 Emergency Towing P. 417Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 423 Reporting Safety Defects P. 424 Emissions Testing P. 425
Customer Service Information P. 430 Gracenote
® End User License Agreement P. 431
Quick Reference Guide
P. 2
Safe Driving
P. 25
Instrument Panel
P. 71
Controls
P. 107
Features
P. 193
Driving
P. 285
Maintenance
P. 331
Handling the Unexpected
P. 389
Information
P. 419
Index
P. 433

19Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance
(P331)
U
n
d
er t
h
e
H
oo
d
(P343)
●Check engine oil, engine coolant, and window washer fluid.
Add when necessary.
●Check brake fluid.
●Check the battery regularly.
a
Pull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
b
Locate the hood latch lever, slide the lever, and lift up the
hood.
c
When finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights
(P355)
●Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P366)
●Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires
(P370)
●Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
●Check tire pressures regularly.
●Install snow tires for winter
driving.

80
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Fog Light
Indicator
*
●
Comes on when the fog lights are
on.
—
—
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on when the passenger side
airbag system is automatically shut
off.
●
It does not mean there is a problem
with your side airbags.
●
Comes on when nobody is sitting in
the passenger seat - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
●
Comes on when someone is sitting
in the seat - Have the passenger sit
properly.
Immobilizer
System Indicator
●
Comes on briefly when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, then goes
off.
●
Comes on if the immobilizer system
cannot recognize the key
information.
●
Blinks - You cannot start the engine.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0
,
pull the key out, and then insert the key
and turn it to ON
(w
again.
●
Repeatedly blinks - The system may
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
●
Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it. Electrical
problems can occur.
—
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
*
U.S.
Canada
U.S.
Canada
* Not available on all models

297
Continued
Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2.Check that the shift lever is in
(P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
uAlthough it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N
, it is safer to start it in
(P
.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, heating and
cooling system
*/climate control system
*, and rear
defogger in order to reduce battery drain.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Brake Pedal
* Not available on all models

uuWhen DrivinguShifting
302Driving
■
Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICEWhen you change the shift lever from
(D
to
(R
and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking
(D
indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's red zone Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and
press the shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button and
shift.D3/D4 Indicator

315
uuBrakinguBrake System
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A power assist helps
reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases the
stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency situation.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when braking very
hard.
2Brake Assist System P. 317
2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 316
■
Foot Brake
1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

316
uuBrakinguABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."■
ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■
ABS
1ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.

331
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance ............ 332
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 333Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 334
Maintenance Minder™.................... 335
Maintenance Under the HoodMaintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 343Opening the Hood ........................... 344
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 345
Oil Check ......................................... 346
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 347Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 348
Engine Coolant ................................ 350
Transmission Fluid ............................ 352
Brake Fluid ....................................... 353
Power Steering Fluid Check.............. 354
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 354
Replacing Light Bulbs....................... 355
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades
.... 366
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 370
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 371Tire Labeling .................................... 371DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 373Wear Indicators................................ 375Tire Service Life ................................ 375
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 376
Tire Rotation .................................... 377
Winter Tires ..................................... 378
Battery............................................... 379
Remote Transmitter Care................. 380
Remote Control and Wireless
Headphone Care
*........................... 382
Heating and Cooling System
*/Climate
Control System
* Maintenance....... 384
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 385
Exterior Care.................................... 387
* Not available on all models

349
uuMaintenance Under the HooduChanging the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Maintenance
4.Remove the oil filter and dispose of the
remaining oil.
5.Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to
the engine contact surface.
uIf it is stuck, you must detach it.
6.Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the
contact surface of the engine block, and
install a new oil filter.
uApply a light coat of new engine oil to
the oil filter rubber seal.
7.Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then
reinstall the drain bolt.
uTightening torque:
29 lbf∙ft (39 N∙m, 4.0 kgf∙m)
8.Pour the recommended engine oil into the engine.
uEngine oil change capacity (including filter):
4.5 US qt (4.3 L)
9. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely and
start the engine.
10. Run the engine for a few minutes, and
then check that there is no leak from the
drain bolt or oil filter.
11. Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,
and then check the oil level on the dipstick.
uIf necessary, add more engine oil.
1Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.
When installing the new oil filter, follow the
instructions supplied with the oil filter.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The
low oil pressure indicator should go off within five
seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and check
your work.
Oil Filter

400Handling the Unexpected
Engine Does Not StartChecking the EngineIf the engine does not start, turn the ignition switch to START
(e
and check the
starter.
Starter condition
Checklist
Starter doesn’t turn or turns
over slowly.
The battery may be dead. Check
each of the items on the right and
respond accordingly.
Check brightness of the interior light.
Turn on interior lights and check brightness.●
If the interior lights are dim or do not come on at all
2Battery P. 379
●
If the interior lights come on normally
2 Fuses P. 411
The starter turns over normally
but the engine doesn’t start.
There may be a problem with the
fuse. Check each of the items on
the right and respond accordingly.
Review the engine start procedure.
Follow its instructions, and try to start the engine again.
2 Starting the Engine P. 297
Check the immobilizer system indicator.
When the immobilizer system indicator is blinking, the engine cannot be started.
2Immobilizer System P. 134
Check the fuel level.
There should be enough fuel in the tank.
2 Fuel Gauge P. 86
Check the fuse.
Check all fuses, or have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Inspecting and Changing Fuses P. 416
If the problem continues:
2Emergency Towing P. 417
1Checking the Engine
If you must start the vehicle immediately, use an
assisting vehicle to jump start it.
2Jump Starting P. 401