shift HONDA ODYSSEY 2012 RB3-RB4 / 4.G Owner's Manual

285
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 286
Maximum Load Limit........................ 289
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation .......................... 291
Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 295
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 296
When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 297
Precautions While Driving................. 299
Automatic Transmission ................... 300
Shifting ............................................ 301Cruise Control ................................. 303
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System ...... 306
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 308
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 309BSI (Blind Spot Information) System
*.... 312
Braking
Brake System ................................... 314
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 316
Brake Assist System.......................... 317
Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped................................. 318Parking ............................................ 318
Parking Sensor System
*................... 319
Rearview Camera
*............................ 323
Rearview Display Image ................... 324
Refueling
Fuel Information .............................. 325
How to Refuel ................................. 326
Fuel Economy.................................... 328
Improving Fuel Economy .................. 328
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories ...................................... 329
Modifications................................... 329
* Not available on all models

295
uuTowing a TraileruDriving Safely with a Trailer
Continued
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer•Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
•Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 291
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
•Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
•Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
•Check the pressure of the trailer tires, including the spare.
•Drive slower than normal.
•Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailer.
•Use the
(D
when towing a trailer on level roads.
•Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
•Allow more time and distance for braking.
•Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■
Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■
Towing Speeds and Gears
■
Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.
When towing a trailer, we recommend that you carry
a full-size spare wheel and tire for your vehicle and
trailer. If you use the compact spare tire that came
with your vehicle, it could adversely affect vehicle
handling.
2Specifications P. 421
2Changing a Flat Tire P. 391
Remember to unhitch the trailer before changing a
flat tire. Ask the trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare tire.

296
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
•Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
heating and cooling system
*/climate control system
* and reduce speed. Pull to the
side of the road safely to cool down the engine if necessary.
•Shift to the
(d
or position (depending on models) if the transmission shifts
frequently.
Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 417
■
Driving in Hilly Terrain
D4
* 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 DrivinguStarting the Engine
298Driving
3.Turn the ignition switch to START
(e

without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1.Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that
the brake system indicator has gone off.
2Parking Brake P. 314
2.Put the shift lever in
(D
. Select
(R
when reversing.
3.Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull
away.
1Starting the Engine
Do not hold the key in START
(e
for more than 15
seconds.
•If the engine does not start right away, wait for at
least 10 seconds before trying again.•If the engine starts, but then immediately stops,
wait at least 10 seconds before repeating step 3
while gently depressing the accelerator pedal.
Release the accelerator pedal once the engine
starts.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded key (or other device) is
used, the engine's fuel system is disabled.
2Immobilizer System P. 134
■
Starting to Drive

299
uuWhen DrivinguPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While DrivingAvoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.■
In Rain
■
Other Precautions
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICEDo not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY
(q
or
LOCK
(0
while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
(N
, as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.

301
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Continued
Driving
ShiftingChange the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.■
Shift lever positions
*1: Models with D4 button
1Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0
and
remove the key unless the shift lever is in
(P
.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
(N
while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for normal driving (gears change between
1st and 5th/6th
*1 automatically)
D3
Press the D3 button while the shift lever is in
(D
.
Used when●Going up or down hills●Towing a trailer in hilly terrainModels with D3 buttonLow
Strong engine power when climbing and strong
engine braking when going down steep hills. Release Button
D3/D4
Button
D4Press the D4 button while the shift lever is in
(D
.
Used when●Going up or down hills●Towing a trailer in hilly terrainModels with D4 button

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

303
uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
Continued
Driving
Cruise ControlMaintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the
accelerator. Use cruise control on freeways or open roads where you can travel at a
constant speed with little acceleration or deceleration.
1Cruise Control
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed
when driving uphill or downhill.
When not using cruise control:
Turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE
button.
3
WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead
to a crash.
Use the cruise control only when traveling
on open highways in good weather.
■
Shift positions for cruise control:
In
(D
, (d
or (depending on
models)
D4
When to use
Always keep sufficient distance
between you and the vehicle in
front of you.
■
Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above
roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~
How to use
CRUISE MAIN is on in the
instrument panel.
Cruise control is ready to use.
■
Press the
CRUISE
button on
the steering wheel.

312
uuWhen DrivinguBSI (Blind Spot Information) System
*
Driving
BSI (Blind Spot Information) System
*
Is designed to detect vehicles in specified alert zones adjacent to your vehicle,
particularly in harder to see areas commonly known as “blind spots.”
When the system detects vehicles approaching from behind in adjacent lanes, the
appropriate indicator comes on, providing assistance when you change lanes.■
How the system works
■
When the system detects a vehicle
1BSI (Blind Spot Information) System
Important Safety Reminder
Like all assistance systems, BSI has limitations. Over
reliance on BSI may result in a collision.
The system is for your convenience only. Even if an
object is within the alert zone, the following
situations may occur.•The BSI alert indicator may not come on due to
obstruction (splashes, etc.) even without the BLIND
SPOT NOT AVAILABLE multi-information display
appearing.•The BSI alert indicator may come on even with the
message appearing.
The BSI alert indicator may not come on under
following conditions:•A vehicle does not stay in the alert zone for more
than two seconds.•A vehicle is parked in a side lane.•The speed difference between your vehicle and the
vehicle you are passing is greater than 6 mph (10
km/h).•An object not detected by the radar sensors
approaches or passes your vehicle.
3
WARNING
Failure to visually confirm that it is safe to
change lanes before doing so may result in
a crash and serious injury or death.
Do not rely only on the blind spot
information system when changing lanes.
Always look in your mirrors, to either side
of your vehicle, and behind you for other
vehicles before changing lanes.
●The shift lever is in
(D
or .
●Your vehicle speed is between
6 mph (10 km/h) and 100 mph
(160 km/h)
D4
Alert zone range
A: Approx. 1.6 ft. (0.5 m)
B: Approx. 10 ft. (3 m)
C: Approx. 10 ft. (3 m)Alert Zone Radar Sensors:
underneath the
rear bumper
corners
A
B
C
Comes on when:●A vehicle enters the alert zone from behind to
overtake you with a speed difference of no
more than 31 mph (50 km/h) from your
vehicle.●You pass a vehicle with a speed difference of
no more than 12 mph (20 km/h).Comes On BSI Alert Indicator: Located near the outside
rearview mirror on both sides.
Blinks when:
You use the turn signal lever and change lanes
in the direction of a detected vehicle.Blinks
* Not available on all models