transmission fluid HONDA ODYSSEY 2012 RB3-RB4 / 4.G Owners Manual

294
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
■
Automatic transmission cooler
Install an additional ATF (automatic transmission fluid) cooler to help prevent the
transmission from overheating, and damaging. You can get the additional ATF
cooler at a dealer.
■
Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and territories require special exterior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.

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.

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

332Maintenance
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and MaintenanceFor your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.) Refer to the separate maintenance booklet for detailed maintenance and
inspection information.■
Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.
■
Periodic inspections
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level monthly.
2Automatic Transmission Fluid P. 352
•Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2Brake Fluid P. 353
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examine the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 370
•Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2Replacing Light Bulbs P. 355
•Check the condition of the wiper blades at least every six months.
2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 366
■
Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are "certified" to
EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all maintenance services should
be performed in accordance with the intervals
indicated by the information display
*/multi-
information display
*.
2Maintenance Service Items P. 337, 341
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, you can purchase a
subscription to the Service Express website at
www.techinfo.honda.com.
2Authorized Manuals P. 429
If you want to perform maintenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing maintenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models
* Not available on all models

337
uuMaintenance Minder™uTo Use Maintenance Minder
TM
Continued
Maintenance
■
Maintenance Service Items
1Maintenance Service Items•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder Message Maintenance
Minder Indicator
Sub Items Main Item
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the
engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.CODE
Maintenance Main Items
A
●
Replace engine oil
*1
B
●
Replace engine oil
*1 and oil filter
●
Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary
●
Check parking brake adjustment
●
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
●
Inspect suspension components
●
Inspect driveshaft boots
●
Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)
●
Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids
●
Inspect exhaust system
#
●
Inspect fuel lines and connections
#
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110ºF, 43ºC), in very low temperatures (under
20ºF, 29ºC), replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.CODE
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●
Rotate tires
2
●
Replace air cleaner element
*2
●
Replace dust and pollen filter
*3
●
Inspect drive belt
3
●
Replace transmission fluid
4
●
Replace spark plugs
●
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
*4
●
Inspect valve clearance
5
●
Replace engine coolant

341
uuMaintenance Minder™uTo Use Maintenance Minder
TM
Continued
Maintenance
■
Maintenance Service Items
1Maintenance Service Items•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3
only if they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder Message System Message
Indicator
Sub Items Main Item
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the
engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.CODE
Maintenance Main Items
A
●
Replace engine oil
*1
B
●
Replace engine oil
*1 and oil filter
●
Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary
●
Check parking brake adjustment
●
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
●
Inspect suspension components
●
Inspect driveshaft boots
●
Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)
●
Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids
●
Inspect exhaust system
#
●
Inspect fuel lines and connections
#
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110ºF, 43ºC), in very low temperatures (under
20ºF, 29ºC), replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.CODE
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●
Rotate tires
2
●
Replace air cleaner element
*2
●
Replace dust and pollen filter
*3
●
Inspect drive belt
3
●
Replace transmission fluid
4
●
Replace spark plugs
●
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
*4
●
Inspect valve clearance
5
●
Replace engine coolant

343
Maintenance
Maintenance Under the HoodMaintenance Items Under the Hood
Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange Loop) Washer Fluid
(Blue Cap)
Engine Coolant
Reservoir Tank
Radiator CapBrake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Engine Oil Fill Cap Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Dipstick
(Yellow Loop) BatteryPower Steering Fluid
(Red Cap)

352
uuMaintenance Under the HooduTransmission Fluid
Maintenance
Transmission FluidCheck the fluid level when the engine is at normal operating temperature.
1.Park on level ground, and start the engine.
2.Wait until the radiator fan starts and then
turn off the engine.
uPerform step 3 after waiting for about 60
seconds (less than 90 seconds).
3.Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the
transmission and wipe it with a clean cloth.
4.Insert the dipstick all the way back into the
transmission securely, as shown in the
image.
uAlign the guides on the rubber cap and
on the transmission, and push the
dipstick all the way.
5.Remove the dipstick and check the fluid
level.
uIt should be between the upper and
lower marks in the HOT range.
6.If the level is below the lower mark, add
fluid into the dipstick hole to bring it to the
level between the upper and lower marks,
and have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.■
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Specified fluid: Honda ATF DW-1 (automatic transmission fluid)
1Automatic Transmission Fluid
NOTICEDo not mix Honda ATF DW-1 with other
transmission fluids.
Using a transmission fluid other than Honda ATF
DW-1 may adversely affect the operation and
durability of your vehicle's transmission, and damage
the transmission.
Any damage caused by using a transmission fluid that
is not equivalent to Honda ATF DW-1 is not covered
by Honda's new vehicle warranty.NOTICEPour the fluid slowly and carefully so you do not spill
any. Clean up any spills immediately; they can
damage components in the engine compartment.
Upper Mark
Lower Mark HOT
RangeUpper Mark
Lower Mark HOT
RangeGuide
Models with D3 buttonModels with D4 button
Models with D4 button

408
uuIndicator, Coming On/BlinkinguIf the Brake System Indicator Comes On
Handling the Unexpected
If the Brake System Indicator Comes On
■
Reasons for the indicator to come on
•The brake fluid is low.
•There is a malfunction in the brake system.
■
What to do when the indicator comes on while driving
Press the brake pedal lightly to check pedal pressure.
•If normal, check the brake fluid level the next time you stop.
•If abnormal, take immediate action. If necessary, downshift the
transmission to slow the vehicle using engine braking.
1If the Brake System Indicator Comes On
Have your vehicle repaired immediately.
It is dangerous to drive with low brake fluid. If there
is no resistance from the brake pedal, stop
immediately in a safe place. If necessary downshift
the gears.
If the brake system indicator and ABS indicator come
on simultaneously, the electronic brake distribution
system is not working. This can result in vehicle
instability under sudden braking.
Have your vehicle inspected by a dealer immediately.
U.S.
Canada

421
uuSpecificationsu
Information
■Brake Fluid
■Automatic Transmission Fluid*1: Touring modelsSpecified
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3
Specified
Honda ATF DW-1
(automatic transmission fluid)
Capacity Change3.3 US qt (3.1 ℓ)
3.6 US qt (3.4 ℓ)
*1
■Engine Oil
■Engine CoolantRecommended
·Genuine Honda Motor Oil 0W-20
·API Premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil
CapacityChange 4.2 US qt (4.0 ℓ)
Change
including
filter4.5 US qt (4.3 ℓ)
Specified
Honda Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type2
Ratio 50/50 with distilled water
Capacity
1.93 US gal (7.3 ℓ)
(change including the remaining
0.225 US gal (0.85 ℓ) in the reserve tank)
■Tire*1: Touring modelsRegular
Size
P235/65R17 103T
P235/60R18 102T
*1
Pressure
psi(kPa[kgf/cm
2])
33 (230 [2.3])
35 (240 [2.4])
*1
Compact
SpareSize T135/80D17 103M
Pressure
psi(kPa[kgf/cm
2])60 (420 [4.2])
Wheel Size
Regular
17 x 7J
18 x 7J
*1
Compact Spare
17 x 4T