1997 HONDA ODYSSEY steering

Towing a Trailer

If you have to stop while going uphill,
do not hold the car in place by
pressing on the accelerator. This can cause the automatic transmission to
overheat. Use the parking brake or
footbrake.
When parking your car and trailer, especially on a hill, be sure to follow
all the normal precautions. Turn
your front wheels into the curb, set the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in Park. In addition,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer's tires. Backing up with a trailer is difficult
and takes practice. Drive slowly,
make small movements with the
steering wheel, and have someone
stand outside to guide you. Grip the
steering wheel on the bottom (rather
than the usual position near the top).
Move your hand to the left to get the
trailer to move to the left, and right
to move the trailer right.
DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Maintenance

This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want to purchase the Service Manual. See
page 235 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Honda

dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 138

Important Safety Precautions.. 139

Maintenance Schedule.................. 140

Maintenance Record..................... 144

Owner Maintenance Checks........ 146

Fluid Locations............................... 147

Engine Oil....................................... 148
Adding Oil................................... 148Recommended Oil..................... 148
Synthetic Oil............................... 149

Additives..................................... 150

Changing the Oil and Filter...... 150

Cooling System.............................. 152

Adding Engine Coolant............. 152Replacing Engine Coolant........ 154

Windshield Washers..................... 156

Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 157
Brake Fluid..................................... 158

Brake System............................. 158

Anti-lock Brake System............ 159

Power Steering............................... 159

Air Cleaner Element...................... 160
Spark Plugs..................................... 162
Replacement............................... 162

Specifications............................. 163

Battery............................................ 164
Windshield Wipers........................ 166
Air Conditioning System............... 169
Drive Belts...................................... 170
Timing Belt..................................... 170
Tires................................................ 171 Inflation....................................... 171
Inspection................................... 173
Maintenance............................... 173
Tire Rotation.............................. 174 Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 174
Wheels and Tires....................... 175
Winter Driving........................... 175 Snow Tires.............................. 176
Tire Chains............................. 176
Lights.............................................. 177
Headlight Aiming...................... 177
Replacing Bulbs......................... 179
Storing Your Car............................ 184
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Fluid Locations

Maintenance

BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
COOLANT
RESERVOIR

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
RESERVOIR

(Gray cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Brake Fluid, Power Steering
Anti-lock Brake System
The fluid should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of
the reservoir. If it is at or below the
MIN mark, it indicates a possible
problem in the ABS. Have the dealer inspect the system as soon as

possible.
Power Steering
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL. Always use Genuine Honda Power
Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering fluid as an emergency replacement.However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the powersteering system drained and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.

Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Maintenance

MAX
MIN
NOTICE

LOWER LEVEL UPPER LEVELProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Drive Belts, Timing Belt

Drive Belts
Check the condition of the two drive
belts. Examine the edges of each
belt for cracks or fraying. Check the tension of each belt by
pushing on it with your thumb
midway between the pulleys.
The belts should have the following "play" or deflection.
Alternator belt:

0.31 — 0.41 in(8.0 — 10.5 mm)

Power steering belt:

0.51 — 0.63 in(13.0 — 16.0 mm)

If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts.
Timing Belt

The timing belt and balancer belt should normally be replaced at the
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule.

Replace these belts at 60,000 miles (U.S.) or 100,000 km (Canada) if you
regularly drive your car in one or more of these conditions:
In very high temperatures(over 110°F, 43° C).
In very low temperatures
(under — 20°F, — 29°C).

Maintenance POWER STEERING BELT
ALTERNATOR BELTProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Tires

Make sure the installer balances the
wheels when you have new tires installed. This increases ridingcomfort and tire life. Your car's
original tires were dynamic or "spin"
balanced at the factory. For best results, have the installer perform adynamic balance.

(U.S.
EX)

Improper wheel weights can damage
your car's aluminum wheels. Use only Genuine Honda wheel weights for
balancing.
Tire Rotation
To help increase tire life and
distribute wear more evenly, you
should have the tires rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km). Move the
tires to the positions shown in the chart each time they are rotated. When shopping for replacement
tires, you may find that some tires are "directional." This means they
are designed to rotate only in one
direction. If you use directional tires,
they should be rotated only front-to- back.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
The tires that came with your car were selected to match the perform- ance capabilities of the car while
providing the best combination of
handling, ride comfort, and long life.
You should replace them with radial tires of the same size, load range,speed rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your car can reduce its braking ability, traction, andsteering accuracy.

Maintenance

NOTICE

Front


Front

(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels)
(For Directional

Tires and Wheels)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Accessories
Installation.................................. 115
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 50
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 152
Brake Fluid................................. 158
Engine Coolant........................... 152
Engine Oil................................... 148 Power Steering Fluid................. 159
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 156
Additional Safety Information........ 18 Door Locks................................... 19
Driving with Pets......................... 19
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18
Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 150
Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 64

Head Restraints........................... 56

Seats.............................................. 54

Steering Wheel............................ 44
Airbag (SRS).................................... 12
Air Cleaner Element...................... 160
Air Conditioning............................... 74
Maintenance............................... 169
Usage............................................. 74
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 76
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 171
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 108
Antifreeze....................................... 152 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light..................... 35, 127
Operation.................................... 126
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock .. 50
Appearance Care........................... 185

Ashtray.............................................. 69

Audio System................................... 83
Automatic Speed Control................ 46
Automatic Transmission............... 120 Capacity, Fluid........................... 218
Checking Fluid Level................ 157
Shifting........................................ 120

Shift Lever Positions................. 120

Shift Position Indicator............. 120

Shift Lock Release..................... 123
Battery
Charging SystemIndicator............................ 34, 207
Jump Starting............................. 202
Maintenance............................... 164
Specifications............................. 221
Before Driving............................... 107
Belts, Seat........................................... 5
Beverage Holder.............................. 66 Body Repair.................................... 191

Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 126
Break-in, New Linings .............. 108

Fluid............................................ 158
Light, Burned-out...................... 181
Parking.......................................... 65
System Indicator.......................... 34
Wear Indicators......................... 125
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 126
System Indicator.................. 35, 127
Braking System.............................. 125
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Break-in, New Car......................... 108
Brightness Control, Instruments... 41
Brights, Headlights......................... 40
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 181
Brake Lights............................... 181
Ceiling Light............................... 183
Front Parking Lights................. 180
Front Side Marker Lights......... 180
Headlights.................................. 179
License Plate Lights.................. 182
Specifications............................. 221
Turn Signal Lights..................... 180
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 179

Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 203

Capacities Chart............................. 220

Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 29

Cargo, Loading............................... 116

Cassette Player
Care............................................. 101

Operation................................ 87, 99
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Player ................................. 90, 102 Center Pocket.................................. 68
Certification Label......................... 218
Chains............................................. 176
Change Oil

How to......................................... 150

When to....................................... 142

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 195
Changing Engine Coolant............. 154
Charging System Indicator.... 34, 207
Checking Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 157

Battery Condition...................... 164
Brake Fluid................................. 158
Drive Belts.................................. 170
Engine Coolant........................... 113

Engine Oil................................... 112

Fuses........................................... 211
Power Steering Fluid................. 159
Checklist, Before Driving............. 118
Child Safety...................................... 20
Childproof Door Locks................... 52
Cigarette Lighter............................. 69
Cleaner, Air.................................... 160

Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 187 Carpeting.................................... 188

Exterior....................................... 186

Fabric.......................................... 188

Interior........................................ 188

Seat Belts.................................... 189
Vinyl............................................ 188

Window....................................... 189

CLEAN Light................................. 101

Clock, Setting the ............................ 66

CO in the Exhaust......................... 225

Cold Weather, Starting in............. 119
Compact Spare............................... 194
Consumer Information*................ 230
Controls, Instruments and.............. 33

Coolant
Adding.........................................152

Checking..................................... 113
Proper Solution.......................... 152
Temperature Gauge.................... 38
Corrosion Protection..................... 190

Crankcase Emission Control
System......................................... 225
Cruise Control Operation............... 46
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