1998 HONDA ODYSSEY steering wheel

The Braking System

Anti-lock Brakes
Your vehicle has an Anti-lock BrakeSystem (ABS).
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) helps to prevent the wheels from lockingup and skidding during hard braking,
allowing you to retain steering
control.
When the front tires skid, you lose steering control; the vehicle
continues straight ahead even
though you turn the steering wheel.
The ABS helps to prevent lock-up and helps you retain steering control
by pumping the brakes rapidly; much
faster than a person can do it. You should never pump the
brake pedal, this defeats the
purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work for you by always keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."
You will feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is normal, it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes.
Activation varies with the amount of traction your tires have. On dry
pavement, you will need to press on
the brake pedal very hard before youactivate the ABS. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.

DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

The Braking System
Important Safety Reminders

ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes to stop the
vehicle, it only helps with steering control during braking. You should
always maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles.
ABS will not prevent a skid that results from changing direction
abruptly, such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed for the road and
weather conditions.
ABS cannot prevent a loss of stability. Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. A vehicle with ABS may require a
longer distance to stop on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel orsnow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under

those conditions.
ABS Indicator

The ABS is self-checking. You may feel a slight movement of the brake
pedal just after you start the engine.
This is the ABS performing a check. It also checks itself whenever you
use the brakes.

Driving
CONTINUED

* U.S. indicator shown

ABS INDICATOR*ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

The Braking System, Driving in Bad Weather

If anything goes wrong, the ABS
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on (see page 53). This means
the anti-lock function of the braking system has shut down. The brakes
still work like a conventional system
without anti-lock, providing normal stopping ability. You should have the
dealer inspect your vehicle as soon
as possible if this light stays on after
you start the engine, or comes on
while driving. Driving in Bad Weather
Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-
quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your vehicle well- maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-

tions.
Driving Technique — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your vehicle longer to react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extracautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery.
DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Towing a Trailer

If you have to stop while going uphill,
do not hold the vehicle in place by
pressing on the accelerator. This can cause the automatic transmission tooverheat. Use the parking brake or
footbrake.
When parking your vehicle 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 someonestand 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 vehicle 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 to obtain a copy, or see your Honda

dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 160
Important Safety Precautions.. 161
Maintenance Schedule.................. 162
Required Maintenance Record.... 169 Owner Maintenance Checks........ 171
Fluid Locations............................... 172

Engine Oil....................................... 173 Adding Oil................................... 173Recommended Oil..................... 173
Synthetic Oil............................... 174

Additives..................................... 175
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 175

Cooling System.............................. 177
Adding Engine Coolant............. 177Replacing Engine Coolant........ 179
Windshield Washers..................... 181
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 182
Brake Fluid..................................... 183
Brake System............................. 183

Power Steering............................... 184
Air Cleaner Element...................... 185 Spark Plugs..................................... 187
Replacement............................... 187
Specifications............................. 188
Battery............................................ 189
Wiper Blades.................................. 191 Air Conditioning System............... 194
Drive Belts...................................... 195
Timing Belt..................................... 195
Tires................................................ 196 Inflation....................................... 196
Inspection................................... 198
Maintenance............................... 198
Tire Rotation.............................. 199
Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 199
Wheels and Tires....................... 200
Winter Driving........................... 200
Snow Tires.............................. 201
Tire Chains............................. 201
Lights.............................................. 202 Headlight Aiming...................... 204
Replacing Bulbs......................... 206
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 211
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

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 power
steering system flushed 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
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Tires

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

(U.S.
EX)
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle'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 tiresare "directional." This means they
are designed to rotate only in onedirection. If you use directional tires,
they should be rotated only front-to-
back.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
The tires that came with your vehicle were selected to match the performance capabilities of the
vehicle while providing the best combination of handling, ridecomfort, 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 vehicle can reduce its
braking ability, traction, and steering
accuracy.

CONTINUED

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 and Modifications.... 134 Accessories................................. 134
Additional Safety Precaution.... 135Modifications............................. 135
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 70

Adding Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 177

Brake Fluid................................. 183
Engine Coolant........................... 177

Engine Oil................................... 173

Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 181
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 41
Lap Belt......................................... 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 41
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42
Seat Belt System Components... 41
Additional Information About
Your SRS.................................. 42
Additional Safety Precautions.... 46 How Your Airbags Work............ 44
How Your SRS Indicator

Works........................................ 46

SRS Components......................... 44

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 175

Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 84

Head Restraints........................... 76

Seats.............................................. 74

Steering Wheel............................ 62

Airbag (SRS) ...................................... 7

Air Cleaner Element...................... 185

Air Conditioning............................... 94
Maintenance............................... 194

Usage............................................. 94

Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 96
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 196
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 128
Antifreeze....................................... 177
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light..................... 53, 149Operation.................................... 148
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 70
Appearance Care........................... 213
Ashtray.............................................. 89
Audio System................................. 103
Automatic Speed Control................ 64
Automatic Transmission............... 142

Capacity, Fluid........................... 248

Checking Fluid Level................ 182

Shifting........................................ 142

Shift Lever Positions................. 142

Shift Position Indicator............. 142

Shift Lock Release..................... 145

Battery
Charging System
Indicator............................ 52, 235

Jump Starting............................. 230
Maintenance............................... 189

Specifications............................. 249

Before Driving............................... 127

Belts, Seat........................................... 6

Beverage Holder.............................. 86
Body Repair.................................... 219

CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t