1998 HONDA ODYSSEY washer fluid

Driving in Bad Weather

Visibility — Being able to see clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To beseen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see

page 99).
Traction — Check your tires
frequently for wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four
wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully, they can change from moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditionscan be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near freezing.
The road surface can become covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the drive wheels for a moment and cause
a skid. Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by other vehicles. The spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting can cause you to lose control.
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

Owner Maintenance Checks

You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See

page 131.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 132.
Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 181.
Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly. See page
182.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 183. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page 196. Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 202.
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Fluid Locations

Maintenance

BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL

FILL CAP

COOLANT
RESERVOIR

POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

FLUID DIPSTICK

(Yellow loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Cooling System, Windshield Washers

10. Turn off the engine. Check the level in the radiator, add coolant ifneeded. Install the radiator cap,
and tighten it fully.
11. Fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark. Install the reserve tank cap. Windshield Washers

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop

for fuel.

The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the driver's side
headlight. Check the reservoir's fluid
level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached
to the cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in thewindshield washer reservoir.
LEVEL GAUGE

Antifreeze can damage your vehicle's

paint, while a vinegar/water solution
can damage the windshield washer

pump.

Use only commercially-available

windshieId washer fluid.

Maintenance

RESERVE TANK

NOTICEProCarManuals.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

Index

Fabric, Cleaning............................. 216

Fan, Interior...................................... 94

Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 93
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 129
Filter
Air................................................ 185

Oil................................................ 175

First Gear Position......................... 144
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 61
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 223

Fluids
Automatic Transmission........... 182
Brake........................................... 183
Power Steering........................... 184
Windshield Washer................... 181
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 117
Folding the Second Seats ............... 78
Folding the Third Seats.................. 80
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 254
Four-way Flashers........................... 61
Front End, Towing by Emergency
Wrecker...................................... 244
Fuel.................................................. 128

Fill Door and Cap....................... 129
Gauge............................................ 56

Octane Requirement................. 128

Oxygenated................................ 128

Tank, Filling the......................... 129

Fuses, Checking the...................... 240

Gas Mileage, Improving................ 133

Gasohol........................................... 128
Gasoline.......................................... 128

Gauge............................................ 56

Octane Requirement................. 128

Tank, Filling the......................... 129

Gas Station Procedures................. 129

Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 56

Fuel................................................ 56

Gearshift Lever Positions............. 142
Glass Cleaning............................... 217
Glove Box......................................... 73 Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 206
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 61
Headlights......................................... 58
Aiming......................................... 202Daytime Running Lights............. 58
High Beam Indicator................... 54
High Beams, Turning on............ 58
Low Beams, Turning on............. 58
Reminder Chime.......................... 58
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 206

Turning on.................................... 58

Head Restraints............................... 76 Heating and Cooling........................ 94
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 141 High-Low Beam Switch .................. 58
Hood, Opening the ........................ 130 Horn................................................... 57
Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 177 Hydroplaning.................................. 151

Identification Number, Vehicle.... 246

If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 244ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Warning Beepers Key in Ignition.............................. 70

Seat Belts...................................... 52

WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii

Warning Labels, Location of.......... 48

Warranty Coverages*................... 263
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level......... 181
Operation...................................... 60
Washing.......................................... 214
Waxing and Polishing................... 215

Wheels
Adjusting the Steering................ 62
Alignment and Balance............. 198Compact Spare........................... 222
Wrench....................................... 225
Windows Cleaning...................................... 217Operating the Power................... 82
Rear, Defogger............................ 62
Windshield Cleaning........................................ 60
Defroster...................................... 99 Wipers, Windshield
Changing Blades........................ 191
Operation...................................... 60
Rear Windshield Wiper and Washer...................................... 61
Worn Tires..................................... 198
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 244
* : U.S. and Canada onlyProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t