1999 HONDA ODYSSEY engine

Cooling System
Adding Engine Coolant

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line. Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
This coolant should always be a mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and50 percent water. Never add straight
antifreeze or plain water. Always use Genuine Honda
Antifreeze/Coolant. If it is not available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended for aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the coolingsystem to malfunction or fail. Have
the cooling system flushed and refilled with Honda antifreeze/
coolant as soon as possible. If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

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Cooling System

1. Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
2. Turn the radiator cap counter- clockwise, without pressing downon it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
3. Remove the radiator cap by pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
4. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Addcoolant if it is low.
5. Put the radiator cap back on. Tighten it fully.
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank. Fill it to halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle's
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.

Maintenance

RADIATOR CAP
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Cooling System

Replacing Engine Coolant
The cooling system should be completely drained and refilled with
new coolant according to the timeand distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use Genuine Honda Antifreeze/Coolant.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the vehicle. Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1. Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the heater temperature controldial fully clockwise. Turn the
ignition off.
Open the hood. Make sure the
engine and radiator are cool to the

touch.

2. Remove the radiator cap. 3. Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. Thecoolant will drain through thesplash guard. Loosen the drain
bolt.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
DRAIN BOLT
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Cooling System

4. Install a rubber hose on the drain bolt in the back of the engine
block. Loosen the drain bolt. 5. Remove the reserve tank from its
holder by pulling it straight up.Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
6. When the coolant stops draining,
tighten the drain plug at the
bottom of the radiator.
7. Tighten the drain bolt at the rear of the engine cylinder block

securely.

Tightening torque: 7 lbf .
ft (10 N .
m,1.0 kgf.m)
8. Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of purifiedor distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is: 1.74 US gal (6.6 ,1.45 Imp gal)

Maintenance RESERVE TANK

HOLDER
RESERVE

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Cooling System

9. Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck. 10.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
11.Install the radiator cap, and tighten it to the first stop.
12.Start the engine and let it run until the radiator cooling fan comes onat least twice. Then stop the

engine.

13. Remove the radiator cap. Fill the radiator with coolant up to the
base of the filler neck.
14. Install the radiator cap, and tighten it fully.
Maintenance

FILLER NECK

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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. This reservoir supplies the
windshield and rear window washers.
The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the passenger's side
headlight.Check the reservoir's fluid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.

On Canadian models

The low washer level indicator will light when the level is low (see page
61).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
When you refill the reservoir, clean the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluidon a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in thewindshield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage your vehicle's
paint, while a vinegar/water solution
can damage the windshield washer

pump.

Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.

Maintenance
LEVEL GAUGE

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Automatic Transmission Fluid

Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower marks.
5. If the level is below the lower mark, add fluid to bring it to the
upper mark. Remove the fill plug
to add fluid. Always use Honda Premium Formula Automatic
Transmission Fluid (ATF). If it is not available, you may use a
DEXRON
®
III automatic

transmission flui d
as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission drained and
refilled with Honda ATF as soon as it is convenient.
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the transmission.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your Honda dealer.

Maintenance

DIPSTICK
DIPSTICK

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Power Steering
UPPER LEVEL
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 incold 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

LOWER LEVEL
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