
Towing a Trailer
Towing Equipment and
Accessories
Towing can require a variety of equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, and how much load you are towing.
Discuss your needs with your trailersales or rental agency, and follow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is properly installed and that it meets
federal, state, province, and local
regulations.
Hitches
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody, using the six threaded holes
provided. A hitch designed especially
for your Odyssey can be obtained
from your Honda dealer.
Weight Distributing Hitch
If the total trailer weight is more
than 2,000 Ibs (900 kg), you must also use a weight distributing hitch.
This device transfers weight from the vehicle's rear wheels to the front
wheels, and to the trailer's wheels. Carefully follow the hitch maker's
instructions for proper installation
and adjustment.
Safety Chain
Always use a safety chain. Make sure that it is secured to both the
trailer and hitch, and that it crosses under the tongue so it can catch the
trailer if it becomes unhitched.
Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not let the chain drag on the ground. Sway Control
If the total trailer weight exceeds 2,000 Ibs (900 kg), you should install
a sway control device to minimize
swaying that can occur in crosswinds
and in normal and emergency
driving maneuvers. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
Transmission Fluid Cooler
If the total trailer weight is more
than 2,000 Ibs (900 kg), you must
also have a transmission fluid cooler
installed. This device will help
prevent transmission overheating,
which could cause serious damage.
A transmission fluid cooler designed for your Odyssey can be obtainedfrom your Honda dealer.
DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index
Emergencies on the Road Brake System Indicator............ 304
Changing a Flat Tire................. 287
Charging System Indicator...... 302
Checking the Fuses................... 305
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 301
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 303 Overheated Engine................... 299
Emergency Brake.......................... 116
Emergency Flashers....................... 70
Emergency Towing....................... 311
Emissions Controls........................ 323
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 63
Drive Belts.................................. 256
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp............................... 58, 303
Oil Pressure Indicator........58, 301
Oil, What Kind to Use...............
233
Overheating................................
299
Specifications.............................
317
Ethanol i n
Gasoline .......................
321
Evaporative Emission
s
Controls..
323
Exhaust Fumes...............................
.
53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System......................................... 324 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 20
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 278
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 280
Fan, Interior...........................130, 142 Features, Comfort and Convenience............................... 129
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 183
Filters
Air................................................246
Air Conditioning........................ 256
Oil................................................ 235
First Gear Position......................... 201
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 70
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 287
Fluids
Automatic Transmission...........
243
Brake...........................................244
Powe r
Steering........................... 245
Windshield Washer................... 242
FM Stereo Radio Reception............................150, 162
Folding the Third Seat..................110
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 322
Four-way Flashers........................... 70
Front End, Towing by Emergency
Wrecker...................................... 311
Fuel..................................................182
Fill Door and Cap....................... 183
Gauge............................................ 63
Octane Requirement................. 182
Oxygenated................................ 321
Reserve Indicator......................... 61
Tank, Filling the......................... 183
Fuses, Checking the...................... 306
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 188
Gasohol........................................... 321
Gasoline.......................................... 182
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 61
Gauge............................................ 63
Octane Requirement................. 182
Tank, Filling the......................... 183
Gas Station Procedures................. 183
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 63
Fuel................................................63ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index
Leaking of Exhaust into Vehicle ... 53
Light Control Switch..................... 125
Lights
Bulb Replacement..................... 266
Indicator........................................ 57
Interior........................................ 125
Parking.......................................... 66
Turn Signal................................... 68
Load Limits............................. 192, 212
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 78
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column........ 78
Fuel Fill Door............................. 183Glove Box..................................... 87
Lockout Prevention..................... 80
Power Door.................................. 79
Sliding Doors................................ 88
Tailgate......................................... 85
Low Coolant Level......................... 187
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 61
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 58, 301
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 316
Luggage.......................................... 191 Maintenance................................... 219
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 231
Record.................................. 229-230
Required Indicator....................... 64
Safety........................................... 220
Schedule.............................. 224-228
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 58, 303
Manual Sliding Doors...................... 88
Maximum Allowable Speeds........ 201
Meters, Gauges................................ 62
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 321 Mirrors, Adjusting......................... 115
Moving the Second Row Bucket
Seat..............................................106
Neutral Gear Position.................... 200
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 182
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 314
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 182
Odometer.......................................... 62
Odometer, Trip................................ 63
Oil
Change, How to ......................... 235
Change, When to....................... 224
Checking Engine....................... 186
Pressure Indicator............... 58, 301
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 234
ON (Ignition Key Position) ............ 79
Opening the Hood......................... 184
Operation in Foreign Countries... 322
Outside Mirrors............................. 115
Overheating, Engine..................... 299
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 231 Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 321
Paint Touch-up...............................279
Panel Brightness Control............... 67
Park Gear Position......................... 199
Parking............................................ 203ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index
Parking Brake................................ 116 Parking Lights.................................. 66
Parking Over Things that Burn... 203
PGM-FI System.............................. 324
Polishing and Waxing................... 279
Power
Door Locks................................... 79
Mirrors........................................ 115
Seats............................................ 102
Sliding Doors................................ 90
Steering....................................... 245
Windows..................................... 113
Power Sliding Doors Indicator................................. 60, 94
Operation...................................... 90
Switches........................................ 90
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 20
Protecting Adults.............................12
Additional Safety Precautions.... 20
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 20
Protecting Children......................... 22
Protecting Infants........................ 30
Protecting Larger Children........ 39
Protecting Small Children.......... 35
Using Child Seats with
Tethers...................................... 43
Radiator Overheating.................... 299
Radio/CD Sound System.............. 161
Rear A/C Unit................................ 146 Rear Compartment........................ 122
Rear End Towing........................... 311
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement...................... 268, 269
Rear View Mirror........................... 115
Rear Window Defogger.................. 71
Rear Windows................................ 114
Rear Window Wiper and Washer.. 70
Reclining the Seat Backs..... 101, 103
Reclining the Second Seats.......... 101
Reclining the Third Seat...............101
Reminder Lights.............................. 57
Remote Audio Controls................. 179 Remote Transmitter........................ 81
Removing the Second
Seats................................... 108, 109
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 246
Coolant........................................239
Engine Oil and Filter................. 235
Fuses...........................................306
Light Bulbs................................. 266 Schedule..................................... 222
Spark Plugs................................. 248
Timing Belt................................. 257
Tires............................................261
Wiper Blades.............................. 253
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 47
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 187
Reverse Gear Position................... 200
Rotation, Tire................................. 260
Safety Belts................................... 8, 45
Safety Defects, Reporting* .......... 332
Safety Features.................................. 7 Air bags........................................... 9Door Locks................................... 10
Head Restraints........................... 10
Seat Belts........................................ 8
Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t