2000 HONDA ODYSSEY brakes

Towing a Traile r
Drivin g Safel y Wit h a Traile r
The added weight, length, and height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance, so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
discussed below.
Towing Speeds and Gears
Driving slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey postedspeed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use the D
4 position when towing a
trailer on level roads. D3 is the
proper shift lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See "Driving on Hills" in the next
column for additional gear
information.)
Making Turns and Braking
Make turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
vehicle misses. Allow more time and distance for braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.
Driving on Hills
When climbing hills, closely watch your temperature gauge. If it nearsthe red mark, turn the air
conditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shifts
frequently between 3rd and 4th
gears while going up a hill, shift to D
3. If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to 2nd
gear. Do not "ride" the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slowdown and stop when towing a trailer.
Drivin g
CONTINUED

Maintenance Schedul e
The Maintenance Schedule specifies
how often you should have your
vehicle serviced and what things
need attention. It is essential that
you have your vehicle serviced as
scheduled to retain its high level of
safety, dependability, and emissions
control performance.
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
vehicle as normal transportation for
passengers and their possessions.
You should also follow these
recommendations:
Avoid exceeding your vehicle's
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your vehicle. The
load limit is shown on the tire
information label on the driver's
doorjamb.Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with the proper octane rating (see page
188). Whic
h Schedul e t o Follow :
Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
following pages. Select the schedule
for "Severe Conditions" if most of
your driving is done under one or more of the conditions listed on that
page. Otherwise, follow the schedule
for "Normal Conditions."
Maintenanc e

Owner Maintenanc e Check s
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 192.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 193.
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 248.
Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly. See page
249.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 250. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
263.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page 270.
Maintenanc e

Brake Flui d
Check the fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir monthly.
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time and distance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule. Always use Genuine Honda DOT 3
brake fluid. If it is not available, you should use only DOT 3 or DOT 4
fluid, from a sealed container, as a
temporary replacement. However,
the use of any non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion and decrease
the life of the system. Have the
brake system flushed and refilled
with Honda DOT 3 brake fluid as soon as possible.
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle's
braking system and can cause extensive damage. Brak
e Syste m
The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the sideof the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brakesystem needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.
Maintenanc e
MAX
MIN

Index
Accessories and Modifications.... 195
Accessories................................. 195
Additional Safety Precaution.... 196
Modifications............................. 196
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 79
Accessory Power Sockets............. 124
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 249
Brake Fluid................................. 250
Engine Coolant........................... 243
Engine Oil.................................. 239
Power Steering Fluid................. 251
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 248
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 45
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 45
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 47
Seat Belt System Components... 45
Additional Information About
Your SRS ................................
48
Additional Safet
y Precautions.... 52
How the Automatic Seat Belt
Tensioners Work..................... 50
How the SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 50
How Your Airbags Work............ 48
SRS Components......................... 48
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 24 1
Adjustments Head Restraints......................... 104
Mirrors........................................ 115
Seats............................................ 100
Steering Wheel............................ 72
Airbag (SRS)............................... 9, 4 9
Air Cleaner Element...................... 252
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 262
Air Conditioning System....... 130, 138
Maintenance............................... 261
Rear A/C Control...................... 152
Usage................................. 130, 138
Air Outlets (Vents)............... 132, 138
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 263
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 326
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning........ 285
Antifreeze....................................... 243
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light..................... 59 , 212Operation.................................... 211
Anti-theft, Audio System............... 186
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 78
Appearance Care........................... 283
Armrests........................................ . 103
Audio Controls, Remote................ 185
Audio System........................ 155, 167
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners.... 50
Automatic Lighting Off Feature.... 67
Automatic Speed Control................ 73
Automatic Transmission............... 204
Capacity, Fluid........................... 322
Checking Fluid Level................ 249
Shifting........................................ 205
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 204
Shift Lever Positions................. 205
Shift Lock Release..................... 208CONTINUED

Index
Battery
Charging SystemIndicator............................ 58, 308
Jump Starting............................. 303
Maintenance............................... 257
Specifications............................. 323
Before Driving.............................. . 187
Belts, Seat.................................... . 8, 4 5
Beverage Holder............................ 118
Body Repair.................................... 289
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............
211
Break-in, Ne
w Linings .............. 188
Fluid............................................ 250
Light, Burned-out...................... 274
Parking........................................ 116
System Indicator.................. 58, 310
Wear Indicators......................... 210
Brakes, ABS Operation................................... . 211
System Indicator.................. 59, 212
Braking System............................. . 210
Break-in, New Vehicle .................. 188
Brightness Control, Instruments...
67 Brights, Headlights......................... 66
Bulb Replacement
Back-up Lights........................... 275
Brake Lights............................... 274
Cargo Area Light....................... 278
Front Parking Lights................. 273
Front Side Marker Lights......... 273 Headlights.................................. 272
High-mount Brake Light.......... 276
Individual Map Lights............... 278
License Plate Light.................... 277
Rear Bulbs.......................... 274, 275
Specifications............................. 323
Turn Signal Lights..................... 273
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 272
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 304
Cancel Button.................................. . 75
Capacities Chart............................. 322
Carbon Monoxide Hazard............. . 53
Cargo Area Light........................... 127
Cargo Net ...................................... 200
Carrying Cargo.............................. 197
Cassette Player
Care............................................. 184
Operation........................... 160, 181
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.......................... 163, 177
CD Player.............................. 163, 175
Center Pocket .............................. . 122
Center Table................................... 117
Certification Label......................... 320
Chains............................................. 269
Change Oil How to ......................................
241
When to ....................................
230
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 293
Changing Engine Coolant............. 245 Charging System Indicator.... 58, 308
Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid....................................... . 249
Battery Condition...................... 257
Brake Fluid................................ . 250
Drive Belts.................................. 262
Engine Coolant........................... 193
Engine Oil................................... 192
Fuses.......................................... 312
Power Steering Fluid................. 251