2000 HONDA ODYSSEY weight

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

Engine Oi l
The oil container may also display
the API Certification seal. Make sure
it says "For Gasoline Engines."
AP I CERTIFICATIO N SEA L
The SAE numbers tell you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your vehicle according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 ispreferred for improved fuel economy
and year-round protection in your
Honda. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F(— 7°C).
Syntheti c Oi l
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil:energy conserving, a service
classification of SJ, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When
using synthetic oil, you must follow
the oil and filter change intervals
given in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenanc e
Ambient Temperatur e

Tires
Maintenanc e
In addition to proper inflation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you find a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer check the wheel alignment.
The tires were properly balanced by the factory. They may need to be
rebalanced at some time before theyare worn out. Have your dealer
check the tires if you feel a consis-
tent vibration while driving. A tire should always be rebalanced if it is
removed from the wheel for repair. 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 adynamic balance.
On some models
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle's aluminum wheels. Use only Genuine Honda wheel weights for
balancing.
Tir e Rotatio n
(For Non-directiona l (Fo r Directiona l
Tire s an d Wheels ) Tire s an d Wheels )
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.
Maintenance
NOTIC E
Front
Fron t

Emergency Towin g
If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground, make sure you use a properly-designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as described above, and leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I) so
the steering wheel does not lock. Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power socket are turned off so they do not
run down the battery.
The steering wheel system can be
damaged if the steering wheel is locked.
Leave the ignition switch in Accessory (I), and make sure the steering wheel
turns freely before you begin towing.
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle's weight.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTICE NOTIC
E

Index
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)........................................ 219
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating)........................................ 219
Gearshift Lever Positions............. 205
Glass Cleaning............................... 287
Glove Box........................................ . 87
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)........................................ 219
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 272
Hazard Warning Flashers.............. . 70
Headlights........................................ . 66
Aiming......................................... 272
Automatic Lighting Off............... 67
Daytime Running Lights............. 67
High Beam Indicator .................. 6 1
High Beams, Turning on
........... 66
Low Beams, Turning on ............
66
Reminder Chime.......................... 66
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 272
Turning on.................................... 66
Head Restraints ............................ 104
Heated Mirror ............................... 116Heating and Cooling .....................
130
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 203
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 66
HomeLink Universal
Transmitter.................................. 95
Hood Latch..................................... 254
Hood, Opening the ........................ 190
Horn.................................................. . 65
Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 243
Hydroplaning.................................. 217
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 320
If Your Vehicle Has to be
Towed ....................................... . 317
Ignition
Keys............................................... 76
Switch........................................... . 78
Timing Control System............. 329
Immobilizer System......................... 77
Important Safety Precautions.......... 6
Indicator Lights, Instrument
Panel............................................. . 57
Individual Map Lights.................. 127
Infant Restraint............................... . 30
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 263
Inside Mirror.................................. 115
Inspection, Tire.............................. 265
Instrument Panel......................... 2, 56
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 67
Interior Cleaning............................ 286
Interior Lights................................ 125
Introduction ....................................... i
Jacking up the Vehicle.................. 296
Jack, Tire........................................ 294
Jump Starting................................. 303
Keys................................................... 76
Label, Certification........................ 320
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 68
Lap/Shoulder Belts................... 15, 45
CONTINUED