
Towing a Traile r
Towin g Equipmen t an d
Accessorie s
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 trailer
sales 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 mustbe 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 obtained
from your Honda dealer.
Drivin g

Index
Emergencies on the Road
Brake System Indicator............ 310Changing a Flat Tire................. 293
Charging System Indicator...... 308
Checking the Fuses................... 311
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 307
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 309Overheated Engine................... 305
Emergency Brake.......................... 116
Emergency Flashers....................... 70
Emergency Towing....................... 317
Emissions Controls........................ 328
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 63
Drive Belts.................................. 262
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 58, 309
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 58, 307
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 239
Overheating................................ 305
Specifications............................. 323
Ethanol in Gasoline....................... 326
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 328
Exhaust Fumes............................... . 53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
System......................................... 329
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 20
Exterior, Cleaning the .................. 284
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 286
Fan, Interior.......................... 130, 142
Features, Comfort and Convenience............................... 129
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 189
Filters Air............................................... . 252
Air Conditioning........................ 262
Oil................................................ 241
First Gear Position......................... 207
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 70
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 293
Fluids Automatic Transmission.......... 249Brake........................................... 250
Power Steering.......................... . 251
Windshield Washer................... 248
FM Stereo Radio Reception........................... 156, 168
Folding the Third Seat ................. 109 Foreign Countries, Driving in......
327
Four-way Flashers........................... 70
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker...................................... 316
Fuel.................................................. 188
Fill Door and Cap....................... 189
Gauge............................................ 63
Octane Requirement................. 188
Oxygenated................................ 326
Reserve Indicator........................ . 61
Tank, Filling the......................... 189
Fuses, Checking the...................... 312
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 194
Gasohol .......................................... 324
Gasoline ......................................... 186 Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 61
Gauge............................................ 63
Octane Requirement................. 186
Tank, Filling the......................... 189
Gas Station Procedures................. 189
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 63
Fuel
.............................................. . 63

Index
Leaking of Exhaust into Vehicle ... 53
Light Control Switch..................... 125
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 272
Indicator........................................ 57
Interior........................................ 125
Parking.......................................... 66
Turn Signal................................... 68
Load Limits............................. 198, 218
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 7 8
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column........ 78
Fuel Fill Door............................ . 189
Glove Box.................................... . 87
Lockout Prevention..................... 80
Power Door.................................. 79
Sliding Doors................................ 88
Tailgate......................................... 85
Low Coolant Level......................... 193
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 61
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 58, 307
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 322
Luggage.......................................... 197 Maintenance...................................
225
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 237
Record.................................. 235-236
Required Indicator...................... . 64
Safety.......................................... . 226
Schedule.............................. 230-234
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 58, 309
Manual Sliding Doors...................... 88
Maximum Allowable Speeds........ 207
Meters, Gauges................................ 62
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 326
Mirrors, Adjusting.........................
115
Moving the Second Row Bucket
Seat.............................................. 106
Neutral Gear Position.................... 206
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 188
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 320
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 188
Odometer.......................................... 62
Odometer, Trip............................... . 63
Oil
Change, How to......................... 241
Change, When to....................... 230
Checking Engine....................... 192
Pressure Indicator............... 58, 307
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 240
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 79
Opening the Hood......................... 190
Operation in Foreign Countries... 327
Outside Mirrors............................ . 115
Overheating, Engine..................... 305
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 237
Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 327
Paint Touch-up.............................. . 285
Panel Brightness Control............... 67
Park Gear Position......................... 205
Parking............................................ 209

Index
Parking Brake................................ 116
Parking Lights................................. . 66
Parking Over Things that Burn... 209
PGM-FI System.............................. 330
Polishing and Waxing................... 285
Power
Door Locks................................... 79
Mirrors........................................ 115
Seats ........................................... 102
Sliding Doors................................ 90
Steering...................................... . 251
Windows..................................... 112
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.................... 305
Radio/CD Sound System.............. 167
Rear A/C Unit................................ 152
Rear Compartment........................ 122
Rear End Towing........................... 317
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement....................... 274, 275
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................. 185
Remote Transmitter........................ 81
Removing the Second Seats............................................ 108
Replacement Information
Air Cleaner Element.................. 252 Coolant........................................ 245
Engine Oil and Filter................. 241
Fuses........................................... 310
Light Bulbs................................. 272
Schedule..................................... 228
Spark Plugs................................. 254
Timing Belt................................. 263
Tires............................................ 267
Wiper Blades.............................. 259
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash............................................. 47
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 193
Reverse Gear Position................... 206
Rotation, Tire................................. 266
Safety Belts................................... 8, 45
Safety Defects, Reporting*.......... 338
Safety Features.................................. 7
Air bags........................................... 9
Door Locks................................... 10
Head Restraints........................... 10
Seat Belts........................................ 8
Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10
CONTINUED