2000 HONDA ODYSSEY wiper blades

Driving in Ba d Weathe r
Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-
quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your vehicle well- maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-
tions.
Drivin g Techniqu e — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your vehicle longer to react, even in conditions that mayseem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli- cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery. Visibilit
y — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This ismore difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the
windshield washer reservoir full of the proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defroster and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see pages 135 and 145/150).
Drivin g

Maintenance
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See page 337 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 226
Important Safety Precautions.. 227
Maintenance Schedule.................. 228
Required Maintenance Record.... 235
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 237
Fluid Locations............................... 238
Engine Oil....................................... 239 Adding Oil................................... 239Recommended Oil..................... 239
Synthetic Oil............................... 240
Additives..................................... 241
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 241
Cooling System.............................. 243
Adding Engine Coolant............. 243
Replacing Engine Coolant........ 245
Windshield Washers..................... 248
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 249
Brake Fluid..................................... 250
Brake System............................ . 250
Power Steering............................... 251
Air Cleaner Element...................... 252
Hood Latch.................................... . 254
Spark Plugs..................................... 254
Replacement............................... 254
Specifications............................. 256
Battery............................................ 257
Wiper Blades.................................. 259
Air Conditioning System............... 261 Air Conditioning Filter.................. 262Drive Belts...................................... 262
Timing Belt.................................... . 263
Tires................................................ 263 Inflation....................................... 263
Inspection.................................. . 265
Maintenance............................... 266
Tire Rotation.............................. 266 Replacing Tires and Wheels.... 267
Wheels and Tires....................... 268
Winter Driving........................... 268
Snow Tires.............................. 269
Tire Chains............................. 269
Lights............................................. . 270
Headlight Aiming...................... 272
Replacing Bulbs......................... 272
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 281
Maintenanc e

Windshield Washer s
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 fluid on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield 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.
Maintenanc e
LEVEL GAUG E
NOTICE

Wiper Blade s
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months. Look for signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you find
these signs, or they leave streaks and unwiped areas when used.
To replace a wiper blade:
1. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield.
Front windshield: Raise the driver's
side first, then the passenger's
side.
2. Disconnect the blade assembly from the wiper arm by pushing in
the lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
the base of the arm.
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
WIPER ARM S
LOCK TA B

Wiper Blade s
3. Remove the blade from its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull firmly until the tabscome out of the holder. 4. Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
forcement along the back edge,remove the metal reinforcementstrips from the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade. 5. Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
6. Slide the wiper blade assembly onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm down against the windshield.Front windshield: Lower the
passenger's side first, then thedriver's side.
Maintenanc e
BLADE
REINFORCEMEN TBLAD
E

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

Index
Warning Beepers
Headlights on............................... 66
Key in Ignition.............................. 79
Seat Belts................................ 45, 5 7
WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii
Warning Labels, Location of.......... 54
Warranty Coverages*................... 335
Washer, Windshield
Checking the Fluid Level......... 248
Level Indicator............................. 6 1
Operation..................................... . 70
Washing.......................................... 284
Waxing and Polishing................... 285
Wheels
Adjusting the Steering................ 7 2
Alignment and Balance............. 266 Compact Spare........................... 292
Wrench...................................... . 295
Windows
Cleaning...................................... 287
Operating the Power................. 112
Rear............................................. 114
Rear, Defogger............................ 71Windshield
Cleaning....................................... . 68
Defroster............................
135, 145
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades........................ 259
Operation...................................... 68
Rear Windshield Wiper and Washer...................................... 70
Worn Tires..................................... 265
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 317
* : U.S. and Canada only