2003 HONDA ODYSSEY Power steering

This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer. This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .284
.
Important Safety Precautions . 285
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 286
...
Required Maintenance Record . 293
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 295
..............................
Fluid Locations .296
......................................
Engine Oil .297
..................................
Adding Oil .297
....................
Recommended Oil .297
..............................
Synthetic Oil .298
....................................
Additives .299
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 299
.............................
Cooling System .301
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 301
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 303
....................
Windshield Washers .306
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 307
....................................
Brake Fluid .309
............................
Brake System .309
..............................
Power Steering .310
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .311
....................................
Hood Latch .313
....................................
Spark Plugs .313
..............................
Replacement .313
............................
Specif ications .316
...........................................
Battery .317 .................................
Wiper Blades .319
..............
Air Conditioning System . 321
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 322
.....................................
Drive Belts .322
....................................
Timing Belt .323
...............................................
Tires .323
......................................
Inf lation .323
..................................
Inspection .325
..............................
Maintenance .326
.............................
Tire Rotation .326
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 327
......................
Wheels and Tires .328
..........................
Winter Driving .328
.............................
Snow Tires .329
............................
Tire Chains .329
.............................................
Lights .330
.....................
Headlight Aiming .332
........................
Replacing Bulbs .332
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .341
401
Maintenance
Maint enance283

Fluid Locations
Maint enance296
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)RADIATOR CAP ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR

Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled f luid could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Power Steering
Maint enance310
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

µµ
Check the condition of the two drive
belts (power steering belt and
alternator belt). Examine the edges
of each belt f or cracks or f raying. If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts. Power steering belt: Thebeltshouldhavethefollowing
‘‘play’’ or def lection.
Check the tension of the power
steering belt by pushing on it with
your thumb midway between the
pulleys.
The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
and cooling system/climate control
system.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
heating and cooling system/climate
control system becomes less than
usual. Have the dust and pollen f ilter
replaced by your Honda dealer.
Drive Belts
Dust and Pollen Filter
Maint enance
Dust and Pollen Filter, Drive Belts
322
POWER STEERING BELT
ALTERNATOR BELT
0.51 0.65 in (13.0 16.5 mm)

If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our 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 of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed381
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .72, 370
............................
Jump Starting .364
..............................
Maintenance .317
............................
Specif ications .387
..............................
Bef ore Driving .243
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,50 .........................
Beverage Holders .132
.................................
Body Repairs .350
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 267
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 244
....................
Bulb Replacement .334
...........................................
Fluid .309
.......................................
Parking .129
.................
System Indicator . 72,373
........................
Wear Indicators .266
.............................
Braking System .266
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 244
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 83
........................
Brights, Headlights .82
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .335
..............................
Brake Lights .334
......................
Cargo Area Light .338
................
Front Parking Lights . 333
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 333
.................................
Headlights .332
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 336
..............
Individual Map Lights . 338
...................
License Plate Light . 337
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 251
................................
Accessories .251
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 252
............................
Modif ications .252
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .92
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 138
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 299
........
Advanced Airbag System . 10,54
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 54
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .311
......
Air Conditioning System . 144,152
..............................
Maintenance .321
.....................
Rear A/C Control .166
.........................
Usage .147, 154,160
...............
Air Outlets (Vents) . 146,152
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .323
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .390
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 345
......................................
Antif reeze .301
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .74, 268
...................................
Operation .267
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 200 .
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 91
..........................
Appearance Care .343
........................................
Armrests .115
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 199
................
Audio System . 169,181,201
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 52
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 83
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 235
..............
Automatic Transmission . 260
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .386
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 307
.......................................
Shif ting .261
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 260
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 261
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 263
Index
A
B
I

.....................................
Floor Mats .346
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 307
..........................................
Brake .309
..........................
Power Steering .310
................
Windshield Washers . 306
FM Stereo Radio ...................
Reception . 170,182,203
.................
Folding the Third Seat . 120
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 391
..........................
Four-way Flashers .87
............................
Front Airbags .10, 54
.................................................
Fuel .244
......................
Fill Door and Cap .245
...........................................
Gauge .79
................
Octane Requirement . 244
...............................
Oxygenated .391
........................
Reserve Indicator .77
........................
Tank, Filling the .345
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .375
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 250
..........................................
Gasohol .390 .........................................
Gasoline .244
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 77
...........................................
Gauge .79
................
Octane Requirement . 244
........................
Tank, Filling the .245
................
Gas Station Procedures . 245
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 79
...............................................
Fuel .79
...............................
Speedometer .78
.................................
Tachometer .78
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .276
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .276
..............................
Glass Cleaning .348
......................................
Glove Box .100
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .276
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 384
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .89
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 332
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 87........................................
Headlights .82
........................................
Aiming .332
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 83
............
Daytime Running Lights . 83
..................
High Beam Indicator . 76
.........................
Reminder Chime .82
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 332
...................................
Turning on .82
...................................
Headphones .231
............................
Head Restraints .115
...............................
Heated Mirror .129
.....................
Heating and Cooling .144
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 259
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 82
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .238
....................................
Hood Latch .313
.......................
Hood, Opening the .246
..............................................
Horn .3,81
.................................
Hydroplaning .273
Index
G H
I
IV

CONT INUED
.......................
Label, Certif ication .384
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 84
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 17,50
.............
LATCH Anchorge System . 48
....................
Light Control Switch .139
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .332
.......................................
Indicator .71
.......................................
Interior .139
.........................................
Parking .82
..................................
Turn Signal .84
............................
Load Limits .254, 274
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 91
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 91
............................
Fuel Fill Door .245
..................................
Glove Box .100
....................
Lockout Prevention . 93
.................................
Power Door .92
.....................
Sliding Doors .101, 103 ........................................
Tailgate .98
........................
Low Coolant Level .249
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .77
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 72,369
................................
Lower Anchors .48
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 386
.........................................
Luggage .253
..................................
Maintenance .283
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 295
.................................
Record .293-294
......................
Required Indicator .80
..........................................
Saf ety .284
.............................
Schedule .286-292
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 64,371
...................
Manual Sliding Doors . 101
...............................
Meters, Gauges .78
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 390
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .128
Moving the Second Row Bucket .............................................
Seat .117
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 356
.......................................
Jack, Tire .354
................................
Jump Starting .364 ..................................................
Keys .89
...........................................
Switch .91
............
Timing Control System . 393
........................
Immobilizer System .90
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 71
..................
Individual Map Lights . 141
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .34
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 48
...........................
Lower Anchors .48
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 46
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 323
.................................
Inside Mirror .128
.............................
Inspection, Tire .325
........................
Instrument Panel .2 ,70
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 83
...........................
Interior Cleaning .346
...............................
Interior Lights .139
........................................
Introduction .i
Index
J K
L M
V