2003 HONDA ODYSSEY automatic transmission

Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 2nd
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Parking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up
281

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

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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . 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 .
248
249
306
307 309 323
330
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance295

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

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission as shown.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
1.
2.3.
4.
CONT INUED
Maint enance
Automatic Transmission Fluid
307
DIPSTICK DIPSTICK
UPPER MARKLOWER MARK

To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time.
If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the f ill plug and add
f luid to bring it to the upper mark.
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.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your Honda dealer.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it is not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
5.
6.
Maint enance
Automatic Transmission Fluid
308

The Transmission Number is on a
label on top of the transmission. The Engine Number is stamped into
the engine block. It is on the f ront.
Identif ication Numbers
T echnical Inf ormation385
ENGINE NUMBERAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation386
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning Capacities
201.2 in (5,110 mm)
75.6 in (1,920 mm)
5.3 US qt (5.0
, 4.4 Imp qt)
2.6 US qt (2.5
, 2.2 Imp qt)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.6
, 0.13 Imp gal)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. 4.6 US qt (4.4
, 3.9 Imp qt)
4.2 US qt (4.0
, 3.5 Imp qt)
2.48 US gal (9.4
, 2.07 Imp gal)
3.5 US qt (3.3
, 2.9 Imp qt)
8.3 US qt (7.9, 7.0 Imp qt)
4.8 US qt (4.5
, 4.0 Imp qt)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
66.1 in (1,680 mm) 66.1 in (1,680 mm)
118.1 in (3,000 mm) 68.5 in (1,740 mm)
32 34 oz (850 900 g) ND-OIL8 20.00 US gal (75.7
, 16.65 Imp gal)
1.98 US gal (7.5, 1.65 Imp gal)
69.7 in (1,770 mm)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating
Gross combined weight
rating (GCWR) See the tire information label atta-
ched to the driver’s doorjamb.
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
8,265 lbs (3,750 kg) Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:Change
Total
Change
Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Vehicles
Canada Vehicles
1: LX
2: EX,EX-L1
2
1
2