2003 HONDA ODYSSEY check engine light

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

µ
µÎ
Î
Ì
Ì ÌÎ
ÌÎ
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle
under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:
Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot
[over 90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving,
such as a taxi or a commercial
delivery vehicle.
Trailer towing, driving with a
roof rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
MAINLY
Maint enance
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
290
Visually inspect the following items: Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and conditions of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls
Vehicle underbody Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months 30
48
24
60
96
4890
144 72 120
192
96
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
15
24
12
45
72
3675
120 60 105
168
84
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Refer to page for replacement
information under special driving
conditions. Refer to page for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Use normal schedule except in dusty
conditions
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month) Adjust only if noisy
1:
2:
: 287322
323
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump,1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

µµ
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ì
Ì
Î
ÎÌ
Ì
Î
Î
CONT INUED
Maint enance291
A, B, C, D
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
A
B
C
D
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval.
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
3,750 mi/6,000 km
7,500 mi/12,000 km/6 mos
11,250 mi/18,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
18,750 mi/30,000 km
22,500 mi/36,000 km
26,250 mi/42,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
33,750 mi/54,000 km
37,500 mi/60,000 km
41,250 mi/66,000 km
3yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
48,750 mi/78,000 km
52,500 mi/84,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
63,750 mi/102,000 km Replace engine oil and filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
326).
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Replace air cleaner element.
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches with
multipurpose grease.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Replace transmission fluid.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace dust and pollen filter.
Do item in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do item in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do item in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do item in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do item in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do item in A.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage)
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do item in A.
Do items in A, B. Replace timing belt.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do item in A.
290
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
See timing belt on page to determine need for replacement.
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving
conditions.
:
NOTE: 

1:
2:
323
322
287
2
1,
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)

µµ µ
µ
µ
µ µ
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

Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the f ilter.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
9. 8. 7. 6.
4.
5. 3.
Engine Oil
Maint enance300
OIL FILTER
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m) 4.6 US qt (4.4
, 3.9 Imp qt)
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
duringnormaluse.Inbadweather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
f or f uel. 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 f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
The low washer level indicator will
light when the level is low (see page
).
77
On Canadian models
Windshield Washers
Maint enance306
LEVEL GAUGE
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your vehicle’s
paint, while a vinegar/water solution
can damage the windshield washer
pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your vehicle’s air conditioning is a
sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualif ied mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to make
sure the air conditioning works
ef f iciently.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 386
Maint enance
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
321
AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSER
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.

Diagnosing why your engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
the f uses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. (See
on page .)
When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
orNeutralorthestarterwillnot
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page . 380
364
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Won’t Start
Emergency T owing
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
362