2004 HONDA ODYSSEY Owners Manual

When towing a trailer, you should
carry a f ull-size wheel and tire as a
spare in case you have a flat. If you
use the compact spare tire that came
with the vehicle, it may adversely
af f ect vehicle handling. See pagef or inf ormation on proper tire
size, and page f or inf ormation on
how to store a f ull-size tire. When
storing a f ull-size spare tire in the
trailer, f ollow the trailer maker’s
instructions.
Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation. When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
You may want to fill the fuel tank
with premium f uel. Premium f uel
provides improved perf ormance. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ). The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition. If you tow f requently, f ollow the
Severe Conditions maintenance
schedule. The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
244
233
194231
195
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Spare Vehicle T ire
Additional Trailer EquipmentPre-T ow Checklist
198

CONT INUED
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.
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.The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See ‘‘
’’ in the next column f or
additional gear inf ormation. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
af f ect vehicle handling. Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .
bottom
3
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing UpParking T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving on
Hills Making T urns and Braking
Driving on HillsDriving Saf ely With a T railer
199

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.
Towing a Trailer
Driving200

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
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 .
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.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .202
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 203
....................
Maintenance Record .207
..............................
Fluid Locations .210
........................
Adding Engine Oil .211
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 212
..............................
Engine Coolant .214
....................
Windshield Washers .216
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 216
....................................
Brake Fluid .218
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 219
....................................
Timing Belt .219
....................................
Hood Latch .220
.............................................
Lights .220
.......................................
Seat Belts .226
.....................................
Floor Mats .226
..............................
Audio Antenna .227
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 227
.................................
Wiper Blades .228
...............................................
Tires .230
........................
Check the Battery .235
.............................
Vehicle Storage .236
281
Maintenance
Maint enance201

All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
Honda technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and f lames away f rom the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance
Important Saf ety Precautions Injury f rom moving parts.
Potential Vehicle Hazards Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
202
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection,
maintenance recommendations,
and schedules in this owner’s
manual.

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The maintenance schedule assumes
you will use your vehicle as normal
transportation for passengers and
their possessions. You should also
f ollow these recommendations:
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other vehicle parts. The load limit
is shown on the tire inf ormation
label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within legal
speed limits. Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions. Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions. Trailer towing, driving with a roof
rack, or driving in mountainous
conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Normal Conditions.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions.
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage ).
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving, such as a taxi
or a commercial delivery vehicle.
168
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
U.S. Owners Which Schedule to Follow:
Canadian Owners
203
NOTE:

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Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your
warranties in ef f ect. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet f or
more inf ormation.
We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done. Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
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 .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Honda
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability. U.S. Vehicles:
171172
216 218
230
220
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Servicing Your Vehicle Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA standards.
204

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Maint enance205
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000 15
2430
48 60
9690
144 150
240
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever comes first
Inspect every 105,000 miles (168,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 105,000 miles (168,000 km) or every 7 years, whichever comes first
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
232)
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brake wear
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 45
72
75
120 135
216
120
192
105
168
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
Replace at 45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
:
: 204
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions