2004 HONDA ODYSSEY steering wheel

Your Honda is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Braking System
Driving
Braking System Design
Brake Wear Indicators
189
Front

If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also be shut
down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your Honda dealer as
soon as possible. Avoid sudden hard
braking which could cause the rear
wheels to lock up and possibly lead
to a loss of control.
The TCS indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicatorif there
is a problem with the anti-lock brake
system.It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
254
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
Import ant Saf et y Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent the loss of
stability. A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
191

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

µµ
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment. Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but 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.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance schedule.
Replace the belt at 60,000 miles
(100,000 km) if you regularly drive
your vehicle in one or more of these
conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
Maint enance
Power Steering Fluid T iming Belt
219
NOTICE:
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.

To change the bulb on the driver’s
side, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, and turn of f the engine. To
change the bulb on the passenger’s
side, turn the steering wheel to the
lef t.Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender.
Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender and bumper.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the burned out bulb f rom
thesocketbypushingitinand
turning the bulb counterclockwise
until it unlocks.
Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the two holding clips. Lock
each one in place by pushing on
the center.
1.
2.
3.5.
6.
7.
8. 4.
9.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking L ight
Bulb
222
HOLDING CLIP

Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your vehicle can
reduce braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy. Using tires of a
dif f erent size or construction can
cause the ABS to work inconsistently.
TheABSworksbycomparingthe
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the vehicle. Tire size
and construction can affect wheel
speed and may cause the system to
work.It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
See page f or DOT tire quality
grading inf ormation, and pagef or tire size explanation.
Replacement wheels are available at
your Honda dealer. Wheel:
Tire: 268
270
Replacing T ires
Wheels and T ires
Tires
Maint enance233
225/60R16 98T16x61/2JJ
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.

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 switched in the
ACCESSORY (I) position 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 run down
the battery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed256
NOTICE:
NOTICE: 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.
T he steering system can be
damaged if the steering wheel is locked.
Leave the ignition switched to
Accessory (I), and make sure the
steering wheel turns f reely bef ore you
begin towing.

Î
SensorsFront Passenger’s Weight .....................................
Sensors .28
....
Driver’s Seat Position Sensor . 28
...............................
Serial Number .264
...........................
Service Intervals .205
...........................
Service Manual .281
...........
Service Station Procedure . 169
..........................
Setting the Clock .105
...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators . 184
........................
Shif t Lock Release .186
................................
Side Airbags .9 ,24
..........................
Of f Indicator .31, 61
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .222
...............................
Signaling Turns .71
...................................
Sliding Doors .84
.....................................
Snow Tires .234
................................
Sound System .126
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .238
............................
Specif ications .267
....................................
Spark Plugs .267
....................
Specif ications Charts . 266
................................
Speed Control .160
...................................
Speedometer .66 ..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 24
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 34
.............................
Airbag Service .33
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 30
.....
How Your Airbags Work . 25,29
........................
SRS Components .24
.............................
SRS Indicator .30 ,61
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 77
.......................
Starting the Engine .183
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .183
................
With a Dead Battery . 248
..............
State Emissions Testing . 274
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 250
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .74
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 77
.......................................
Buttons .143
...................
Stereo Sound System . 126
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .236
...................................
Storage Box .111
........................
Sunglasses Holder .107
........................................
Sun Visor .108
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .33
.........................
SRS Indicator .30 ,61 ...................
System Components . 24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .212
.....................................
Tachometer .66
............................................
Tailgate .79
.................................
Opening the .79
...................
Open Monitor Light . 63
.
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 223,224
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 237
....................................
Tape Player .139
Technical Descriptions .....
Emissions Control Systems . 271
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .273
.......................
Temperature Gauge .67
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 125
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 22
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 48
............................
Thef t Protection .144
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 273
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 74
..........................
Time, Setting the .105
....................................
Timing Belt .219
....................................
Tire Chains .234
Index
T
VIII