2005 HONDA ODYSSEY trailer

CONT INUED
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electrically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check the
requirements f or the areas where
you plan to tow, and use only
equipment designed f or your vehicle.
If the total trailer weight exceeds
2,000 lbs (900 kg), you should install
a sway control device to minimize
swaying that can occur in crosswinds
and in normal and emergency
driving maneuvers. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
To help prevent overheating, a
transmission f luid cooler and a
power steering f luid cooler are
required f or trailer towing. These
coolers are available only f rom your
Honda dealer. Honda recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
Seeyourtrailerdealerformore
inf ormation on installing electric
brakes.
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Brakes
Trailer Lights
Sway Cont rol
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
Driving
309

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To use the trailer lighting connector,
you will need a wiring harness and
converter. This comes with the
Honda hitch (see page ), or it
may be obtained separately from
your dealer. If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle f rom your dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.
When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. If you use the compact
sparetirethatcamewithyour
vehicle, it could adversely af f ect
vehicle handling. See page f or
proper tire size, page f or how to
store a f ull size wheel and tire, andpage f or inf ormation on
changing a f lat tire.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation. Many states and 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. Because of the Michelin PAX system,
youmustnotchangeaflattireby
yourself , or use a compact spare tire
on your vehicle. Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare
tire.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector behind the right side
panel in the cargo area. Ref er to the
drawing above f or the purpose of
each pin. 308 349
364 360
U.S. Touring model
Spare Tires A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
310
GROUND
LEFT TURN SIGNAL
SMALL LIGHTS
B HAZARD B HAC
RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL
SMALL LIGHTS

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
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. Do not exceed
55 mph (88 km/h). At higher speeds,
the trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving
311

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 .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.
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.
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.
3
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills Backing Up
Parking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
312

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Maintenance Minder
324
:
If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column
on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy. Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-information
display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
NOTE: 1:
323
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission temperatures.
This requires transmission fluid changes more
frequently than recommended by the Maintenance
Minder. If you regulary drive your vehicle under these
conditions, have the transmission fluid changed
every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under-20°F,
29°C), replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/100,000 km
(Canada)
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Rotate tires
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, 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
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
51
Maintenance Minder

Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, two on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its base
and protect the glass from contact
with your skin or hard objects. If you
touch the glass, clean it with
denaturedalcoholandacleancloth.The high beam headlight bulb and
the low beam headlight bulb are
replaced the same way.Open the hood. To change the
high beam headlight bulb on the
passenger’s side, remove the
power steering f luid reservoir
f rom its holder by pulling it
straight up.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied mechanic.
1.
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Lights
Headlight A imingReplacing a Headlight Bulb
Maint enance
337
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare tire.
Turn of f the VSA system (see
pages and ). Driving with
thecompactsparetiremay
activate the VSA. Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel. Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces. Use greater caution while
driving. Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
Follow these precautions: Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to: Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
301 302
All models except U.S. Touring
Compact Spare T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
359
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area that is
far away from the traffic lanes.Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire. Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake. If you are towing a
trailer, unhitch the trailer.The jack is behind a cover in the
cargo area on the driver’s side,
and tools are on the back of the
cover. Remove the cover by
pushing the tabs down and pulling
the cover out.
Turn the jack’s end
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.
2. 1.
3.
4.
Changing a Flat T ire
360
JACK
SPARE TIRE
TOOLS
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.