2005 HONDA ODYSSEY Owners Manual

If a f lat tire is causing the low tire
pressure indicator to come on, you
will see the above message in the
multi-inf ormation display.
It is possible that the pressures
shown in the multi-inf ormation
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
dif f erent.
If the dif f erence is signif icant and
you cannot make the low tire
pressure indicator and message in
the multi-inf ormation display go out
after inflating the tires to the
specified values, have your dealer
check the system as soon as possible.
When the low tire pressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tires is
signif icantly under-inf lated. You
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure as indicated on
the vehicle’s tire inf ormation placard.
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Each tire, including
the spare should be checked
monthly when cold, and set to the
recommended inf lation pressure as
specif ied in the vehicle placard and
owner’s manual (see page ).
346
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
304

The tires on your vehicles are PAX
tires, and you cannot replace or
repair a f lat tire. Replacement or
repair of tires must be perf ormed by
a Honda dealer or an authorized
Michelin PAX system dealer. If the low tire pressure indicator
comes on, or the multi-information
display shows a ‘‘CHECK TPMS
SYSTEM’’ message, the VSA system
automatically turns on even when
the VSA system is turned of f by
pressing the VSA OFF button (see
page ). If this happens, you
cannot turn the VSA system of f by
pressing the VSA OFF button again.
If there is a problem with the TPMS,
you will see the above message in
the multi-information display.
If you see this message, the system
is of f and is not monitoring the tire
pressures. Have the system checked
by your dealer as soon as possible.
For more inf ormation on the
Michelin PAX system, ref er to page
.
Because your vehicle is equipped
with the Michelin PAX system, you
can continue to drive up to about 125
miles (200 km). If you have a f lat tire,
take your vehicle to the nearest
Honda dealer or authorized Michelin
PAX system dealer.
301
356
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Changing a T ire with T PMS
TPMS System FailureDriving
305

Your vehicle has been designed to
primarily carry passengers and their
cargo. You can also use it to tow a
trailer if you caref ully observe the
load limits, use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
depends on several f actors. See
page f or the driving limits f or
your towing situation. Towing a
load that is too heavy can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling and
perf ormance. It can also damage
the engine and drivetrain. The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
total trailer weight. Too much
tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to
sway.
307
Towing a Trailer
Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight: T ongue L oad:
306
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

Î
Î Î
ÎÎ
Î
Î
Î
Î Maximum Total Trailer Weight
Including driver. Based on 150 lbs (70 kg) per occupant. Number of
Occupants 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
See page for information about fluid coolers. Equipped with transmission cooler
and power steering fluid cooler 3,500 lbs (1,580 kg)
3,350 lbs (1,520 kg)
3,200 lbs (1,450 kg)
3,050 lbs (1,380 kg)
2,900 lbs (1,310 kg)
2,750 lbs (1,250 kg)
2,600 lbs (1,180 kg) 1,550 lbs (700 kg) 650 lbs (290 kg)
1:
2:
3:
4: LX and EX models
Touring model 309
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 5,952 lbs
(2,700 kg).
The maximum allowable weight of
the f ully loaded vehicle and trailer
is 8,410 lbs (3,815 kg) (see page
).
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 percent of the
load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed. The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue load must not
exceed 2,833 lbs (1,285 kg) on the
f ront axle, and 3,197 lbs (1,450 kg)
on the rear axle.
3861
3 2
34
Towing a Trailer
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR): Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Driving
307

The best way to conf irm that vehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the f irst time you set up a
towing combination (a f ully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.If the total trailer weight is more
than 1,850 lbs (840 kg), you must
also use a weight distributing hitch.
This device transf ers weight f rom
the vehicle’s rear wheels to the f ront
wheels, and to the trailer’s wheels.
Caref ully f ollow the hitch maker’s
instructions f or proper installation
and adjustment.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment,
depending on the size of your trailer,
how much load you are towing, and
where you tow. To ensure the best
quality, we recommend that you
purchase Honda equipment
whenever possible.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and meets f ederal, state,
province, and local regulations.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody,
using the six threaded holes
provided. A hitch and the required
f luid coolers designed especially f or
your Odyssey can be obtained f rom
your Honda dealer.
Towing a Trailer
Checking L oads
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesWeight Distributing Hitch
Saf et y Chains
Hitches
308

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

´´
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