2005 HONDA ODYSSEY ECU

Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched. Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its hole.
Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole on
thepassenger’ssideof thehood.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
seeon page .
1.
3.
2.
3.4.
328
Oil Check
A dding Engine Oil
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
281
DIPSTICK
SUPPORT ROD
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as f ar f orward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
Keep the glove boxes closed while
driving. If either are open, a
passenger could be injured during
a crash or sudden stop.
If you place items near the rear
windows, be sure they are below
the bottom of the windows. If
cargo is higher, it could interf ere
with proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 150 lb (68 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack.
56
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
Carrying Cargo
288

You can use the cargo net to secure
items in the cargo area, and store
small items between the two halves
of the net. To install the cargo net,
hook the loops on the f our corners of
the net to the tabs at both sides of
the tailgate sill.There are cargo hooks f or plastic
grocery bags on the back of the third
row seat. They are designed to hold
light items. Heavy objects may
damage the hooks.
On EX and Touring models
Carrying Cargo
Cargo Net
Cargo Hooks
Bef ore Driving
289
CARGO HOOKS

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and the
tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
3.
2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 16
61
167
149
127
Preparing to Drive
292

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

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

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Install the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine.Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
328
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
Ambient Temperature
API CERTIFICATION SEAL

Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is indicated on a maintenance
message on the odometer/trip meter
display or on the multi-inf ormation
display.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer. Replace the brake f luid according to
thetimerecommendationsinthe
maintenance minder schedule.
6.
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Brake Fluid
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
335
MAX
MIN