Page 402 of 524

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.
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.
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.
Hitches
Weight Distributing Hitch Saf et y Chains Sway Cont rol
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
Towing a Trailer
Driving
399
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Page 408 of 524

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
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
models), and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .406
....................
Maintenance Minder .407
..............................
Fluid Locations .417
........................
Adding Engine Oil .418
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .420
..............................
Engine Coolant .422
....................
Windshield Washers .424
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .425
....................................
Brake Fluid .427
....................
Power Steering Fluid .428
....................................
Timing Belt .428
.............................................
Lights .429
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .436
.....................................
Floor Mats .436
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .436
.................................
Wiper Blades .437
...........................................
Wheels .442
...............................................
Tires .442
...................
Checking the Battery .450
.............................
Vehicle Storage .451
505
Maintenance
Maint enance
405
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Page 419 of 524

Î
Î
Ì Ì
µ
µ
ÌÎ
Maintenance Minder
416
:
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 on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy. Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
NOTE: 1:
415
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
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 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
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under 20°F,29°C), replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km
(Canada).
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
51
1
Maintenance Minder
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Page 420 of 524
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
417
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap) BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
RADIATOR CAP
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Page 431 of 524

µµ
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.
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. The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance minder schedule.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spill
immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment. If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
Power Steering Fluid
T iming Belt
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
428
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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Page 432 of 524

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 technician.
1.
CONT INUED
Lights
Headlight A imingReplacing a Headlight Bulb
Maint enance
429
POWER
STEERING
FLUID
RESERVOIR
Passenger’s side
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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Page 433 of 524
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.Open the hood. Remove the
socket f rom the headlight
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Pull the burned out bulb straight
out of its socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
If you replaced the high beam
headlight bulb on the passenger’s
side, reinstall the power steering
f luid reservoir.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place. 5.
6.
7.
2.
3.
4. 2. 1.
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal
Bulb
430
TAB
BULB
CONNECTOR BULB SOCKET
Driver’s side
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Page 510 of 524

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .368
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.....................................
Position) .144
.............
Accessory Power Socket .203
...........................
AC Power Outlet .203
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .419
...............
AdvancedAirbagSystem .30
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 25
..............
Air Conditioning System .210
.....................
Rear A/C Control .216
...............
Air Outlets (Vents) . 213, 220
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .443
......................................
Antif reeze .424
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .69, 384
...................................
Operation .384
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 284
Anti-thef t Steering Column ............................................
Lock .144
........................................
Armrests .171
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 282
................................
Audio System .221
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 23
.
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 138.............
Automatic Speed Control . 319
..............
Automatic Transmission . 378
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .486
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 425
.......................................
Shif ting .378
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .378
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 379
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 381
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .283
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .67, 471
............................
Jump Starting .467
..............................
Maintenance .450
............................
Specif ications .487
..............................
Bef ore Driving .359
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,21
.........................
Beverage Holders .195
.......
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink. 325
..................................
Booster Seats .57
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 384 .............
Break-in, New Linings . 360
............
Bulb Replacement . 433, 435
...........................................
Fluid .427
.................
Pad Wear Indicators . 383
.......................................
Parking .192
.................
System Indicator . 69, 473
.............................
Braking System .383
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 360
Brightness Control, ...............................
Instruments .139
......................
Brights, Headlights .136
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .434
..............................
Brake Lights .433
................
Front Parking Lights . 431
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 431
...........
Front Turn Signal Light . 430
.................................
Headlights .429
.........................
Rear Bulbs .433, 434
............
Rear Turn Signal Light . 433
............................
Specif ications .487
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .429
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
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2008 Odyssey