Page 388 of 532

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
down, and hold it there while
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position f or more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds bef ore trying again. If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
5. 6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Starting the Engine
Driving
385
Immobilizer System
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. See
on page .143
\f—\f—
y
\fy
(\fy\f\fy
2009 Odyssey
Page 412 of 532

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, and
page f or inf ormation on
changing a f lat tire.
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.
Because of the Michelin
PAX
System, you must not change a f lat
tire, or use a compact spare tire on
your vehicle.Many states and Canadian 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.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).
458
455
476
366
If equipped
Spare T ires
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Break-In Period
Towing a Trailer
Driving
409
\f—\f—
y
\f\fy
(\fy\f
y
2009 Odyssey
Page 441 of 532
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
438
TAB
BULB
CONNECTOR BULB SOCKET
Driver’s side
\f—\f—
y
y
(\fy\fy
2009 Odyssey
Page 443 of 532
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb.
Turn on the f og lights to test the
new bulb.
Insert the new bulb into the
assembly and turn it one-quarter
turn clockwise to lock it in place.
Reinstall the f og light assembly,
then tighten the screw.
Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the screw.
Remove the f og light assembly
f rom the bumper by pulling its
inner edge f irst, then the whole
assembly out of the bumper. Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb f rom the f og
light assembly by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.
1.
2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
8.
Touring models only
Lights
ReplacingaFogLightBulb
440
TAB
BULB
CONNECTOR
SCREW
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
\f—\f—
y
\fy
(\fy\fy
2009 Odyssey
Page 461 of 532

µ
Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.
Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f uture corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Checking the Battery
458
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
——
y
y
(yy
2009 Odyssey
Page 476 of 532

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly. Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See
on page .
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .475 488
458 475
Emergency T owing
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
473
\f—\f—
y
y
(\fy\fy
2009 Odyssey
Page 477 of 532
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. Seeon page .
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page . 143
385 483 488
Emergency
Towing
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine
If theEngineWon’tStart
474
\f—\f—
y
y
(\fy\fy
2009 Odyssey
Page 478 of 532

CONT INUED
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
The numbers in the illustration
show you the order to connect the
jumper cables.
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
Turn of f all the electrical
accessories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
1.
2.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
475
BOOSTER BATTERY
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
——
y
y
(yy
2009 Odyssey