2009 HONDA ODYSSEY brake light

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Turn of f the lights.
Parking T ips
Parking
390
\f—\f—
y
\fy
(\fy\fy
2009 Odyssey

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
Braking System
Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Driving
391
\f—\f—
y
\f\fy
(\fy\fy
2009 Odyssey

´
´
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. 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.
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.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically 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 vehicles hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Trailer Brakes
Trailer Lights
Towing a Trailer
408
GROUND
SMALL LIGHTSLEFT TURN SIGNAL
RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL SMALL LIGHTS
B HAC
B HAZARD
\f—\f—
y
\fy
(\fy\f
y
2009 Odyssey

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing: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 inflated 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.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the 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.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
You may want to fill the fuel tank
with premium f uel. Premium f uel
provides improved perf ormance.
Pre-T ow Checklist Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Towing a Trailer
410
\f—\f—
y

\f
y
(\fy\f
y
2009 Odyssey

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 .414
....................
Maintenance Minder .415
..............................
Fluid Locations .425
........................
Adding Engine Oil .426
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .428
..............................
Engine Coolant .430
....................
Windshield Washers .432
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .433
....................................
Brake Fluid .435
....................
Power Steering Fluid .436
....................................
Timing Belt .436
.............................................
Lights .437
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .444
.....................................
Floor Mats .444
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .444
.................................
Wiper Blades .445
...........................................
Wheels .450
...............................................
Tires .450
...................
Checking the Battery .458
.............................
Vehicle Storage .459
513
Maintenance
Maint enance
413
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f
y
2009 Odyssey

µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
Ì
U.S. Vehicles:
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the odometer/
trip meter display or the multi-
inf ormation display.
371
372
433 435 437
451
CONT INUED
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards. Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
423
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\fy
2009 Odyssey

Open the tailgate.Install the rear light assembly in
the rear pillar. Tighten the two
bolts. Snap the bolt covers into
position.
Put the socket back into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Remove the two bolt covers on the
rear pillar by prying on the bottom
edge with a flat-tip screwdriver.
Remove the bolts with a Phillips-
head screwdriver, and remove the
light assembly f rom the rear pillar. Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its socket.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: turn signal or
brake/taillight.
2. 3.
5.6.
1. 4.7.
8.
Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs (in Rear
Pillar)
Maint enance
441
COVER
BOLTS BULBS
SOCKETS
\f—\f—
y


y
(\fy\fy
2009 Odyssey

Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Remove the two screw covers on
the light assembly by prying on
the side edge with a flat-tip
screwdriver.
Remove the screws with a Phillips-
head screwdriver, then remove
the light assembly f rom the
tailgate. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.Press the brake pedal to make
sure the new bulb is working.
Put the socket back into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Reinstall the high-mount brake
light assembly into the tailgate.
Tighten the two screws and
reinstall the covers.
1.
2. 3.
4.5.
6.
7.
Lights
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Maint enance
443
SCREWS
BULB
SOCKET
COVER
\f—\f—
y

y
(\fy\fy
2009 Odyssey