2011 HONDA ODYSSEY tow

µ·
µ The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the
available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs. Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 1,340 lbs (608 kg).
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
Label Example
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(6) (5) (4)
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo552
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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2011 Odyssey

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA
) system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and
f acts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer. ........................
Preparing to Drive .558
.......................
Starting the Engine .559
Check Starter System .................................
Message .560
..............
Automatic Transmission . 561
...........................................
Parking .566
.............................
Braking System .567
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 568
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ........
Control (ESC), System . 570
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .572
Blind Spot Inf ormation System ...........................................
(BSI) .579
...........................
Towing a Trailer .588
...................
Towing Your Vehicle . 595
Driving
Driving
557
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2011 Odyssey

µµ
µµ
µ
CONT INUED
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, seeon
page .
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. You must also press the
release button to shift into Park. The
shif t lever must be in Park bef ore
you can remove the key f rom the
ignition switch. Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear. Use this position f or
normal driving. The transmission
automatically selects a suitable gear
f or your speed and acceleration.
This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Press the release
buttononthefrontof theshiftlever
to move it. Press the brake
pedal and the release button on the
frontoftheshiftlevertoshiftfrom
Park to reverse. To shif t f rom
reverse to neutral, come to a
completestop,andthenshift.Press
the release button bef ore shif ting
into reverse f rom neutral. To use D3, press the
D3buttonwhentheshiftleverisin
the ‘‘D’’ position. This position is simi-
lartoD,exceptonlythefirstthree
gears are selected instead of all f ive.
Use D3 when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain, or to provide engine braking
when going down a steep hill. D3 can
also keep the transmission f rom
cycling between third and f ourth
gears in stop-and-go driving.
565
Except Touring models
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ock Release Neutral (N) Drive (D)
Park (P) Reverse (R)
Drive (D3)
Driving
563
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2011 Odyssey

µµ
To use D4, press the
D4 button when the shif t lever is in
the ‘‘D’’ position. This position is
similar to D, except only the f irst
f our gears are selected instead of all
six. Use D4 when towing a trailer in
hilly terrain, or to provide engine
braking when going down a steep hill.
D4 can also keep the transmission
f rom cycling between f ourth and
f if th gears in stop-and-go driving. To shif t to Low, press
the release button on the front of the
shif t lever. Use Low to make better
use of engine power when climbing,
and f or maximum engine braking
when going down steep hills. If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
On Touring modelsAutomatic TransmissionDrive (D4)
Low (L)
Engine Speed Limiter564
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2011 Odyssey

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.Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
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.
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. If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. 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.
On all models except LXParking T ips
Parking566
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2011 Odyssey

Like all assistance systems, BSI has
limitations. Over-reliance on BSI may
result in a collision. Always look in
your mirrors, to either side of your
vehicle, and behind you f or other
vehicles bef ore changing lanes.The system should be turned of f
when towing a trailer. Due to the
added mass and resulting changes in
radar coverage, the system cannot
operate as intended, and detection of
the trailer itself by the radar sensors
may cause the BSI alert indicators to
illuminate.
The speed dif f erence between
your vehicle and a vehicle
approaching f rom behind is
greaterthan31mph(50km/h).
A vehicle is parked in a side lane.
The speed dif f erence between
your vehicle and the vehicle you
are passing is greater than 6 mph
(10 km/h).
An object not detected by the
radar sensors approaches or
passes your vehicle.
The BSI alert indicators may not
illuminate under the f ollowing
circumstances:
CONT INUED
Blind Spot Inf ormation System (BSI)
Important Precautions
Limitations
Driving
583
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2011 Odyssey

BSI may be adversely af f ected under
the f ollowing circumstances:When objects such as guard rails,
poles, trees, etc., are detected.
When an object that doesn’t
reflect radio waves well, such as a
motorcycle, is in the alert zone.
A vehicle is behind or approaching
your vehicle while on a curved
road.
When towing a trailer.
A vehicle is moving f rom a f ar lane
to the adjacent lane.
The system picks up external
electrical interf erence.
The rear bumper has been
def ormed, or improperly repaired. The system is f or your convenience.
Even if an object is within the alert
zone, the system may not detect it,
depending on its shape.
Always look in your mirrors, to
either side of your vehicle, and
behind you f or other vehicles bef ore
changing lanes.
The orientation of the sensors has
been changed.
Bad weather conditions, such as
heavy rain, snow and f og.Blind Spot Inf ormation System (BSI)584
EXAMPLES
GUARD RAILPOLE OR TREE
MOTORCYCLE
: BSIAlertindicatorison BSIAlertindicatorisoff
:
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2011 Odyssey

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to 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. Theweightthatthe
tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10% 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.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).
540
589
Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight:
T ongue L oad:Towing a TrailerBreak-In Period588
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.
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2011 Odyssey