2011 HONDA ODYSSEY trailer

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
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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

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The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue load must not exceed
2,910 lbs (1,320 kg) on the f ront axle,
and 3,197 lbs (1,450 kg) on the rear
axle. The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 6,019 lbs
(2,730 kg).
To achieve a proper tongue load, start by loading 60% of the load toward the
f ront of the trailer and 40% toward the rear, then re-adjust the load as needed. The maximum allowable weight of
the f ully loaded vehicle and trailer is
8,477 lbs (3,845 kg).
Maximum Total Trailer Weight
Number of Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants f ill seats f rom the f ront of the vehicle to the
back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs (68 kg), and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area.
Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings. Equipped with ATF cooler
3,500 lbs (1,587 kg)
3,350 lbs (1,520 kg)
3,200 lbs (1,451 kg)
3,050 lbs (1,383 kg)
2,900 lbs (1,315 kg)
1,450 lbs (658 kg)
Towing is Not Recommended.
:
Towing a Trailer
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR): Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR):
Driving
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Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
If you cannot get to a public scale,
you can estimate the total trailer
weight by adding the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the
manuf acturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.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.
If you normally pull the same load
each time you tow a trailer, you can
use a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge to 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.
Checking L oads
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesTowing a Trailer590
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2011 Odyssey

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.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.
An additional ATF (automatic
transmission f luid) cooler should be
installed. This device will help
prevent automatic transmission
overheating, which could cause
serious damage. The additional ATF
cooler can be obtained f rom your
dealer.
Your vehicle is designed to tow
without the need f or a load
distributing hitch. If you wish to use
one, please consult your trailer
maker f or proper installation and set-
up. Improper set-up could degrade
the handling, stability, and braking
perf ormance of your vehicle. A sway control device helps
minimize swaying that can occur in
crosswinds and in normal and
emergency driving maneuvers. If
you experience swaying when
pulling your trailer, consult the
trailer maker f or the specif ic type of
device and how to install it properly.
CONT INUED
Hitches
Weight Distributing Hitch Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rol
A ut omat ic T ransmission FluidCooler
Towing a Trailer
Driving
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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.
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 lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, provincial,
territorial, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer dealer
or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you
plan to tow, and use only equipment
designed f or your vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
connector to install an optional trailer
lighting connector that mates with
your vehicle. You can get this
optional connector f rom your dealer.
Ref er to the above illustration f or
wiring information.Trailer Brakes
Trailer LightsTowing a Trailer592
STOP LIGHTSMALL LIGHT B BACKUP LIGHT
BACKUP LIGHT
RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL
LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
B SMALL LIGHT TRAILER HAZARD
LIGHT
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2011 Odyssey

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.Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories 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.
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. If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle f rom your dealer.
647
660
655Spare T ires A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Driving
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