2011 HONDA ODYSSEY trailer

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.
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Towing a Trailer594
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2011 Odyssey

Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t, and
turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D3 or D4 depending on models. When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to L. Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember,
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
683
bottom
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills Backing Up
Parking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Towing Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer, Towing Your Vehicle
Driving
595
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2011 Odyssey

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.
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.
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (100,000 km) if you regularly
drive your vehicle in any of the
f ollowing conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently towing a trailer.
Power Steering Fluid
T iming Belt
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt624
LOWER LEVEL
UPPER LEVEL
TM
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
10/07/17 10:57:41 31TK8600_629
2011 Odyssey

CONT INUED
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.Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take your
vehicle to a dealer to have it replaced.
On Touring Elite and Canadian Touring
models
Lights
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
High Voltage Discharge Tube
Headlights
Maint enance
625
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
10/07/17 10:57:48 31TK8600_630
2011 Odyssey

CONT INUED
Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb,
handle it by its plastic case, and
protect the glass f rom contact with
your skin or hard objects. If you
touch the glass, clean it with
denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.Thefoglightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustment should be done by your
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.
Start the engine. If you are
replacing a driver’s side bulb, turn
the steering wheel all the way to
theright.If youarereplacinga
passenger’s side bulb, turn the
steering wheel to the lef t. Turn of f
the engine. Use a 10 mm wrench to remove
the mounting bolt, and remove the
screws with a Phillips-head
screwdriver. Pull the inner f ender
cover back.
1.
2.On Touring models
Lights
ReplacingaFogLightBulb
Maint enance
629
SCREWS
MOUNTING BOLT
Halogen light 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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2011 Odyssey

CONT INUED
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer,
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement tire should be the same
size and design, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire. If you have a f lat tire while driving,
pull over saf ely. Drive slowly along
the shoulder until you get to an area
far away from traffic lanes.
2. 1.
Compact Spare Tire, Changing a Flat Tire
Changing a Flat T ire
Taking Care of the Unexpected
655
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
10/07/17 11:01:59 31TK8600_660
unhitch it.
2011 Odyssey

CONT INUED
........................
Sunglasses Holder .206
........................................
Sun Visor .207
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .34
.........................
SRS Indicator .32 ,67
...................
System Components . 24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .615
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .653
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 690
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .540
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 617
.....................................
Tachometer .77
..........................................
Tailgate .162
.......................
Opening the .162, 163
.......
Open Monitor Indicator . 75,90
..
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 631,632
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 653
Technical Descriptions .....
Emissions Control Systems . 697
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .699
.......................
Temperature Gauge .77
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 233
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 22
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 52
................
Thef t Protection, Radio . 413
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 699Tilt and Telescoping the
.........................
Steering Wheel .143
..........................
Time, Setting the .315
....................................
Timing Belt .624
....................................
Tire Chains .648
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 655
...............................................
Tires .642
..............................
Air Pressure .643
...................................
Balancing .645
.........................
Checking Wear .644
..........................
Compact Spare .654
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 690
......................................
Inf lation .642
..................................
Inspection .644
.....................................
Labeling .692
...................................
Replacing .646
......................................
Rotating .645
................................
Service Lif e .645
...........................................
Snow .647
............................
Specif ications .689
................................
Tire Chains .648
Tire Pressure Monitoring ............
System (TPMS) . 572,574
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 656
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .588 ................
Em ergency Wrecker .
683
....
Equipment and Accessories . 590
.............................
Weight Limit .588
.............................
Trailer Loading .588
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .594
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 621
...........................
Fluid Selection .622
..............
Identif ication Number . 686
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 562
.....................................
Treadwear .644
...............................
Trip Meter .85, 313
..................................
Turn Signals .136
Index
U
T
INDEX
IX
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2011 Odyssey