2011 HONDA ODYSSEY emergency towing

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
591
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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

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .654
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .655
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 662
................................
Jump Starting .665
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 667
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 669
..........
Charging System Indicator . 670
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 671
...............
Brake System Indicator . 672
..............................................
Fuses .673
..............................
Fuse Locations .678
......................
Emergency Towing .683
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Taking Care of the Unexpected
653
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2011 Odyssey

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 . 69
559 683
673 Emergency
Towing
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine
If theEngineWon’tStart664
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2011 Odyssey

The pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
683
CONT INUED
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
Taking Care of the Unexpected
667
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
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2011 Odyssey

If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat (climate control to
AUTO at ‘‘ ’’). Add coolant
to the radiator up to the base of
the f iller neck. If you do not have
the proper coolant mixture
available, you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
6.
7.
8.
9.10.
11.
683
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
668
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
10/07/17 11:03:37 31TK8600_673
2011 Odyssey

The brake system
indicator normally
comesonwhenyou
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and as a reminder to
check the parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully release the
parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ). Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
indicator come on with the brake
system indicator, have the vehicle
inspected by your dealer
immediately. If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
You will also see a ‘‘BRAKE FLUID
LOW’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.
623 683
On Touring models
On Touring models
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator672U.S. Canada
10/07/17 11:04:06 31TK8600_677
2011 Odyssey