2016 HONDA ODYSSEY towing

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
402
Driving
■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight.
• Excessive tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
• To achieve a proper tongue load, start by loading 60% of the load toward the
front of the trailer and 40% toward th e rear. Readjust the load as needed.
■Hitches
The hitch must be of an approved type and properly bolted to the underbody.
■Weight distribution hitches
A weight distributing hitch is not recommended for use with your vehicle.
An improperly adjusted weight distributin g hitch may reduce handling, stability, and
braking performance.
■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
To ngue LoadTongue Load
■Towing Equipment and Accessories1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and lo cal regulations.
Consult your traile r sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of tra ilers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qua lified technician.
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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Continued
Driving
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer bra kes: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet. If you choose electric brakes,
be sure they are electronically actuated. Do not attempt to attach trailer brakes to
your vehicle's hydraulic system, as it wi ll lower braking effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
Your trailer lighting connector is located
behind the left side panel in the cargo area.
Each pin’s purpose and wiring color code are
shown in the image.
When using non-Honda trailer lighting
harness and converter, get the connector and
pins for your vehicle from a dealer.
■Sway control
Recommended to use if your trailer tends to sway. Consult the trailer maker for
what kind of sway control you need and how to install it.
Right
Turn
Signal
Small
Light
Stop
Light +B Small
LightTrailer
Hazard
Light
Left
Turn
SignalBackup
Light
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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Automatic transmission cooler
Install an additional ATF (automatic transmission fluid) cooler to help prevent the
transmission from overheating, and damaging. You can get the additional ATF
cooler at a dealer.
■Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and te rritories require special exterior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.
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uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Continued
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
• Have the trailer properly servic ed and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 401
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the tra iler so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressure of the trail er tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailer.
• Use the
(D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
• Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.
When towing a trailer, we recommend that you carry
a full-size spare wheel and tire for your vehicle and
trailer. If you use the compact spare tire that came
with your vehicle, it coul d adversely affect vehicle
handling. 2 Specifications P. 543
2 Changing a Flat Tire P. 511
Remember to unhitch the tra iler before changing a
flat tire. Ask the trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare tire.
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406
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
heating and cooling system*/climate control system* and reduce speed. Pull to the
side of the road safely to cool down the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the position if th e transmission shifts frequently.
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refe r to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 539
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
D4
* Not available on all models
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413
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.
■Shift lever positions
*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an
ignition switch.
1 Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0*1
and remove the key unless the shift lever is in
( P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
(N while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pe dal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for normal drivin g (gears change between
1st and 6th automatically)
Low
Strong engine power wh en climbing and strong
engine braking when going down steep hills.
Release ButtonD4 Button
D4
Press the D4 button while the sh
ift lever is in (D.
Used when●Going up or down hills●Towing a trailer in hilly terrain
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421
uuWhen Driving uForward Collision Warning (FCW)*
Driving
FCW may not activate or may not detect a ve hicle in front of your vehicle, and may
activate even when you are aware of a ve hicle ahead of you, or when there is no
vehicle ahead under the following conditions.
■FCW Limitations
Condition
●The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you is too short.●A vehicle cuts in front of you at a slow speed, and it brakes suddenly.●A vehicle suddenly crosses in front of you.●When either your vehicle or the vehicle ahead of you a ccelerates rapidly.●The vehicle ahead of you is a motorcycle, a small vehicle, or a unique vehicle such as a
tractor.
●When you drive off-road or on a mountain road, or curved and winding road for an
extended period that makes it difficult for the camera to properly dete ct a vehicle in front
of you.
●When there are pedestrians or an imals in front of your vehicle.●When you drive in bad weather (rain, fog, etc.).●A heavy load in the rear or modificati ons to the suspension tilts your vehicle.●An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire size, flat tire, etc.).●When the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.●When the temperature inside the system is high.●A sudden change between light and dark such as an entr ance or exit of a tunnel.●You drive into the sunlight (e.g. at dawn or dusk).●When the windshield is dirty or cloudy.●When streetlights are perceived as the ta illight of a vehicle in front of yours.●When driving at night, the vehi cle ahead of you is running with either taillight bulb burned
out.
●When you drive in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.●When your vehicle is towing a trailer.
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uuWhen Driving uLane Departure Warning (LDW)*
Driving
LDW may not activate or may not recognize lanes, and may activate even when
keeping in the middle of a lane under the following conditions.
■LDW Limitations
Condition
●When you drive in bad weather (rain, fog, etc.).●A heavy load in the rear or modificati ons to the suspension tilts your vehicle.●An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire size, flat tire, etc.).●When the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.●When the temperature inside the system is high.●A sudden change between light and dark such as an entr ance or exit of a tunnel.●You drive into the sunlight (e.g. at dawn or dusk).●When the windshield is dirty or cloudy.●When you drive in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.●When your vehicle is towing a trailer.●When you drive on a wet road su rface following another vehicle.
uThe camera may perceive the tire tracks in the water as lane lines.●When there is snow or wheel tracks on the side of the road.●When the road has many repaired areas or erased lines.●When the vehicle is running over pa inted signs or crosswalk markings.●When you drive in a lane with worn-out lane markings.
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