Honda Odyssey

[honda03842]

ECO Mode,

I'm not sure that we'll ever be in ECO mode when towing except maybe on downhill runs but it makes a significant difference in miles per gallon. I was able to take a 20 ride this morning on non-highway roads with stop lights and get an indicated 28 mpg.

Now I haven't calibrated the accumulative mpg gauge yet the ability of the ECO, the shutting off of cylinders when not needed reduces fuel usage.

Before we bought the Odyssey I was surprised that it had the same mileage rating as our CRV even though the Odyssey is a 6 cylinder, Now I know why.

[MC1]

Yes Norm. I noticed that every time I slowed down the Honda's slipped into eco mode. It is an impressive system.

[carlkeigley]

If you've not seen it yet you can tap the pushrod on the odometer and it
will give the overall average. The monitor on the dash gives last trip mileage
and present trip mileage, but the odometer gives the overall mileage.

[honda03842]

Carl, There's a lot for us to learn.

I set it up so Trip A shows the mpg per fill up, it resets when ever you add fuel. I aee the gas fill up has a switch that mist provide the reset signal.

Trip B is set to keep an accumulated average over the life of the Odyssey or over a season or trip to Newfoundland.

I looked for the added transmission cooler. It's huge, The Honda has two radiators, one for the AC and another for the engine. The transmission cooler is mounted in front of these and extends across the front side of both.

[emers382]

Congrats Norm and Ginny on the new Honda know you'll be happy especially with the extra room.

If Honda made a truck that could tow a fifth wheel it would have been my first choice.

Adrian


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[honda03842]

Honda Odyssey Reviews

A link to a long series of Odyssey reviews, Each review can be expanded.

2011 Honda Odyssey Long Term Road Test - Performance

[honda03842]

D4,

Another towing function on the Odyssey is the D4 button on the shift lever. It changes the transmission from a 6 speed to a 4 speed. Honda suggests to drop into D4 on hills.

Our motor home had similar transmission functionality.

[MC1]

The Oddy's really hold their value. A 2005 showed up on Kijiji this AM. It was top of the line with leather with 188,000klm's. Price was 10,500.

[Nut501]

Originally Posted by honda03842

ECO Mode,

I'm not sure that we'll ever be in ECO mode when towing except maybe on downhill runs but it makes a significant difference in miles per gallon. I was able to take a 20 ride this morning on non-highway roads with stop lights and get an indicated 28 mpg.

Now I haven't calibrated the accumulative mpg gauge yet the ability of the ECO, the shutting off of cylinders when not needed reduces fuel usage.

Before we bought the Odyssey I was surprised that it had the same mileage rating as our CRV even though the Odyssey is a 6 cylinder, Now I know why.

Norm,
Please, if you keep on talking about your new Honda Odyssey, I'm going to have to go out and buy me one of those Honda's.
Let us know how it pull your Scamp?
Thanks!!!!!

[honda03842]

Carl,

I plan to report on how the Odyssey tows. The automatic will be really different for us since we've mostly owned manual transmission vehicles. My clutch foot still twitches as we drive.

[MC1]

From what I have seen the Oddy's towing in these parts you might forget your Scamp is back there Norm. :7)

[honda03842]

Certainly the size of the Scamp will be more comparable to the size of the trailer. Also the Odyssey is about 1000 pounds heavier. I can't wait to tow.

[MC1]

A wise man once wrote that tow vehicle weight was not that big a factor when it comes to stability. A heavy tow vehicle is a benefit if most other items regarding the combo are wrong.

In your case thinking the wheelbase increase from 103 to 118 is a major plus factor in feel as well as the increased HP in power.
When we went from the 150HP/4,000lb van to the 260HP/3,200lb car the pulling power was amazing especially on hills. The lighter more powerful car would hold speed effortlessly. The lighter vehicle was a tad more stable when towing on a windy highway.

[honda03842]

Thought the Odyssey is heavier than the CRV it doesn't feel particularly heavy, weighing about 4500 lbs.

The CRV towed beautifully though not powerful on hills but certainly capable of negotiating everywhere we went. We will have 50% more horsepower and torque with the Odyssey.

[honda03842]

Honda Odyssey Rear Hatch.

There was an early question of hatch clearance. The pictures show it easily clears the propane tank and Scamp, even with the rock shield up.

Also the rear camera makes it possible to hookup without assistance. Ginny said take it back.

What makes it work is that the rear hatch pivot point is almost two feet forward of the ball.

It was not possible to fully open the CRV's door, side opening , when connected.


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[honda03842]

One more Odyssey advantage.

The wheel base of the Odyssey is 118 inches, the CRVs was 103. Long wheel bases are usually better particularly if the rear axle to ball distance is short.

The CRV and Odyssey have about the same ball distance to axle.

[honda03842]

We ordered a 7 pin connector with our transmission cooler and hitch. We were surprised when we picked up the Odyssey that it had a 4 pin connector. They agreed to replace it with a 7 pin connector and did.

I told the dealer, and will write to Honda, that it's foolish to put a 4 pin connector on a vehicle rated to tow 3500 lbs. Are they encouraging towing without brakes?

Today I installed the brake controller by following an etrailer video that is very good. It appears that they have step by step videos for many vehicles.

I attached the brake controller to a driver's door side change compartment. In this location the controller is perpendicular to the floor when not in use and tipped towards the horizontal when in use. In either case it's not far from the steering wheel and easy to actuate.

I use a tywrap to hold the controller to the change compartment.

[carlkeigley]

While out doing some banking and shopping I discovered
my Odyssey has three phone buttons on the steering wheel........

Wife said she knew they were there all the time......LOL
And there's another lever of sorts below those buttons.

[honda03842]

The salesman spent two hours going through the car with us. We needed it since our CRV did not have nearly the Odyssey' slevel of electroniucs- ten years is a really long time in electronic evolution.

He down loaded our phones in to the Odyssey and had us call each other and send messages. We had an incoming call yesterday.

The paddle switch below the phone switches allows you to move through menus with out taking your hand off the steering wheel.

We have managed to reprogram a lot of functions, for example shifting into park opens all the doors. All the little things that make it easier to use for us.

We're now considering how to organize the space behind the second row of seats. We're considering a shelf to allow us to put our chairs on the shelf and a few containers under the shelf.

We will be using the third row of seats later in August so now we're in the thing stage.

[MC1]

Sounds like you are really getting into your new Oddy Norm.


I have to laugh. My sis and her hubby have a big Hummer H2 and a BMW z3 sports car.

Both fairly useless vehicles IMHO but they can't figure out why we like to drive Mini Vans so much.

Hummmmm....... Mini Vans.........

Drive so nice..... (much better than the H2 and a 15 year old z3).

Easy to get in and out of...... (much easier than the H2 and a 15 year old z3).

Versatility ..... (much better than the H2 and a 15 year old z3).

Can carry 7 or 8 passengers comfortably...... (much better than the H2 and a 15 year old z3).

They can haul lawnmower, lawn tractor, numerous bikes, junk to dump, 4 car tires, 800lbs of brick with 400lbs of payload left over, etc...... (much better than the H2 and a 15 year old z3).

They can tow a good size trailer. Up for discussion but IMHO....... (much better than the H2 and a 15 year old z3).

Fairly good gas mileage. OK, the 4cyl z3 is more fuel efficient but as for the H2.....