2003 HONDA PILOT automatic transmission

To engage the VTM-4 Lock:To disengage the VTM-4 Lock, do
one of the f ollowing:
The VTM-4 Lock will temporarily
disengage when the vehicle speed
exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h). It will
automatically engage again as the
speed slows below 18 mph (30
km/h). The light in the VTM-4 Lock
button will remain on the whole time.
The vehicle must be stopped with
the engine running.
Move the shift lever to first (1),
second (2) or reverse (R) gear.
Press the VTM-4 Lock button.
The light in the button will come
on.
To get unstuck, apply light pressure
to the accelerator pedal. Do not spin
the f ront tires f or more than a f ew
seconds. Because of the amount of
torque applied to the rear tires, they
should not spin. This is normal. If
you are not able to get the vehicle to
move, apply the brakes to stop the
wheels, then reverse direction. Press the VTM-4 Lock button.
Move the shift lever to D, or D .
Turn the ignition to OFF (0).
When you restart your Pilot, the
VTM-4 Lock f eature will be of f .
1.
2.
3.
3
Variable Torque Management 4WD System
Driving239
Do not continuously spin the f ront tires
of your PILOT. Continuously spinning
the f ront tires can cause transmission
or rear dif f erential damage.

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shif ts f requently
while going up a hill, shif t down one
gear.
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.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to D . 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 your trailer
to sway. When being passed by a
truck or other large vehicle, keep a
constant speed and steer straight
ahead. Do not try to make quick
steering or braking corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in PARK and f irmly
setting the parking brake when you
have f inished parking.
Donotparkonaninclineunlessitis
unavoidable. If you must park on an
incline, turn the vehicle wheels
toward the curb on a downhill and
awayfromthecurbonanuphill.
After parking, place wheel chocks at
each trailer tire, on the downhill side.
If the vehicle wheels slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shifttofirstgearandturnonVTM-4
Lock (see page ).
Disengage VTM-4 Lock as soon as
the boat is out of the water to
prevent damage to the VTM-4
system.
238
3
bottom
Driving on Hills
Handling Crosswinds and
T urbulence
Backing Up Parking
Ret rieving a Boat
Towing a Trailer
Driving258

When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours.
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ). Maintaining the correct f luid level
is very important.
Start the engine.
Leave the ignition switch in
ACCESSORY (I) so the steering
wheel does not lock. Make sure
the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets
are turned of f so you do not run
down the battery. Release the parking brake.
Your Pilot can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, it must be towed
with all f our wheels on the ground
(f lat towing).
Press on the brake pedal. Shif t the
lever through all the positions (P,
R, N, D, D , 2, 1)
ShifttoD,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn of f the engine.
Do the f ollowing to prepare your
Pilot f or ‘‘f lat towing.’’ Perf orm this
procedure every day immediately
bef ore you begin towing, and f ollow
this procedure exactly; otherwise,
severe automatic transmission
damage will occur. 293
Do not overf ill.
CONT INUED
3
Ext ended T owing
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving259

This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .270
.
Important Safety Precautions . 271
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 272
...
Required Maintenance Record . 279
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 281
..............................
Fluid Locations .282
......................................
Engine Oil .283
..................................
Adding Oil .283
....................
Recommended Oil .283
..............................
Synthetic Oil .284
....................................
Additives .284
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 285
.............................
Cooling System .287
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 287
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 289
....................
Windshield Washers .292
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 293
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .294
....................................
Brake Fluid .295
............................
Brake System .295
..............................
Power Steering .296
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .297
....................................
Hood Latch .298
....................................
Spark Plugs .299
..............................
Replacement .299
............................
Specif ications .301 ...........................................
Battery .302
.................................
Wiper Blades .304
..............
Air Conditioning System . 306
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 307
.....................................
Drive Belts .307
....................................
Timing Belt .308
...............................................
Tires .308
......................................
Inf lation .308
..................................
Inspection .310
..............................
Maintenance .311
.............................
Tire Rotation .311
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 312
......................
Wheels and Tires .313
..........................
Winter Driving .313
.............................
Snow Tires .314
............................
Tire Chains .314
.............................................
Lights .315
.....................
Headlight Aiming .317
........................
Replacing Bulbs .317
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .324
377
Maintenance
Maint enance269

µµ µ
µ
µ µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page .
220
221
293 295 308
315
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance281

Fluid Locations
Maint enance282
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)COOLANT
RESERVOIR
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) RADIATOR CAP ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission.
Remove the dipstick and check the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
To thoroughly f lush the
transmission, the technician
should drain and ref ill it with
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive
the vehicle a short distance. Do
this three times. Then drain and
ref ill the transmission a f inal time.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule. Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always
use Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid). If it is not
available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your Honda dealer.
1.
2.
3.
5.
6.
4.
Maint enance
Automatic Transmission Fluid
293
DIPSTICK
DIPSTICK LOWER MARK
UPPER MARK

The Transmission Number is on a
label on top of the transmission. The Engine Number is stamped into
the engine block. It is on the f ront.
Identif ication Numbers
T echnical Inf ormation361
ENGINE NUMBERAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER