2003 HONDA PILOT brakes

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

The f ollowing pages contain practical
tips on basic of f -highway operation.
Driving of f -highway can be hard on a
vehicle. Bef ore you leave the
pavement, be sure all scheduled
maintenance and service has been
done, and that you have inspected
your vehicle. Pay special attention to
the condition of the tires, and use a
gauge to check the tire pressures.Of f -highway, the general rule is to
keep your speed low. Of course,
you’ll need enough speed to keep
moving forward. But at higher
speeds, you have less time to assess
conditions and make good decisions.
There’s also a greater chance of
sliding if you brake or turn too
quickly on wet soil, gravel, or ice. In
any situation, never go f aster than
conditions allow.Generally, the best of f -pavement
braking technique is to gently
depress the brake pedal, then
increase pressure as more braking is
needed. Avoid hard braking. Keep in
mind that you will usually need more
time and distance to brake to a stop
on unpaved surf aces.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e. Check
the tires for damage and for proper
pressure. If you need to brake hard because of
an emergency, apply steady, even
pressure to the brake pedal. Do not
pump the brakes; let the anti-lock
braking system pump them f or you.
If you pump the brakes, the anti-lock
cannot work as ef f iciently, and your
stopping distance may be increased.
Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway. You may even dig
yourself into a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second gear (2) will
help get you to a smooth start on
snow and ice.
CONT INUED
Cont rolling Speed
Check Out Your Vehicle
A ccelerat ing and BrakingDriving T ips
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving263

Test your brakes from time to time
to make sure they are operating
properly. This will also give you a
f eel f or how much traction you have
on a given surf ace.
Off-highway, the basic turning
technique is to drive at low speed
and gradually adjust the amount of
steering to suit the surf ace.
You should have no problem making
sharp turns at low speed on level
ground. But never make an abrupt
turn at higher speeds, on or of f
pavement. With a higher center of
gravity, your vehicle can more easily
tip or roll over.Bef ore driving up or down a hill, stop
and assess the situation. If you can’t
clearly see all road conditions (good
traction, no bumps, holes or other
obstacles, a safe way out, etc.) walk
the slope bef ore you drive on it. If
you have any doubt about whether
you can saf ely drive on the slope,
. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue (because of
the steepness, a large obstacle, etc.), . Your vehicle
could roll over. Slowly back down the
hill, f ollowing the same route you
took up the hill. Bumps, holes, rocks, and other
obstacles can be hazardous. Debris
in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Even small rocks can cut your tires.
More important, because your
vehicle has a high center of gravity,
driving over a large obstacle, or
allowing a wheel to drop into a deep
hole, can cause your vehicle to tip or
roll over.
Drive slow enough to observe
obstacles ahead and maneuver
around them. If you can’t avoid a
serious obstacle, turn around and
look f or a better route.
don’t do it
do not try to turn around
T urning
Avoiding Obstacles
Driving on Slopes
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving264

Bef ore driving through water, stop
and make sure that:The water is never deep enough to
cover your wheel hubs, axles or
exhaust pipe. You could stall, and
not be able to restart the engine.
The water could also damage
important vehicle components. The water is not f lowing too f ast.
Deep rushing water can sweep you
downstream. Even very shallow
rushingwatercanwashthe
ground f rom under your tires and
cause you to lose traction and
possibly roll over.The banks are sloped so you can
drive out.
The banks and surf ace under the
water provide good traction. The
water may hide hazards such as
rocks, holes, or mud.
If you decide it’s saf e to drive
through water, choose a suitable
speed and engage VTM-4 Lock (see
page ), then proceed without
shif ting or changing speed. Do not
stop the vehicle or shut of f the
engine while trying to cross a stream.
After driving through water, test
your brakes. If the brakes got wet,
drive slowly while gently pumping
the brakes until they operate
normally.
If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service to the
engine, transmission and dif f erential
mayberequired.Thisserviceisnot
covered by your warranties. 238
Crossing a Stream
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Driving265

The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your
vehicle serviced and what things
need attention. It is essential that
you have your vehicle serviced as
scheduled to retain its high level of
saf ety, dependability, and emissions
control perf ormance.Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages. Select the schedule
f or ‘‘Severe Conditions’’ if most of
your driving is done under one or
more of the conditions listed on that
page. Otherwise, f ollow the schedule
f or ‘‘Normal Conditions.’’
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
vehicle as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your vehicle. The
load limit is shown on the tire
inf ormation label on the driver’s
doorjamb. Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage
).
216
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
272

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Ì
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Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if the
severe driving conditions
specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you onlydrive under a
‘‘severe’’ condition, you should
f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
OCCASIONALLY
Maint enance
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
274
Visually inspect the following items: Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 1 year
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at
least once per month)
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
7.5
12 6 15
24
12
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)30
48
24
45
72
3660
96
4875
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Adjust only if noisy
273
:
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
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Maint enance275
Canadian owners: A, B, C, D
A
B
C
D
Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval. Follow this
schedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Conditions Schedule on the next page do not apply.
7,500 mi/12,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
22,500 mi/36,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
37,500 mi/60,000 km
3yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
52,500 mi/84,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
67,500 mi/108,000 km
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
82,500 mi/132,000 km
6yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
97,500 mi/156,000 km
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
112,500 mi/180,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs
9yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
then every 60,000 mi/
96,000 km/5 yrs Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
311).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
Inspect exhaust system .
Inspect fuel lines and connections .
Replace air cleaner element.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace dust and pollen filter.
Replace rear differential fluid.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,D
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage)
Replace transmission fluid. Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A. Replace transmission fluid. Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage)
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A. Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump.
Replace transmission fluid.
Inspect idle speed . Inspect valve clearance.
Replace spark plugs. Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage)
Replace engine coolant.


See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Necessary for proper break-in of the VTM-4 rear differential.
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
NOTE: :
1: 273
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)

µ
µ
Î
Î
ÎÌ
Ì Ì
ÌÎ
Ì
Î
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Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than
10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods
of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a
roof top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you drive
your vehicle
MAINLYunder one or
more of the f ollowing conditions:
Maint enance
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
276
Visually inspect the following items: Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 monthsCheck oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and conditions of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls
Vehicle underbody Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
15
24
12
30
48
2445
72
3660
96
4875
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Follow this schedule for rear differential
fluid replacement if you use your vehicle
for off-highway driving, trailer towing,
or mainly in stop-and go driving.
Otherwise, use the fluid replacement
schedule in the Maintenance Schedule
for Normal Conditions.
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Use normal schedule except in dusty
conditions
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at
least once per month) 7.5
12 6
Adjust only if noisy
Refer to page308for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
Refer to page 307for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
1:
2:
3:
: See page 273.
,1
3
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions