2003 HONDA PILOT check oil

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 .334
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .335
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 342
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .342
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .342
................................
Jump Starting .343
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 345
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 347
..........
Charging System Indicator . 348
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 349
...............
Brake System Indicator . 351
..............................................
Fuses .352
..........
Checking and Replacing . 353
......................
Emergency Towing .358
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed333

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page ). Although oil
levelandoilpressurearenot
directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
1.
2.
3. 4.
220 283 358
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
347
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 223
................................
Accessories .223
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 224
............................
Modif ications .224
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .82
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 110
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 284
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 50
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .297
......
Air Conditioning System . 118,130
..............................
Maintenance .306
.....................
Rear A/C Control .135
.................................
Usage .118, 130
...............
Air Outlets (Vents) . 120,128
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .308
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .366
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 327
......................................
Antif reeze .287
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .63, 243
...................................
Operation .242
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 153
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 81..........................
Appearance Care .325
................
Audio System . 137,153,168
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 48
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 73
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 207
..............
Automatic Transmission . 233
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .362
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 293
.......................................
Shif ting .234
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 233
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 234
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 236
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62, 348
............................
Jump Starting .343
..............................
Maintenance .302
............................
Specif ications .363
..............................
Bef ore Driving .215
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,46
.........................
Beverage Holders .105
.................................
Body Repairs .332 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 242
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 216
...........................................
Fluid .295
....................
Bulb Replacement .320
.......................................
Parking .104
.................
System Indicator . 63,351
........................
Wear Indicators .241
.............................
Braking System .241
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 216
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 73
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .321
..............................
Brake Lights .320
......................
Cargo Area Light .323
................
Front Parking Lights . 318
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 319
.................................
Headlights .317
..............
Individual Map Lights . 322
...................
License Plate Light . 321
.................................
Rear Bulbs .320
............................
Specif ications .363
............
Turn Signal Lights . 318,320
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .317
Index
A
B
I

Î
................................
Cancel Button .209
............................
Capacities Chart .362
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 56
.............................
Carrying Cargo .225
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .181
...................
Operation . 149,160,178
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................
CD Changer . 145,165,184
......................
CD Player .143, 163,182
........................
Certif ication Label .360
............................................
Chains .315
Change Oil ........................................
How to .285
.............................
When to .274, 276
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .335
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 289
...
Charging System Indicator . 62,348
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 231
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 87
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21
.......................................
Child Seats .21
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 42
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 297Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .327
...................................
Carpeting .328
......................................
Exterior .326
.........................................
Fabric .329
.......................................
Interior .328
.......................................
Leather .329
...................................
Seat Belts .329
...........................................
Vinyl .329
....................................
Windows .330
...............
Climate Control System . 128
......................................
Coat Hook .111
.....................
Code, Audio System .189
........................
CO in the Exhaust .368
........................................
Coin Box .111
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 232
..............................
Compact Spare .334
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 374
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 59
Coolant ........................................
Adding .287
....................................
Checking .221
.........................
Proper Solution .287
...................................
Replacing .289
...................
Temperature Gauge . 68
....................
Corrosion Protection .331 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .368
............
Cruise Control Operation . 207
Customer Relations ................................
Inf ormation .374
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 60
................
Daytime Running Lights . 73
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 376
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 77
......
Def rosting the Windows . 125,133
....................................
Dimensions .362
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 72
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 293
..................................
Engine Oil .220
..........................
Directional Signals .74
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 241
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .286
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 82
....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
......................
Power Door Locks .82
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 364
.....................................
Drive Belts .307
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .229
....................................
Economy .222
.........................
In Bad Weather .245
................
In Foreign Countries . 367
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 307
...................................
DVD Player .190
..............................
Economy, Fuel .222
............
Emergencies on the Road . 333
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 343
...........
Brake System Indicator . 351
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 335
.....
Charging System Indicator . 348
..................
Checking the Fuses . 353
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 347
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 349
..................
Overheated Engine . 345
.........................
Emergency Brake .104
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .358
.......................
Emissions Controls .368 Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.................................
Drive Belts .307
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .62, 349
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,347
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 283
...............................
Overheating .345
............................
Specif ications .363
............................
Speed Limiter .236
.......................................
Starting .232
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .366
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 368
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .369
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 326
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .329
..........................
Fan, Interior .118, 131
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .117 ....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 217
Filters ...............................................
Air .297
.......................
Air Conditioning .306
...............................................
Oil .285
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 335
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 293
..........................................
Brake .295
..........................
Power Steering .296
..................
Windshield Washer . 292
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .176
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 95
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 367
..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
.................................................
Fuel .216
......................
Fill Door and Cap .217
...........................................
Gauge .68
................
Octane Requirement . 216
...............................
Oxygenated .366
........................
Reserve Indicator .65
........................
Tank, Filling the .217
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .353
Index
E
F
III

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .79
..................................
Maintenance .269
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 281
.................................
Record .279-280
......................
Required Indicator .69
..........................................
Saf ety .270
.............................
Schedule .274-276
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 62,349
..............
Manual Seat Adjustments . 91
...............................
Meters, Gauges .67
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 366
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .103
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 235
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 216
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 360..............................
Paint Touch-up .327
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 73
........................
Park Gear Position .234
................................
Jump Starting .343
.......................
Label, Certif ication .360
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 74
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,46
....................
Light Control Switch .112
.............................................
Lights .315
....................
Bulb Replacement .317
.......................................
Indicator .61
.......................................
Interior .112
.........................................
Parking .72
..................................
Turn Signal .74
....................................
Load Limits .226
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 81
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 81
............................
Fuel Fill Door .217
....................................
Glove Box .88
....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
.................................
Power Door .82 ........................
Low Coolant Level .221
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .65
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,347
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 362
.........................................
Luggage .225 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 216
.........................................
Odometer .67
...............................
Odometer, Trip .67
Oil ........................
Change, How to .285
..............
Change, When to . 274,276
......................
Checking Engine .220
..............
Pressure Indicator . 62,347
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .284
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 82
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 367
............................
Outside Mirrors .102
....................
Overheating, Engine .345
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 281
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .366
Index
L K
N MO
P
V

Î
...........................................
Parking .240
...............................
Parking Brake .104
.................................
Parking Lights .72
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 370
.............................
PGM-FI System .369
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 327
................
Power Seat Adjustments . 89
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 38
.........
Protecting Small Children . 35
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .42
.............................
Using LATCH .44 ..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 46
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 376
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
..........................................
Air bags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 57
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 46
...............
Additional Information . 46
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .48
.....................................
Cleaning .329
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .46
................................
Maintenance .49
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .46, 62
...................
System Components . 46
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
...................
Radiator Overheating . 345
Radio/CD Sound .......................
System .137, 153,168
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .135 ........
Rear Entertainment System . 190
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 320
..........................
Rear View Mirror .102
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 77
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 76
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 90,91
...........
Reclining the Second Seats . 92
................
Reclining the Third Seat . 92
.............................
Reminder Lights .61
................
Remote Audio Controls . 188
.......................
Remote Transmitter .84
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 297
.......................................
Coolant .289
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 285
..........................................
Fuses .353
................................
Light Bulbs .317
............................
Schedule .274, 276
................................
Spark Plugs .299
................................
Timing Belt .308
...........................................
Tires .312
.............................
Wiper Blades .304
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .49
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 221
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 235................................
Rotation, Tire .311
Index
S
R
VI

Î
....................................
Tire Chains .314
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 335
...............................................
Tires .308
..............................
Air Pressure .308
...................................
Balancing .311
.........................
Checking Wear .310
..........................
Compact Spare .334
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 364
......................................
Inf lation .308
..................................
Inspection .310
...................................
Replacing .312
......................................
Rotating .311
...........................................
Snow .314
............................
Specif ications .363
................................
Tire Chains .314
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .247
................
Emergency Wrecker . 358
Your Vehicle Behind a ............................
Motorhome .259
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 293
...........................
Fluid Selection .293
..............
Identif ication Number . 360
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 233
.....................................
Treadwear .364 .......................................
Trip Meter .68
....................................
Turn Signals .74
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 335
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .331
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .333
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 364
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .216
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .328
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 286
................................
Vanity Mirror .109
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 226
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .362
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 360
.............................
Vehicle Storage .324
.....................................
Ventilation .123
.................................................
VIN .360
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .329
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .284
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .238 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 57
..................
Warranty Coverages .375
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 292
............................
Level Indicator .65
.....................................
Operation .76
.........................................
Washing .326
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 327
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 78
............
Alignment and Balance . 311
..........................
Compact Spare .334
......................................
Wrench .337
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .330
..................
Operating the Power . 99
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .77
Windshield .....................................
Cleaning .330
...........................
Def roster .125, 133
.......................................
Washers .76
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .304
Index
V W
U
VIII