2003 HONDA PILOT tailgate

Once the security system is set,
opening any door (without using the
key or the remote transmitter), or
the hood, will cause it to alarm. It
also alarms if the radio is removed
f rom the dashboard or the wiring is
cut.Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. The security system will not set if
the hood, tailgate, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Tailgate Open
Monitor on the instrument panel
(see page ) to see if the doors and
tailgate are f ully closed. Since it is
notpartofthemonitordisplay,
manually check the hood.
The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights, and taillights f lash if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicleorremovetheradio.This
alarm continues f or two minutes,
then the system resets. To reset an
alarming system before the two
minutes have elapsed, unlock the
driver’s f ront door with the key or
the remote transmitter.
The security system sets auto-
matically, f if teen seconds af ter you
lock the doors, hood, and tailgate.
For the system to activate, you must
lock the doors f rom the outside with
the key, or remote transmitter. The
security system light next to the low
oil pressure indicator starts blinking
immediately to show you the system
is setting itself . 64
On EX model
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures206
SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT

Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of carbon monoxide
poisoning, f ollow the instructions
on page . If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items on it does
not exceed 165 lb (75 kg).
Thehooksoneachsideof the
tailgate and on the underside of the
cargo area storage compartment lid
are f or plastic grocery bags. To use
the hooks on the storage
compartment lid, open the lid, and
attach the cord to one of the shafts
of the third seat center head
restraint.
56
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving227

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Check that the hood and tailgate
arefullyclosed. Makesurethedoorsandtailgate
are securely closed and locked.
3. 2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 11.
12. 10.
15
78
61
102
232
89
Preparing to Drive
Driving231

Since lighting and wiring vary in
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicleandthetrailer.
All states and Canadian provinces
require some type of trailer lights.
Check requirements f or the areas
where you plan to tow.
To get to your vehicle’s trailer
lighting connector, open the tailgate,
remove the cargo cover, then
remove the rear panel trim. The
connector is on the lef t side. We
recommend that you have your
Honda dealer install a Honda wiring
harness and converter. This harness
has been designed and tested f or
your vehicle.
If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
cangetthematingconnectorand
pins that mate with the connector in
your vehicle f rom your Honda dealer.
T railer L ights
Towing a Trailer
Driving255
GROUND
(BLACK)
BACK-UP LIGHT
(GREEN/BLACK) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/WHITE)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW) BRAKE LIGHT
(WHITE/BLACK)
TAILLIGHT
(RED/BLACK)

Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the two screws, then pull
the rear light assembly straight
back to remove it from the body.
Determine which of the three
bulbs is burned out: stop/taillight,
turn signal/hazard lights, or side
marker light. Remove the burned out bulb by
pulling it straight out of its socket.Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Push the socket into the light
assembly and turn it clockwise
until it locks.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Make sure all the wires are
correctly routed on the rear light
assembly, then install the
assembly on the body.
Open the tailgate.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Rear Bulbs
320

Removethelensbycarefully
prying on its lef t edge with a f lat-
tip screwdriver.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out. Push a new bulb into
the socket.
Reinstall the lens, lef t side f irst.Open the tailgate. Place a cloth on
the edge of back-up light cover.
Remove it by caref ully prying in
the notch on its edge with a small
f lat-tipped screwdriver.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push a new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.Insert the socket back into the
light assembly. Turn it clockwise
to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Reinstall the back-up light cover.
1.
2.
3. 1.
2.
3.4.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
Replacing a Back-up light bulb
Lights
Maint enance321

The individual map lights, tailgate
light, and the vanity mirror lights
come apart the same way. They do
not all use the same bulb.Removethelensbycarefully
prying on the edge of the lens with
a f ingernail f ile or a small f lat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the
lens.
Pull the light assembly out of the
tailgate.
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push a new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Place a cloth on the middle edge
of a part of the lens on the
passenger’s side. Remove a part of
the lens by caref ully prying on its
edge with a small f lat-tipped
screwdriver.
Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the screw under the lens.
1.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Bulbs in the Interior
Lights
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
322
FRONT INDIVIDUAL MAP LIGHT
SCREW

Front individual map light:
Pry on the f ront edge in f ront of both
map lights.
Rear individual map light:
Pryontherearedgeof thelensin
the middle.
Tailgate light:
Pry on the upper edge to the lef t and
right of center.Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
2.
3.
Lights
Maint enance323
DOOR LIGHT
TAILGATE LIGHT SUN VISOR LIGHT
GRAB RAIL LIGHT