2003 HONDA PILOT service

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the
vehicle begins to slow down, and you
will have to press harder on the
pedal. The distance needed to stop
will be much longer. If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the vehicle’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
f luid level is low, take the vehicle to
your dealer and have the brake
system inspected f or leaks or worn
brake pads.Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See
on page .)
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
The Brake System Indicator comes
on when you turn the ignition ON
(II). If the parking brake is not set, it
goes of f af ter you start the engine. If
the parking brake is set, it goes of f
when you f ully release the parking
brake with the engine running. 295
358Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed351
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
U. S. indicator shown

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If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or,
if youbelongtoone,anorganization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. Any other
method of towing will damage the
drive system. When you contact the
towing agency, inf orm them that a
f lat-bed is required. The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
cables lif t that end of the vehicle of f
the ground. Your vehicle’s
suspension and body can be
seriously damaged. 259Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel L if t Equipment
Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is the only way to
transport your vehicle. Never tow your vehicle with
wheel lif t equipment. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
T his method of
towing your Pilot is unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed358
Towing a Pilot with only two tires on
the ground will damage parts of the
4WD system. It should be transported
on a f lat-bed truck or trailer.

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The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate. The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades. Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
T echnical Inf ormation
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
T readwear
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading Traction AA, A, B, C
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
364

Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthe
pump.The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your vehicle was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
MT BE ET HA NOL
MET HA NOL
T echnical Inf ormation
Oxygenated Fuels
366

U.S. Owners:
Canadian Owners:
Honda dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way.
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact your Honda
Customer Relations Of f ice. In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle
Date of purchase
Mileage on your vehicle
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you
When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
360
Cust omer Relat ions Inf ormat ion
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions374
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
RELATIONS AVEC LA CLIENTÉLE American Honda Motor Co.
Honda Consumer Affairs Department
Mail Stop 500-2N-7D
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, California 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 999-1009
Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-HONDA-9
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909 Toronto (416) 287-4776 Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00919-0816
(787) 250-4318

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Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should
contact their authorized Honda dealer.
T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order in any of three ways:
Detach and mail the order f orm on the right half of this page
Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc. at
1-800-782-4356
(credit card orders only)
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Authorized Manuals
377
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
OR
(NOTE: For Credit Card Holder Orders Only)
MINIMUM CREDIT CARD PURCHASE $10.00
Publication
Form Number 61S9V00
61S9V00EL 61S9V30
31S9V600
31S9V700
31S9VQ00 HON-R Form Description
2003 Honda Pilot Service Manual
2003 Honda Pilot
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2003 Honda Pilot
Body Repair Manual 2003 Honda PilotOwner’s Manual
2003 Honda Pilot
Navigation System Owner’s Manual 2003 Honda Pilot
Quick Start Guide
Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired Price
Each
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$50.00
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$10.00
FREE
PUBLICATION NUMBER VEHICLE MODEL
Name Year Qty
Price
Each Total
Price
GRAND TOTAL HANDLING CHARGE Mich. Purchases
Add 6% Sales Tax TOTAL MATERIAL
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Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M. EST
By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
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Prices are subject to change without
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Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
allow adequate time for delivery.
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring obligation.
www. helminc. com

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) This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand. Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
378
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
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Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
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These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

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CONT INUED
.....................................
Tachometer .67
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 320
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 333
...................
Tape Player . 149,160,178
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 364
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 368
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .366
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .370
.......................
Temperature Gauge .68
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 48
........
Testing of Readiness Codes . 371
............................
Thef t Protection .189
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 370
....................................
Timing Belt .308
.................................................
Seats .89
............
Folding the Second Seat . 94
...............
Folding the Third Seat . 95
..........................
Head Restraints .93
.........
Reclining the Second Seat . 92
............
Reclining the Third Seat . 92
........................
Rear Seat Access .94
...............................
Serial Number .360
...........................
Service Intervals .272
...........................
Service Manual .377
.........
Service Station Procedures . 217
Shif ting the Automatic .............................
Transmission .234
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 233
........................
Shif t Lock Release .236
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .319
...............................
Signaling Turns .74
.....................................
Snow Tires .314
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 326
................
Sound System . 137,153,168
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .334
............................
Specif ications .363
....................................
Spark Plugs .301
....................
Specif ications Charts . 362................................
Speed Control .207
...................................
Speedometer .67
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 50
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 55
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 53
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .50
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 52
........................
SRS Components .50
..................................
SRS Service .55
.............................
SRS Indicator .53 ,62
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 82
.......................
Starting the Engine .232
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .232
................
With a Dead Battery . 343
..............
State Emissions Testing . 371
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 345
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .78
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 81
...
Stereo Sound System . 137,153,168
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .324
........................
Sunglasses Holder .108
........................................
Sun Visor .109 Supplemental Restraint System
......................................
Servicing .55
.........................
SRS Indicator .53 ,62
...................
System Components . 50
..................................
Synthetic Oil .284
Index
T
VII