Page 1 of 392

Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Important Handling Information........................................................................\
.............................iii
Your Vehicle at a Glanc e........................................................................\
............................................ .2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... .117
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .267
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................215
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .229
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................269
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................325
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................373
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................377 Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
............................................ .359
2003 Pilot Online Reference Owner's Manual
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
........................................ .59
Page 6 of 392
Your Vehicle at a Glance
2
INDICATOR LIGHTSGAUGES
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
MIRROR
CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE AUDIO SYSTEM
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
(P.61)
(P.67)
(P.82)
(P.103)
(P.99)
(P.218) (P.110)(P.118,
128)
(P.137,
153,168)
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE (P.217) PARKING BRAKE
PEDAL
(P.104)
REAR A/C CONTROL
(P.135) ACCESSORY POWER SOCKETS
Page 7 of 392
Î
Î
To use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘H’’ logo.
:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
LIGHT CONTROL
SWITCH
CRUISE
CONTROL
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT CRUISE CONTROL
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/
WASHERS
(P.112)
(P.72/
74)
(P.207) (P.188) (P.78) (P.74/
76)
HORN
HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
(P.77)
(P.
238 )
(P.77)
(P.207) VTM-4
LOCK
Page 64 of 392
Control L ocations
Inst rument s and Cont rols60
INDICATOR LIGHTS (P.61)GAUGES (P.67)
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES (P.82)
MIRROR
CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE AUDIO SYSTEM
ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
(P.103)
(P.99)
(P.218) (P.110)(P.137,
153.168)
(P.118, 128)
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE
(P.217) PARKING BRAKE
PEDAL
(P.104)REAR A/C CONTROL
(P.135)
Page 75 of 392
Î
ÎThetwoleversonthesteering
column contain controls f or driving
f eatures you use most of ten. The lef t
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The switches for the hazard warning
lights and rear window def ogger are
located to the right of the steering
column.
The tilt adjustment lever on the lef t
side of the steering column allows
you to tilt the steering wheel.To use the horn, press the pad
around the ‘‘H’’ logo.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
71
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS(P.72/ 74)
VTM-4LOCK
(P. 77)
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS (P.78) HORN
(P.74/76)
LIGHT CONTROL
SWITCH
HAZARD
WARNING
LIGHTS
CRUISE CONTROL REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT
CRUISE
CONTROL
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
(P.112)
(P.207) (P.188) (P.207) (P.238)
(P.77)
Page 86 of 392

µ
µ µ
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
This is the normal key
position when driving. All f eatures
and accessories on the vehicle are
usable. Several of the lights on the
instrument panel come on as a test
when you turn the ignition switch
f rom ACCESSORY to ON. The engine will not start if the
Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key’s coding (see page
).
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper.
In this position,
you can operate the audio system
and the accessory power sockets.
Each f ront door has a master door
lock switch. Either switch locks and
unlocks all doors and the tailgate.
Push the top of the switch to unlock
all doors and the tailgate, and the
bottom to lock them.
80
ST A RT (III)
Power Door L ocks
ON (II) A CCESSORY (I)
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols82
MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Page 114 of 392
Tousethesocketintheconsole
compartment, pull the cover up.
To use an accessory power socket,
the ignition switch must be in
ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II).
Your vehicle has four accessory
power sockets. The f ront accessory
power socket is located under the
audiosystem.Twomoresocketsare
located in the center console
compartment and on the back of the
center console. The f ourth socket is
behind the third seat on the driver’s
side. These sockets are intended to supply
power f or 12 volt DC accessories
that are rated 120 watts or less (10
amps).
When more than one socket is being
used, the combined power rating of
the accessories should be 120 watts
or less (10 amps).
A ccessory Power Socket s
Inst rument s and Cont rols110
FRONT
Page 115 of 392
The coin box is located under the
audio system. To open the coin box,
pull the bottom edge. Close it with a
firm push.
The rear socket has a maximum
power rating of 120 watts (10 amps.)
None of the sockets will power an
automotive type cigarette lighter
element. Thesecondandthirdrowgrabrails
can also be used as coat hooks.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Coin Box
Coat Hook
A ccessory Power Socket s, Coin Box, Coat Hook
111