2003 HONDA PILOT checking oil

Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see
on page . Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
4. 283 287281
A dding
Engine Coolant
A dding Oil Owner Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
Bef ore Driving
Service Station Procedures
221
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX
MINRESERVE TANK

Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Regularly maintaining your vehicle is
the best way to protect your
investment. Proper maintenance is
essential to your saf ety and the
saf ety of your passengers. It will also
reward you with more economical,
trouble-f ree driving, and help reduce
air pollution. This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by a Honda
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance270
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

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

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
....................................
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