2003 HONDA PILOT oil additives

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are replaced.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). We also recommend that you do not
tow a trailer during the f irst 500
miles (800 km).
Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Premium f uel is recommended when
towing in certain conditions (see
page ).
256
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period Gasoline
216

This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .270
.
Important Safety Precautions . 271
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 272
...
Required Maintenance Record . 279
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 281
..............................
Fluid Locations .282
......................................
Engine Oil .283
..................................
Adding Oil .283
....................
Recommended Oil .283
..............................
Synthetic Oil .284
....................................
Additives .284
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 285
.............................
Cooling System .287
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 287
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 289
....................
Windshield Washers .292
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 293
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .294
....................................
Brake Fluid .295
............................
Brake System .295
..............................
Power Steering .296
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .297
....................................
Hood Latch .298
....................................
Spark Plugs .299
..............................
Replacement .299
............................
Specif ications .301 ...........................................
Battery .302
.................................
Wiper Blades .304
..............
Air Conditioning System . 306
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 307
.....................................
Drive Belts .307
....................................
Timing Belt .308
...............................................
Tires .308
......................................
Inf lation .308
..................................
Inspection .310
..............................
Maintenance .311
.............................
Tire Rotation .311
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 312
......................
Wheels and Tires .313
..........................
Winter Driving .313
.............................
Snow Tires .314
............................
Tire Chains .314
.............................................
Lights .315
.....................
Headlight Aiming .317
........................
Replacing Bulbs .317
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .324
377
Maintenance
Maint enance269

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your vehicle
according to this chart.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Honda, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less f uel.
Your Honda does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
A dditives
284
Ambient Temperature

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