2003 HONDA PILOT torque

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the VTM-4 System, and
f acts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer.........................
Driving Guidelines .230
........................
Preparing to Drive .231
.......................
Starting the Engine .232
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude .232
..............
Automatic Transmission . 233
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 233
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 234
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 236
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 236
Variable Torque Management ..............................
4WD System .238
..............................
VTM-4 Lock .238
...........................................
Parking .240
.....................
The Braking System .241
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 241
...............
Brake System Design . 242
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .242
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .243
........................
ABS Indicator .243
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 245
...........................
Towing a Trailer .247
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a ................................
Motorhome .259
..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 261
Driving
Driving229

This indicator on the instrument
panel shows which position the shif t
lever is in.
Your Honda’s transmission has f ive
f orward speeds, and is electronically
controlled f or smoother shif ting. It
also has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converter
forbetterfueleconomy.Youmay
f eel what seems like another shif t
when the converter locks.
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it f lashes
while driving (in any shif t position),
it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid acceler-
ation and have the transmission
checkedbyanauthorizedHonda
dealer as soon as possible.
The malf unction indicator lamp may
come on along with the ‘‘D’’ indicator
if there is a problem in the automatic
transmission control system.
Shif t L ever Position Indicator
Automatic Transmission
Driving233

The Variable Torque Management
4WD System (VTM-4) automatically
transf ers varying amounts of engine
torque to the rear wheels under low
traction conditions.If more traction is needed when your
Pilot is stuck or is likely to become
stuck, you can use the VTM-4 Lock
button to increase torque to the rear
wheels. As soon as this feature is no
longer needed, press the VTM-4
Lock button again to disengage the
VTM-4 Lock. VTM-4 Lock
Variable Torque Management 4WD System
Driving238
Do not use the VTM-4 Lock button on
dry, paved roads. Driving on dry,
paved roads with VTM-4 Lock ON may
damage the rear dif f erential when
making a turn. Strange noises and
vibration can also result.

To engage the VTM-4 Lock:To disengage the VTM-4 Lock, do
one of the f ollowing:
The VTM-4 Lock will temporarily
disengage when the vehicle speed
exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h). It will
automatically engage again as the
speed slows below 18 mph (30
km/h). The light in the VTM-4 Lock
button will remain on the whole time.
The vehicle must be stopped with
the engine running.
Move the shift lever to first (1),
second (2) or reverse (R) gear.
Press the VTM-4 Lock button.
The light in the button will come
on.
To get unstuck, apply light pressure
to the accelerator pedal. Do not spin
the f ront tires f or more than a f ew
seconds. Because of the amount of
torque applied to the rear tires, they
should not spin. This is normal. If
you are not able to get the vehicle to
move, apply the brakes to stop the
wheels, then reverse direction. Press the VTM-4 Lock button.
Move the shift lever to D, or D .
Turn the ignition to OFF (0).
When you restart your Pilot, the
VTM-4 Lock f eature will be of f .
1.
2.
3.
3
Variable Torque Management 4WD System
Driving239
Do not continuously spin the f ront tires
of your PILOT. Continuously spinning
the f ront tires can cause transmission
or rear dif f erential damage.

When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Tighten the drain bolt at the rear
of the engine cylinder block
securely.
Tightening torque:
Remove the reserve tank f rom its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
Install a rubber hose on the drain
bolt in the back of the engine
block. Loosen the drain bolt. 6.
4. 5. 7.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance290
DRAIN BOLT
RESERVE TANK
HOLDER RESERVE
TANK CAP
7 lbf·ft (10 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m)

Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
The dif f erential should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer, and caref ully f eel inside the
bolt hole with your f inger. The f luid
level should be up to the edge of the
bolt hole. If it is not, slowly add
VTM-4 Dif f erential Fluid until it
starts to run out of the hole.
Maint enance
Dif f erential Fluid
294
FILLER BOLT
CORRECT LEVEL
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)

´
µ
Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:Spark Plug Gap:
Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the hexagon socket head cap bolt.
Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other f ive spark plugs.
Reinstall the cover on the front
cylinder bank while putting its
mounting clip in the hole on the
passenger’s side. Secure the cover
by turning the heads of the two
holding clips one-quarter turn
clockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. NGK:
DENSO:
8. 9.
10.
11. 12. Specif ications:
Spark Plugs
Maint enance301
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
PKJ16CR-L11 PZFR5F-11
0
0.1 mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
Remove the center cap from the
flat tire.Place the f lat tire f ace up under
the hoist.
Slowly turn the wheel wrench
clockwisetotakeuptheslackof
the hoist cable. Make sure the
bracketisseatedinthecenter
hole of the spare tire.
Turn the wheel wrench clockwise
until the f lat tire rests against the
underbody of the vehicle and you
hear the hoist click.
Insert the hoist bracket into the
center hole of the f lat tire.
18.
19. 20.
21.
22.
23.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed340
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)