2003 HONDA PILOT towing behind a motorhome

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
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Engine Speed Limiter . 236
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 236
Variable Torque Management ..............................
4WD System .238
..............................
VTM-4 Lock .238
...........................................
Parking .240
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The Braking System .241
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Brake Wear Indicators . 241
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Brake System Design . 242
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .242
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .243
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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

When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours.
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ). Maintaining the correct f luid level
is very important.
Start the engine.
Leave the ignition switch in
ACCESSORY (I) so the steering
wheel does not lock. Make sure
the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets
are turned of f so you do not run
down the battery. Release the parking brake.
Your Pilot can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, it must be towed
with all f our wheels on the ground
(f lat towing).
Press on the brake pedal. Shif t the
lever through all the positions (P,
R, N, D, D , 2, 1)
ShifttoD,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn of f the engine.
Do the f ollowing to prepare your
Pilot f or ‘‘f lat towing.’’ Perf orm this
procedure every day immediately
bef ore you begin towing, and f ollow
this procedure exactly; otherwise,
severe automatic transmission
damage will occur. 293
Do not overf ill.
CONT INUED
3
Ext ended T owing
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving259

Replace the transmission fluid every
two years or 30,000 miles (48,000
km), whichever comes f irst.
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving260
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported on a f lat-bed or trailer.

µµ
µ
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.

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
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VIII