2004 HONDA PILOT tailgate

When this switch is in the position:When this switch is in the position: When the switch is in the
position:ON
All the individual map lights come
on.
None of the lights come on when a
door or the tailgate is opened. OFF
The individual map lights in the
f ront can be turned on and of f with
the switches next to the lights. The individual map lights in the
second and third rows cannot be
turned on.
Door
Activated The individual map lights come on
whenanydoororthetailgateis
opened, or when the remote
transmitter is used to unlock the
doors.
The individual map lights in the
second and third rows can be
turned on and of f by pressing the
lens.
The tailgate light comes on when
you open the tailgate if the light
switch is in the ON position.
The lights go out about 6 seconds
after all the doors and the tailgate
are closed. With any door or the
tailgate lef t open, the lights stay
on about 3 minutes, then go out. The courtesy lights in the f ront
doors and around the ignition switch
come on when you open any door.
Af ter you close the door, the ignition
switch light stays on f or several
seconds.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Lights
L ight Control SwitchIndividual Int erior L ight s
79
ON
DOOR
ACTIVATED
POSITION
OFF

The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights, and taillights f lash if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicle. This alarm continues for two
minutes, then the system resets. To
reset an alarm system bef ore the two
minutes have elapsed, unlock the
driver’s f ront door with the key or
the remote transmitter.Once the security system is set,
opening any door without using the
key or the remote transmitter, or the
hood, will cause it to alarm. It also
alarms if the radio is removed from
the dashboard or the wiring is cut.The security system will not set if
the hood, the tailgate, or any door is
not f ully closed. If the system will not
set, check the Door and Tailgate
Open Monitor on the instrument
panel (see page ) to see if the
doors and the tailgate are f ully
closed. Since it is not part of the
monitor display, manually check the
hood.
The security system automatically
sets fifteen seconds after you lock
the doors, hood, and the tailgate. For
the system to activate, you must lock
the doors f rom the outside with the
keyorremotetransmitter.The
security system light starts blinking
immediately to show you the system
is setting itself . Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
50
On EX models
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Security System
115
SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT

µ
Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that came with your roof rack.
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
The cargo cover can be used over
the cargo area behind the third row
seats. When the third row seats are
f olded down, the cargo cover can be
installed in a f orward position and
extended over the larger cargo area. Thehooksoneachsideof the
tailgate and on the underside of the
cargo area storage compartment lid
are f or plastic grocery bags. To use
the hook on the storage
compartment lid, open the lid, and
attach the cord to one of the shafts
of the third seat center head
restraint.
The hook on the rear
of the console compartment is f or
plastic grocery bags.
42On LX model
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
carbon monoxide
poisoning Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Optional Cargo Cover
133

Your vehicle has a higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicator lights in
the instrument panel (see page
).
Make sure the doors and the
tailgate are securely closed and
locked. Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ). Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ). Check the seat adjustment (see
page ). Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle. Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof . Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
3.
2. 1. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
61
74
68
12
47
See page f or additional driving of f - highway guidelines. 155
Driving Guidelines
Driving
Preparing to Drive
136

Check trailer light requirements f or
the areas where you plan to tow.
To get to your vehicle’s trailer
lighting connector, open the tailgate,
remove the cargo cover, then
remove the rear panel trim. The
connector is on the lef t side. We
recommend that you have your
Honda dealer install a Honda wiring
harness and converter.If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
cangetthematingconnectorand
pins that mate with the connector in
your vehicle f rom your Honda dealer.
When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. See page f or proper
tire size, page f or how to store a
full size wheel and tire, and page
f or inf ormation on changing a
flat tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare
tire. Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Towing perf ormance can be
af f ected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Theref ore, premium
fuelisrecommendedwhentowing
more than 3,500 lbs (1,590 kg).
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Drive slower than normal in all
driving conditions.
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer has a
smaller arc and it can hit or run
over something the vehicle misses.
191
197 200
T railer L ights
Spare Tires
Towing a Trailer, Trailer Driving Tips
Driving
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
152
GROUND
(BLACK)BACK-UP LIGHT
(GREEN/BLACK) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/WHITE)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW) BRAKE LIGHT
(WHITE/BLACK)
TAILLIGHT
(RED/BLACK)
Connector-98530-00006-00
Terminal Kit-07JAZ-001-030A

Open the tailgate.
Remove the two screws, then pull
the rear light assembly straight
back to remove it from the body.
Remove the socket of the burned
out bulb by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise, and pull it
straight out of its socket.Place a cloth on the middle edge
of a part of the lens on the
passenger’s side. Remove a part of
the lens by caref ully prying on its
edge with a small f lip tipped
screwdriver.
Install a new bulb into the socket
and reinstall the socket into the
light assembly.
Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the screw under the lens.
1.
1.
2.
3.
2.
4.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the High-mount Brake
Light
Replacing Rear Bulbs
182
SCREW

If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the f ive holding clips f rom
the inner f ender.
Pull the light assembly out of the
tailgate.
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push a new bulb into the
socket until it bottoms. Reinstall
the assembly.
1. 2.
4.
5. 3.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front Side Marker
Light Bulb
183
HOLDING CLIP

Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors. Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield. Disconnect the battery.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.If possible, run the engine
periodically (pref erably once a
month).
If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your Honda
dealer perf orm the inspections called
f or in the 24 months/30,000 miles
maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage. 165
Maint enance
Vehicle Storage
194