2004 HONDA PILOT tow

If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem in the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration and
havethetransmissioncheckedbya
Honda dealer as soon as possible.
These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in.
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). If it
f lashes while driving (in any shif t
position), it indicates a possible
problem in the transmission. To shif t f rom any position, pull the
lever toward you. You cannot shif t
out of Park when the ignition switch
is in the LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY
(I) positions.
Automatic Transmission
Driving
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Shif ting
138
SHIFT LEVER

µµ µ
µTo shift from: PtoR
RtoP
NtoR
Dto2 2to1
1to2
2toD
DtoD DtoN
DtoD NtoDRtoN Do this:
Press the brake pedal and
pull the shift lever towards
you.
Pull the shift lever towards
you.
Move the lever.
3
3
3
3
This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see on
page .
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. The shif t lever must be in
Park bef ore you can remove the key
from the ignition switch.
Press the brake
pedal and pull the shif t lever towards
you to shift from Park to Reverse. To
shif t f rom Reverse to Natural, come
to a complete stop and then shift. Use Neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from Neutral to
another gear.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The transmis-
sion automatically selects a suitable
gear f or your speed and acceleration.
You may notice the transmission
shif ting up at higher speeds when
the engine is cold. This helps the
engine warm up f aster.
141
CONT INUED
Park (P)
Shif t L ock Release
Reverse (R) Neutral (N)
Drive (D)
Automatic Transmission
Driving139

µµ µ
This position is
similar to D, except only the f irst
three gears are selected. Use D
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain,
or to provide engine braking when
going down a steep hill. D can also
keep the transmission f rom cycling
between third and f ourth gear in
stop-and-go driving.
This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshif t to f irst gear
when you come to a stop.
Use Second gear:
For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
For starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow.
To help reduce wheel spin. When driving downhill with a
trailer.
This position locks, the
transmission locks in f irst gear. By
upshif ting and downshif ting through
1, 2, D , and D, you can operate the
transmission much like a manual
transmission without a clutch pedal. If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
3
3 3
Drive (D )
Second (2) First (1)
Engine Speed L imiter3
Automatic Transmission
Driving140

Do this if pushing on the brake pedal
and pulling the shif t lever does not
shif t the transmission out of Park:Set the Parking brake. If you need to use the Shif t Lock
Release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by a Honda dealer.
Put a cloth on the edge of the Shif t
Lock Release slot cover. Using a
key, caref ully pry on the edge of
the cover to remove it. Make sure the key is in the
ignition switch LOCK (0) position. Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot.
Push down on the key while you
pull the shif t lever towards you
and move it out of Park to Neutral.
Remove the key from the Shift
Lock Release slot, then install the
cover. Press the brake pedal, and
restart the engine.
3. 4.
5.
6.
1.
2. Shif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission
Driving141

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is on an
incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area, or take them
with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking T ips
Parking T ips
Driving143

To saf ely tow a trailer, you should
observe the load limits, use the
proper equipment, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section.
Be sure to read theon page
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces. The total trailer weight and tongue
load vary depending on the number
of occupants in your vehicle and the
type of trailer being towed.
See page f or limits f or your
towing situation. Towing a load that
is too heavy can seriously af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance.The weight that the tongue of a f ully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
should be 5 to 10 percent of the total
trailer weight f or boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
f or all other trailers. See page f or
limits f or your towing situation.
Too much tongue load reduces f ront-
tire traction and steering control.
Too little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
150
150
155
Driving Of f -
Highway Guidelines section
CONT INUED
Load Limits
T ot al T railer Weight Tongue Load
Driving
Towing a Trailer
147
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

µµ
µ Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale.
To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described next.
Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Check
the tables on page that you do
not exceed the limit f or your
conditions.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo and the tongue
load is 5,950 lbs (2,700 kg).
The maximum
allowable weight on the vehicle axles
are 2,865 lbs (1,300 kg) on the f ront
axle, and 3,155 lbs (1,430 kg) on the
rear axle.
The maximum
allowable weight of the f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer is 9,700 lbs (4,410
kg) with the proper hitch and f luid
coolers (see page ).
The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent f or every 1,000 f eet (305
meters) of elevation. 150
151 Estimating Loads
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GA WR)
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR)
To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
Driving
Towing a Trailer
148

Park the vehicle on level ground.
Measure and record the distance
from the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch.
Connect the f ully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
Measure again f rom the ground to
the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.Subtract the second measurement
f rom the f irst measurement. Ref er
to Fig. 1.
If thedifferenceis:
1’’ = 150 lbs (68 kg)
1 ¾’’ = 250 lbs (114 kg)
2 ½’’ = 350 lbs (160 kg) 3’’ = 450 lbs (205 kg)
3 ¼’’ = over 450 lbs (205 kg)
If thedifferenceismorethan
3 ¼’’ you have too much tongue
load at the rear. Move or
remove cargo f rom the trailer
and the vehicle and measure
again. If the estimated trailer weight and
tongue load do not exceed the limits,
drive your trailer to a public scale
f ully loaded with all occupants and
cargo you plan to take on the road.
If your trailer lights burn out, check
toseeif thereareanyblownfuses
(see page ).
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
211
CONT INUED
To Estimate the Tongue LoadFig. 1
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Lights
149