2004 HONDA PILOT Owners Manual

If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or large heavy cloth,
turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise without pushing
down to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
7.
8.
9.
11. 10.
208Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed205
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure light. If it does not go out
within ten seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving.
(Seeon page
).
This light should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible and you should
take immediate action. Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
171
127
208
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
L ow Oil Pressure L ight, Charging System Indicator
206
NOTICE:
Running the engine with low
oil pressure can cause serious
mechanical damage almost immediately.
Turn of f the engine as soon as you can
saf ely get the vehicle stopped.

If the indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emission control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance,
continued operation may cause
serious damage.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
or replace it. Tightening the cap will
not make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
days of normal driving.
If the indicator remains on or the
f uel cap was not loose or missing,
have the vehicle checked by the
dealer as soon as possible. If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem in the
automatic transmission control
system.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.If your vehicle battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes at least
three days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition to ON (II), without starting
the engine. The Malf unction
Indicator Lamp will come on f or 20
seconds. If it then goes of f , the
readiness codes are set. If it blinks 5
times, the readiness codes are not
set. If possible, do not take your
vehicle f or a state emissions test
until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to State Emissions Testing for
more information (see page ).
226
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Readiness Code
Malf unction Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed207
NOTICE:If you keep driving with the
Malf unction Indicator Lamp on, you
can damage your vehicle’s emission
controls and the engine. Those repairs
may not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (seeon page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully. If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The operator will load
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 a f lat-bed is required.
Refer to on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation.
If the brake system
indicator comes on while
driving, the brake f luid level is
probably low in the reservoir. Press
lightly on the brake pedal to see if it
f eels normal. If it does, check the
brake f luid level the next time you
stop at a service station (see page ). If the f luid level is low, take
the vehicle to your dealer and have
the brake system inspected f or leaks
or worn brake pads.
208208
178
Brake System Indicator
Emergency
Towing The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Brake System Indicator, Emergency Towing
208
NOTICE: 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.

The vehicle’s f uses are located in
f our f use boxes. The interior f use
boxes are located under the
dashboard on the driver’s and
passenger’s side.To open the passenger’s side, pull
the right edge of the cover.
The primary under-hood f use box is
locatedonthepassenger’sside.The
secondary f use box is next to the
battery.
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed209
UNDER-
HOOD
FUSE
BOXES
PASSENGER’ S SIDE INTERIOR
DRIVER’ S SIDE INTERIOR

If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine f rom the chart on pagesand , or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses
control that device. The diagram f or
theinteriordriver’ssidefuseboxis
on the kick panel below the f use box.
Check those f uses f irst, but check all
the f uses bef ore deciding that a
blown f use is the cause. Replace any
blown f uses, and check if the device
works.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box. Check each of the large f uses in
the primary under-hood f use box
by looking through the top at the
wise inside. Remove the screws
with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Check the smaller f uses in the
under-hood f use box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse boxes by
pulling out each f use with the f use
puller provided in the primary
under-hood f use box.
Look f or a burned wire inside the
f use. If it is burned, replace it with
one of the spare f uses of the same
rating or lower.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
212 213
Checking and Replacing Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Fuses
210
BLOWN BLOWN

If you cannot drive the vehicle
without f ixing the problem, and you
do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse
of the same rating or a lower rating
f rom one of the other circuits. Make
sureyoucandowithoutthatcircuit
temporarily (such as the accessory
power socket or radio).
If you replace the blown f use with a
spare f use that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
f use with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.If the replacement fuse of the
same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious
electrical problem in your vehicle.
Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit, and have your vehicle
checked by a qualif ied mechanic.
If the radio f use is removed, the
audio system will disable itself . The
nexttimeyouturnontheradioyou
will see ‘‘COdE’’ in the f requency
display. Use the Preset buttons to
enter the f ive-digit code (see page ). If a trailer light is burned out, check
if these f uses are blown when you
replace the light bulbs:
If those f uses are OK, but the trailer
lights still do not work, there are two
blown 7.5 amp f uses in the trailer
hatch wiring. To access the 7.5 amp
f uses:
Open the tailgate and remove the
cargo f loor lid.
Pull out the bottom of the tailgate
rubber seal.
Remove rear trim panel by pulling
up on the inside edge of the rear
trim panel, and unhooking the f our
clips and tabs.
Af ter replacing f uses, and reinstall
the rear trim panel in the reverse
order of removal. Primary under-hood f use box
fuses5,7,and24
Interior driver’s side f use box: 10
Interior passenger’s side f use box:
10
6.
102 1.
2.
3.
4.
On EX model
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Fuses
Trailer Fuses
211
NOTICE:
Replacing a f use with one
that has a higher rating greatly
increases the chances of damaging the
electrical system. If you do not have a
replacement f use with the proper rating
f or the circuit, install one with a lower
rating.

µ
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
No. Amps. Circuits ProtectedNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13 20 A
30 A
20 A
15 A
15 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
40 A
40 A
30 A
40 A Spare Fuse
Spare Fuse
Right Headlight
ACG S
Hazard
Not used
Stop
Lef t Headlight
Radio
Power Window Motor
Power Seat
Rear Defroster
Back Up, ACC
1
2
3
4 40 A
20 A
20 A
20 A ABS Motor
ABS F/S
Rear ACC Socket
4WD 14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
30 A
40 A
30 A
7.5 A 10 A
15 A
120 A 30 A
7.5 A 50 A
20 A Rear A/C
Heater Motor
Cooling Fan
Spare Fuse
Spare Fuse
Spare Fuse
Battery
Condenser Fan
MG Clutch
IGI Main
Trailer (accessory)
Fuse Locations
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed212
PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX