2004 HONDA PILOT lock

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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

The Variable Torque Management
4WD System (VTM-4) automatically
transf ers varying amounts of engine
torque to the rear wheels under
lower traction conditions.
If more traction is needed when your
vehicle is stuck, or is likely to
become stuck, you can use the
VTM-4 Lock button to increase
torque to the rear wheels.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 move the vehicle,
stop and reverse direction. do
one of the f ollowing: Press the VTM-4 Lock button.
Move the shift lever to D or D .
Turn the ignition to LOCK (0).
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 button light will remain
on.
1.
2.
3.
3
To Engage the VTM-4 Lock To Disengage the VTM-4 Lock,
VTM-4 System
Driving142
NOTICE:
NOTICE:
Do not use the VTM-4 Lock
button on dry, paved roads. Driving on
dry, paved roads with VT M-4 Lock ON
may damage the rear dif f erential when
making a turn. Strange noise and
vibration can also result. Do not continually spin the
f ront tires of your vehicle.
Continuously spinning the f ront tires
can cause transmission or rear
dif f erential damage.

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

If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent the brakes f rom
locking up and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The ABS also balances the f ront-to-
rear braking distribution according
to vehicle loading.
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
this def eats the purpose of the ABS.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal as you steer away from
the hazard. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’
You should never pump the brake pedal;
Driving
Brake Wear Indicators
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Activating the Anti-lock Brakes
Braking System, Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
145
ABS INDICATOR
U.S. indicator shown

If the ABS indicator comes on, the
anti-lock f unction of the braking
system has shut down. The brakes
still work like a conventional system,
but without anti-lock. You should
have the dealer inspect your vehicle
as soon as possible.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also be shut
down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your Honda dealer as
soon as possible. Avoid sudden hard
braking which could cause the rear
wheels to lock up and possibly lead
to a loss of control.It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
208
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
ABS Indicator A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stopImport ant Saf et y Reminders
146

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Allow more time and distance f or
braking. Do not brake or turn
suddenly the trailer could
jackknif e or turn over.
When driving with a f ix-sided (e.g.
camper, utility) trailer, do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At
higher speeds, the trailer may
sway or affect vehicle handling.
Whenbeingpassedbyatruckor
large vehicle, cross-winds and air
turbulence can disrupt your
steering and cause your trailer to
sway. Keep a constant speed, steer
straight ahead, and do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections. Do not park on an incline unless it
is unavoidable. If you must, turn
the vehicle’s wheels toward the
curb on a downhill or away f rom
the curb on an uphill. Af ter
parking, place wheel chocks at
each trailer tire on the downhill
side.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
If the vehicle’s wheels slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shif t to f irst gear, and turn on VTM-4
Lock (see page ). Disengage
VTM-4 Lock as soon as the boat is
out of the water to prevent damage
to the VTM-4 system. When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, reduce speed
and, if necessary, pull to the side of
the road and let the engine cool.
If the transmission shif ts f requently
while going up a hill, shif t down one
gear.
If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or the parking
brake. Do not try to hold the vehicle
inplacebypressingonthe
accelerator; this could cause the
automatic transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes.
142
bottom
3
Backing Up
Ret rieving a Boat Driving on Hills
Trailer Driving Tips
Driving
Remember: It will take longer to
slow down and stop when towing
atrailer.
153

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) or 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).
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.
Perf orm the f ollowing procedure
everyday immediately bef ore you
begin towing. Otherwise severe
automatic transmission damage will
occur.Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ).
Start the engine. Press on the brake pedal. Move
the shif t lever through all its
positions.
ShifttoD,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn it off.
Release the parking brake.
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.
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.)
176
Do not overf ill. Ext ended T owing
Driving
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
154
NOTICE:
NOTICE:
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.
T he 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.