2004 HONDA PILOT checking oil

Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back into its
tube. Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
1.
2.
3. 4.
163174
171
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Oil Check
A dding OilEngine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
127
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX
MINRESERVE TANK
DIPSTICK

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .160
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 161
....................
Maintenance Record .167
..............................
Fluid Locations .170
........................
Adding Engine Oil .171
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 172
..............................
Engine Coolant .174
....................
Windshield Washers .175
.....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 176
...............................
Dif f erential Oil .177
....................................
Timing Belt .177
....................................
Brake Fluid .178
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 179
.............................................
Lights .180
.....................................
Floor Mats .185
.......................
Cleaning Seat Belts .185
.................................
Wiper Blades .186
...............................................
Tires .188
................
Checking Your Battery . 193
.............................
Vehicle Storage .194
233
Maintenance
Maint enance159

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .48, 206
............................
Jump Starting .202
..............................
Maintenance .193
............................
Specif ications .219
..............................
Bef ore Driving .123
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,16
...........................
Beverage Holders .77
..................................
Booster Seats .39 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 145
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 124
...........................................
Fluid .178
....................
Bulb Replacement .182
.........................................
Parking .75
.................
System Indicator . 49,208
........................
Wear Indicators .145
.............................
Braking System .144
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 124
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 59
........................
Brights, Headlights .58
Bulb Replacement ..............................
Brake Lights .182
................
Front Parking Lights . 181
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 183
.................................
Headlights .180
........
High-mount Brake Lights . 182
.................................
Rear Bulbs .182
............................
Specif ications .219
.............
Turn Signal Light . 181,182
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .180
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 129
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .64
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 77
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 172
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 19
.....
Airbags, Additional Infomation . 19
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 24
.............................
Airbag Service .24
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .23
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 23
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .20
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 22
........................
SRS Components .19
................
Air Conditioning System . 82
.......................
Rear A/C Control .87
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .188
......................................
Antif reeze .174
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .49, 146
...................................
Operation .145
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 102 .
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 64
..................................
Audio System .88
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 18
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 58
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 116
..............
Automatic Transmission . 138
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .218
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 176
.......................................
Shif ting .138
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 138
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 139
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 141
Index
A
B
I

Î
................................
Cancel Button .117
............................
Capacities Chart .218
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 42
........................
Cargo, .131
Cassette Player ..............................................
Care .95
.....................................
Operation .98
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...........................................
CD Care .95
.....................................
CD Changer .94
.........
CD Changer Error Message . 97
.........................................
CD Player .93
.............
CD Player Error Message . 96
........................
Certif ication Label .216
...................................
Chains, .192
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .197
Change Oil ........................................
How to .172
.............................
When to .164, 165
...
Charging System Indicator . 48,206
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 136
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 65
.....................................
Child Saf ety .25
..............................
Booster Seats .39 ...................................
Child Seats .30
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 25
..........................................
Inf ants .29
..........................
Larger Children .38
.........................................
LATCH .33
......................
Risks with Airbags .26
.............................
Small Children .30
.........................................
Tethers .37
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 26
Child Seats .........................................
LATCH .33
...........................
Lower Anchors .33
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 37
.................
Climate Control System . 86
.........................
Clock, Setting the .103
..............................................
Clock .103
.....................
Code, Audio System .102
........................
CO in the Exhaust .223
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 137
.......................
Compact Spare .196
...................
Console Compartment . 77
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 230
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 45
Coolant ........................................
Adding .174
....................................
Checking .127 .........................
Proper Solution .174
...................
Temperature Gauge . 55
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .223
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 51
............
Cruise Control Operation . 116
.....................................
Cup Holders .77
....
Customer Service Inf ormation . 230
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 46
................
Daytime Running Lights . 59
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .51
.................................
Dead Battery .202
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 232
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 60
..........
Def rosting the Windows . 83,85
....................................
Dimensions .218
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 58
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 176
..................................
Engine Oil .127
..........................
Directional Signals .58
how to carry
tires tire
Index
C
D
II

.....................................
Fan, Interior .82
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .81
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 125
Filters ...............................................
Oil .172
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 59
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 197
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 176
..........................................
Brake .178
..........................
Power Steering .179
..................
Windshield Washer . 175
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception .91
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 71
..........................
Four-way Flashers .59
............................
Front Airbags .10, 19
Front Seat ................................
Adjusting .68, 69
.........................................
Heaters .67
.....................................
Airbags .9, 19
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 145
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .173
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 65
....................
Lockout Prevention . 65
......................
Power Door Locks .65
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 220
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .135
....................................
Economy .128
...................................
DVD Player .104
........
DVD Player Error Message . 112
..............................
Economy, Fuel .128
Emergencies ............................
Jump Starting .202
.......................................
Towing .208
..............
Hazard Warning .59
............
Emergencies on the Road . 195
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 202
...........
Brake System Indicator . 208
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 197
.....
Charging System Indicator . 206
..................
Checking the Fuses . 210 .....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 206
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 207
..................
Overheated Engine . 204
...........................
Emergency Brake .75
......................
Emergency Flashers .59
......................
Emergency Towing .208
.......................
Emissions Controls .223
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 226
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 55
.............................. 137
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .48, 207
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 48,206
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 171
...............................
Overheating .204
............................
Specif ications .219
............................
Speed Limiter .140
.......................................
Starting .137
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 223
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .42
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .224
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .15
CONT INUED
Button If it won’t start
Index
E F
III

...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 124
.........................................
Odometer .54
...............................
Odometer, Trip .54
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 155
...................
Of f -Road Precautions . 155
Oil ........................
Change, How to .172
..............
Change, When to . 164,165
......................
Checking Engine .127
..............
Pressure Indicator . 48,206
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .171
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 64
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .223
..............................
Outside Mirrors .74
....................
Overheating, Engine .204
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 163 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 204
Radio/CD Sound ..........................................
System .88
..........................
Readiness Codes .226
.................................
Rear A/C Unit .87
............
Rear Audio Control Panel . 107
........
Rear Entertainment System . 104
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 182
............................
Rear View Mirror .74
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 60
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 57
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 68,69
...........
Reclining the Second Seats . 70
................
Reclining the Third Seat . 71
.............................
Reminder Lights .47
................
Remote Audio Controls . 101
.................
Remote Control (RES) . 109
.......................
Remote Transmitter .66
Replacement Inf ormation ..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 185
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 172
.................................
Floor Mats .185
..........................................
Fuses .210
................................
Light Bulbs .180
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 59
........................
Park Gear Position .139 ...........................................
Parking .143
.................................
Parking Brake .75
Parking Brake and Brake System ...............................
Indicator .49, 208
.................................
Parking Lights .58
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 225
............................
Playing the Radio .88
....................................
Playing a CD .93
....................
Playing a CD Changer . 94
.................................
Playing a Tape .98
.............................
PGM-FI System .224
..........................
Power Door Locks .65
................
Power Seat Adjustments . 68
.................
Power Socket Locations . 76
..............................
Power Windows .73
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 15
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 10
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 16
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 15
........................
Protecting Children .25
.....................
General Guidelines .25
...........................
Protecting Inf ants .29
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 38
.............
Protecting Small Children . 30
Index
O
P R
VI

....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 64
.......................
Starting the Engine .137
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .137
................
With a Dead Battery . 202
..............
State Emissions Testing . 226
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 204
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .61
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 64
...............................
Buttons .101, 116
.....................
Stereo Sound System .88
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .194
..........................
Sunglasses Holder .78
..........................................
Sun Visor .79
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .24
.........................
SRS Indicator .23 ,48
...................
System Components . 19
..................................
Synthetic Oil .172
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 182
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 195
......................................
Tape Player .98 Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 220
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 223
..........
State Emissions Testing . 226
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .225
.......................
Temperature Gauge .55
..........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 87
....................
Temperature, Outside . 55
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 18
........
Testing of Readiness Codes . 226
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 37
............................
Thef t Protection .102
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 225
..........................
Time, Setting the .103
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 61
....................................
Timing Belt .177
....................................
Tire Chains .192
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 197
...............................................
Tires .188
..............................
Air Pressure .188
...................................
Balancing .190
.........................
Checking Wear .189
..........................
Compact Spare .196
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 220
......................................
Inf lation .188 ..................................
Inspection .189
..............................
Maintenance .190
...................................
Replacing .191
......................................
Rotating .190
...........................................
Snow .191
............................
Specif ications .219
................................
Tire Chains .192
..........................
Winter Driving .191
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 197
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .147
................
Emergency Wrecker . 208
....
Equipment and Accessories . 151
.......................
Traction Devices .192
Your Vehicle Behind a ............................
Motorhome .154
.............................
Weight Limit .150
.............................
Trailer Loading .147
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .152
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 176
...........................
Fluid Selection .176
..............
Identif ication Number . 216
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 138
.....................................
Treadwear .220
.......................................
Trip Meter .54
Index
T
VIII

ÎÎ
....................................
Turn Signals .58
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 43
..................
Warranty Coverages .231 Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level . 175
............................
Level Indicator .51
.....................................
Operation .57
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 61
............
Alignment and Balance . 190
..........................
Compact Spare .196
......................................
Wrench .199
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 73
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .60
Windshield ...............................
Def roster .83, 85
.......................................
Washers .57
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .186
.....................................
Operation .57
Rear Window Wiper and .....................................
Washer .57
....................................
Worn Tires .189
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 208
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .195
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 220
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .124
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 173
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 132
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .218
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 216
.............................
Vehicle Storage .194
.................................................
VIN .216
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .171
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .142
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
U
V
W
IX