2004 HONDA PILOT emergency towing

......................
Compact Spare Tire .196
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .197
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 201
................................
Jump Starting .202
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 204
................
Low Oil Pressure Light . 206
..........
Charging System Indicator . 206
..................
Malf unction Indicator . 207
...............
Brake System Indicator . 208
......................
Emergency Towing .208
..............................................
Fuses .209
..............................
Fuse Locations .212
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Taking Care of the Unexpected
195

´´
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page . You cannot start a Honda by pushing
or pulling it. Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions. Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or like ice, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, stereo system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly(seepage ).
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the warning light may not
be working.
1.
2.
3.
209
20853
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
202
NOTICE:
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery. If a battery sits in extreme
cold, the electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

The pointer of your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f all the accessories, and
turn on the hazard indicator.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
5.
6. 4.
1.
2. 3.
208
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed204
NOTICE:
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out. Driving with the temperature
gauge pointer at the red mark can
cause serious damage to your engine.

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.

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.

.....................................
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

....
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