2004 HONDA PILOT engine coolant

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle white mark. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper white mark. If it reaches the
red (Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.The temperature sensor is in the
f ront bumper. Theref ore, the temper-
ature reading can be af f ected by heat
ref lection f rom the road surf ace, en-
gine heat, and the exhaust f rom
surrounding traf f ic. This can cause
an incorrect temperature reading
when your speed is under
19 mph (30 km/h). This indicator displays the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit (U.S.
models) or Centigrade (Canadian
models). To see the outside
temperature, press and release the
Select/Reset button until the
temperature is displayed.
The sensor delays the display update
until it reaches the correct out side
temperature, this may take several
minutes.In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near f reezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
f orming on the road surf ace.
204On EX model
Temperature Gauge Outside Temperature Indicator
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols55

Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The light in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Make sure the temperature
control dial is all the way to the left.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.The vehicle has two A/C and
heater units. The LX units are
independently controlled. The EX
units are controlled by the f ront
panel controls, unless the RR A/C
Manual button is selected. you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
A/C, and setting the fan to
maximum speed in Fresh Air mode.
The heater uses engine coolant to
warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming f rom the
system.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial or
buttons.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page ). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reads normally.
Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
When you select or ,
the system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C. In this case you cannot turn
A/C mode off.
When you select , the system
automatically switches to Fresh Air
mode and turns on the A/C.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the rear side
panels.
Turn the temperature control dial
all the way to the lef t.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
5.
55
If the interior is very warm,
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Air Flow Buttons, Vents, Heating, and A/C
Using the Heater
Using the A /C
Ventilation
84
NOTE:

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

µµ µ
µ
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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page . Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See pages . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
171
174
176 177 178
188
180
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
163

ÌÌ
Î
Î
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Follow the Normal Maintenance
Schedule if the severe driving
conditions specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance Schedule on
the next page do not apply.
NOT E: If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Maint enance
164
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 190)
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brake wear
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
( (O
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re
ev
ve
er
ry
y 7
7y
ye
ea
ar
rs
s, , w
w h
hi
ic
ch h e
ev
ve
er
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coo m
m e
es
s f
fi
ir
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st t)
)At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then
every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
(
(O
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ev
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ry
y 1
1y
ye
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, w
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)
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000 Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
15
24
30
4845
72 75
120 90
144 105
168120
192 150
240
( (
O
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re
ev
ve
er
ry
y 2
2y
ye
ea
ar
rs
s, , w
w h
hi
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ch h e
ev
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s f
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)
(
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er
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)
See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty, page . At every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) up to
30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 1 year,
then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2
years. At 45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 3 years,
then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2
years.
60
96
135
216
1:
2:
: 162
1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

µ
ÌÌ
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Follow the Severe Maintenance
Schedule if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:
Driving in extremely hot [over 90°F
(32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop and go driving, such as a taxi or
a commercial delivery vehicle.
T railer towing, driving with a roof
rack, or driving in mountainous
conditions. Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions. Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced
roads.
Drivinglessthan5miles(8km)per
trip or, in f reezing temperatures,
driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per
trip.
Maint enance
Canadian Owners
165
7.5
12 Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
( (O
O r
re
ev
ve
er
ry
y 1
1y
ye
ea
ar
r,
, w
w h
hi
ic
ch h e
ev
ve
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coo m
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es
s f
fi
ir
r s
st t)
)
(
( O
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re
ev
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ry
y 2
2y
ye
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rs
s, , w
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hi
ic
ch h e
ev
ve
er
r c
coo m
m e
es
s f
fi
ir
r s
st t)
)
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) (Use normal schedule
except in dusty condition)
(
(O
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th
h e
er
rw
w i
is
se e a
ad
d j
ju
u s
stt o
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(
( O
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re
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ry
y 7
7y
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s f
fi
ir
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)
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
( (O
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re
ev
ve
er
ry
y 2
2y
ye
ea
ar
rs
s, , w
w h
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)
15
24 30
4845
7260
9675
120 90
144 105
168120
192 150
240
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
135
216
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil filter
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 190)
Check front and rear brake wear
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace timing belt and inspect water
pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Exhaust system , Fuel lines and connections
1
2, 3
,4
Maintenance Severe for Severe Conditions

Fluid Locations
Maint enance170
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) COOLANT
RESERVOIR
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP