2004 HONDA PILOT engine overheat

µ
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

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

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.

.....................................
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
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VI