Page 1 of 248

2004 Pilot Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
............................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety ........................................................................\
.................................................. ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance ........................................................................\
....................................................... 2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
............................................... 5
P roper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
...................................................45
Instrument panel indica tor and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features........................................................................\
................................. 81
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving ........................................................................\
....................................................... ..............123
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving........................................................................\
...................................................................................135
The proper way to start the engine, shift the tr ansmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
....................................................... ..................159
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
.......................................195
This section covers several problems motorists someti mes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
....................................................... 215
ID numbers, dimensions, capaciti es, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)...................................................................... 229
A summary of the warranties covering your new Honda, and how to contact us.
Index ........................................................................\
......................................................................................... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Page 6 of 248
Your Vehicle at a Glance
2
GAUGES
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
MIRROR
CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE AUDIO SYSTEM
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
PEDALREAR A/C CONTROL
(P.
54)
INSTRUMENT PANEL (P.
47)
(P. 65)
(P. 74)
(P. 73)
(P. 126)
(P.125) (P.
75) (P.
87) (P.
86)
(P.
88)
Page 49 of 248

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .46
............................
Instrument Panel .47
.............................................
Gauges .54
...............
Odometer/Trip Meter . 54
..................................
Fuel Gauge .54
...................
Temperature Gauge . 55
....
Outside Temperature Gauge . 55
Controls Near the Steering ...........................................
Wheel .56
.
Windshield Wipers and Washers . 57
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights . 58
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 59
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 59
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 60
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 61
...............................
Keys and Locks .62
........................
Immobilizer System .62
................................
Ignition Switch .64
......................................
Door Locks .65
......................
Power Door Locks .65
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 65
.......................
Remote Transmitter .66
..................................
Seats Heaters .67
.................................................
Seats .68
..............................
Power Windows .73
.............................................
Mirrors .74 .................................
Parking Brake .75
...........
Interior Convenience Items . 76
.......................
Beverage Holders .77
...............
Console Compartment . 77
......................
Sunglasses Holder .78
....................................
Glove Box .78
......................................
Sun Visor .78
...............................................
Lights .79
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols45
Page 50 of 248
Control L ocations
Inst rument s and Cont rols46
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCHES
MIRROR
CONTROLSPOWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE AUDIO SYSTEM
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
FUEL FILL DOOR
RELEASE PARKING BRAKE
PEDAL REAR A/C CONTROL
AND GAUGES (P.
47)
INDICATORS
(P.65)
(P.74)
(P.73)
(P.126) (P.125) (P.75)(P.87) (P.86) (P.88)
Page 51 of 248
Î
ÎCONT INUEDThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols47
SIDE AIRBAG
CUTOFF INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
DOOR AND TAILGATE
OPEN MONITOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
VTM- 4INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATORHIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
A/T TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
BRAKE LAMP INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
OUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE
DISPLAY
PARKING BRAKE
AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER INDICATOR
(P.49)
(P.48) (P.48)
(P.48)
(P.48)(P.50)
(P.48)
(P.52) (P.
48)
(P.50)
(P. 51)
(P.51)
(P. 55)
(P. 53)
(P.49)
(P.52)
(P.51)
(P.49)
Page 55 of 248

This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. See pagef or inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II)
with the headlight switch off and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
This indicator comes on when you
set the cruise control. See page
f or inf ormation on operating the
cruise control. This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon.This indicator comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
fluidwhenyouseethisindicator
come on (see page ).
116 58
59 175Canadian models only
Canadian models only
High Beam Indicator
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator Low Fuel Indicator Washer Level Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Instrument Panel
51
Page 58 of 248

Each trip meter works independently,
so you can keep track of two
dif f erent distances.The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your vehicle has been driven.
It measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’. Both trip meters will reset if
the vehicle’s battery goes dead or is
disconnected.
There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays and the outside temperature
display (EX model only) by pressing
the Select/Reset button repeatedly. This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it. This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.
Trip Meter Odometer
Fuel Gauge
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols54
TACHOMETER
SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
TRIP METER
SELECT/RESET
BUTTON
TRIP METER
ODOMETER
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
Page 127 of 248
Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .124
.................
Fuel Recommendation . 124
.........
Service Station Procedures . 125
...............................
Fuel Economy .128
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 129
.............................
Carrying Cargo .131
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving123