2004 HONDA PILOT roof

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Many parents say they pref er to put
an inf ant or small child in the f ront
passenger seat so they can watch the
child, or because the child requires
attention.
Placing a child in the f ront seat
exposes the child to hazards in a
f rontal collision, and paying close
attention to a child distracts the
driver from the important tasks of
driving, placing both of you at risk.
If a child requires physical attention
or f requent visual contact, we
strongly recommend that another
adult ride with the child in the back
seat. The back seat is far safer for a
child than the front.
Your vehicle has two rows of back
seats where children can be properly
restrained. If you ever have to carry
a group of children, and a child must
ride in f ront:
Place the largest child in the f ront
seat, provided the child is large
enough to wear the lap/shoulder
belt properly (see page ).
Move the vehicle seat as far to the
rear as possible (see page ).
Have the child sit upright and well
backintheseat(seepage ).
Make sure the seat belt is properly
positioned and secured (see page ). Neverholdaninfantorchildon
your lap. If you are not wearing a
seat belt in crash, you could be
thrown f orward and crush the
child against the dashboard or a
seat-back. If you are wearing a
seat belt the child can be torn
from your arms and be seriously
hurt or killed.
Never put a seat belt over yourself
and a child. During a crash, the
belt could press deep into the child
and cause serious or fatal injuries.
Never let two children use the
same seat belt. If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash.
Use childproof door locks to
prevent children f rom opening the
doors. This can prevent children
f rom accidentally f alling out.
38
1026
12 If a Child Requires Close
Attention
If You Must Drive with Several
Children Additional Saf ety Precautions
Protecting Children General Guidelines
Driver and Passenger Saf ety28

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

Each door has a lock tab on the top.
Whenyoupushdownthetabonthe
driver’s door or use the key, all the
doors and the tailgate lock. To lock
the f ront passenger’s door, push the
lock tab down and close the door.
To unlock only the driver’s door
f rom the outside, turn the key and
releaseit.If youturnthekeyand
hold it, all doors and the tailgate
unlock. All f our doors and thetailgate unlock when you use the key
in the passenger’s door.
With the driver’s door open and the
key in the ignition, both master door
lock switches are disabled. They are
not disabled if the driver’s door is
closed. Pushing the switch down on
the open passenger’s door will lock
all doors.
To open the tailgate, pull the handle,
then lif t up. To close the tailgate, use
the inner handle to pull it down, then
press down on the back edge.
Keep the tailgate closed at all times
while driving to avoid damaging it
and to prevent exhaust gas from
getting into the interior. See
,page . The childproof door locks are
designed to prevent children seated
in the rear f rom accidentally opening
the rear doors. Each rear door has a
lock lever near the edge. With the
lever in the LOCK position, the door
cannot be opened f rom the inside
regardless of the position of the lock
tab. To open the door, pull the lock
tab up and use the outside door
handle.
42
Door L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Power Door L ocks
Lockout Prevention
Tailgate
Carbon
Monoxide Hazard Childproof Door L ocks
65
MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
LOCK COVER

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Door and seat-back pockets
Rear cargo area, including the
second and third row seats when
folded flat
Roof -rack (if installed)
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving131
GLOVE BOX DOOR POCKET
SEAT-BACK POCKET CARGO AREA
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

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Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that came with your roof rack.
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
The cargo cover can be used over
the cargo area behind the third row
seats. When the third row seats are
f olded down, the cargo cover can be
installed in a f orward position and
extended over the larger cargo area. Thehooksoneachsideof the
tailgate and on the underside of the
cargo area storage compartment lid
are f or plastic grocery bags. To use
the hook on the storage
compartment lid, open the lid, and
attach the cord to one of the shafts
of the third seat center head
restraint.
The hook on the rear
of the console compartment is f or
plastic grocery bags.
42On LX model
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
carbon monoxide
poisoning Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Optional Cargo Cover
133

Your vehicle has a higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicator lights in
the instrument panel (see page
).
Make sure the doors and the
tailgate are securely closed and
locked. Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ). Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ). Check the seat adjustment (see
page ). Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle. Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof . Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
3.
2. 1. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
61
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68
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47
See page f or additional driving of f - highway guidelines. 155
Driving Guidelines
Driving
Preparing to Drive
136

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Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Used primarily as a delivery
vehicle or taxi that is driven
mostly in stop-and-go traf f ic and/
or parked with the engine idling.
Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage ).
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers). Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit. Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other vehicle parts. The load limit
is shown on the tire inf ormation
label on the driver’s doorjamb.
The maintenance schedule assumes
you will use your vehicle as normal
transportation for passengers and
their possessions. You should also
f ollow these recommendation:
Trailer towing, driving with a roof
top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions. NOTE: If you only
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
112
OCCASIONALLY
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow
U.S. Owners
Maintenance Schedule
Canadian Owners
161

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Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your
warranties in ef f ect. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet f or
more inf ormation. We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done.
Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of emissions
control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards. According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Honda
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Servicing Your Vehicle
U.S. Vehicles:
162