2005 HONDA PILOT Owners Manual

Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags and anti-lock brakes.Bef ore installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation.
Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your vehicle unsaf e. Bef ore
you make any modif ications or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.
Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the f inal installation.
Although non-Honda accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability. (See
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information.) 152 241
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
151
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

Some examples are:Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Any object
attached to or placed on the covers
marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’ in the
center of the steering wheel and
on top the dashboard, and f ront
seat back could interf ere with the
proper operation of the airbags. Or,
if the airbags inf late, the objects
could be propelled inside the
vehicle and hurt someone.
If a side airbag
inflates,acupholderorotherhard
object attached on or near the
door could be propelled inside the
vehicle and hurt someone.
This could prevent the
airbag from inflating properly.
Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with
non-Honda components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components.
Modif ying Your Vehicle
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Do not at t ach or place object s on
the airbag covers.
Do not at t ach hard object s on ornear a f ront door.
Do not place any object s over orreplacetheoutsideedgeof afrontseat -back.
A ccessories and Modif ications
152

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Front door and seat-back pockets
Rear cargo area, including the
second and third row seats when
folded flat
Console compartment
Rear compartment
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 Driving
153
GLOVE BOX
CARGO AREA
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT DOOR POCKETS
SEAT-BACK POCKETS REAR COMPARTMENT

µ·
Steps f or determining correct load
limit:
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 850
lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard.
[The placard is on the driver’s
doorjamb.]
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity in
Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ).
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 1,158 lbs (525 kg). This f igure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories,
and the tongue load if you are towing
a trailer.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
1,158 pounds or 525 kg kilograms.
For example, if the maximum load
is 1,158 lbs and there will be f ive
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 408 lbs.(1,158 750 (5 150) = 408 lbs.)
1.
2. 5.
6.
3.
4. 173
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
154
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.

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.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.
Theseparationnetcanbeusedto
hold back sof t, lightweight items
stored in the cargo area. Heavy
items should be properly secured on
the f loor of the cargo area. The net
may not prevent heavy items f rom
being thrown f orward in a crash or a
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.
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.
53
Carrying Cargo
Carrying Items in the Passenger
CompartmentCarrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
carbon monoxide
poisoning Optional Separation Net
Optional Cargo Cover
Bef ore Driving
155

µ
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.On LX and EX-L models
Carrying Cargo
156

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the VTM-4System, the VSA
system (EX-L model only), the tire
pressure monitoring system, and
f acts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer. ........................
Driving Guidelines .158
.......................
Starting the Engine .159
..............
Automatic Transmission . 160
..............................
VTM-4 System .164
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .165
..................................
Parking Tips .167
.............................
Braking System .168
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 169
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .171
.............................
VSA Of f Switch .172
...........................
Towing a Trailer .173
......................
Trailer Driving Tips .180
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a ................................
Motorhome .182
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .183
Driving
Driving
157

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. 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 ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
3.
2. 1. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.83
88 74
1557
See page f or additional driving of f -highway guidelines. 183
Driving Guidelines
Preparing to Drive
158