2005 HONDA PILOT towing

The pointer of the 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 the 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.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 do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
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.
5.
6. 4.
1.
2. 3.
237
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
232
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 a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter 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.
237Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
233
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.

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If this indicator comes on
while driving, the brake
f luid level is probably low in the
reservoir. Press lightly on the brake
pedal to see if it f eels normal. If it
does, check the brake f luid level the
next time you stop at a service
station (see page ). If the f luid
level is low, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads. 237
206
Brake System Indicator
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
236

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation. 182
Emergency T owing
Emergency T owing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
237
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the 4WD
system. It should be transported on a
f lat-bed truck or trailer.

..............................
Economy, Fuel .150
............
Emergencies on the Road . 223
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 230
...........
Brake System Indicator . 236
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 225
.....
Charging System Indicator . 234
..................
Checking the Fuses . 239
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 234
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 235
..................
Overheated Engine . 232
...........................
Emergency Brake .93
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .237
.......................
Emissions Controls .251
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 254
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 67
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .58, 235
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 72
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .63
.................................
Dead Battery .230
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 260
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 73
......
Def rosting the Windows . 101,103
....................................
Dimensions .246
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 71
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 204
..................................
Engine Oil .149
....................
Directional Signals . 62,71
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 169
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .201
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 78
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 248
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7...........................................
Driving .157
....................................
Economy .150
...................................
DVD Player .125
........
DVD Player Error Message . 134
Change Oil
........................................
How to .200
.............................
When to .192, 193
...
Charging System Indicator . 58,234
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 158
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 79
Child Seats .........................................
LATCH .43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 47
...............
Climate Control System . 104
.........................
Clock, Setting the .124
.....................
Code, Audio System .123
........................
CO in the Exhaust .251
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 159
......................
Compact Spare Tire .224
...................
Console Compartment . 95
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 258
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .202
....................................
Checking .149
.........................
Proper Solution .202
...................
Temperature Gauge . 66
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .251
............
Cruise Control Operation . 138 ....
Customer Service Inf ormation . 258
Index
D
E
II

CONT INUED
How Your Front Airbags.........................................
Work .25
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 28
........................
SRS Components .23
.............................
SRS Indicator .30 ,58
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 77
.......................
Starting the Engine .159
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .159
................
With a Dead Battery . 230
..............
State Emissions Testing . 254
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 230
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .74
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 77
...............................
Buttons .122, 138
...................
Stereo Sound System . 106
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .222
..........................
Sunglasses Holder .96
..........................................
Sun Visor .96
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .32
.........................
SRS Indicator .30 ,58
...................
System Components . 23
..................................
Synthetic Oil .200 ......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 210
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 223
....................................
Tape Player .119
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 248
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 251
..........
State Emissions Testing . 254
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .253
.......................
Temperature Gauge .67
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 105
....................
Temperature, Outside . 67
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 21
........
Testing of Readiness Codes . 254
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 47
............................
Thef t Protection .123
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 253
..........................
Time, Setting the .124
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 74
....................................
Timing Belt .205
....................................
Tire Chains .220
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 225
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .165 ...............................................
Tires .216
..............................
Air Pressure .216
.........................
Checking Wear .217
..........................
Compact Spare .224
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 248
......................................
Inf lation .216
..................................
Inspection .217
..............................
Maintenance .218
...................................
Replacing .219
......................................
Rotating .218
...........................................
Snow .219
............................
Specif ications .247
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 225
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .173
................
Emergency Wrecker . 237
....
Equipment and Accessories . 179
.......................
Traction Devices .220
Your Vehicle Behind a ............................
Motorhome .182
.............................
Weight Limit .175
......................
Trailer Driving Tips .180
Index
INDEX
T
VII

Transmission...............
Checking Fluid Level . 204
...........................
Fluid Selection .204
..............
Identif ication Number . 244
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 160
.....................................
Treadwear .248
.......................................
Trip Meter .66
....................................
Turn Signals .71
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .223
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 248
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .146
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 201 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 54
....................
Warranty Coverages .259
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 203
............................
Level Indicator .63
.....................................
Operation .70
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 74
............
Alignment and Balance . 218
..........................
Compact Spare .224
...............................
Nut Wrench .227
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 90
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .73
Windshield ...........................
Def roster .101, 103
.......................................
Washers .70
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .214 .....................................
Operation .70
Rear Window Wiper and .....................................
Washer .70
....................................
Worn Tires .217
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 237
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 154
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .246
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 244
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .171
..........................
VSA of f Switch .172
.............................
Vehicle Storage .222 .................................................
VIN .244
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .199
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .164
Index
U
V W
VIII