2005 HONDA PILOT check 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.

Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure light. If it does not go out
within ten seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving.
(Seeon page
).
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible and you should
take immediate action.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance. Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
1.
2.
3.
4. 149
237 199
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
234
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

If your vehicle battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes at least
three days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem in the
automatic transmission control
system.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If the indicator remains on or the
f uel cap was not loose or missing,
have the vehicle checked by the
dealer as soon as possible. If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
or replace it. Tightening the cap will
not make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
days of normal driving. If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emission control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance,
continued operation may cause
serious damage. To check if they are set, turn the
ignition to ON (II), without starting
the engine. The malf unction
indicator lamp will come on f or 20
seconds. If it then goes of f , the
readiness codes are set. If it blinks
f ive times, the readiness codes are
not set. If possible, do not take your
vehicle f or a state emissions test
until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to
f or more inf ormation (see page ).
254
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Readiness Codes State Emissions T esting
Malf unction Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
235
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emission
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

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#
) This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the service manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. Body Repair Manual: Electrical T roubleshooting Manual: Service Manual:
Authorized Manuals
262
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

CONT INUED
............................
Capacities Chart .246
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
.............................
Carrying Cargo .153
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..........................
CD Changer .113, 114
.......................................
CD Player .111
........................
Certif ication Label .244
............................................
Chains .220
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .225
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 151
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .77
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 95
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 199
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11, 23
..........
Airbag System Components . 23
..............
Air Conditioning System . 100
.....................
Rear A/C Control .105
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .217
......................................
Antif reeze .202
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .59, 169
...................................
Operation .169
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 123
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 77
................
Audio System . 106,109,119
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 21
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 138
..............
Automatic Transmission . 160
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .204
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 204
.......................................
Shif ting .160
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 160................
Shif t Lever Positions . 161
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 163
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .58, 234
............................
Jump Starting .230
..............................
Maintenance .221
............................
Specif ications .247
..............................
Bef ore Driving .145
..................................
Belts, Seat .10, 20
...........................
Beverage Holders .95
..................................
Booster Seats .50
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 169
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 146
...........................................
Fluid .206
....................
Bulb Replacement .210
.........................................
Parking .93
.................
System Indicator . 59,236
........................
Wear Indicators .168
.............................
Braking System .168
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 146
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 72........................
Brights, Headlights .71
Bulb Replacement .....................
Brake Lights .210, 211
..........................
Back-up Lights .210
................
Front Parking Lights . 209
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 212
.................................
Headlights .208
........
High-mount Brake Lights . 211
.................................
Rear Bulbs .210
............................
Specif ications .247
.............
Turn Signal Light . 209,210
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .208
Index
A
B
C
INDEX
I

..............................
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
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 212
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 73
........................................
Headlights .71
........................................
Aiming .208
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 72
............
Daytime Running Lights . 72
..................
High Beam Indicator . 63
...........
High Beams, Turning on . 71
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 71
.........................
Reminder Chime .72
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 208
...................................
Turning on .71
...................................
Headphones .135
..............................
Head Restraints .87
.................................
Heated Mirror .89
...................................
Fan, Interior .100
...........................................
Features .99
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 147
Filters ...............................................
Oil .200
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 225
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 204
..........................................
Brake .206
..........................
Power Steering .207 ................
Windshield Washers . 203
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 85
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
.................................................
Fuel .146
...............................
Cap Message .68
......................
Fill Door and Cap .147
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 146
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .147
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .239
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 150
.........................................
Gasoline .146
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 63
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 146
........................
Tank, Filling the .147
................
Gas Station Procedures . 147
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 67
...............................................
Fuel .66
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .174 GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
.......................................
Rating) .174
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 160
........................................
Glove Box .96
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .174
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,234
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 199
...............................
Overheating .232
............................
Specif ications .247
............................
Speed Limiter .162
.......................................
Starting .159
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 251
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .252
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
Index
F GH
INDEX
III

CONT INUED
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 58,235
..............
Manual Seat Adjustments . 84
...............................
Meters, Gauges .66
.................................
Modif ications .152
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 161
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 146
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 244..............
Panel Brightness Control . 72
........................
Park Gear Position .161
...........................................
Parking .167
.................................
Parking Brake .93
Parking Brake and Brake System ...............................
Indicator .59, 236
.................................
Parking Lights .71
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 253
..........................
Playing the Radio .106
..................................
Playing a CD .111
......
Playing the CD Changer . 113,114
...............................
Playing a Tape .119
.............................
PGM-FI System .252
................
Power Seat Adjustments . 83
.................
Power Socket Locations . 94
..............................
Power Windows .90
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children .34
...........................
Protecting Inf ants .39
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 49
.............
Protecting Small Children . 40
...................
Radiator Overheating . 232
Radio/CD Sound ........................................
System .106
..........................
Readiness Codes .254
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .105
............
Rear Audio Control Panel . 129
........
Rear Entertainment System . 125
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 210
............................
Rear View Mirror .88
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 73
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 70
..........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 83-86
.............................
Reminder Lights .57
................
Remote Audio Controls . 122
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 146
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 183
...................
Of f -Road Precautions . 183
Oil ........................
Change, How to .200
..............
Change, When to . 192,193
......................
Checking Engine .149
..............
Pressure Indicator . 58,234
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .199 ...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 77
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .251
..............................
Outside Mirrors .89
....................
Overheating, Engine .232
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 191
Index
N
O P
R
INDEX
V