2007 HONDA PILOT towing

2007 Honda 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.h\
elminc.com.
Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safe ty........................................................................\
........................................iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
.............................................4
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .7
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .59
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... .105
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................185
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .197
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................227
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................265
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
............................................ .285
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canad a)................................................................301
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................305
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Accord Value Package Audio System

This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
The
appropriate tire indicator will
come on along with the low tire
pressure indicator if a tire is
extrem ely underinflated or has
suddenly lost pressure. See
for what to
do if this indicator comes on. If
this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator and the tire
pressu re monitor will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
This
indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicl e’s tires are extremely low on
pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
ro ad when it is safe, check which tire
has lost the pressure on the tire
pressure monitor, and determine the
cause. If it is because of a f lat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). Ref er to page f or more inf ormation. 266
279
205 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator T ire Pressure Monitor
Low
Tire Pressure Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
65

Help assure your vehicle’s future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
accele ration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exch anged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. In
addition, in order to maintain good
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-b ased
fuel additives such as MMT.
Your
vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persi stent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
We recommend using quality
gasolines containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits. Some
gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxyg enated gasoline
containing up to 10 % eth anol by
volume and up to 15 % MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
Premium f uel is recommended when
towing in certain conditions (see
page ).
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
220
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
186

µ·
Determine
the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicl e.
The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capaci ty. Determine
the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capaci ty
calc ulated in step 4.
To
determine the correct cargo and
luggage load limit:
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will
be tran sferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ).
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) or the gross axle
weight rating (GAWR). Both are on
a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 1,322 lbs (600 kg). This f igure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories,
and the tongue load if you are towing
a trailer.
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 1,322
lbs ’’ on your vehicle’s placard.
(The placard is driver’s doorjamb.)
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
For example, if the maximum load
is 1,322 lbs and there will be eight
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 122 lbs.
(1,322 750 (8 150) = 122 lbs.)
1.
2.
5.
6.
3.
4. 213
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
194
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.
1,322 lbs (600 kg).

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-4 system (4WD
models only), the VSA system, the
tire pressure monitoring system, and
f acts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer.........................
Driving Guidelines .198
.......................
Starting the Engine .199
..............
Automatic Transmission .200
..............................
VTM-4 System .204
Tire Pressure Monitoring
........................
System (TPMS) .205
..................................
Parking Tips .207
.............................
Braking System .208
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .209
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .211
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .212
...........................
Towing a Trailer .213
......................
Trailer Driving Tips .219
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
................................
Motorhome .221
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .222
Driving
Driving
197

The maximum
weight of the trailer and everything
in or on it depends on the number of
occupants in your vehicle and the
type of trailer being towed (see page
).
To wing a load that is too heavy can
seriously affect your vehicle’s
handling and performance. Theweightthatthe
tongue of a fully loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be 5 to 10
percent of the total trailer weight for
boat trailers, and 8 to 15 percent of
total trailer weight for all other
trailers. (See page for limits for
your towing situation). Too much
tongue load reduces front-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
Your
vehicle has been designed to
tow a trailer, as well as carrying
passengers and their cargo. To
safely tow a trailer, you should
carefully observe the load limits (see
page ), use the proper equipment,
and follow the guidelines in this
section.
Be sure to read the
sectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
215 215
222
194
Load Limits
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
Towing a Trailer
T ot al T railer Weight : T ongue L oad:
Driving
213
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

µµ
µ Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads
are within limits is to check
them at a public scale.
The
maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo and the tongue
load is 5,950 lbs (2,700 kg).
The maximum
allowable weight on the vehicle axles
is 2,865 lbs (1,300 kg) on the front
ax le, and 3,155 lbs (1,430 kg) on the
rear axle.
The maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
ve hicle and trailer is 9,700 lbs (4,400
kg) with the proper hitch and fluid
coolers (see page ).
The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation. Connect
the fully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
Measure again from the ground to
the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.
Subtract the second measurement
from the first measurement, then
refer to the following table.
Ifthedifferenceismorethan3¾
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
1½’’
2¼’’ 3’’
3¾’’ 150
lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (160 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
Measure from the ground to the
bottom of the trailer hitch.
Park
the vehicle on level ground.
For
public scales in your area, check
your local phone book, or contact
your trailer dealer or rental agency
for assistance.
To help ensure a safe drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described.
Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
217 215
Estimating Loads
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GA WR)
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) If the
difference is: Estimated
tongue load is:
Towing a Trailer
To Estimate the Tongue Load
To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
214

Number ofOccupants 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Number of Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7
8 Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering f luid cooler.
T owing is Not Recommended
Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering f luid cooler.
T owing is Not Recommended
Maximum T otal T railer Weight
Maximum T otal T railer Weight
Maximum T ongue Load
Maximum T ongue Load
Towing a Trailer
Driving
215
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits:
BOAT TRAILERS
OTHER TYPES OF TRAILERS
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs (70 kg) and each has 1 5 lbs (7 kg)
of luggage in the cargo area.
4,500 lbs (2,045 kg)
4,500 lbs (2,045 kg)
4,500 lbs (2,045 kg)
4,300 lbs (1,945 kg)
4,100 lbs (1,855 kg) 2,000 lbs (905 kg)
3,500 lbs (1,590 kg)
3,500 lbs (1,590 kg)
3,300 lbs (1,490 kg)
3,100 lbs (1,400 kg)
2,700 lbs (1,220 kg) 1,200 lbs (540 kg) 450 lbs (205 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
350 lbs (160 kg)
220 lbs (100 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
350 lbs (160 kg)
220 lbs (100 kg) 100 lbs (45 kg)