2008 HONDA PILOT emergency towing

When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
If the vehicle’s tires slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shif t to f irst gear, and turn on VTM-4
lock (see page ). Disengage
VTM-4 lock as soon as the boat is
out of the water to prevent damage
to the VTM-4 system.Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
210 285
3
bottom
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer. Towing Your Vehicle
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ingBacking Up
ParkingRet rieving a Boat
Towing a Trailer
Driving
229
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This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .272
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .273
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .277
................................
Jump Starting .278
..............
If the Engine Overheats .280
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .282
..........
Charging System Indicator .282
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .283
...............
Brake System Indicator .284
......................
Emergency Towing .285
..............................................
Fuses .285
..............................
Fuse Locations .289
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
271
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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 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.
The pointer of your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
If it climbs to the red mark, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If your 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 don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). Add coolant if the level is
below the MIN mark.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
5.
6.
4.1.
2.
3.
192
285
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
280
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 the engine.
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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.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
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.
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
interior temperature to maximum.
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.
7. 8.
9.11.
10.
285
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
281
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.
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If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
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.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ). The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position and as a reminder to
check the parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully release the
parking brake.
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. 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 the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
285
252
Brake System Indicator
Emergency
Towing
284
U.S. Canada
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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.
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.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
The vehicle’s f uses are located in
f our f use boxes. The interior f use
boxes are located under the
dashboard on the driver’s and
passenger’s side.
On 4WD models
CONT INUED
Emergency T owing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.Fuses
Emergency Towing, Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
285
DRIVER’ S SIDE INTERIOR
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.
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........................
Certif ication Label .292
............................................
Chains .268
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .273
Change Oil
........................................
How to .246
......................................
When to .237
...
Charging System Indicator .62,282
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .204
..................
Childproof Door Locks .83
Child Seats
.........................................
LATCH .47
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .51
...............
Climate Control System .112
.........................
Clock, Setting the .142
.....................
Code, Audio System .141
........................
CO in the Exhaust .302
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .205
......................
Compact Spare Tire .272
...................
Console Compartment .99
.................
Consumer Inf ormation .308
.............
Controls, Instruments and .59
Coolant
........................................
Adding .248
....................................
Checking .192
.........................
Proper Solution .248
...................
Temperature Gauge .71 ...................
Conversation Mirror .100
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .302
............
Cruise Control Operation .177
....
Customer Service Inf ormation .308
..............................
Economy, Fuel .193
............
Emergencies on the Road .271
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .278
...........
Brake System Indicator .284
................
Changing a Flat Tire .273
.....
Charging System Indicator .282
..................
Checking the Fuses .285
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .282
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .283
..................
Overheated Engine .280
...........................
Emergency Brake .97
......................
Emergency Flashers .77
......................
Emergency Towing .285
.......................
Emissions Controls .302
........................
Emissions Testing .305
...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .4,60
................
Daytime Running Lights .76
Daytime Running Lights
.......................................
Indicator .67
.................................
Dead Battery .278
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .310
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .77
......
Def rosting the Windows .108,110
....................................
Dimensions .294
...............
Dimming the Headlights .75
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .250
..................................
Engine Oil .191
....................
Directional Signals .66,75
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .215
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .247 Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .296
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
...........................................
Driving .203
....................................
Economy .193
...................................
DVD Player .144
........
DVD Player Error Message .173
Index
D
E
II
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Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .271
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .296
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .188
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .247
................................
Vanity Mirror .101
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .199
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .294
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .292
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .218
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .219
.............................
Vehicle Storage .270
.................................................
VIN .292
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .245
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .210 ............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .58
....................
Warranty Coverages .309
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level .249
............................
Level Indicator .67
.....................................
Operation .74
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering .78
............
Alignment and Balance .266
..........................
Compact Spare .272
...............................
Nut Wrench .275
Windows ..................
Operating the Power .94
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .77
Windshield ...........................
Def roster .108,110
.......................................
Washers .74
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .261
.....................................
Operation .74
Rear Window Wiper and
.....................................
Washer .74
..................
Wireless Headphones .174
...............................................
Tires .263
..............................
Air Pressure .264
.........................
Checking Wear .265
..........................
Compact Spare .272
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .296
......................................
Inf lation .263
..................................
Inspection .265
..............................
Maintenance .266
...................................
Replacing .266
......................................
Rotating .266
................................
Service Lif e .265
...........................................
Snow .268
............................
Specif ications .295
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .273
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .220
................
Emergency Wrecker .285
....
Equipment and Accessories .227
.......................
Traction Devices .268
..................
Trailer Driving Tips .227
.............................
Weight Limit .223
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level .250
...........................
Fluid Selection .250
..............
Identif ication Number .292
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .206 .....................................
Treadwear .296
.......................................
Trip Meter .70
....................................
Turn Signals .75
Index
U
V W
VIII
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