Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the left valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda motor oil in your vehicle.
Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
245
API CERTIFICATION SEAL Ambient Temperature
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
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2008 Pilot
Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Make sure the oil f ilter gasket is not
stuck to the engine block. If it is,
remove it bef ore installing a new oil
f ilter. Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine and let it sit
f or several minutes, then check
the oil level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add more oil.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine, and check your work.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the connecting
surf ace of the engine block.
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
3. 4.
5.
6.
7.8.
9.
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
247
OIL FILTER
4.5 US qt (4.3)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container, and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
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2008 Pilot
Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt and
tighten it securely. Tightening
torque:
Check the f luid level with the
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer, and caref ully f eel inside the
bolt hole with your f inger. The f luid
level should be up to the edge of the
bolt hole. If it is not, slowly add
VTM-4 Dif f erential Fluid until it
starts to run out of the hole. The rear dif f erential should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display. Have your dealer replace the
rear dif f erential f luid.
The transf er assembly should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
inf ormation display.
Always use Hypoid gear oil GL4 or
GL5 with a viscosity of SAE 90 or
80W-90, and have your dealer
replace the transfer assembly fluid.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
6.
4WD models only
Dif f erential Oil
Transf er Assembly Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Dif f erential Oil, Transf er Assembly Fluid
Maint enance
251
FILLER BOLTCORRECT LEVEL
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)
Use only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). Do
not mix with other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 is not covered by the
Honda new vehicle warranty.
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2008 Pilot
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
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.
Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page).
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. If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
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.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
191
245
285
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
282
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.
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CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .196
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .81
............
Accessory Power Sockets .101
...........................
AC Power Outlet .102
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .245
...............
AdvancedAirbagSystem .30
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,25
..........
Airbag System Components .25
..............
Air Conditioning System .106
.....................
Rear A/C Control .113
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .264
......................................
Antif reeze .248
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .216
...............................
Indicator .63,217
...................................
Operation .216
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .141
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .81
................................
Audio System .115
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .23
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .76
.............
Automatic Speed Control .177
..............
Automatic Transmission .206
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .294 ...............
Checking Fluid Level .250
.......................................
Shif ting .206
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .206
................
Shif t Lever Positions .207
....................
Shif t Lock Release .209
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,282
............................
Jump Starting .278
..............................
Maintenance .269
............................
Specif ications .294
..............................
Bef ore Driving .187
..................................
Belts, Seat .10,21
...........................
Beverage Holders .99
..................................
Booster Seats .54
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .216
.............
Break-in, New Linings .188
....................
Bulb Replacement .258
...........................................
Fluid .252
.........................................
Parking .97
.................
System Indicator .63,284
........................
Wear Indicators .215 .............................
Braking System .215
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .188
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .76
........................
Brights, Headlights .75
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights .258
.....................
Brake Lights .258,259
................
Front Parking Lights .255
........
Front Side Marker Lights .255
.................................
Headlights .254
........
High-mount Brake Lights .259
.................................
Rear Bulbs .258
............................
Specif ications .295
.............
Turn Signal Light .255,258
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .254
............................
Capacities Chart .294
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .57
.............................
Carrying Cargo .198
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
..........................
CD Changer .131,134
.......................................
CD Player .130
Index
A
B
C
INDEX
I
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2008 Pilot
........................
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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CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .106
.........................................
Features .105
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .189
Filters
...............................................
Oil .246
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .77
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .273 Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .250
..........................................
Brake .252
..........................
Power Steering .253
................
Windshield Washers .249
...................
Folding the Third Seat .90
..........................
Four-way Flashers .77
.................................................
Fuel .188
...............................
Cap Message .72
......................
Fill Door and Cap .189
...........................................
Gauge .70
................
Octane Requirement .188
........................
Reserve Indicator .67
........................
Tank, Filling the .189
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .285
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .194
.........................................
Gasoline .188
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .67
...........................................
Gauge .70
................
Octane Requirement .188
........................
Tank, Filling the .189
................
Gas Station Procedures .189 Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .71
...............................................
Fuel .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .221
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .221
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .206
........................................
Glove Box .99
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .221
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .254
.................
Hazard Warning Button .77
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .71
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,283
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,282
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .245
...............................
Overheating .280
............................
Specif ications .295
............................
Speed Limiter .208
.......................................
Starting .205
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .302
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .57
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .303
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
Index
F GH
INDEX
III
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2008 Pilot
CONT INUED
.................................
Lower Anchor .47
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .294
.........................................
Luggage .198
..................................
Maintenance .235
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .242
................................
Minder .237-243
.........................
Minder Indicator .69
..........................................
Saf ety .236
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .62,283
..............
Manual Seat Adjustments .88
...............................
Meters, Gauges .70
.................................
Modif ications .197
.........................................
Moonroof .96
...................
Neutral Gear Position .207
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .188
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .292 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .188
.........................................
Odometer .70
...............................
Odometer, Trip .70
....................
Of f -Highway Driving .230
...................
Of f -Road Precautions .230
Oil
........................
Change, How to .246
......................
Change, When to .237
......................
Checking Engine .191
..............
Pressure Indicator .62,282
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .245
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .81
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .302
..............................
Outside Mirrors .93
....................
Overheating, Engine .280
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .242
..............
Panel Brightness Control .76
........................
Park Gear Position .207
...........................................
Parking .214 .................................
Parking Brake .97
Parking Brake and Brake System
...............................
Indicator .63,284
.................................
Parking Lights .75
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .304
..........................
Playing the Radio .117
................................
Playing a Disc .130
....
Playing the Disc Changer .131,134
.............................
PGM-FI System .303
................
Power Seat Adjustments .87
.................
Power Socket Locations .98
..............................
Power Windows .94
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .19
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions .20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .19
........................
Protecting Children .38
...........................
Protecting Inf ants .43
...........
Protecting Larger Children .53
.............
Protecting Small Children .44
Index
INDEXP
M
N O
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