2008 HONDA PILOT steering

Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page .Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase
Honda equipment whenever possible.
Your dealer of f ers a trailer package
that includes a hitch, a ball mount, a
wiring harness, a heavy-duty
transmission f luid cooler, and a
heavy-duty power steering f luid
cooler.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state, f ederal, province,
and local regulations. We strongly recommend that you
have your dealer install a Honda
hitch. Using non-Honda equipment
may result in serious damage to your
vehicle.
To help prevent overheating, a
heavy-duty transmission f luid cooler
and a heavy-duty power steering
f luid cooler are required f or trailer
towing. These coolers are available
only f rom your dealer.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
vehicle, as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling, stability, and braking
perf ormance.
Calculate the tongue load.
Subtract the weight in step 6 f rom
the weight in step 7.
Limit: See page .
Recommended: see page .
Range: 5-10% f or boat trailers
8-15% f or other trailers
7.
8.
223
223 220
CONT INUED
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Towing a Trailer
Hitch
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
Weight Distributing Hitch
Driving
225
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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 explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the
inf ormation display, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .236
....................
Maintenance Minder .237
..............................
Fluid Locations .244
........................
Adding Engine Oil .245
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .246
..............................
Engine Coolant .248
....................
Windshield Washers .249
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .250
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .251
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid .251
....................................
Timing Belt .252
....................................
Brake Fluid .252
....................
Power Steering Fluid .253
.............................................
Lights .254
.....................................
Floor Mats .260
.......................
Cleaning Seat Belts .260
.................................
Wiper Blades .261
...........................................
Wheels .263
...............................................
Tires .263
...................
Checking the Battery .269
.............................
Vehicle Storage .270
311
Maintenance
Maint enance
235
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ÌÌ
µµ
Ì
Maintenance Minder
243
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
:
2
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
NOTE: 1:
2:4WD
242
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
A
B
1
2
3
4
5
61
1
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles,
replace every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer
towing results in higher transmission and transfer fluid
temperatures. This requires transmission and transfer fluid
changes more frequently than recommended by the Maintenance
Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the transmission and transfer fluid changed every 30,000
miles (48,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C),
in very low temperatures (under 20°F, 29°C), or towing a trailer,
replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.) /100,000 km (Canada).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer
towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid.
This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive
your vehicle under these conditions, have the differential fluid
changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
Symbol
Symbol
Maintenance Minder
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Fluid Locations
244
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap) BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
RADIATOR CAP
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Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Power Steering Fluid
Maint enance
253
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the left, and turn off the engine.
If you are changing the bulb on
the passenger’s side, turn the
steering wheel to the right.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the three holding clips
f rom the inner f ender.Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender.
Remove the socket from the turn
signal assembly by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.Pull the burned out bulb straight
out of its socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Insert the socket back into the
turn signal assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the three holding clips.
Lock each clip in place by pushing
on the center.
1.
4.5.
3.
2. 6.
7.
8.
Lights
Replacing a Side Turn Signal Bulb
256
SOCKET
BULB
CLIPS
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Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s side wall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
anti-lock brake and the vehicle
stability assist systems to work
inconsistently.
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the information display.
Move the tires to the positions
shown in the illustration each time
they are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only f ront-to-
back.
In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
Tires
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tire Rotation
T ire Maintenance
266
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Front Front
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Honda wheel weights f or
balancing.
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