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
\f—\f—\fy
y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Pilot
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
\f—\f—\fy
\f\fy
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Pilot
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
\f—\f—\fy
\fy
(+\fy\fy
2008 Pilot
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
\f—\f—\fy
y
(+\fy\fy
2008 Pilot
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.
\f—\f—\fy
y
(+\fy\fy
2008 Pilot
ÎÎ Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
µ
ÎÎ
Specif ications
294
Dimensions
Weights
Battery
Capacities
Seating Capacities 1.93 US gal (7.3
)
2.43 US gal (9.2)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
5.3 US qt (5.0
)
20.34 US gal (77.0
)
188.0 in (4,775 mm)
76.5 in (1,943 mm)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track 66.3 in (1,685 mm) 106.3 in (2,700 mm)
70.5 in (1,790 mm)
Gross vehicle weight rating
Gross combined weight
rating (GCWR) See the tire information label atta-
ched to the driver’s doorjamb.
9,700 lbs (4,400 kg)
77.5 in (1,968 mm)
71.7 in (1,821 mm)
70.1 in (1,780 mm)
71.3 in (1,811 mm)
66.5 in (1,690 mm)
66.5 in (1,690 mm)
66.7 in (1,694 mm)
12 V 20 AH/5 HR
Capacity Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
0.193 US gal (0.73
)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine
Reserve tank capacity: 2.79 US qt (2.64
)
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Rear
differential
fluid (4WD)
Windshield
washer
reservoir
8.3 US qt (7.9
)
3.5 US qt (3.3
)
8.9 US qt (8.4
)
4.0 US qt (3.8
)
Equipped with transmission fluid cooler and power steering
fluid cooler.
The GCWR must be reduced 2 percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation.
Total
Front
Rear 8
2
3
3 Approx.
1:
2:
1:
2: Front
Rear
4WD
2WD
Front
Rear
4WD
2WD Change
Total
Change
Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change 4WD
2WD
4WD
2WD
Second row
Third row
1 : LX and LX-VP models 2 : EX, EX-L, and EX-SE models
2
1 1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
\f—\f—\fy
y
(+\fy\fy
2008 Pilot
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
——y
y
(+y
y
2008 Pilot
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
\f—\f—\fy
y
(+\fy\f\fy
2008 Pilot