2009 HONDA PILOT tow

A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints.
How to operate the climate control
system, the audio system, rear
entertainment system, and other
convenience f eatures. The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump. How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
Features Bef ore Driving
Driving
Maintenance
T echnical Inf ormation
T aking Care of the Unexpected Warranty and Customer
Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Service Inf ormation Summary Index Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Overview of Contents
2
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This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew 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
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat 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 ). For more
inf ormation, see page . This indicator has two f unctions:
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see
page ).
Check the tire pressure monitor
on the multi-information display
and determine the cause (see page ). If this happens, pull to the side
of the road when it is saf e,
check which tire has lost
pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display, and
determine the cause. If it is
because of a flat tire, have the
flat tire repaired as soon as
possible. If two or more tires are
underinf lated, call a prof essional
towing service. For more
inf ormation, see page .
1.
512 94
428 535
535 424
On Touring models
Except Touring models
Instrument Panel Indicators
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
72
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µ
µ
µ µ
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MIST
OFF
INT Intermittent
LO Low speed
HI High speed
Windshield washers Push the right lever up or down to
select a position.
The wipers run at high
speed until you release the lever.
The wipers are not activated. The wipers run at low speed.
The wipers run at high speed.
The length of the wipe
interval is varied automatically
according to vehicle speed.
If youturnittotheshortestdelay,
the wipers change to low speed
operation when the vehicle speed
exceeds 12 mph (20 km/h). Pull the
wiper control lever toward you,
andholdit.Thewashersspray
until you release the lever. The
wipers run at low speed, then
complete one more sweep af ter
you release the lever.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. MIST
OFF
LO
HI
INT Windshield Washer
Windshield Wipers and Washers
122
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Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down.Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up, down, in,
and out.
Move the steering wheel up or
down, and in or out, so it points
toward your chest, not toward
your f ace. Make sure you can see
the instrument panel gauges and
indicators. 3.
4.
1.
2.
Steering Wheel A djustment
Inst rument s and Cont rols
131
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
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CONT INUED
Pressing the REAR CTRL OFF
button disables rear control. The
indicator in the button comes on and
your passengers can no longer
operate the system with the rear
control panel. When the button is
pressed, the ‘‘CTRL OFF’’ message
appears in the overhead screen to let
your passengers know that the
control panel is disabled.
The rear system selects the source it
waslastsetto.Ifthatsourcehas
been removed (the DVD has been
ejected f rom the player, f or example),you will see ‘‘DVD EJECT’’ in the
display. You should select another
source or insert a DVD.
Your vehicle is equipped with a rear
entertainment system that includes a
DVD player f or the enjoyment of the
rear passengers.
With this system, the rear
passengers can enjoy a dif f erent
entertainment source (radio, disc
changer, DVD player, XM Radio, or
optional CD changer/tape player)
than the front seat occupants. The
audio is broadcast through the
supplied wireless headphones.
The ignition switch must be in the
ACCESSORY (I) or the ON (II)
position to operate the rear
entertainment system. Whenyouturnonthesystem,the
rear speakers are automatically
turned of f if the rear system selects
a dif f erent entertainment source
than the front system. You will see
the Rear Speakers Of f icon in the
audio display. The sound f or the rear
system is sent to the wireless
headphones.
If youwanttoturntherearspeakers
on again, press and hold the REAR
PWR button until the Rear Speakers
Of f icon goes of f .
The rear speakers are
connected to the f ront system, so
they will always play the source that
the f ront system is set to.
Press the REAR PWR button. The
indicator on the REAR PWR button
will come on. The rear seat
passengers can then operate the rear
system f rom the control panel in the
ceiling. The rear control panel can
also be detached and used as a
remote control, by pushing the
RELEASE button, and pulling the
remote toward you.
On vehicles with rear entertainment
systemTo Turn On the System
Rear Speakers
Rear Entertainment System
Features
315
NOTE:
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Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. 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 persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
We recommend quality gasolines
containing detergent additives that
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
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 dealer f or service.Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Premium f uel is recommended when
towing in certain conditions (see
page ).
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
450
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
398
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Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange loop). Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole.
1.
3. 2.
4.
476 479
471
Oil Check
A dding Engine OilEngine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
402
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
MIN MAX
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µµ·
Label Example See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer. Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit
Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs. The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 1,322 lbs (600 kg).
(1)
(2)
(3) (4)
(5)
(6)
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
409
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.
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