Page 449 of 574
´
Ref er to the above illustrations f or
wiring information.The trailer jumper harness is used to
install the controller f or the electric
trailer brakes. For more inf ormation,
see
on page .
Insert the connector securely into
the socket.
Hook the retaining tab on the
inner side of the lid against the
retaining tab of the connector to
prevent disconnection during
operation.
Insert the trailer brake f use into the
secondary under-hood f use box (see
page ).
3.
441
529
On Touring models On Touring models
Towing a Trailer
T railer Jumper Harness
T railer Connect or Socket s
Trailer Brakes
T railer Brake Fuse
Driving
445
7-PIN TRAILER SOCKET SMALL
LIGHT
(GREEN)
LEFT
TURN/
STOP
(RED)
BACK LIGHT
(YELLOW) GROUND
(BLACK)
BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
BRAKE LIGHTS
(SKY BLUE)
B
CHARGE
(BLUE)
RIGHT
TURN/
STOP
(WHITE)
ELECTRIC
BRAKE
(BROWN/
WHITE)
GROUND
(BLACK)
10/01/26 19:40:35 31SZA620_450
2011 Pilot
Page 450 of 574

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing perf ormance can be
af f ected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Theref ore, premium
f uel (premium unleaded gasoline
with pump octane number of 91 or
higher) is recommended when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590
kg).
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
446
10/01/26 19:40:49 31SZA620_451
2011 Pilot
Page 457 of 574

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 inf ormation messages
on the inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
models), and instructions f or 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 .454
............
Maintenance Inf ormation . 455
..............................
Fluid Locations .470
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 471
........................
Adding Engine Oil .472
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .473
..............................
Engine Coolant .475
....................
Windshield Washers .477
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 478
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 480
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 480
....................................
Brake Fluid .481
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 482
....................................
Timing Belt .482
.............................................
Lights .483
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 490
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 490
.....................................
Floor Mats .491
.................................
Wiper Blades .492
...............................................
Tires .496
...................
Checking the Battery . 504
.............................
Vehicle Storage .505
..................................
Interior Care .506
557
Maintenance
Maint enance
453
10/01/26 19:42:06 31SZA620_458
2011 Pilot
Page 472 of 574
µµ
µ
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page . Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page . 481
497
483
Maintenance Inf ormation
468
10/01/26 19:44:35 31SZA620_473
2011 Pilot
Page 492 of 574
Place a cloth on the edge of the
lens segment to prevent scratches.
Remove each lens segment by
caref ully prying on its edge with a
small f lat-tip screwdriver.
Remove the screw under each lens.
Pull the high-mount brake light
assembly out of the vehicle.Remove the lens f rom the light
assembly.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working. Put the lens back on the light
assembly, and tighten the
mounting bolts securely.
Put the light assembly back into
the vehicle. Install the screws and
tighten them securely.
Reinstall the lens segments.
Remove the two mounting screws
f rom the light assembly.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.7.
8.
9.
6.
Lights
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
488
LENS SEGMENT
10/01/26 19:47:56 31SZA620_493
2011 Pilot
Page 513 of 574

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake. Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Open the tailgate.Push the rear edge of the handle
to raise the handle loop and pull up
the loop to raise the cargo area
f loor.
Remove the cargo area floor.
2.
1.
3.4.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
509
JACK
TOOLS
SPARE TIRE
CARGO AREA
FLOOR
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
10/01/26 19:51:21 31SZA620_514
2011 Pilot
Page 521 of 574

Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er toon page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page . Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
Put the transmission in neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake. Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
1.
2.
411
525 531
CONT INUED
Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
517
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
10/01/26 19:52:40 31SZA620_522
2011 Pilot
Page 523 of 574

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.
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.
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 the 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.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
1.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
519
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.
10/01/26 19:53:01 31SZA620_524
2011 Pilot