2011 HONDA PILOT towing

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.
508 420 96
424 531
531
On vehicles without navigation system On vehicles with navigation system
Instrument Panel Indicators
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
74
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2011 Pilot

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 f or your vehicle, or
inf ormation on gasoline that does not
contain MMT, visit Owner Link at
. In Canada, visit
f or additional
inf ormation on gasoline. 446
owners.honda.com
www.honda.ca
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
394
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2011 Pilot

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 1,320 lbs (600 kg).
(1)
(2)
(3) (4)
(5)
(6)
CONT INUED
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
405
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.
10/01/26 19:33:11 31SZA620_410
2011 Pilot

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Variable Torque
Management
4-wheel drive
(VTM-4
) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA
), aka
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
system, the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), and f acts you need
if you are planning to tow a trailer or
drive of f -highway. ........................
Driving Guidelines .410
........................
Preparing to Drive .410
.......................
Starting the Engine .411
Check Starter System .................................
Message .412
..............
Automatic Transmission . 413
............................
VTM-4
System .418
...........................................
Parking .419
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .420
.............................
Braking System .428
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 429
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ........
Control (ESC), System . 431
...........................
Towing a Trailer .434
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .449
Driving
Driving
409
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2011 Pilot

µµµ
CONT INUED
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 5) f or your
speed and acceleration. You may
notice the transmission shif ting up at
higher engine speeds when the
engine is cold. This helps the engine
warm up f aster. To use D , press the
D button when the shif t lever is in
the ‘‘D’’ position. This position is simi-
lartoD,exceptonlythefirstthree
gears are selected instead of all f ive.
Use D when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain, or to provide engine braking
when going down a steep hill. D can
also keep the transmission f rom
cycling between third and f ourth
gears in stop-and-go driving. This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshif t to f irst gear
when you come to a stop.
Use second gear: For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
For starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow.
When driving downhill with a
trailer.3
3
3 3
Automatic Transmission
Drive (D) Drive (D ) Second (2)3
Driving
415
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2011 Pilot

The maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
depends on the number of occupants
in your vehicle and the type of trailer
being towed (see page ).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
Be sure to read the
sectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces. Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ). 394
449 438
Towing a Trailer
Load Limit
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
T ot al T railer Weight
Break-In Period
434
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
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2011 Pilot

Î Î
Î Î
The weight that the tongue of a f ully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
shouldbe5to10percentof thetotal
trailer weight f or boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
f or all other trailers. (See pagef or limits f or your towing
situation). Too much tongue load
reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is:
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed:
on the f ront axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
2:LXmodels 1:ExceptLXmodels
on the rear axle
438
4WD models: 2WD models: 4WD models:
2WD models:
2 1
Towing a Trailer
Tongue Load
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR): Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Driving
435
5,952 lbs (2,700 kg) 6,096 lbs (2,765 kg)
2,921 lbs (1,325 kg)
3,362 lbs (1,525 kg)
3,251 lbs (1,475 kg)
2,921 lbs (1,325 kg)
3,196 lbs (1,450 kg)
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2011 Pilot

Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described next.Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions.
The maximum allowable weight of
the f ully loaded vehicle and trailer
with the proper hitch is:
The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent f or every 1,000 f eet (305
meters) of elevation. 438
4WD models:
2WD models:
Estimating Loads
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR):To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
Towing a Trailer
436
9,579 lbs (4,345 kg)
8,466 lbs (3,840 kg)
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2011 Pilot