2012 HONDA PILOT octane

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.
Premium f uel is recommended when
towing in certain conditions (see
page ).
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol. Your
vehicle is designed to operate on
oxygenated gasoline containing up to
10% ethanol 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.In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain harmf ul
manganese-based f uel additives such
as MMT, if such gasoline is available.
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.
549
CONT INUED
Fuel Recommendation
Fuel Recommendation
Bef ore Driving
495
If a non-FFV is inadvertently
ref ueled once with E85 f uel, have
the f uel tank drained at a dealer.
If this occurs over a prolonged
period, damage may occur.
Do not use E85 f uel in a non-Flex Fuel
Vehicle (FFV).
Non-FFV models are not designed to
run on E85 f uel. Using E85 f uel can
damage the f uel system components.
T o help prevent harmf ul f uel system
and engine deposits, use high quality
f uel containing detergent and additives.
Main MenuTable of Contents

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.
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.
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
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.
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 trailer brake f use into the
secondary under-hood f use box (see
page ).
544
634
On Touring models
Pre-T ow ChecklistT railer Jumper Harness
T railer Brake FuseTrailer Brakes
Towing a Trailer
Driving
549
BRAKE LIGHTS
(SKY BLUE)
GROUND
(BLACK)
BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
Main MenuTable of Contents

Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat........................................
Belts by . 20
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 502
.........................................
Gasoline . 495
...........................................
Gauge . 80
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator . 78
................
Octane Requirement . 495
........................
Tank, Ref ueling . 497
................
Gas Station Procedures . 497 Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 80
...............................................
Fuel . 80
...............................
Speedometer . 80
.................................
Tachometer . 80
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
.......................................
Rating) . 537
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
.......................................
Rating) . 538
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 515
...................................
Glass Hatch . 148
......................................
Glove Box . 183
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) . 537
..........................
Fan, Interior . 193, 203
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience . 191
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 497
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 593
...............................................
Oil . 577
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 129
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 613
.....................................
Floor Mats . 594
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 582
..........................................
Brake . 584
..........................
Power Steering . 585
..................
Windshield Washer . 581
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 389
.....................................
Fog Lights . 127
..............
Folding the Second Seat . 160
.................
Folding the Third Seat . 161
........................
Four-way Flashers . 129 ............................
Front Airbags . 11, 28
......................................
Front Seat . 154
....................................
Adjusting . 154
...................................
Airbags . 11, 28
.......................................
Heaters . 165
.................................................
Fuel . 495
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 497
...........................................
Gauge . 80
................
Octane Requirement . 495
...............................
Oxygenated . 495
........................
Reserve Indicator . 78
........................
Tank, Filling the . 497
......................
Tighten Fuel Cap . 498
...............................
Fuel Economy . 501
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 630
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 586
...................
HandsFreeLink
. 441, 462
.....................
HFL Buttons . 442, 463
............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 129
Index
G H
F
IV
Main Menu

................................................
Keys . 133
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 640
...............
Lane Change, Signaling . 125
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 17, 23
....................
Light Control Switch . 176
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 586
.................................
Indicator . 65, 66
.......................................
Interior . 176
.......................................
Parking . 125
................................
Turn Signal . 125
.............................
Load Limit . 507, 536
....
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 136
Locks
.....
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 136 ............................
Fuel Fill Door . 497
..................................
Glove Box . 183
..................
Lockout Prevention . 143
...............................
Power Door . 137
..............................
Tailgate . 143, 144
........................
Low Coolant Level . 500
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator . 78
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 68, 625
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 642
............
Luggage, Storing (cargo) . 506 ...................
Neutral Gear Position . 516
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 494
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 640
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 495
...................................
Odometer . 81, 87
.........................
Odometer, Trip . 81, 87
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 552
...................
Of f -Road Precautions . 552
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 577
......................
Change, When to . 559
......................
Checking Engine . 500
...............................
Lif e, Engine . 559
..............
Pressure Indicator . 68, 625
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart . 576
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 615
.......................................
Jack, Tire . 613
................................
Jump Starting . 621
..................................
Maintenance . 557
........................................
Minder . 559
Owner

4WD models only4WD models only
Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline: Brake Fluid:
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Rear Differential Fluid:
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Fuel Tank Capacity: Transfer Assembly Fluid:
Power Steering Fluid: Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 87 or higher.
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
Premium fuel is recommended
when towing in certain conditions
(see page ).
21.00 US gal (79.5
)
Honda ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission fluid) (see page ).
API Premium grade 0W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
Rear: 31 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
Front:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Compact Spare Tire: 35 psi (240 kPa , 2.4 kgf/cm
)
Front/Rear:
Honda VTM-4 Differential Fluid.
SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 viscosity
hypoid gear oil, API service
classified GL4 or GL5 only.
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
U.S. LX models:
Except U.S. LX models:
549
576
583 584
585
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