2012 HONDA PILOT trailer

In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both
areonalabelonthedriver

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 . 512
........................
Preparing to Drive . 512
.......................
Starting the Engine . 513
Check Starter System .................................
Message . 514
..............
Automatic Transmission . 515
............................
VTM-4
System . 520
...........................................
Parking . 521
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
......................................
(TPMS) . 522
.............................
Braking System . 530
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 531
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ........
Control (ESC), System . 533
...........................
Towing a Trailer . 536
Of f -Highway Driving
..................................
Guidelines . 552
Driving
Driving
511
Main Menu

Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
makesuretheyareof thesamesize
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.Your vehicle is equipped with a hill
start assist f eature to help prevent
the vehicle f rom rolling on inclines
as you move your f oot f rom the
brake pedal to the accelerator.
This f eature starts operating a f ew
seconds af ter you are in any drive
gear position (when f aced uphill) or
in reverse (when f aced downhill).
This f eature requires that the
vehicle has come to a complete stop
bef ore it can work.
Hillstartassistmaynotholda
heavily loaded vehicle, such as when
your vehicle is connected to a trailer,
or prevent your vehicle f rom rolling
downhill on a very steep or slippery
slope.
605
VSA and Tire Sizes Hill Start Assist
Vehicle St abilit y A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
535
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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

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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 page f 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 : Except LX models on the rear axle
540
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
537
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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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. 540
4WD models:
2WD models:
Estimating Loads
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR):To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
Towing a Trailer
538
9,579 lbs (4,345 kg)
8,466 lbs (3,840 kg)
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Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Measure and record the distance
from the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch.
Connect the f ully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
Measure again f rom the ground to
the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.
Subtract the second measurement
from the first measurement, then
refer to the following table. Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
If thedifferenceismorethan1

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Number of
Occupants 2 3 4 5678
Number of
Occupants 2
From 3 to 8 T owing is Not Recommended
T owing is Not Recommended
Maximum T otal T railer Weight Maximum T ongue Load
Maximum T otal T railer Weight Maximum T ongue Load
2WD models
2WD models with optional ATF Cooler installed
Towing a Trailer
540
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits:
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, eac h occupant weighs 150 lbs (68
kg), and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the maximum
trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page ).
Recommended tongue load should be 5 10% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8 15% of the total trailer weight for all other
trailers. 537
2,000 lbs (905 kg)
200 lbs (90 kg)
3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
3,300 lbs (1,497 kg)
3,100 lbs (1,406 kg)
3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
2,800 lbs (1,270 kg)
2,000 lbs (905 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
300 lbs (136 kg)
230 lbs (104 kg)
200 lbs (90 kg)
150 lbs (68 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)
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