2013 HONDA PILOT automatic transmission

Visual Index
4
Quick Reference Guide
❙Power Door Lock Master Switch (P103)
❙Power Window Switches (P120)
❙Rearview Mirror (P135)
❙Hood Release Handle (P390)
❙Glove Box (P 152)
❙Driver's Front Airbag (P40)
❙Door Mirror Controls (P136)
❙Passenger's Front Airbag
(P40)
❙Fuel Fill Door Release Handle (P372)
❙Parking Brake Release Handle (P360)
❙Shift Lever
Automatic Transmission
(P345)
❙Accessory Power Socket
(P156)
❙Interior Fuse Box (P456)
❙Seat Heater Switches* (P162)
❙Parking Brake (P360)

14
Quick Reference Guide
Driving (P323)
Release ButtonShift Lever
Depress the brake pedal and press the release button to move out of (P.
Move the shift lever without pressing the release button.
Press the release button to move the shift lever.
Automatic Transmission (P346)
●Shift to (P and depress the brake pedal when starting the engine.
●Shifting
ParkTurn off or start the engine.
Transmission is locked.
Reverse
NeutralTransmission is not locked.
DriveNormal driving.
Drive (D3)Press the (d button while the shift lever is in
(D.
Used when:
•Going up or down hills•Towing a trailer in hilly terrain
SecondUsed to increase engine braking (the
transmission is locked in 2nd gear)
FirstUsed to further increase engine braking
(the transmission is locked in 1st gear)
(d Button

129
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluWipers and Washers
Controls
The rear wiper and washer can be used when
the ignition switch is in ON (w.
■Wiper switch (OFF, INT, ON)
Change the wiper switch setting according to
the amount of rain.
■Washer ( )
Sprays while you rotate the switch to this
position.
Hold it to activate the wiper and to spray the
washer. Once released, it stops operating
after a few more sweeps.
■Operating in reverse
When you shift the transmission to (R with the front wiper activated, the rear wiper
operates automatically as follows even if its switch is off.
■Rear Wiper/Washer1Wipers and Washers
If the wiper stops operating due to any obstacle such as the build-up of snow, park the vehicle in a safe
place.
Rotate the wiper switch to OFF, and turn the ignition
switch to ACCESSORY (q or LOCK (0, then remove
the obstacle.
The wiper motor is equipped with a breaker that may
stop motor operation temporarily to prevent an overload. Wiper operation will return to normal
within a few minutes, once the circuit has returned to
normal.
INT: Intermittent
OFF3
ON: Continuous wipe2
Washer4
4
4
3
2
Front Wiper PositionRear Wiper Operation
INT (Intermittent)Intermittent
LO (Low speed wipe)
HI (High speed wipe)Continuous

323
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before DrivingDriving Preparation .......................... 324 Maximum Load Limit........................ 327Towing a TrailerTowing Preparation .......................... 329Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 338Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 339Off-Highway Driving GuidelinesGeneral Information ......................... 340Important Safety Precautions............ 340Avoiding Trouble ............................. 341When DrivingStarting the Engine .......................... 342Precautions While Driving................. 344
Automatic Transmission ................... 345Shifting ............................................ 346Cruise Control ................................. 348VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System ...... 352VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4r System*............................................. 354TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 355Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation ......... 357BrakingBrake System ................................... 360ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 362
Brake Assist System ......................... 363Parking Your VehicleWhen Stopped ................................ 364Parking Sensor System*................... 365Rearview Camera*............................ 369Multi-View Rear Camera*................ 370Refueling
Fuel Information .............................. 371
How to Refuel ................................. 372
Fuel Economy.................................... 374
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories ...................................... 375
Modifications................................... 375
* Not available on all models

Continued333
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer hitch as standard equipment.
The jumper harness and trailer brake fuse are stored in the glove box.
2Trailer brakes P. 334
2Trailer light P. 335
Turn the knob one-quarter left to open the
cover.
uThe 7-Pin trailer connector and trailer
hitch are located.
■Towing Equipment and Accessories1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Consult your trailer sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing situation.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qualified technician.
Trailer packages and products:
•Ball mount, hitch plug, hitch pin etc.
•Wiring harness kit•Trailer hitch kit (jumper harness included)
2Trailer brakes P. 334
•Automatic transmission cooler kit2Automatic transmission cooler P. 337
Are available at a dealer.
2WD models
Knob
7-Pin Trailer Connector
Trailer Hitch

337
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
■Sway control
Recommended to use if your trailer tends to sway. Consult the trailer maker for
what kind of sway control you need and how to install it.
■Automatic transmission cooler
Install an additional ATF (automatic transmission fluid) cooler to help prevent the
transmission from overheating, and damaging. You can get the additional ATF
cooler at a dealer.
■Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and territories require special exterior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.
2WD models

345
uuWhen DrivinguAutomatic Transmission
Driving
Automatic Transmission
The following conditions cause the engine to run at high revolutions, and increase
creeping:
•Immediately after the engine starts.
•When the climate control system is in use.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.
■Creeping
■Kickdown

346
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.
■Shift lever positions
1Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0 and remove the key unless the shift lever is in (P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in (N while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for normal driving (gears change between 1st and 5th automatically)
Drive (D3)
Press the (d button while the shift lever is in (D.
Used when:●Going up or down hills●Towing a trailer in hilly terrain
Second
Used to increase engine braking (the transmission is locked in 2nd gear)
First
Used to further increase engine braking (the transmission is locked in 1st gear)
Release Button
(d Button