2013 HONDA PILOT transmission

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uuTowing a TraileruTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
•Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
climate control system and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool
down the engine if necessary.
•Shift to the (d position if the transmission shifts frequently.
If the tires slip when retrieving a boat from the water, shift to (1, and turn on VTM-
4r lock. Disengage VTM-4r lock as soon as the boat is out of the water to prevent
damage to the VTM-4r system.
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 459
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
■Retrieving a Boat

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uuOff-Highway Driving GuidelinesuAvoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble
•Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been completed. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, and check the tire pressures.
•Remember the route you choose presents limits (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your vehicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
•Accelerating and Braking should be done slowly and gradually. Trying to start
or stop too fast can cause a loss of traction and you could lose control.
•Avoiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
•Driving on Slopes increasing your risk of a rollover, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight or down a slope is usually the
safest. If you can’t clearly see all conditions or obstacles on a slope, walk it before
you drive it. If there is any doubt whether you can safely pass, don’t try it. Find
another route. If you get stuck when climbing, do not try to turn around. Back
down slowly following the same route you took up the hill.
•Crossing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large puddle, for example), evaluate it carefully
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find
another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. The
water can get into the transmission and differential, diluting the lubricant and
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
•If You Get Stuck, carefully go in the direction that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires as this will only make things worse and could
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need
to be towed. Front and rear tow hooks are provided for this purpose.

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uuWhen DrivinguPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:
•Take corners at slower speeds than you would with a passenger vehicle.
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
•Do not modify your vehicle in any way that you would raise the center of gravity.
•Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result in a crash or a rollover.2Important Handling Information P. 262Precautions While Driving P. 344
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not operate the shift lever while pressing the accelerator pedal. You could damage the transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY (q or LOCK (0 while driving, the engine will shut down and all steering and brake power assist functions will stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in (N, as you will lose engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).You should also follow this when the brake pads are replaced.

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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

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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

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uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Driving
■Shift Lever Operation1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICE
When you change the shift lever from (D to (R and vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving, a blinking D indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine speeds in or over the tachometer's red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's red zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and press the shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever release button.
Press the shift lever release button and shift.

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uuWhen DrivinguVTM (Variable Torque Management)-4r System*
Driving
VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4r System*
Senses a traction loss caused by a road condition change, and automatically
transfers some power to the rear wheels.
Use the VTM-4r LOCK to increase more torque to the rear wheels.
1.Stop your vehicle with the engine running.
2.Move the shift lever to (1, (2, or (R.
3.Press the VTM-4r LOCK button.
uThe indicator in the button comes on.
Any of the following disengages the VTM-4r LOCK:
•Pressing the VTM-4r LOCK button again.
•Moving the shift lever to (D or (d.
•Turning the ignition switch to the LOCK (0 position.
■To Engage the VTM-4r LOCK
■To Disengage the VTM-4r LOCK
1VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4r System*
NOTICE
Do not continuously spin the front tires of your vehicle. Continuously spinning the front tires can
cause transmission or rear differential damage.
1To Engage the VTM-4r LOCK
Do not use the VTM-4r LOCK button on dry, paved roads. Driving on dry, paved roads with VTM-4r
LOCK on may damage the rear differential when
making a turn. Strange noise and vibration can also result.
The VTM-4r LOCK can be used to help free your
vehicle from being stuck in mud, sand, or gravel.When the lock is engaged, apply light pressure to the
accelerator pedal.
When more torque is applied, the rear tires are not likely to spin. This is normal.
If you are not able to free the vehicle, stop and
reverse direction. As soon as this feature is no longer needed,
disengage the VTM-4r LOCK.
1To Disengage the VTM-4r LOCK
The VTM-4r LOCK temporarily disengages when the
vehicle speed exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h). The
indicator in the button remains on.
* Not available on all models

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Driving
Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped
1.Depress the brake pedal firmly with the shift lever in (D.
2.Firmly apply the parking brake.
3.Move the shift lever from (D to (P.
4.Turn off the engine.
Always set the parking brake firmly, in particular if you are parked on an incline.
1Parking Your Vehicle
Do not park your vehicle near flammable objects,
such as dry grass, oil, or timber.
Heat from the exhaust can cause a fire.
1When Stopped
NOTICE
The following can damage the transmission:
•Depressing the accelerator and brake pedals
simultaneously.
•Holding the vehicle in place when facing uphill by depressing the accelerator pedal.
•Moving the shift lever into (P before the vehicle
stops completely.
Raise the wiper arms when snow is expected.