2013 HONDA PILOT towing

338
uuTowing a TraileruDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
•Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
•Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 329
•When towing more than 3,500lbs (1,590 kg), use of gasoline with a pump octane
number of 91 or higher is recommended.
uTowing performance can be affected by high altitude, high temperature, or
steep uphill.
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
•Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
•Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
•Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare.
•Drive slower than normal.
•Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
•Use the (D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
•Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
•Allow more time and distance for braking.
•Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer's tires.

339
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

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

383
uuMaintenance Minder™uTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder MessageMaintenance Minder Indicator
Sub Items
Main Item
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km). *3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110ºF, 43ºC), in very low temperatures (under -20ºF, -29ºC), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer* fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace VTM-4r* rear differential fluid*5
* Not available on all models

387
uuMaintenance Minder™uTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3
only if they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder MessageSystem Message Indicator
Sub ItemsMain Item
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km). *3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110ºF, 43ºC), in very low temperatures (under -20ºF, -29ºC), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission and transfer* fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace VTM-4r* rear differential fluid*5
* Not available on all models

433
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 434
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 435
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 444
Jump Starting.................................... 445
Shift Lever Does Not Move.............. 447
Overheating
How to Handle Overheating ............. 448
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 450
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 450
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes
On or Blinks ................................... 451
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes
On ................................................. 452
If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 452
If the TPMS Indicator Comes On ...... 453
If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 453
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 454
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 458
Emergency Towing........................... 459
When You Cannot Open the Tailgate..... 461

434
Handling the Unexpected
Tools
Types of Tools
1Types of Tools
The tools and jack are under the cargo area on the passenger’s side.
Wheel Nut Wrench/Jack Handle
JackTowing Hook
StayExtension Bar

uuIf a Tire Goes FlatuChanging a Flat Tire
442
Handling the Unexpected
If you store a full size tire on the hoist, remove the spacer to loosen the two bolts.
1.Remove the center cap.
2.Place the flat tire face up under the hoist.
3.Insert the hoist bracket into the center hole
of the flat tire.
4.Turn the extension bar with the wheel nut
wrench to the right until the flat tire rests
against the underbody of the vehicle and
you hear the hoist click.
5.Securely put the jack, stay, extension bar,
and wheel nut wrench back in the tool
case.
■Storing the Flat Tire1Storing the Flat Tire
Always raise the spare tire hoist, even if you are not stowing a tire. If the hoist is left down, it will be
damaged during driving and need to be replaced.
3WARNING
Loose items can fly around the interior in a
crash and can seriously injure the
occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools securely
before driving.
Bolts