2013 HONDA PILOT Owners Manual

320
Features
Compass*
When you turn the ignition switch to ON (w, the compass self-calibrates, and the
compass display appears.
Compass Calibration
If the compass indicates the wrong direction, or the compass display blinks, you
need to manually calibrate the system.
1.Turn the ignition switch to ON (w.
2.Press and hold the SETUP button until the
display shows the compass setting menu
list.
3.Rotate to select Calibration, then press
.
4.When the display changes to Start
Calibration, press .
5.Drive the vehicle slowly in two circles.
uThe compass starts to show a direction
after the calibration. The CAL indicator
goes off.
1Compass*
Compass calibration can be affected under the following conditions:
•Driving near power lines or stations
•Crossing a bridge•Passing a large vehicle, or driving near a large
object that can cause a magnetic disturbance
•When accessories such as antennas and roof racks are mounted by magnets
On some models, the Compass Calibration screen is displayed but Calibration and Zone Adjust will not
respond if selected.
1Compass Calibration
C al i b ra te th e c o m p as s i n a n o p en ar ea .
While setting the compass:•The RETURN button returns to the previous screen.
•The SETUP button cancels the setting mode.
* Not available on all models

321
uuCompass*uCompass Zone Selection
Features
Compass Zone Selection
1.Turn the ignition switch to ON (w.
2.Press and hold the SETUP button until the
display shows the compass setting menu
list.
3.Rotate to select Zone Adjust, then
press . The display shows the current
zone number.
4.Rotate to select the zone number of
your area (See Zone Map), then press .
1Compass Zone Selection
The zone selection is done to compensate the variation between magnetic north and true north.
If the calibration starts while the audio system is in use, the display returns to normal after the calibration
is completed.
Zone Number
Zone Map
Guam Island: Zone 8 Puerto Rico: Zone11

322

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

324
Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving.
•Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
uRemove any frost, snow, or ice.
uRemove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid, remove ice once it has softened.
uWhen removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
•Make sure the hood is securely closed.
uIf the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
•Make sure the tires are in good condition.
uCheck air pressures, and check for damage and excessive wear.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 414
•Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
uThere are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICE
When doors are frozen shut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert key if the water freezes in
the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable materials left under the hood, causing a fire. If you've parked your vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal. Also check under the hood for leftover
flammable materials after you or someone else has performed maintenance on your vehicle.

Continued325
uuBefore DrivinguDriving Preparation
Driving
•Store or secure all items on board properly.
uCarrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 327
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
uThey can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
•Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mat.
uAn object or unsecured floor mat can interfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
•If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
uThey may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.
•Securely close and lock all doors and the tailgate.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 103
•Adjust your seating position properly.
uAdjust the head restraint, too.
2Adjusting the Seats P. 137
2Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 141
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving.
uAdjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 134
2Adjusting the Mirrors P. 135
■Interior Checks1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not need to be adjusted. However, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo area or tow a trailer, have
the aiming readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified technician.

326
uuBefore DrivinguDriving Preparation
Driving
•Be sure items placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll under the
seats.
uThey can interfere with the driver's ability to operate the pedals, the operation
of the seats, or the operation of the sensors under the seats.
•Everyone in the vehicle must fasten their seat belt.
2Fastening a Seat Belt P. 32
•Make sure that the indicators in the instrument panel come on when you start the
vehicle, and go off soon after.
uAlways have a dealer check the vehicle if a problem is indicated.
2Indicators P. 68

327
uuBefore DrivinguMaximum Load Limit
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load Limit
The maximum load for your vehicle is 1,340 lbs (608 kg).
See Tire and Loading Information label attached to the driver's doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -
(1)Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your
vehicle's placard.
(2)Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3)Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4)The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
1Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load.2Specifications P. 464
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle.2Specifications P. 464
3WARNING
Overloading or improper loading
can affect handling and stability
and cause a crash in which you
can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this manual.
Label Example