2013 HONDA PILOT Owners Manual

344
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.

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

347
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.

348
uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
Driving
Cruise Control
Maintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the
accelerator. Use cruise control on freeways or open roads where you can travel at a
constant speed with little acceleration or deceleration.
1Cruise Control
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed
when driving uphill or downhill.
When not using cruise control:
Turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE button.
3WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead
to a crash.
Use the cruise control only when traveling
on open highways in good weather.
■Shift positions for cruise control: In (D or (d
Always keep sufficient distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
■Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~
CRUISE MAIN is on in the instrument panel.
Cruise control is ready to use.
■Press the CRUISE button on the steering wheel.
When to use
When to use

349
uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
Continued
Driving
Take your foot off the pedal and press the DECEL/SET button when you reach the
desired speed.
The moment you release the DECEL/SET button, the set speed is fixed, and cruise
control begins. The CRUISE CONTROL indicator comes on.
■To Set the Vehicle Speed
DECEL/SET Button
On when cruise control begins
Press and releaseOn
On

uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
350
Driving
Increase or decrease the vehicle speed using the RES/ACCEL or DECEL/SET buttons
on the steering wheel.
•Each time you press the button, the vehicle speed is increased or decreased by
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
•If you keep the button pressed, the vehicle speed increases or decreases until you
release it. This speed is then set.
■To Adjust the Vehicle Speed1To Adjust the Vehicle Speed
You can set the vehicle speed using the DECEL/SET button on the steering wheel when adjusting the
speed with the accelerator and brake pedals.
To decrease speed
To increase speed

351
uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
Driving
To cancel cruise control, do any of the
following:
•Press the CANCEL button.
•Press the CRUISE button.
•Depress the brake pedal.
The CRUISE CONTROL indicator goes off.
■To Cancel1To Cancel
Resuming the prior set speed:
After cruise control has been canceled, you can still
resume the prior set speed by pressing the RES/ACCEL button while driving at a speed of at least 25
mph (40 km/h) or more.
You cannot set or resume in the following situations:
•When vehicle speed is less than 25 mph (40 km/h)
•When the CRUISE button is turned off
At vehicle speeds of 22 mph (35 km/h) or less, cruise
control is canceled automatically.
CRUISE ButtonCANCEL Button