2013 HONDA PILOT Owners Manual

376

377
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 378Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 379Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 380Maintenance Minder™.................... 381Maintenance Under the HoodMaintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 389Opening the Hood ........................... 390 Recommended Engine Oil ................ 392 Oil Check ......................................... 393Adding Engine Oil ............................ 394Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 395
Engine Coolant ................................ 397Transmission Fluid ............................ 399Brake Fluid ....................................... 400 Power Steering Fluid ........................ 400 Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 401Replacing Light Bulbs....................... 402Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades.... 410Checking and Maintaining TiresChecking Tires ................................. 414Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 415Tire Labeling .................................... 415DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 417Wear Indicators................................ 419
Tire Service Life ................................ 419Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 420Tire Rotation .................................... 421 Winter Tires ..................................... 422Battery............................................... 423Remote Transmitter CareReplacing the Button Battery ........... 424Remote Control and Wireless Headphone Care*........................... 425Climate Control System Maintenance..... 427Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 428 Exterior Care.................................... 430
* Not available on all models

378
Maintenance
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance
For your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.) Refer to the separate maintenance booklet for detailed maintenance and
inspection information.
■Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.
■Periodic inspections
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level monthly.
2Automatic Transmission Fluid P. 399
•Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2Checking the Brake Fluid P. 400
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examine the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 414
•Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2Replacing Light Bulbs P. 402
•Check the condition of the wiper blades at least every six months.
2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 410
■Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are “certified” to
EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all maintenance services should
be performed in accordance with the intervals indicated by the information display*/multi-
information display*.
2Maintenance Service Items P. 383
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, purchase the service manual.
2Authorized Manuals P. 474
If you want to perform maintenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing maintenance, update the records in the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models
* Not available on all models

379
uuBefore Performing MaintenanceuSafety When Performing Maintenance
Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
Some of the most important safety precautions are given here.
However, we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform
a given task.
•To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
•Never leave rags, towels, or other flammable objects under the hood.
uHeat from the engine and exhaust can ignite them causing a fire.
•To clean parts, use a commercially available degreaser or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
•Wear eye protection and protective clothing when working with the battery or
compressed air.
•Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is poisonous and can kill you.
uOnly operate the engine if there is sufficient ventilation.
•The vehicle must be in a stationary condition.
uMake sure your vehicle is parked on level ground, the parking brake is set, and
the engine is off.
•Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
uMake sure to let the engine and exhaust system cool thoroughly before
touching vehicle parts.
•Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
uDo not start the engine unless instructed, and keep your hands and limbs away
from moving parts.
■Maintenance Safety
■Vehicle Safety
1Safety When Performing Maintenance
3WARNING
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or
failing to correct a problem before driving
can cause a crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and
maintenance recommendations according
to the schedules in this owner's manual.
3WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance
instructions and precautions can cause you
to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and
precautions in this owner's manual.

380
uuBefore Performing MaintenanceuParts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service
Maintenance
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service
The use of Honda genuine parts and fluids is recommended when maintaining and
servicing your vehicle. Honda genuine parts are manufactured according to the
same high quality standards used in Honda vehicles.

381Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance Minder™
If the engine oil life is less than 15%, you will see the Maintenance Minder messages
appear on the information display* or the multi-information display* every time you
turn the ignition switch to ON (w. The messages notify you when to change the
engine oil, or when to bring your vehicle to a dealer for indicated maintenance
services.
To Use Maintenance MinderTM
1.Turn the ignition switch to ON (w.
2.Press the (Select/Reset) knob repeatedly
until the engine oil life appears on the
information display.
The Maintenance Minder indicator ( ) stays
on in the instrument panel after the engine oil
life becomes 0%. Have the indicated
maintenance done by a dealer immediately.
■Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Models with information display
1Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Based on the engine operating conditions, the remaining engine oil life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
Displayed Engine Oil Life (%)Calculated Engine Oil Life (%)
100100 to 91
9090 to 81
80 80 to 71
7070 to 61
6060 to 51
5050 to 41
4040 to 31
3030 to 21
20 20 to 16
1515 to 11
1010 to 6
55 to 1
00
* Not available on all models

382
uuMaintenance Minder™uTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance
To switch the display, press the (Select/Reset) knob.
■Maintenance Minder Messages on the Information Display
Oil Life DisplayExplanationInformationMaintenance Minder Indicator
The engine oil life indicator starts
to appear along with other due
soon maintenance item codes
when the remaining oil life
becomes 15 percent.
The engine oil is approaching the
end of its service life.
Starts to come on when the
remaining engine oil life becomes
15 percent.
It goes off when the display is
switched.
The SERVICE message also starts
to appear along with the engine oil
life indicator and the maintenance
item codes.
The engine oil has almost reached
the end of its service life, and the
maintenance items should be
inspected and serviced as soon as
possible.
The remaining engine oil life has
passed its service life, and a
negative distance appears after
driving over 10 miles (U.S. models)
or 10 km (Canadian models). The
negative distance on the display
blinks.
The engine oil life has passed.
The maintenance items must be
inspected and serviced
immediately.Stays on as a reminder even when
the display is switched.

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