2013 HONDA PILOT Door

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.

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

328
uuBefore DrivinguMaximum Load Limit
Driving
(5)Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6)If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
accessories, cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Load Limits Example
Example1
Max Load 1,340 lbs (608 kg)
Passenger Weight 150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg)
Cargo Weight 1,040 lbs (472 kg)
Example2
Max Load 1,340 lbs (608 kg)
Passenger Weight 150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg)
Cargo Weight 590 lbs (268 kg)

uuRefuelinguHow to Refuel
372
Driving
■Gasoline containing ethanol
Some gasoline today is blended with oxygenates such as ethanol. Your vehicle is
designed to operate on oxygenated gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume. Do not use gasoline containing methanol. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another service station or switch to another brand of
gasoline.
■Fuel tank capacity: 21.0 US gal (79.5 liters)
How to Refuel
1.Stop your vehicle with the service station
pump on the left side of the vehicle in the
rear.
2.Turn off the engine.
3.Pull on the fuel fill door release handle
under the lower left corner of the
dashboard.
uThe fuel fill door opens.
1How to Refuel
3WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive.
You can be burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
•Stop the engine, and keep heat, sparks,
and flame away.
•Handle fuel only outdoors.
•Wipe up spills immediately.
Pull

373
uuRefuelinguHow to Refuel
Driving
4.Remove the fuel fill cap slowly. If you hear a
release of air, wait until this stops, then turn
the knob slowly to open the fuel fill cap.
5.Place the fuel fill cap in the holder.
6.Insert the fuel filler nozzle fully.
uWhen the tank is full, the filler nozzle will
click off automatically. This leaves space
in the fuel tank in case the fuel expands
with a change in the temperature.
7.After filling, replace the fuel fill cap,
tightening it until you hear it click at least
once.
uShut the fuel fill door by hand.
1How to Refuel
The filler nozzle automatically stops to leave space in the fuel tank so that fuel does not overflow as a result
of changes in air temperature.
If the fuel filler nozzle keeps turning off when the
tank is not full, there may be a problem with the
pump's fuel vapor recovery system. Try filling at another pump. If this does not fix the problem,
consult a dealer.
Do not continue to add fuel after the nozzle has
automatically stopped. Additional fuel can exceed
the full tank capacity.
Cap
Cap
Holder

uuReplacing Light BulbsuSide Turn Signal/Emergency Indicator Light Bulbs*
404
Maintenance
2.Push the tab to remove the coupler.
3.Rotate the old bulb to the left to remove.
4.Insert new bulb.
Side Turn Signal/Emergency Indicator Light Bulbs*
Door mirrors have the side turn lights. Have an authorized Honda dealer inspect and
replace the light bulbs.
Bulb
Coupler
Tab
1Fog Light Bulbs*
Insert a flat-tip screwdriver, lift and remove the center pin to remove the clip.
Insert the clip with the center pin raised, and push
until it is flat.
Center pin
Push until the pin is flat.
* Not available on all models

414
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires
To safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.
■Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and comfort.
Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or specification’s page for the specified pressure.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and
are more likely to fail from overheating.
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazards,
and wear unevenly.
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in
all tires, including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm2) per month.
■Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems.
Look for:
•Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any cuts,
splits, or cracks in the side of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.
•Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks.
•Uneven tread wear. Have a dealer check the wheel alignment.
•Excessive tread wear.
2Wear Indicators P. 419
•Cracks or other damage around valve stem.
1Checking Tires
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This
means the vehicle has been parked for at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If necessary, add or release air until the specified
pressure is reached.
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as much as 4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.4 kgf/cm2) higher than if
checked when cold.
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent
vibration while driving. New tires and any that have
been removed and reinstalled should be properly balanced.
3WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or
improperly inflated can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner’s
manual regarding tire inflation and
maintenance.