2014 HONDA PILOT tow

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uu Towing a Trailer u Towing Preparation
Driving
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer hitch as standard equipment.
The jumper harness and trailer brake fuse are stored in the glove box.
2Trailer brakes P. 334
2 Trailer light P. 335
Turn the knob one-quarter left to open the
cover.
u Th
e 7-Pin trailer connector and trailer
hitch are located.
■Towing Equipment and Accessories1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and lo cal regulations.
Consult your traile r sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of tra ilers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qua lified technician.
Trailer packages and products:
•Ball mount, hitch plug, hitch pin etc.
•Wiring harness kit•Trailer hitch kit (jum per harness included)
2 Trailer brakes P. 334
•Automatic transmission cooler kit
2Automatic transmission cooler P. 337
Are available at a dealer.
2WD models
Knob
7-Pin Trailer
Connector
Trailer Hitch

uu Towing a Trailer u Towing Preparation
334
Driving
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer brake s:
surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure they
are electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to attach trailer brakes to your ve hicle's hydraulic system, as it will lower
braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.
The 4-pin gray connector installed in your vehicle has all of the circuits required to
install m
ost electric trailer brake controllers.
Have a qualified mechanic install your trailer
brake controller following

the trailer brake
controller manufacturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake controller
may increase the distance it takes for you to
stop your vehicle when towing a trailer.
The trailer jumper harness i
s used to install the
controller for the electric trailer brakes.
Insert the trailer brake fuse into the engine
co
mpartment sub fuse box.
2 Engine Compartment Sub Fuse Box P. 455
1Trailer brakes
The 4-pin gray connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the parking brake
pedal.
Electric Brake
(Brown/White)
Ground (Black) Brake (20A)
(Purple)
Stop (Sky Blue)
Trailer brake controller
connector’s terminals:
Electric Brake
(Brown/White)
Ground
(Black)
Brake (20A)
(Blue)Brake Lights
(Sky Blue)Touring models

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uu Towing a Trailer u Towing Preparation
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■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, sta
te, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
We recommend that you have a dealer inst all
a Honda wiring harness and converter.
They are designed for your vehicle.
1 Trailer light
The trailer lighting connect or is located behind the
left side panel in the cargo area.
Even if you are planning to use the non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converte r, ask a dealer for the
correct connector and pins.
Left Turn Signal and
Brake Lights (Red)
Back-up Lights (Yellow) Electric Brake
(Brown/White)
Right Turn Signal and
Brake Lights (White)
Ground (Black)
Ground (Black)
Taillights (Green)
+B Charge (Blue)
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes:

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uu Towing a Trailer u Towing Preparation
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The 7-pin trailer connector is needed for your trailer lights.
When inserting the connector to the socket, check if the connector and the socket
are free of dirt, moisture, or other foreign material.
■Hitches
Read the trailer manufacturer's instructions , and select the appr
opriate draw bar for
the height of the trailer you will be towing.
■Weight distribution hitches
A weight distributing hitch is not recommended for use with your vehicle.
An improperly adjusted weight distributin g hitc
h may reduce handling, stability, and
braking performance.
Touring models
Pins’ wiring color codes and
their purposes: 1. Pull the socket lid to open.
3. Hook the lid
retaining tab onto
the socket retaining
tab.
2. Insert the 7-pin trailer
connector into the socket.
Socket
Back Light
(Yellow)
Left Turn/
Stop (Red)
Electric Brake
(Brown/White)Right Turn/
Stop (White)
Ground (Black) Small Light
(Green)
+B Charge
(Blue)

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uu Towing a Trailer u Towing Preparation
Driving
■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a
trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
■Sway control
Recommended to use if your trailer tends to sway. Consult the t
railer maker for
what kind of sway control you need and how to install it.
■Automatic transm ission cooler
Install an additional ATF (automatic transmi ssio
n fluid) cooler to help prevent the
transmission from overheating, and damaging. You can get the additional ATF
cooler at a dealer.
■Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and territories requir e special exter
ior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.
2WD models

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uu Towing a Trailer u Driving 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.
u Towi
ng 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 stor
e all the items in and on the tr ailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Che
ck if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Che
ck the pressures of the traile r tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than norm
al.
• Obey poste
d 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.

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uu Towing a Trailer u Towing Your Vehicle
Driving
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
climate control system and redu ce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool
down the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the (d
position if the transmiss ion shifts frequently.
If the tires slip when retrieving a boat from the
water, shift to (1
, and turn on VTM-
4 r lock. Disengage VTM-4 r lock as soon as the boat is out of the water to prevent
damage to the VTM-4 r 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

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uu Off-Highway Driving Guidelines u Avoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble
• Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been completed. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, and check the tire pressures.
• Remember the route
you choose presents limits (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your vehicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
• Ac
celerating and Braking should be done slowly and gradually. Trying to start
or stop too fast can cause a loss of traction and you could lose control.
• Av
oiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
• Dri
ving on Slopes increasing your risk of a rollove r, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight or down a slope is usually the
safest. If you can’t clearly see all conditions or obstacles on a slope, walk it before
you drive it. If there is any doubt whether you can safely pass, don’t try it. Find
another route. If you get stuck when climbing, do not try to turn around. Back
down slowly following the same route you took up the hill.
• Cros
sing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large pu ddle, for example), evaluate it carefully
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find
another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. The
water can get into the transmission and di fferential, diluting the lubricant and
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
• If Yo
u Get Stuck , carefully go in the direction that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires as this will only make things worse and could
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need
to be towed. Front and rear tow ho oks are provided for this purpose.