2014 HONDA PILOT towing

338
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.

339
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

346
uu When Driving u Shifting
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift positi on 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 pe dal 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

383
uu Maintenance Minder™ u To 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 Message
Maintenance
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 bra kes/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 li nes (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-4 r * rear differential fluid*5
* Not available on all models

387
uu Maintenance Minder™ u To 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
only if they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder Message System Message
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 bra kes/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 li nes (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-4 r * rear differential fluid*5
* Not available on all models

433
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
ToolsTypes of Tools .................................. 434
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 435
Engine Does Not Start Checking the Engine ........................ 444
Jump Starting ..........
.......................... 445
Shift Lever Does Not Move .........
..... 447
Overheating How to Handle Overheating ............. 448 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 450
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 450
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 451
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On ................................................. 452
If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes On ................................................. 452
If the TPMS Indicator Comes On ...... 453 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 453
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 454
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 458
Emergency Towing ..............
............. 459
When You Cannot Open the Tailgate..... 461

434
Handling the Unexpected
Tools
Types of Tools
1Types of Tools
The tools and jack are unde r the cargo area on the
passenger’s side.
Wheel Nut Wrench/ Jack Handle
Jack
Towing Hook Stay
Extension Bar

uu If a Tire Goes Flat u Changing a Flat Tire
442
Handling the Unexpected
If you store a full size tire on the hoist, remove the spacer to loosen the two bolts.
1.Remove the center cap.
2. Place
the flat tire fa ce up under the hoist.
3. Insert the
hoist bracket into the center hole
of the flat tire.
4. Turn the
extension ba r with the wheel nut
wrench to the right until the flat tire rests
against the underbody of the vehicle and
you hear the hoist click.
5. Sec
urely put the jack, stay, extension bar,
and wheel nut wrench back in the tool
case.
■Storing the Flat Tire1Storing the Flat Tire
Always raise the spare tire hoist, even if you are not
stowing a tire. If the hoist is left down, it will be
damaged during driving and need to be replaced.
3 WARNING
Loose items can fly around the interior in a
crash and can seriously injure the
occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools securely
before driving.
Bolts