2014 HONDA PILOT Owners Manual

352
uu When Driving u VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
Driving
VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist ), aka ESC (Electronic
Stability Control), System
VSA® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine output and select ively applying the brakes.
When VSA ® activate
s, you may notice that the
engine does not respond to the accelerator.
You may also notice some noise from the
hydraulic system. You will also see the
indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1 VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability
Control), System
The VSA® may not function properl y if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehi cle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA® System
Indicator

353
uu When Driving u VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To turn the VSA ® system on and off, press and
hold it until you hear a beep.
VSA ® will stop and the indicator will come on.
To turn it on again, press the (VSA® OFF)
button until you hear a beep.
VSA ®
is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® On and Off1 VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability
Control), System
Without VSA®, your vehicle will have normal braking
and cornering ability, bu t it will not have VSA®
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fr esh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the VSA ® system is off, the traction control
system is also off. You should only atte mpt to free
your vehicle with the VSA ® off if you ar e not able to
free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® and traction control
systems switched off.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS, low tire pressure, or
TPMS indicator comes on or blinks, the VSA® system
comes on automatically. In this case, you cannot turn
the system off by pressing the button.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF Indicator

354
uu When Driving u VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4 r System *
Driving
VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4 r System *
Senses a traction loss caused by a road condition change, and automatically
transfers some power to the rear wheels.
Use the VTM-4 r
LOCK to increase more to rque to the rear wheels.
1. Stop
your vehicle with the engine running.
2.Move the shift lever to
(1
, (2
, or (R
.
3. Press the VTM-4r LOCK button.
u The
indicator in the button comes on.
Any of the following disengages the VTM-4 r LOCK
:
• Pressing the VTM-4r LOCK button again
.
• Moving the
shift lever to (D
or (d
.
• Turning the ignition switch
to the LOCK (0
position.
■To Engage the VTM-4 r LOCK
■To Disengage the VTM-4 r LOCK
1 VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4 r System *
NOTICE
Do not continuously spin the front tires of your
vehicle. Continuously spinning the front tires can
cause transmission or re ar differential damage.
1To Engage the VTM-4 r LOCK
Do not use the VTM-4r LOCK button on dry, paved
roads. Driving on dry, paved roads with VTM-4 r
LOCK on may damage the r ear differential when
making a turn. Strange noise and vibration can also
result.
The VTM-4 r LOCK can be used to help free your
vehicle from being stuck in mud, sand, or gravel.
When the lock is engaged, apply light pressure to the
accelerator pedal.
When more torque is applied, the rear tires are not
likely to spin. This is normal.
If you are not able to fr ee the vehicle, stop and
reverse direction.
As soon as this featur e is no longer needed,
disengage the VTM-4 r LOCK.
1 To Disengage the VTM-4 r LOCK
The VTM-4 r LOCK temporarily disengages when the
vehicle speed exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h). The
indicator in the button remains on.
* Not available on all models

355
uu When Driving u TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Continued
Driving
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Monitors the tire pr essure while you are
driving. If your vehicle's tire pressure becomes
significantly low, th e low tire pressure
indicator comes on.
Monitors the tire pr e
ssure while you are
driving. If your vehicle's tire pressure becomes
significantly low, the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on and a message appears on
the multi-information display.
1 TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can
trigger the low tire pressure indicator to come on.
2 If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes
On P. 452
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:
•Warm weather can beco me under-inflated in
colder weather.
•Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The low tire pressure indica tor will not come on as a
result of over inflation.
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can
trigger the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to come
on.
2 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks P. 453
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:
•Warm weather can beco me under-inflated in
colder weather.
•Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator will not come
on as a result of over inflation.
Models with information display
Models with multi-information display
Models with info rmation display
Models with multi- information display

uu When Driving u TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
356
Driving
If your vehicle's tire pressure becomes sign ificantly low, the specific tire indicator
comes on.
To select the tire pressure monitor, turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, and press the /
(information) button until you see the tire
pressure screen.
The pressure for each tire is displayed in PSI
(U.S.) or kPa (Canada).
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE is displaye
d when a
tire has significantly lo w pressure. The specific
tire is displayed on the screen.
■Tire Pressure Monitor1 Tire Pressure Monitor
The pressure displayed on the multi-information
display can be slightly different from the actual
pressure as measured by a gauge. If there is a
significant di fference between the two values, or if
the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator and the message
on the multi-information di splay do not go off after
you have inflated the tire to the specified pressure,
have the system checked by a dealer.
CHECK TPMS SYSTEM may appear if you drive with
the compact spare tire, or there is a problem with the
TPMS.
Models with multi-information displayModels with info rmation display
Models with multi- information display

357
uu When Driving u Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Continued
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required
Federal Explanation
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufa cturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a diff ere
nt size than the size indicated
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflat ion pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your ve
hicle has been equipped with
a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires i
s significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pr
essure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inf lated tire causes
the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire fail ure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.

358
uu When Driving u Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if un der-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumina tion of the TPMS low ti re pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been eq uipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the sy stem is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is provided by a separate telltale,
which displays the symbol “TPMS” when illuminated.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as
in
tended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including
the in
stallation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction t
elltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
Models with info rmation display

359
uu When Driving u Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Your vehicle has also been equi pped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the syst em detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash fo r approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illumina ted. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur
for a variety of reasons, including
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS m
alfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
Models with multi- information display