2015 HONDA PILOT service

338
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving 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 Towing 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 store all the items in and on the tr ailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the traile r tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted 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.

371Continued
Driving
Refueling
Fuel Information
■Fuel recommendation
Use of lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent, heavy metallic knocking noise
that can lead to engine damage.
■Top tier detergent gasoline
Because the level of detergency and additive s in gasoline vary in the market, Honda
endorses the use of “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” where available to help
maintain the performance and reliability of your vehicle. TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline meets a new gasoline standard jointly established by leading automotive
manufacturers to meet the needs of today’s advanced engines.
Qualifying gasoline retailers will, in most cases, identify their gasoline as having met
“TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” standards at the retail location. This fuel is
guaranteed to contain the proper level of de tergent additives and be free of metallic
additives. The proper level of detergent ad ditives, and absence of harmful metallic
additives in gasoline, help avoid build-up of deposits in your engine and emission
control system.
For further important fuel-related information for your vehicle, or on information on
gasoline that does not contain MMT, visit www.hondacars.com. In Canada, visit
www.honda.ca for additional information on gaso line. For more information on top
tier gasoline, visit www.toptiergas.com .
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane number 87 or higher
1Fuel Information
NOTICE
We recommend quality ga soline containing
detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and
engine deposits. In addition, in order to maintain
good performance, fuel economy, and emissions
control, we strongly reco mmend the use of gasoline
that does NOT contain harmful manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT, if such gasoline is
available.
Use of gasoline with these additives may adversely
affect performance, a nd cause the malfunction
indicator lamp on your inst rument panel to come on.
If this happens, contact a dealer for service.

uuRefueling uHow 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 15% ethanol by
volume. Do not use gasoline containing methanol. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another service st ation 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.
u The 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

377
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 378
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 379Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 380
Maintenance Minder™ .................... 381
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 389Opening the Hood ........................... 390
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 392
Oil Check ......................................... 393
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 394
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 395
Engine Coolant ................................ 397
Transmission Fluid ............................ 399
Brake Fluid ....................................... 400
Power Steering Fluid ........................ 400
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 401
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 402
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades.... 410Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 414
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 415Tire Labeling .................................... 415DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 417Wear Indicators................................ 419 Tire Service Life ................................ 419
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 420
Tire Rotation .................................... 421
Winter Tires ..................................... 422
Battery ............................................... 423
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Button Battery ........... 424
Remote 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 maintena nce 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.
2 Automatic Transmission Fluid P. 399
•Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2 Checking the Brake Fluid P. 400
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examin e 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 bl ades 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 fede ral regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all ma intenance services should
be performed in accordan ce with the intervals
indicated by the information display
*/multi-
information display*.
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 383
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, purchase the
service manual.
2 Authorized Manuals P. 474
If you want to perform ma intenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing ma intenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models
* Not available on all models

380
uuBefore Performing Maintenance uParts 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/Rese t) 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 info rmation display
1Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Based on the engine ope rating conditions, the
remaining engine oi l life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
Displayed Engine Oil Life (%)Calculated Engine Oil Life (%)
100 100 to 91
9090 to 81
80 80 to 71
7070 to 61
60 60 to 51
5050 to 41
40 40 to 31
3030 to 21
20 20 to 16
1515 to 11
10 10 to 6
55 to 1
00
* Not available on all models

382
uuMaintenance Minder™ uTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance
To switch the display, pres s 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.