2023 HONDA PILOT Owners Manual

520
uuOff-Highway Driving Guidelines uAvoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble
• Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been comple ted. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, an d check the tire pressures.
• Remember the route you choose presents limits (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your ve hicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
• Accelerating 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.
• Avoiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
• Driving on Slopes increases your risk of a rollover, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight up or down a slope is usually
the safest. If you can’t clearly see all cond itions 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.
• Crossing 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. When
driving in water that reaches around half of the wheel height, water can get into
the transmission and di fferential, diluting the lubric ant and causing an eventual
failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
• If You 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 tow hook
* and trailer hitch* are provided for this purpose.
1 Avoiding Trouble
Spinning the tires can also damage the Intelligent
VTM4 (i-VTM4
TM) system.
Front Tow Hook:
The front tow hook is lacated by the underside of the
front bumper.
Rear Tow Hook:
Trailer Hitch safety chain loops and re ceiver are rated
for off-road recovery
Models with trailer hitch
Front Tow
Hook
Rear Tow Hook
* Not available on all models
23 PILOT-31T906000_03.book 520 ページ ２０２２年１０月３１日　月曜日　午前１０時２６分

521
uuOff-Highway Driv ing GuidelinesuOff-Highway Driving
Continued
Driving
Off-Highway Driving
Your vehicle is designed, built and equipped with systems and features to provide
you with exceptional drivin g performance off-highway. Howe ver, due to the risks to
both you and other road users, including the risk of injury or death from loss of
control or crash, if you engage in off-h ighway driving, it is important to take
precautions before doing so.
When driving off-highway, yo u should always obey the posted speed limits and
other traffic laws, reduce speed as needed for traffic and environmental conditions,
and not engage in driving behaviors that may create heightened risks for yourself
and any other off-highway users who may be present (even if you are unaware of
them).
Your vehicle’s TRAIL or SAND mode and other systems are designed for increased
performance off-highway. Use of these sy stems may delay the intervention of
vehicle safety systems designed to minimize the risk of a loss of traction or steering
control, and can cause your vehicle to handle differently than you might expect or
would experience under normal driving conditions on pavement. Use of these
systems will not make up for a lack of a ppropriate driver experience and skill, and
will not allow the driver to overcome risks created by:
• A lack of proper vehicle maintenance
• Less than ideal road conditions and/or unfamiliarity with the driving environment
• Other traffic or off-highway users
1Off-Highway Driving
NOTICE
The vehicle warranty does not cover any damage or
failure resulting from off- highway driving, crawling,
competitive climbing of any sort whatsoever, or use
on an off-road course or similar-type venue. See
warranty book for details. 2 TRAIL Mode
* P. 551
Models with TRAIL and SAND mode
* Not available on all models
23 PILOT-31T906000_03.book 521 ページ ２０２２年１０月３１日　月曜日　午前１０時２６分

522
uuOff-Highway Driving Guidelines uOff-Highway Driving
Driving
Off-highway driving requires special skills, knowledge and experience, as the safety
risks are greatly increased when the yo ur vehicle is operated at its upper
performance abilities. As a responsible driver, you should not drive above your skill
limits or training, even if your vehicle’ s performance levels would otherwise allow
you to do so. If you intend to engage in off-highway drivi ng, Honda strongly
recommends that:
• You first obtain appropriate, professional training
• Turn off any devices or systems that may distract you from the driving task
Off-highway driving in genera l, results in greater wear and tear on the vehicle. If
your vehicle is not in top c ondition or if certain compon ents, such as the brakes or
tires, have undue wear, those components could experience a loss of performance,
or fail, when engaging in off-highway driv ing. Therefore, Honda highly recommends
that you undertake more proactive and frequent maintenance than that required
under normal use and have your vehicle insp ected at an authorized dealer (and all
necessary repairs or adjustments made) before you engage in any off-highway
driving. In addition to any required ma intenance, there are specific items and
protocols that you should pay special atte ntion to before, during and after engaging
in any off-highway driving. Ultimately, the decision whether to engage in off-
highway driving is yours, and depending on your vehicle’s condition and prior usage,
the items and protocols listed below may or may not be sufficient to ensure a safe
driving experience.
BEFORE DRIVING
•Before off-highway driving, fill the engine oil up to the upper level.
• Recommend starting with full fuel tank and not allowing fuel to drop below ¼
tank while driving off-highway.
23 PILOT-31T906000_03.book 522 ページ ２０２２年１０月３１日　月曜日　午前１０時２６分

523
uuOff-Highway Driv ing GuidelinesuOff-Highway Driving
Driving
INSPECT YOUR VEHICLE
• Driving off-highway can be hard on a vehi cle. Before you leave the pavement, be
sure all scheduled maintenance and service has been carried out, and that you
have inspected your vehicle and each of its relevant components to make sure
that it still is in a safe operating condition (example: wheel lug bolt torque, skid
plate
* and/or under body component damage, tire pressure, etc.). We
recommend repeating the BEFORE DRIVIN G protocol, and if any item shows
excessive wear or appears to be in an unusual condition, have it replaced, or
exercise appropriate caution when driv ing and see your authorized dealer.
For more information, please contact your authorized dealer, and/or Honda
Customer Service.
2 Customer Service Information P. 801
AFTER DRIVING
•After off-highway driving, it is critical to allow your vehicle to properly cool down.
• Check underneath your vehicle and each of its relevant components, including
the skid plates
*, to make sure that it still is in a safe operating condition (example:
wheel lug bolt torque, tire pressure, skid plate* damage, dirt and debris
accumulation on skids, and suspension components, etc.). We recommend
repeating the BEFORE DRIVING protocol, a nd if any item shows excessive wear or
appears to be in an unusual condition, ha ve it replaced, or exercise appropriate
caution when driving and se e your authorized dealer
• If operated in dirty conditions, clean brakes of abrasion materials to prevent
excessive wear or/and unpredictable braking.
* Not available on all models
23 PILOT-31T906000_03.book 523 ページ ２０２２年１０月３１日　月曜日　午前１０時２６分

524
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
u The parking brake and brake system
indicator (red) comes on for 30 seconds
when you pull up the electric parking
brake switch.
2. Depress the brake pedal.1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to st art in cold weather and in
thinner air found at al titudes above 8,000 feet
(2,400 meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system and rear de fogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. Consult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Bring the keyless remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the batte ry in the keyless
remote is weak.
2 If the Keyless Remote Battery is Weak
P. 764
The engine may not start if the keyless remote is
subjected to strong radio waves.
Brake Pedal
23 PILOT-31T906000_03.book 524 ページ ２０２２年１０月３１日　月曜日　午前１０時２６分

Continued525
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.1 Starting the Engine
Do not hold the ENGINE START/STOP button to
start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 30 seconds
before starting the engine again.
The immobilizer system pr otects your vehicle from
theft.
If an improperly c oded device is used, the engine’s
fuel system is disabled.
2 Immobilizer System P. 207
23 PILOT-31T906000_03.book 525 ページ ２０２２年１０月３１日　月曜日　午前１０時２６分

uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
526
Driving
You can remotely start the engine using the keyless remote.
■To start the engine
Press the button, then press and hold
the button.
u Some exterior lights flash once.
If the engine starts successfully, some exterior
lights flash six times.
■Remote Engine Start*1 Remote Engine Start*
The remote engine start may violate local laws.
Before using the remote e ngine start, check your
local laws.
If there are buildings an d obstacles between your
vehicle and the keyless re mote, the range will be
reduced.
This distance may vary by external electrical
interference.
3WARNING
Carbon monoxide ga s is toxic and can
rapidly accumulate in closed or even partly
enclosed areas.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Never use the remote engine starter with
the vehicle parked in a garage or other
areas with limited ventilation.
LED: Blinks when any
button is pressed.
* Not available on all models
23 PILOT-31T906000_03.book 526 ページ ２０２２年１０月３１日　月曜日　午前１０時２６分

527
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Continued
Driving
If the engine does not start, exterior lights will
not flash.
u Go within the range, and try again.
23 PILOT-31T906000_03.book 527 ページ ２０２２年１０月３１日　月曜日　午前１０時２６分