Honda Pilot Owners Manual

							460
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the 
climate control system and reduce speed. Pull to the side of  the road safely to cool 
down the engine if necessary.
• Change the gear position to 
(S position if the transmission shifts frequently.
If the vehicle tires slip when retrieving  a boat from the water, keep the transmission 
in 
(D and do not use the sequential shift mode in (S. This prevents damage to the 
transmission.
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, refe r to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing  P. 635
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
■Retrieving a Boat
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							461
Driving
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
General Information
Your vehicle has been designed primarily for use on pavement, however, its higher 
ground clearance allows you to occasionally travel on unpaved roads. It is not 
designed for trail-blazing, or othe r challenging off-road activities.
If you decide to drive on unpaved roads,  you will find that it requires somewhat 
different driving skills and that your vehicl e will handle somewhat differently than it 
does on pavement. Pay attention to the precau tions and tips in this section, and get 
acquainted with your vehicle  before leaving the pavement.
Important Safety Precautions
To avoid loss of control or rollover, be  sure to follow all precautions and 
recommendations:
• Be sure to store cargo properly and do not exceed your cargo load limits.
2 Maximum Load Limit  P. 447
•Whenever you drive, make su re you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
• Keep your speed low, and never go faster than the conditions allow.
• It’s up to you to continually assess the situation and drive within the limits.
1Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
Failure to operate your vehi cle correctly might result 
in a crash or a rollover. 2 Important Handling Information
* P. 34
2 Precautions While Driving  P. 469
Spinning the tires excessiv ely can also damage the 
Intelligent VTM4 (i-VTM4) system.
3WARNING
Improperly operating this vehicle on or off 
pavement can cause a crash or rollover in 
which you and your passengers can be 
seriously injured or killed.
• Follow all instructions  and guidelines in 
this owner’s manual.
• Keep your speed low, and don’t drive 
faster than conditions permit.
* Not available on all models
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							462
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 limit s (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.
• 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. The 
water can get into the transmission and  differential, diluting the lubricant 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 and rear tow hooks are provided for this purpose.
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							463Continued
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Depress the brake pedal.
u Make sure the transmission is in 
(P.
1. Check that the shift lever is in 
(P, then 
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle 
in 
(N, it is safer to start it in (P.
2. Press the  ENGINE START/STOP  button 
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
The engine will crank until it starts.
1 Starting 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 altitudes 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 defogger 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. If  temperatures consistently 
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant 
mixture should be changed  to a higher concentration 
to prevent freezing. Cons ult 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 smart entry remote close to the  ENGINE 
START/STOP button if the battery in the smart entry 
remote is weak.
2 If the Smart Entry Remote Battery is Weak  
P. 618
The engine may not start if the smart entry remote is 
subjected to strong radio waves.
Do not hold the  ENGINE START/STOP button to 
start the engine.
If the engine does not start,  wait at least 10 seconds 
before trying again.
Brake Pedal
Models with electronic gear selector
Models without electronic gear selector
All models
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							uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
464
Driving
You can turn the engine off when the vehicle is completely stopped.
1. Change the gear position to 
(P.
2. Press the  ENGINE START/STOP  button with your foot on the brake pedal.
■Stopping the Engine1Starting the Engine
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. 144
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							Continued465
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
You can remotely start the engine using the smart entry remote.
■To start the engine
The engine runs for up to 10 minu tes without you starting the vehicle.
To extend the run time for another 10 mi nutes during the first run, press the   
button, then press an d hold the   button.
u The turn signal lights co me back on three times,  twice, if a 10-minute 
extension request was transmitted successfully.
■Remote Engine Start*1 Remote Engine Start*
If there are buildings an d obstacles between your 
vehicle and the remote, th e range will be reduced.
This distance may vary by external electrical 
interference.
The engine may not start by  the remote engine start 
if:
•You have disabled a remo te engine start setting 
using the multi-information display (MID).
•You do not press and hold the   button within 5 
seconds after the   button is pressed.
•The power mode is not in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK).•The gear is in a position other than ( P.
•The hood is open, or any door or the tailgate is 
unlocked.
•You have already used the remote twice to start 
the engine.
•Another registered smart entry remote is in the 
vehicle.
3WARNING
Engine exhaust contains toxic carbon 
monoxide.
Breathing carbon monoxide can kill you or 
cause unconsciousness.
Never use the remote engine starter when 
the vehicle is parked in a garage or other 
area with limited ventilation.
With the doors locked, Press the   button, then 
press and hold the   button within 5 seconds.
* Not available on all models
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							uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
466
Driving
■To stop the engine
Press and hold the   button 
for one second.
1Remote Engine Start*
•There is any antenna failure.•Door is unlocked with the built-in key.
•The engine oil pressure is low.
•The engine coolant temper ature is extremely high.•The telematics unit malfunctions.
•The security system alarm is not set.
The engine may stop whil e it is running if:
•You do not start the vehicl e within 10 minutes of 
starting the engine with the smart entry remote.
•The engine is stopped by using the smart entry 
remote.
•There is any antenna failure.
•The security system alarm is not set.•Door is unlocked with the built-in key.
•The hood is open, or any door, or the tailgate is 
unlocked.
•Any door is open.
•The gear is in a position other than ( P.
•The telematics  unit malfunction.•The engine coolant temper ature is extremely high.
•The battery is low.
•The engine oil pressure is low.•The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) comes on if 
there is a problem with the emissions control 
systems.
* Not available on all models
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							Continued467
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
1Remote Engine Start*
While the engine is running, the vehicle will 
automatically preconditi on inside the vehicle.
When it is warm outside:
•The climate control system is activated in 
recirculation mode.
•The seat ventilat ion is activated*.
When it is cold outside:
•The defroster is activated at a moderately warm 
temperature.
•The rear defogger and door  mirror heaters are 
activated*.
•The seat heaters and heated steering wheel are 
activated*.
2 Heated Steering Wheel* P. 200
2 Front Seat Heaters and Seat 
Ventilation
* P. 202, 203
* Not available on all models
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							uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
468
Driving
1. Depress the brake pedal and press the  ENGINE START/STOP button 
simultaneously.
2. Keeping your right foot on the brake peda l, release the parking brake. Check that 
the parking brake indicator has gone off.
2 Parking Brake P. 529
3.Change the gear position to (D. Select (R when reversing.
4. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull 
away.
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged br iefly to help prevent the vehicle from 
rolling on inclines as you move your fo ot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Change the gear position to 
(D, *, (S*, or (L* when facing uphill, or (R when 
facing downhill, then release the brake pedal.
The brakes remain engaged briefly as you release the brake pedal.
■Starting to Drive1 Starting to Drive
The engine stops when the  gear position is changed 
from 
( P before the  ENGINE START/STOP  button is 
pressed. Follow the step 1 when starting to drive.
When the engine was started using the smart entry 
remote*When the engine was started using the smart entry remote*
When the engine was started in any case
D4
1 Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not  prevent the vehicle from 
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippe ry slope, and 
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a  replacement for the parking 
brake.
* Not available on all models
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							469
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher  rollover rate than other types of vehicles. 
To prevent rollovers  or loss of control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than yo u would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt  maneuvers whenever possible.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any way th at you would raise the center of gravity.
• Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of ca rgo on the roof rack (Honda accessory).
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine, 
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something  under the vehicle, stop in a safe location. 
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1 Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not change the gear position while pressing the 
accelerator pedal. You could damage the 
transmission.
NOTICE
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an 
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on 
the full left or right position for a while, the system 
heats up. The system goes into a protective mode, 
and limits its performa nce. The steering wheel 
becomes harder and harder  to operate. Once the 
system cools down, the EPS system is restored. 
Repeated operation under  these conditions can 
eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY or VEHICLE 
OFF (LOCK) while driving, the engine will shut down 
and all steering and brake pow er assist functions will 
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not change the gear position to 
( N, as you will 
lose engine braking (and  acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, 
avoid sudden acceleration or  full throttle operation so 
as not to damage the  engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the  first 200 miles (300 km). 
You should also follow this  when the brake pads are 
replaced.
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