brake HONDA PILOT 2012 2.G Owner's Manual

Put a cloth on the edge of the shif t
lock release slot cover to prevent
scratches. Use a small f lat-tip
screwdriver or metal f ingernail f ile
to caref ully pry up the edge of the
cover and remove it from the slot.Push down on the key while you
pressthereleasebuttononthe
shif t lever and move the shif t lever
out of Park to neutral.If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.
Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot, then install the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the underside.
Insert the key back into the
ignition switch, press the brake
pedal, and restart the engine.
Insert the key in the shift lock
release slot.
3.
4.
5. 6.
Automatic Transmission
Driving
519
COVER
RELEASE BUTTON
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT
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If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Turn of f the lights.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
Make sure the glass hatch is
closed securely.
Except LX models
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
521
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Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modif ications not expressly
approved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user

You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
may hear some noise. This is normal:
it is the ABS rapidly pumping the
brakes. On dry pavement, you will
need to press on the brake pedal
very hard before the ABS activates.
However, you may f eel the ABS
activate immediately if you are trying
to stop on snow or ice.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.

on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. It only helps with steering
control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page .
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM

Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
makesuretheyareof thesamesize
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.Your vehicle is equipped with a hill
start assist f eature to help prevent
the vehicle f rom rolling on inclines
as you move your f oot f rom the
brake pedal to the accelerator.
This f eature starts operating a f ew
seconds af ter you are in any drive
gear position (when f aced uphill) or
in reverse (when f aced downhill).
This f eature requires that the
vehicle has come to a complete stop
bef ore it can work.
Hillstartassistmaynotholda
heavily loaded vehicle, such as when
your vehicle is connected to a trailer,
or prevent your vehicle f rom rolling
downhill on a very steep or slippery
slope.
605
VSA and Tire Sizes Hill Start Assist
Vehicle St abilit y A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
535
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There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle

Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
dealer or rental agency can tell you
what kind of sway control you need
and how to install it.
Use this illustration to identif y each
terminal in the trailer brake
controller connector.
A f actory installed, 4-pin gray
connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the
parking brake pedal. This connector
has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake
controllers. A jumper harness to
adapt your electric trailer brake
controller to the vehicle is included
with the optional Genuine Honda
trailer hitch kit. To obtain a trailer
hitch kit, see your dealer.
Have a qualif ied mechanic install
your trailer brake controller
f ollowing the trailer brake controller
manuf acturer

Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer
hitch as standard equipment.
We recommend that you have your
dealer install a Honda wiring harness
and converter. This harness has
been designed f or your vehicle.
If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle f rom your dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary with
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicleandthetrailer.
The jumper harness and trailer
brakefusearestoredintheglove
box.
Also see page f or trailer-related
inf ormation.Remove the cover by turning the
knobs about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
544
CONT INUED
Towing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Driving
547
TRAILER HITCH 7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
KNOB
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´
The 7-pin trailer connector is needed
f or the trailer lights. To connect the
connector:Make sure the connector and the
socketarefreeof dirt,moisture,
or other f oreign material.
Open the socket lid by pulling it up. Ref er to the above illustrations f or
wiring inf ormation.
Insert the connector securely into
the socket.
Hook the retaining tab on the
inner side of the lid against the
retaining tab of the connector to
prevent disconnection during
operation.
3.
1. 2.
On Touring models On Touring models
T railer Connect or Socket s
Connect ing t he T railer Connect ors
Towing a Trailer
548
7-PIN TRAILER SOCKET
SMALL
LIGHT
(GREEN)
LEFT
TURN/
STOP
(RED)
BACK LIGHT
(YELLOW) B
CHARGE
(BLUE)
RIGHT
TURN/
STOP
(WHITE)
ELECTRIC
BRAKE
(BROWN/
WHITE)
GROUND
(BLACK)
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR RETAINING TAB
LID
SOCKET RETAINING TAB
7-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR
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