steering wheel HONDA PILOT 2003 1.G Owner's Guide

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shif ts f requently
while going up a hill, shif t down one
gear.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause your trailer
to sway. When being passed by a
truck or other large vehicle, keep a
constant speed and steer straight
ahead. Do not try to make quick
steering or braking corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in PARK and f irmly
setting the parking brake when you
have f inished parking.
Donotparkonaninclineunlessitis
unavoidable. If you must park on an
incline, turn the vehicle wheels
toward the curb on a downhill and
awayfromthecurbonanuphill.
After parking, place wheel chocks at
each trailer tire, on the downhill side.
If the vehicle wheels slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shifttofirstgearandturnonVTM-4
Lock (see page ).
Disengage VTM-4 Lock as soon as
the boat is out of the water to
prevent damage to the VTM-4
system.
238
3
bottom
Driving on Hills
Handling Crosswinds and
T urbulence
Backing Up Parking
Ret rieving a Boat
Towing a Trailer
Driving258

When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours.
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ). Maintaining the correct f luid level
is very important.
Start the engine.
Leave the ignition switch in
ACCESSORY (I) so the steering
wheel does not lock. Make sure
the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets
are turned of f so you do not run
down the battery. Release the parking brake.
Your Pilot can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, it must be towed
with all f our wheels on the ground
(f lat towing).
Press on the brake pedal. Shif t the
lever through all the positions (P,
R, N, D, D , 2, 1)
ShifttoD,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn of f the engine.
Do the f ollowing to prepare your
Pilot f or ‘‘f lat towing.’’ Perf orm this
procedure every day immediately
bef ore you begin towing, and f ollow
this procedure exactly; otherwise,
severe automatic transmission
damage will occur. 293
Do not overf ill.
CONT INUED
3
Ext ended T owing
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving259

Replace the transmission fluid every
two years or 30,000 miles (48,000
km), whichever comes f irst.
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving260
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported on a f lat-bed or trailer.

Test your brakes from time to time
to make sure they are operating
properly. This will also give you a
f eel f or how much traction you have
on a given surf ace.
Off-highway, the basic turning
technique is to drive at low speed
and gradually adjust the amount of
steering to suit the surf ace.
You should have no problem making
sharp turns at low speed on level
ground. But never make an abrupt
turn at higher speeds, on or of f
pavement. With a higher center of
gravity, your vehicle can more easily
tip or roll over.Bef ore driving up or down a hill, stop
and assess the situation. If you can’t
clearly see all road conditions (good
traction, no bumps, holes or other
obstacles, a safe way out, etc.) walk
the slope bef ore you drive on it. If
you have any doubt about whether
you can saf ely drive on the slope,
. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue (because of
the steepness, a large obstacle, etc.), . Your vehicle
could roll over. Slowly back down the
hill, f ollowing the same route you
took up the hill. Bumps, holes, rocks, and other
obstacles can be hazardous. Debris
in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Even small rocks can cut your tires.
More important, because your
vehicle has a high center of gravity,
driving over a large obstacle, or
allowing a wheel to drop into a deep
hole, can cause your vehicle to tip or
roll over.
Drive slow enough to observe
obstacles ahead and maneuver
around them. If you can’t avoid a
serious obstacle, turn around and
look f or a better route.
don’t do it
do not try to turn around
T urning
Avoiding Obstacles
Driving on Slopes
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving264

This section explains the importance
of keeping your vehicle well
maintained and why you should
f ollow basic maintenance saf ety
precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .270
.
Important Safety Precautions . 271
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 272
...
Required Maintenance Record . 279
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 281
..............................
Fluid Locations .282
......................................
Engine Oil .283
..................................
Adding Oil .283
....................
Recommended Oil .283
..............................
Synthetic Oil .284
....................................
Additives .284
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 285
.............................
Cooling System .287
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 287
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 289
....................
Windshield Washers .292
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 293
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .294
....................................
Brake Fluid .295
............................
Brake System .295
..............................
Power Steering .296
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .297
....................................
Hood Latch .298
....................................
Spark Plugs .299
..............................
Replacement .299
............................
Specif ications .301 ...........................................
Battery .302
.................................
Wiper Blades .304
..............
Air Conditioning System . 306
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 307
.....................................
Drive Belts .307
....................................
Timing Belt .308
...............................................
Tires .308
......................................
Inf lation .308
..................................
Inspection .310
..............................
Maintenance .311
.............................
Tire Rotation .311
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 312
......................
Wheels and Tires .313
..........................
Winter Driving .313
.............................
Snow Tires .314
............................
Tire Chains .314
.............................................
Lights .315
.....................
Headlight Aiming .317
........................
Replacing Bulbs .317
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .324
377
Maintenance
Maint enance269

Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL. A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Power Steering
Maint enance296
LOWER LEVELUPPER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, then replace the two
f ront tires or the two rear tires as a
pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s han-
dling.
When shopping f or replacement
tires, you may find that some tires
are ‘‘directional.’’ This means they
are designed to rotate only in one
direction. If you use directional tires,
they should be rotated only front-to-
back.
The tires that came with your
vehicle were selected to match the
perf ormance capabilities of the
vehicle while providing the best
combination of handling, ride
comfort,andlonglife.Youshould
replace them with radial tires of the
same size, load range, speed rating,
and maximum cold tire pressure
rating (as shown on the tire’s
sidewall). Mixing radial and bias-ply
tires on your vehicle can reduce its
braking ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
Maint enance312
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.

If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the f ive holding clips f rom
the inner f ender.Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender and bumper.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Pull the burned out bulb straight
out of its socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender in place.
Install the f ive holding clips. Lock
each clip in place by pushing on
the center.
1.
2. 3.
4.
8. 6.
7. 5.
Lights
Replacing a Front Side Marker
Light Bulb
Maint enance319
HOLDING CLIP

ÎÎ
Î
Î
µµ Î Î
Î
Î
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation362
Capacities
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Rear
differential
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
1.74 US gal (6.6
, 1.45 Imp gal)
2.25 US gal (8.5, 1.87 Imp gal)
5.1 US qt (4.8
, 4.2 Imp qt)
4.5 US qt (4.3
, 3.8 Imp qt)
5.8 US qt (5.5
, 4.8 Imp qt)
3.2 US qt (3.0, 2.6 Imp qt)
8.2 US qt (7.8, 6.9 Imp qt)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.6
, 0.13 Imp gal)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. 19.3 US gal (73
, 16.1 Imp gal)
2.79 US qt (2.64
,2.32Impqt)
188.0 in (4,775 mm)
76.3 in (1,938 mm)
70.6 in (1,793 mm)
4.8 US qt (4.5
, 4.0 Imp qt)
66.3 in (1,685 mm)
66.5 in (1,690 mm)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating
Gross combined weight
rating (GCWR)
See the tire information label atta-
ched to the driver’s doorjamb.
9,700 lbs (4,400 kg)
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type HFC-134a (R-134a)
24.7 26.5 oz (700 750 g) ND-OIL8
106.3 in (2,700 mm)
Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:
Equipped with transmission fluid cooler and power steering fluid
cooler. Change
Total
Change
Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
The GCWR must be reduced 2 percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation.
1:
2:
2 1
2
1

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 223
................................
Accessories .223
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 224
............................
Modif ications .224
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .82
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 110
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 284
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 50
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .297
......
Air Conditioning System . 118,130
..............................
Maintenance .306
.....................
Rear A/C Control .135
.................................
Usage .118, 130
...............
Air Outlets (Vents) . 120,128
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .308
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .366
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 327
......................................
Antif reeze .287
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .63, 243
...................................
Operation .242
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 153
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 81..........................
Appearance Care .325
................
Audio System . 137,153,168
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 48
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 73
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 207
..............
Automatic Transmission . 233
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .362
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 293
.......................................
Shif ting .234
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 233
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 234
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 236
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62, 348
............................
Jump Starting .343
..............................
Maintenance .302
............................
Specif ications .363
..............................
Bef ore Driving .215
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,46
.........................
Beverage Holders .105
.................................
Body Repairs .332 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 242
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 216
...........................................
Fluid .295
....................
Bulb Replacement .320
.......................................
Parking .104
.................
System Indicator . 63,351
........................
Wear Indicators .241
.............................
Braking System .241
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 216
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 73
........................
Brights, Headlights .72
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .321
..............................
Brake Lights .320
......................
Cargo Area Light .323
................
Front Parking Lights . 318
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 319
.................................
Headlights .317
..............
Individual Map Lights . 322
...................
License Plate Light . 321
.................................
Rear Bulbs .320
............................
Specif ications .363
............
Turn Signal Lights . 318,320
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .317
Index
A
B
I