steering HONDA PILOT 2006 1.G Owner's Manual

Your vehicle has been designed to
tow a trailer, as well as f or carrying
passengers and their cargo.
To saf ely tow a trailer, you should
observe the load limits, use the
proper equipment, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section.
Be sure to read thesectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
The maximum
weight of the trailer and everything
in or on it depends on the number of
occupants in your vehicle and the
type of trailer being towed (see page ).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. Theweightthatthe
tongue of a f ully loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be 5 to 10
percent of the total trailer weight for
boat trailers, and 8 to 15 percent of
total trailer weight for all other
trailers. (See page f or limits f or
your towing situation). Too much
tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
223
215 215
Load Limits
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
Towing a Trailer
T ot al T railer Weight : T ongue L oad:
Driving
213
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

Number ofOccupants 2
3
4
5
6
7
8 Max. T railer Weight
Max. T ongue Load
Number of Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7
8 Max. T railer Weight
Max. T ongue Load
Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering f luid cooler.
T owing is Not Recommended
Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering f luid cooler.
T owing is Not Recommended
Towing a Trailer
Driving
215
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits: BOAT TRAILERS
OTHER TYPES OF TRAILERS
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs (70 kg) and each has 1 5 lbs (7 kg)
of luggage in the cargo area.
4,500 lbs (2,045 kg)
4,500 lbs (2,045 kg)
4,500 lbs (2,045 kg)
4,300 lbs (1,945 kg)
4,100 lbs (1,855 kg) 2,000 lbs (905 kg) 450 lbs (205 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
350 lbs (160 kg)
220 lbs (100 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)
3,500 lbs (1,590 kg)
3,500 lbs (1,590 kg)
3,300 lbs (1,490 kg)
3,100 lbs (1,400 kg)
2,700 lbs (1,220 kg) 1,200 lbs (540 kg) 450 lbs (205 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
350 lbs (160 kg)
220 lbs (100 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)

Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page .
Calculate the tongue load.
Subtract the weight in Step 5 f rom
the weight in step 6.
Limit: See page .
Range: 5-10% f or boat trailers8-15% f or other trailers Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase
Honda equipment whenever possible.
Your dealer of f ers a trailer package
that includes a hitch, a ball mount, a
wiring harness, a heavy-duty
transmission f luid cooler, and a
heavy-duty power steering f luid
cooler.
Discuss any additional needs with
your trailer sales or rental agency,
and make sure all equipment is
properly installed, maintained, and
also meets state, f ederal, province,
and local regulations. We strongly recommend that you
have your dealer install a Honda
hitch and use the required f luid
coolers. Using non-Honda equipment
may result in serious damage to your
vehicle.
To help prevent overheating, a
heavy-duty transmission f luid cooler
and a heavy-duty power steering
f luid cooler are required f or trailer
towing. These coolers are available
only f rom your dealer.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
vehicle, as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling, stability, and braking
perf ormance.
6.
7.
215
215 T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesT ransmission Fluid Cooler and
Power St eering Fluid Cooler
Weight Distributing Hitch
Hitch
Towing a Trailer
Driving
217

If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D . 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.
Make turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over. When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes. If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
3
3
Trailer Driving Tips
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Driving on Hills
Making T urns and Braking
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
Driving
221
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
When towing a f ixed-sided trailer
(e.g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling.
To prevent the transmission f rom
shif ting f requently, drive in the D
position.
T owing Speeds and Gears

222
If the vehicle’s wheels slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shif t to f irst gear, and turn on VTM-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. Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires. 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.204
bottom
Ret rieving a Boat
Parking
Backing Up
Trailer Driving Tips

If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the
inf ormation display, a maintenance
record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .228
....................
Maintenance Minder . 229
....................
Maintenance Record .236
..............................
Fluid Locations .238
........................
Adding Engine Oil .239
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 240
..............................
Engine Coolant .242
....................
Windshield Washers .243
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 244
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .245
....................................
Timing Belt .245
....................................
Brake Fluid .246
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 247
.............................................
Lights .248
.....................................
Floor Mats .254
.......................
Cleaning Seat Belts .254
.................................
Wiper Blades .255
...............................................
Tires .257
...................
Checking the Battery . 262
.............................
Vehicle Storage .263
303
Maintenance
Maint enance
227

ÌÌ
µµ
Ì
Maintenance Minder
235
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
:
If the message ‘‘SERVICE OIL’’ does not appear more than 12 months after
the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Independent of the maintenance minder display, replace the brake fluid
every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
NOTE: 1:
233
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
A
B
1
2
3
4
5
61
1
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles,
replace every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer
towing results in higher transmission and transfer temperatures or
frequently fully loaded. This requires transmission and transfer
fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under
these conditions, have the transmission and transfer fluid changed
every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C),
in very low temperatures (under 20°F, 29°C), or towing a trailer,
replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.) /100,000 km
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer
towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid
or frequently fully loaded. This requires differential fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the Maintenance Minder.
If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the
differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Symbol
Symbol
Maintenance Minder

Fluid Locations
238
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) COOLANT
RESERVOIR
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP

Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.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.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible. Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Power Steering Fluid
Maint enance
247
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the left, and turn off the engine.
If you are changing the bulb on
the passenger’s side, turn the
steering wheel to the right.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the three holding clips
f rom the inner f ender.Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender.
Remove the socket from the turn
signal 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
turn signal 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 cover in place.
Install the three holding clips.
Lock each clip in place by pushing
on the center.
1.
4.5.
3.
2. 6.
7.
8.
Lights
Replacing a Side T urn Signal Bulb
250