towing HONDA PILOT 2010 2.G Owner's Manual

Use a nylon strap to attach your
vehicle to the recovery vehicle, and
caref ully take out the slack in the
strap. Once the strap is tight, the
recovery vehicle should apply f orce.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoid
becoming stuck, too.
You should never use a jack to try to
get unstuck. Your vehicle could
easily slip of f the jack and hurt you
or someone else.
You may be able to safely tow a
lightweight trailer (such as a
motorcycle or small tent trailer) of f -
road if you f ollow these guidelines.
Do not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
or a tongue weight of 100 lbs (45
kg).
Stay on smooth, level dirt roads,
and avoid driving in hilly terrain.
Allow extra room f or starting,
stopping, and turning.
Slow down if you encounter bumps
or other obstacles.
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Towing a Trailer Off-Road
452
——
y
y
(/
yy
2010 Pilot

ÌÌ
µµÌ
Maintenance Minder
469
Maintenance Main ItemsReplace engine oil Replace engine oil and oil filterInspect front and rear brakesCheck parking brake adjustmentInspect these items:Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and bootsSuspension componentsDriveshaft bootsBrake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust systemFuel lines and connections
Maintenance Sub ItemsRotate tiresReplace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt Replace transmission and transfer fluidReplace spark plugsReplace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance Replace engine coolantReplace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
SymbolSymbolAB12
3 4
5 6
1 1
If the message, ‘‘SERVICE’’ 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 messages in the information 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 if they are noisy.
467
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 fromdiesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles(24,000 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 every60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level ofmechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requiresdifferential fluid changes more frequently thanrecommended by the maintenance minder. If youregularly 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).
:
1:
NOTE :
Maintenance Minder
——y
y
(/
yy
2010 Pilot

µµCheck 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.
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.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance minder schedule.
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.
If you are not sure how to add
f luid, contact your dealer.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicle in any of the f ollowing
conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently towing a trailer.
Timing BeltPower Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
482
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.
——
y
y
(/
yy
2010 Pilot

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.
......................CompactSpareTire.508
....................ChangingaFlatTire.509
.............IftheEngineWon’tStart.516
................................JumpStarting.517
..............IftheEngineOverheats.519
.........LowOilPressureIndicator.521
..........ChargingSystemIndicator.521
.......MalfunctionIndicatorLamp.522
...............BrakeSystemIndicator.523
..............................................Fuses.524
..............................FuseLocations.528
......................EmergencyTowing.531
..........IfYourVehicleGetsStuck.532
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
507
——
y
y
(/
y
y
2010 Pilot

Slowly turn the extension with the
wheel nut wrench clockwise to
take up the slack of the hoist cable.
Make sure the bracket is seated in
the center hole of the flat tire.
Turn the extension with the wheel
nut wrench clockwise until the f lat
tire rests against the underbody of
the vehicle and you hear the hoist
click.
Store the jack and the tools in the
tool box.
Refer to
(see page or ).
23.
24.
25.
26.
422427
Changing a Flat Tire
Changing a T ire with
TPMS
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
515
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
Loose items can fly around the
interiorinacrashandcould
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
Always raise the spare tire hoist, even
if you are not stowing a tire. If the
hoist is lef t down, it will be damaged
during driving and need to be replaced.
——
y
y
(/
yy
2010 Pilot

Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it. Put the transmission in neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc.
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
1.
2.
411
525
531
CONT INUED
Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing
Jump StartingTo Jump Start Your Vehicle:
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
517
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
——
y
y
(/
yy
2010 Pilot

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
531
531
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
520
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
——
y
y
(/
yy
2010 Pilot

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, and as
a reminder to check the parking
brake. It will stay on if you do not
f ully release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
You will also see a ‘‘LOW BRAKE
FLUID’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
481
95
95
531
On Touring models
On Touring models
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
523
U.S. Canada
——
y
y
(/
yy
2010 Pilot

The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
4WD models only
Emergency Towing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
531
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the 4WD
system. It should be transported on a
f lat-bed truck or trailer.
——
y
y
(/
yy
2010 Pilot

If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see the previous page).
For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on the anchors in the front and rear
bumpers.
Remove the cover, put cloth on the
edge of the cover to prevent
scratches and caref ully pry with a
small f lat-tip screwdriver or a
metalfingernailfile.
Remove the towing hook and
wheel nut wrench placed behind a
cover under the cargo area.
Screw the towing hook into the
hole, and tighten it with the wheel
nut wrench.The cover is attached to the
bumper with a tether.
1.2.
3.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
532
COVER
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
TOWING HOOK
FRONT
——
y

y
(/
yy
2010 Pilot