brake HONDA PILOT 2011 2.G Service Manual

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.
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.1.
2.
441
On Touring models
Towing a Trailer
Connect ing t he T railer Connect orsTowing Equipment
444
TRAILER HITCH 7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
LID
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR SOCKET
RETAINING
TAB
RETAINING
TAB
7-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR
10/01/26 19:40:24 31SZA620_449
2011 Pilot

´
Ref er to the above illustrations f or
wiring information.The trailer jumper harness is used to
install the controller f or the electric
trailer brakes. For more inf ormation,
see
on page .
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.
Insert the trailer brake f use into the
secondary under-hood f use box (see
page ).
3.
441
529
On Touring models On Touring models
Towing a Trailer
T railer Jumper Harness
T railer Connect or Socket s
Trailer Brakes
T railer Brake Fuse
Driving
445
7-PIN TRAILER SOCKET SMALL
LIGHT
(GREEN)
LEFT
TURN/
STOP
(RED)
BACK LIGHT
(YELLOW) GROUND
(BLACK)
BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
BRAKE LIGHTS
(SKY BLUE)
B
CHARGE
(BLUE)
RIGHT
TURN/
STOP
(WHITE)
ELECTRIC
BRAKE
(BROWN/
WHITE)
GROUND
(BLACK)
10/01/26 19:40:35 31SZA620_450
2011 Pilot

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing perf ormance can be
af f ected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Theref ore, premium
f uel (premium unleaded gasoline
with pump octane number of 91 or
higher) is recommended when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590
kg).
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
446
10/01/26 19:40:49 31SZA620_451
2011 Pilot

CONT INUED
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use D position when towing a trailer
on level roads. D is the proper shif t
lever position to use when towing a
trailer in hilly terrain. (See ‘‘’’onthenext pagefor
additional gear information.) 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.
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
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.
3
Towing a Trailer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving
on Hills Making T urns and Braking
Driving
447
10/01/26 19:40:58 31SZA620_452
2011 Pilot

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.Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.
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. 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.If the vehicle’s tires 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.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .
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
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat. 418
531
bottom
3
3
Driving on Hills Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing UpParking Ret rieving a Boat
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
448
10/01/26 19:41:12 31SZA620_453
2011 Pilot

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
f or any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway, and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in D position will help you
have a smoother start on snow or ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not ‘‘pump’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.
Debris in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
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.
If you can’t clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
do not try to
turn around
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember A ccelerating and Braking
A voiding Obstacles
Driving on Slopes
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
450
10/01/26 19:41:37 31SZA620_455
2011 Pilot

If you get stuck, engage the VTM-4
Lock (see page ). Caref ully try to
go in the direction (f orward or
reverse) that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires at high
speeds. It will not help you get out
and may cause damage to the
transmission or VTM-4 system.
If you are still unable to f ree yourself ,
your vehicle is equipped with f ront
and rear tow hooks designed f or this
purpose.
Bef ore driving through water, stop,
get out if necessary, and make sure
that:
If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may
be required. This service is not
covered by your warranties. After driving through water, test
your brakes. If they got wet, gently
‘‘pump’’ them while driving slowly
until they operate normally. If you decide it is saf e to drive
through water, choose a suitable
speed and engage the VTM-4 Lock.
Proceed without shif ting or changing
speeds, and do not stop the vehicle
or shut of f the engine.The banks and surf ace under the
water provide good traction. The
water may hide hazards such as
rocks, holes, or mud.
The water is not f lowing too f ast.
Deep rushing water can sweep you
downstream. Even very shallow
rushingwatercanwashthe
ground f rom under your tires and
cause you to lose traction and
possibly roll over. The banks are sloped so you can
drive out. The water is not deep enough to
cover your wheel hubs, axles, or
exhaust pipe. You could stall and
not be able to restart your engine.
The water can also damage
important vehicle components. 418
CONT INUED
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
If You Get Stuck
Crossing a Stream
Driving
451
10/01/26 19:41:51 31SZA620_456
2011 Pilot

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 inf ormation messages
on the inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
models), and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .
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.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .454
............
Maintenance Inf ormation . 455
..............................
Fluid Locations .470
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 471
........................
Adding Engine Oil .472
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .473
..............................
Engine Coolant .475
....................
Windshield Washers .477
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 478
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 480
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 480
....................................
Brake Fluid .481
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 482
....................................
Timing Belt .482
.............................................
Lights .483
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 490
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 490
.....................................
Floor Mats .491
.................................
Wiper Blades .492
...............................................
Tires .496
...................
Checking the Battery . 504
.............................
Vehicle Storage .505
..................................
Interior Care .506
557
Maintenance
Maint enance
453
10/01/26 19:42:06 31SZA620_458
2011 Pilot

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts. Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Let the engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions Injury f rom moving parts.
Burns f rom hot parts. Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
454
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual. Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
10/01/26 19:42:20 31SZA620_459
2011 Pilot

µµ
µ
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page . Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page . 481
497
483
Maintenance Inf ormation
468
10/01/26 19:44:35 31SZA620_473
2011 Pilot