towing HONDA PILOT 2012 2.G Owners Manual

Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy, metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
Premium f uel is recommended when
towing in certain conditions (see
page ).
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol. Your
vehicle is designed to operate on
oxygenated gasoline containing up to
10% ethanol by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol. If you
notice any undesirable operating
symptoms, try another service
station or switch to another brand of
gasoline.In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain harmf ul
manganese-based f uel additives such
as MMT, if such gasoline is available.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your dealer f or service.
549
CONT INUED
Fuel Recommendation
Fuel Recommendation
Bef ore Driving
495
If a non-FFV is inadvertently
ref ueled once with E85 f uel, have
the f uel tank drained at a dealer.
If this occurs over a prolonged
period, damage may occur.
Do not use E85 f uel in a non-Flex Fuel
Vehicle (FFV).
Non-FFV models are not designed to
run on E85 f uel. Using E85 f uel can
damage the f uel system components.
T o help prevent harmf ul f uel system
and engine deposits, use high quality
f uel containing detergent and additives.
Main MenuTable of Contents

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Variable Torque
Management
4-wheel drive
(VTM-4
) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA
), aka
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
system, the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), and f acts you need
if you are planning to tow a trailer or
drive of f -highway. ........................
Driving Guidelines . 512
........................
Preparing to Drive . 512
.......................
Starting the Engine . 513
Check Starter System .................................
Message . 514
..............
Automatic Transmission . 515
............................
VTM-4
System . 520
...........................................
Parking . 521
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
......................................
(TPMS) . 522
.............................
Braking System . 530
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 531
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ........
Control (ESC), System . 533
...........................
Towing a Trailer . 536
Of f -Highway Driving
..................................
Guidelines . 552
Driving
Driving
511
Main Menu

The maximum allowable 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 trailer that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle

Î
Î Î
Î
The weight that the tongue of a f ully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
shouldbe5to10percentof thetotal
trailer weight f or boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
f or all other trailers. (See page f or limits f or your towing
situation). Too much tongue load
reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is:
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed:
on the f ront axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
2:LXmodels
1 : Except LX models on the rear axle
540
4WD models: 2WD models: 4WD models:
2WD models:
2
1
Towing a Trailer
Tongue Load
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR): Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Driving
537
5,952 lbs (2,700 kg)
6,096 lbs (2,765 kg)
2,921 lbs (1,325 kg)
3,362 lbs (1,525 kg)
3,251 lbs (1,475 kg)
2,921 lbs (1,325 kg)
3,196 lbs (1,450 kg)
Main MenuTable of Contents

Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described next.Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions.
The maximum allowable weight of
the f ully loaded vehicle and trailer
with the proper hitch is:
The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent f or every 1,000 f eet (305
meters) of elevation. 540
4WD models:
2WD models:
Estimating Loads
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR):To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
Towing a Trailer
538
9,579 lbs (4,345 kg)
8,466 lbs (3,840 kg)
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Î
Î
ÎÎ ÎÎ
µµ
Î ÎÎ
Number of
Occupants 2 3 4 5678
Number of
Occupants 2
From 3 to 8 T owing is Not Recommended
T owing is Not Recommended
Maximum T otal T railer Weight Maximum T ongue Load
Maximum T otal T railer Weight Maximum T ongue Load
2WD models
2WD models with optional ATF Cooler installed
Towing a Trailer
540
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits:
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, eac h occupant weighs 150 lbs (68
kg), and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the maximum
trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page ).
Recommended tongue load should be 5 10% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8 15% of the total trailer weight for all other
trailers. 537
2,000 lbs (905 kg)
200 lbs (90 kg)
3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
3,300 lbs (1,497 kg)
3,100 lbs (1,406 kg)
3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
2,800 lbs (1,270 kg)
2,000 lbs (905 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
300 lbs (136 kg)
230 lbs (104 kg)
200 lbs (90 kg)
150 lbs (68 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)
Main MenuTable of Contents

µµ
Î ÎÎ
ÎÎ
Î Maximum T ongue Load
Number of
Occupants 2 3456 7 8 T owing is Not Recommended
Maximum T otal T railer Weight4WD models
Towing a Trailer
Driving
541
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, eac
h occupant weighs 150 lbs (68
kg), and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the maximum
trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page ).
Recommended tongue load should be 5 10% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8 15% of the total trailer weight for all other
trailers. 537
450 lbs (204 kg)
400 lbs (181 kg)
330 lbs (150 kg)
270 lbs (122 kg)
190 lbs (86 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)
4,500 lbs (2,041 kg)
4,300 lbs (1,950 kg)
4,100 lbs (1,860 kg)
4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
3,800 lbs (1,724 kg)
2,000 lbs (905 kg)
Main MenuTable of Contents

To accurately check your loads at
the public scale, the vehicle and
trailer should be f ully loaded, and all
occupants should stay in the vehicle
while the attendant watches the
scale.Check the f ront gross axle weight.
Limit: 2,921 lbs (1,325 kg) Check the gross vehicle weight.
Limit (4WD models): 6,096 lbs
(2,765 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 5,952 lbs
(2,700 kg)If you cannot weigh the rear axle
directly, you can calculate the rear
gross axle weight by subtracting
the weight in step 1 from the
weight in step 2.
Limit (4WD models): 3,175 lbs
(1,440 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 3,031 lbs
(1,375 kg)
Check the rear gross axle weight.
Limit (4WD models except LX):
3,362 lbs (1,525 kg)
Limit (4WD LX models): 3,252 lbs
(1,475 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 3,196 lbs
(1,450 kg)
1. 2. 3. 4.
Checking L oads
Towing a Trailer
542
Main MenuTable of Contents

Calculate the tongue load.
Subtract the weight in step 6 f rom
the weight in step 7.
Limit: See page .
Recommended: see page .
Range: 5-10% f or boat trailers8-15% f or other trailers
Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page .
Check the weight of the hitched
trailer. Write this number down.
Check the gross combined weight.
Limit (4WD models): 9,579 lbs
(4,345 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 8,466 lbs
(3,840 kg)
Remember, maximum gross
combined weight should be
decreased 2% f or every 1,000 f eet
(305 meters) of elevation. 7. 8.
6.
5.
540
540 536
Towing a Trailer
Driving
543
Main MenuTable of Contents

´
Your vehicle is equipped with a
connector to install an optional trailer
lighting connector that mates with
your vehicle. You can get this
optional connector f rom your dealer.
Ref er to the above illustration f or
wiring inf ormation.
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Check trailer light requirements f or
the areas where you plan to tow, and
use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.
When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. When replacing the
compact spare with a f ull size spare,
remove the plastic spacer (see page
). Store the plastic spacer and
compact spare together. Reinstall
thespacerbeforeonceagainstowing
the compact spare.
See page f or proper tire size,
page f or how to store a f ull size
wheel and tire, and page for
inf ormation on changing a f lat tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer