HONDA PILOT 2013 2.G Owner's Manual
Manufacturer: HONDA, Model Year: 2013, Model line: PILOT, Model: HONDA PILOT 2013 2.GPages: 488, PDF Size: 10.18 MB
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Quick Reference Guide
California Proposition 65 Warning
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). 
The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near  
crash-like situations, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a 
road obstacle, data that will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s 
systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related 
to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of 
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is 
designed to record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
•Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were  
buckled/fastened;
•How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator 
and/or brake pedal; and,
•How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better understanding of the  
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data 
are recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation 
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under normal driving 
conditions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and  
crash location) are recorded. However, other parties, such as law 
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of 
personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash 
investigation.
WARNING:  This product contains or emits 
chemicals known to the state of California to cause  
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive 
harm.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, 
and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the 
vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement, that 
have the special equipment, can read the information if they have 
access to the vehicle or the EDR.  
The data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by 
anyone else except as legally required or with the permission of the 
vehicle owner.
Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record 
information about powertrain performance. The data can be used 
to verify emissions law requirements and/or help technicians 
diagnose and solve service problems. It may also be combined with 
data from other sources for research purposes, but it remains 
confidential.
California Perchlorate Contamination Prevention Act
The airbags, seat belt tensioners, and CR type batteries in this 
vehicle may contain perchlorate materials - special handling may  
apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate/
As you read this manual, you will find information that is preceded 
by a   symbol. This information is intended to help you avoid  
damage to your vehicle, other property, or the environment.
NOTICE 
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21
Quick Reference Guide
A Few Words About Safety
Your safety, and the safety of others, is very important. And  
operating this vehicle safely is an important responsibility.
To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have 
provided operating procedures and other information on labels and  
in this manual. This information alerts you to potential hazards that 
could hurt you or others. 
Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the  
hazards associated with operating or maintaining your vehicle. You 
must use your own good judgement.
You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms, 
including: 
●Safety Labels - on the vehicle.
●Safety Messages - preceded by a safety alert symbol 3 and 
one of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.
These signal words mean:
●Safety Headings - such as Important Safety Precautions.
●Safety Section - such as Safe Driving.
●Instructions - how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information - please  
read it carefully.
3DANGERYou WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if 
you don't follow instructions.
3WARNINGYou CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if  
you don't follow instructions.
3CAUTIONYou CAN be HURT if you don't follow  
instructions. 
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Safe Driving
You can find many safety recommendations throughout this chapter, and throughout this manual.
For Safe Driving
Important Safety Precautions ............. 24 
Important Handling Information......... 26
Your Vehicle's Safety Features............ 27
Seat Belts
About Your Seat Belts ........................ 29
Fastening a Seat Belt .......................... 32
Seat Belt Inspection............................ 36
Airbags
Airbag System Components ............... 37
Types of Airbags ................................ 40
Front Airbags (SRS) ............................ 40
Side Airbags ...................................... 44
Side Curtain Airbags .......................... 47
Airbag System Indicators.................... 48
Airbag Care ....................................... 51
Child Safety
Protecting Child Passengers ............... 52
Safety of Infants and Small Children ....... 54
Safety of Larger Children ................... 63
Exhaust Gas Hazard
Carbon Monoxide Gas ....................... 65
Safety Labels
Label Locations .................................. 66 
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Safe Driving
For Safe Driving
The following pages explain your vehicle's safety features and how to use them 
properly. The safety precautions below are ones that we consider to be among the 
most important.
Important Safety Precautions
■Always wear your seat belt
A seat belt is your best protection in all types of collisions. Airbags are designed to  
supplement seat belts, not replace them. So even though your vehicle is equipped 
with airbags, make sure you and your passengers always wear your seat belts, and 
wear them properly.
■Restrain all children
Children age 12 and under should ride properly restrained in a back seat, not the 
front seat. Infants and small children should be restrained in a child seat. Larger 
children should use a booster seat and a lap/shoulder seat belt until they can use the  
belt properly without a booster seat.
■Be aware of airbag hazards
While airbags can save lives, they can cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants  
who sit too close to them, or are not properly restrained. Infants, young children, 
and short adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and 
warnings in this manual.
■Don't drink and drive
Alcohol and driving don't mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to 
changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. 
So don't drink and drive, and don't let your friends drink and drive, either.
1Important Safety Precautions 
Some states, provinces and territories prohibit the use  
of cell phones other than hands-free devices by the driver while driving. 
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uuFor Safe DrivinguImportant Safety Precautions
Safe Driving
■Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely
Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying  
close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash.  
Remember, situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe to 
divert some attention away from driving.
■Control your speed
Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher  
the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds. 
Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum  
speed posted.
■Keep your vehicle in safe condition
Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous. 
To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition  
frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance. 
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uuFor Safe DrivinguImportant Handling Information
Safe Driving
Important Handling Information
Your vehicle has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use  
only on pavement. Higher ground clearance has many advantages for off-highway 
driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough terrain. It also 
provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier. 
These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher 
off the ground, it has a higher center gravity making it more susceptible to tripping  
or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a significantly higher  
rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is 
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, 
make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
1Important Handling Information 
For information on how to reduce the risk of rollover,  read:
2Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle 
P. 3442Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 340
Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result  
in a crash or a rollover. 
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uuFor Safe DrivinguYour Vehicle's Safety Features
Continued
Safe Driving
Your Vehicle's Safety Features
The following checklist will help you take an active role in protecting yourself and  
your passengers.
1Your Vehicle's Safety Features 
Your vehicle is equipped with many features that work together to help protect you and your  
passengers during a crash. 
Some features do not require any action on your part. 
These include a strong steel framework that forms a  
safety cage around the passenger compartment,  front and rear crush zones, a collapsible steering 
column, and tensioners that tighten the front seat 
belts in a sufficient crash. 
However, you and your passengers cannot take full 
advantage of these features unless you remain seated 
in the correct position and always wear your seat belts. In fact, some safety features can contribute to 
injuries if they are not used properly.
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11
12
Safety Cage
Crush ZonesSeats and Seat-BacksHead RestraintsCollapsible Steering ColumnSeat BeltsFront AirbagsSide AirbagsSide Curtain AirbagsDoor Locks
Seat Belt Tensioners
Occupant Position Detection  System (OPDS) Sensor
2
10
9
7
8
3456
78
10
1112
2
9 
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uuFor Safe DrivinguYour Vehicle's Safety Features
28
Safe DrivingFor the safety of you and your passengers, make a habit of checking these items 
each time before you drive. 
•After everyone has entered the vehicle, be sure all doors and the tailgate are 
closed and locked. Locking the doors and the tailgate helps prevent an occupant  
from being ejected and an outsider from unexpectedly opening a door or the  
tailgate.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 103
•Adjust your seat to a position suitable for driving. Be sure the front seats are 
adjusted as far to the rear as possible while allowing the driver to control the 
vehicle. Sitting too close to a front airbag can result in serious or fatal injury in a  
crash.
2Adjusting the Seats P. 137
•Adjust head restraints to the proper position. Head restraints are most effective 
when the center of the head restraint aligns with the center of your head. Taller 
persons should adjust their head restraint to the highest position.
2Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 141
•Always wear your seat belt, and make sure you wear it properly. Confirm that any  
passengers are properly belted as well.
2Fastening a Seat Belt P. 32
•Protect children by using seat belts or child seats according to a child's age, height 
and weight.
2Child Safety P. 52
■Safety Checklist1Safety Checklist 
If the door and/or the tailgate open indicator is on, a  
door and/or the tailgate is not completely closed. Close all doors and the tailgate tightly until the 
indicator goes off.
2Door Open Indicator P. 722Door, Glass Hatch, and Tailgate Open 
Indicator* P. 72
* Not available on all models 
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Safe Driving
Seat Belts
About Your Seat Belts
Seat belts are the single most effective safety device because they keep you 
connected to the vehicle so that you can take advantage of many built-in safety  
features. They also help keep you from being thrown against the inside of the 
vehicle, against other passengers, or out of the vehicle. When worn properly, seat  
belts also keep your body properly positioned in a crash so that you can take full  
advantage of the additional protection provided by the airbags. 
In addition, seat belts help protect you in almost every type of crash, including:
-frontal impacts
-side impacts
-rear impacts
-rollovers
■Lap/shoulder seat belts
All eight seating positions are equipped with lap/shoulder seat belts with emergency 
locking retractors. In normal driving the retractor lets you move freely while keeping 
some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop the retractor locks to  
restrain your body. The second and third row passenger’s seat belts also have a 
lockable retractor for use with child seats.
2Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt P. 60
1About Your Seat Belts 
Seat belts cannot completely protect you in every 
crash. But in most cases, seat belts can reduce your risk of serious injury. 
Most states and all Canadian provinces and territories require you to wear seat belts.
3WARNING
Not wearing a seat belt properly increases 
the chance of serious injury or death in a 
crash, even though your vehicle has  
airbags. 
Be sure you and your passengers always  
wear seat belts and wear them properly.