trailer HONDA PILOT 2023 User Guide

Continued511
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
Towing generally requires a vari ety of supplemental equipment.
To ensure the best quality, we recommend that you purchase Honda equipment
whenever possible.
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer hitch as
standard equipment.
2Trailer brakes P. 512
■Towing Equipment and Accessories1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipmen t is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and lo cal regulations.
Consult your trai ler maker for prope r installation and
setup of the equipment.
Improper installation and setup can affect the
handling, stability, and br aking performance of your
vehicle.
Consult your traile r sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of tra ilers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qua lified technician.
Trailer packages and products availa ble at a dealer.
•Ball mount kit.•Hitch harness kit
•Trailer hitch kit
2Trailer brakes P. 512
Models with trailer hitch
Trailer hitch
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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
512
Driving
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer brake s: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure they are electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to attach trailer brakes to your ve hicle’s hydraulic system, as it will lower
braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.
The 4-pin gray connector installed in your vehicle has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake controllers.
Have a qualified mechanic install your trailer
brake controller following the trailer brake
controller manufacturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake controller
may increase the distance it takes for you to
stop your vehicle when towing a trailer.
The trailer hitch harness is used to install the
controller for the electric trailer brakes.
Insert the trailer brake fuse into the engine
compartment fuse box.
2 Engine Compartment Fuse Box P. 778
1Trailer brakes
The 4-pin gray connector is located under the
dashboard near the driver’s side interior fuse box.
Electric Brake
(Pink)
Ground (Black) +B (Green) (20A)
Stop (Violet)
Trailer brake controller
connector’s terminals:
Electric Brake
(Brown)
+B (20A)
(Blue)
Ground
(Black)
Brake Lights
(Sky Blue)
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Continued513
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
We recommend that you have a dealer inst all a Honda wiring harness and converter.
They are designed for your vehicle.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type and brand. If a connector is
required, it should only be installed by a qualified technician.
■Hitches
The hitch must be of an approved type and properly bolted to the underbody.
1 Trailer light
The trailer lighting connect or is located behind the
left side panel in the cargo area.
Even if you are planning to use the non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converte r, ask a dealer for the
correct connector and pins.
Trailer Brake
(Pink)
+B Trailer Main
(Light Blue) +B Trailer Charge
(Yellow)
IG2 Option
(Red) Back Light
(Gray)
Trailer Small Light
(Light Green)
Brake Signal
(Purple)
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes:
Right Turn Signal
(B ro wn) Left

Turn Signal
(Blue)
Models without trailer hitch
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514
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Weight distribution hitches
Your vehicle is designed to tow without the need for a load distributing hitch. If you
wish to use one, please consult your trailer maker for proper installation and set-up.
Improper set-up could degrade the handlin g, stability, and braking performance of
your vehicle.
■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
■Sway control
This device can be used if your trailer te nds to sway. Your trailer maker can tell you
what kind of sway control you need and how to install it. Improper installation could
degrade the handling and stability of your vehicle.
■Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and te rritories require special exterior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.
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515
uuTowing a Trailer uTrailer Stability Assist
Driving
Trailer Stability Assist
Helps stabilize the vehicle and traile r when the trailer severely sways.
■How trailer stability assist works
When the vehicle and trailer become unstable while driving, trailer stability assist
determines the cause. If the trailer oscilla tion is detected as the cause, and the
swaying increases, the system applies the br akes or controls engine output to reduce
vehicle speed.
Both the vehicle and trailer brake lights co me on automatically if you brake to
reduce vehicle speed.
1 Trailer Stability Assist
Trailer stability assist is not a function that prevents
the vehicle and trailer from swaying. Avoid high
speeds, abrupt steering, improper trailer load, and
sudden braking to keep th e trailer from swaying.
When swaying too severely, the system becomes
ineffective, and you may lose control of your vehicle,
causing the trailer to ro ll over or get damaged.
2 Driving Safely with a Trailer P. 516
Trailer towing sway is caused by:
•Crosswinds
•Improper tongue load
•Excessive Speed
The VSA ® system indicator blinks during the trailer
stability assist operation. 2 VSA ® Operation P. 555
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516
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
• Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 508
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the tr ailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the traile r tires, including the spare.
• Turn off the Auto Idle Stop syst em using the Auto Idle Stop OFF button. The
trailer weight can affect your vehicle's br ake effectiveness if Auto Idle Stop is
activated on a hill while towing a trailer.
• Select TOW mode for optimized transmissio n operation when towing a trailer.
2Drive Mode System P. 548
•Turn off the rear parking sensor system.
2 Parking sensor system on and off P. 664
•Turn off the Low Speed Braking Control syst em. It may activate if it detects the
towed object as an obstacle.
2 System On and Off P. 587
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Operating speed when towing a trailer must not
exceed 62 mph (100 km/h).
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.
Remember to unhitch the tra iler before changing a
flat tire. Ask the trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare tire.
Models with Parking Sensor System
Models with Low Speed Braking Control
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517
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits fo r vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
(D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
• Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
• If the Engine temperature near limit. Av oid heavy acceleration and high
speed. message appears on the driver information interface, turn off the climate
control system and reduce speed.
If the Engine temperature too hot. Do no t drive. Allow engine to cool.
message appears on the driver information interface, pull to the side of the road
safely to cool down the engine.
• Change the gear position to
(S position if the transmission shifts frequently.
When retrieving a boat from the wa ter, the sequential shift mode
(S is
recommended to utilize the transmissions lower gears.
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
■Retrieving a Boat
1Towing Speeds and Gears
When towing a fixed-sided trailer (e.g., camper), do
not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h).
At higher speeds, the trai ler may sway or affect
vehicle handling.
1 Driving in Hilly Terrain
If the automatic transmission fluid temperature
exceeds the specified limit, the transmission will also
automatically up shift, even in the sequential shift
mode.
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518
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Behind a Motorhome
Driving
Towing Behind a Motorhome
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refe r to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 785
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520
uuOff-Highway Driving Guidelines uAvoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble
• Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been comple ted. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, an d check the tire pressures.
• Remember the route you choose presents limits (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your ve hicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
• Accelerating and Braking should be done slowly and gradually. Trying to start
or stop too fast can cause a loss of traction and you could lose control.
• Avoiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
• Driving on Slopes increases your risk of a rollover, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight up or down a slope is usually
the safest. If you can’t clearly see all cond itions or obstacles on a slope, walk it
before you drive it. If there is any doubt whether you can safely pass, don’t try it.
Find another route. If you get stuck when climbing, do not try to turn around.
Back down slowly following the same route you took up the hill.
• Crossing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large pu ddle, for example), evaluate it carefully
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find
another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. When
driving in water that reaches around half of the wheel height, water can get into
the transmission and di fferential, diluting the lubric ant and causing an eventual
failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
• If You Get Stuck, carefully go in the direction that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires as this will only make things worse and could
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need
to be towed. Front tow hook
* and trailer hitch* are provided for this purpose.
1 Avoiding Trouble
Spinning the tires can also damage the Intelligent
VTM4 (i-VTM4
TM) system.
Front Tow Hook:
The front tow hook is lacated by the underside of the
front bumper.
Rear Tow Hook:
Trailer Hitch safety chain loops and re ceiver are rated
for off-road recovery
Models with trailer hitch
Front Tow
Hook
Rear Tow Hook
* Not available on all models
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uuWhen Driving uDrive Mode System
550
Driving
Maximizes controllab ility on snowy road
through powertrain settings.
Optimizes balance between driving
performance and comfort when towing a
trailer.
■SNOW Mode1 SNOW Mode
NOTICE
SNOW mode does not allow you to drive on snowy
or frozen roads in all situations. There are limits to
SNOW mode.
When driving on snowy or frozen roads; mount
winter tires or tire chains , reduce speed, and maintain
sufficient distance between vehicles.
2 Winter Tires P. 736
While in SNOW mode, the Auto Idle Stop System will stay
disabled regardless of the Auto Idle Stop OFF button.
2 Auto Idle Stop P. 542
■TOW Mode1TOW Mode
While in TOW Mode, some features of Honda
Sensing are turned off. 2 Honda Sensing ® P. 567
When the Drive Mode is in TOW mode, Low Speed
Braking Control and the rear parking sensor system
do not operate when reversing. 2 Low Speed Braking Control
* P. 584
2 Parking Sensor System* P. 663
While in TOW mode, the Auto Idle Stop System will
stay disabled regardless of the Auto Idle Stop OFF
button.
2 Auto Idle Stop P. 542
For more details on towing, refer to the following. 2 Towing a Trailer P. 508
Models with Parking Sensor System
* Not available on all models
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