2003 Pilot Online Reference Owner's Manual...

Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference. For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.

Contents

Owner's Identification Form Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety ................................................................................................................. ii

Important Handling Information .....................................................................................................iii

Your Vehicle at a Glance .....................................................................................................................2 Driver and Passenger Safety ..............................................................................................................5 Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.

Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls. Comfort and Convenience Features .............................................................................................. 117 How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.

What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.

The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.

The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer. Appearance Care.............................................................................................................................. 267 Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs.

This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.

ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.

A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact us.

How to order manuals and other technical literature. Index...................................................................................................................................................... I

Service Information Summary A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Before Driving.................................................................................................................................. 215

Driving .............................................................................................................................................. 229

Maintenance ..................................................................................................................................... 269

Taking Care of the Unexpected ...................................................................................................... 325

Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada) ................................................................ 373

Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)...................................................................................................... 377

Technical Information..................................................................................................................... 359

2003 Pilot Online Reference Owner's Manual

Instruments and Controls ................................................................................................................. 5 9

This Owners Manual should be considereda permanent part of the vehicle, and shouldremain with the vehicle when it is sold.

The information and specifications includedin this publication were in effect at the timeof approval for printing. Honda Motor Co.,Ltd. reserves the right, however, todiscontinue or change specifications ordesign at any time without notice andwithout incurring any obligation whatsoever.

This Owners Manual covers all models ofthe Pilot. You may find descriptions ofequipment and features that are not on yourparticular model.

Owners Identif ication

POUR CLIENTS CANADIENAVIS IMPORTANT: Si vous avezbesoin dun Manuel du Conducteuren franais, veuillez demander votre concessionnaire decommander le numro de pice33S9VC00

OWNER

ADDRESS

V. I. N.

DELIVERY DATE

DEALER NAME DEALER NO.

ADDRESS

OWNERS SIGNATURE

DEALERS SIGNATURE

STREET

CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/POSTAL CODE

(Date sold to original retail purchaser)

STREET

CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/POSTAL CODE

California Proposition 65 Warning

This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State ofCalifornia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Congratulations! Your selection of a 2003 Honda Pilot was a wise investment.It will give you years of driving pleasure.

One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Honda is toread this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls andconvenience items. Afterwards, keep this owners manual in your vehicle soyou can refer to it at any time.

Several warranties protect your new Honda. Read the warranty bookletthoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rightsand responsibilities.

Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manualhelps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment.When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Hondadealers staff is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique toyour Honda. Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will bepleased to answer any questions and concerns.

As you read this manual, you willfind information that is preceded bya symbol. Thisinformation is intended to help youavoid damage to your Honda, otherproperty, or the environment.

Introduction

WARNING:

i

Your safety, and the safety of others,is very important. And operating thisvehicle safely is an importantresponsibility.

You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms,including:

on the vehicle.

To help you make informeddecisions about safety, we haveprovided operating procedures andother information on labels and inthis manual. This information alertsyou to potential hazards that couldhurt you or others.

Of course, it is not practical orpossible to warn you about all thehazards associated with operating ormaintaining your vehicle. You mustuse your own good judgement.

These signal words mean:

preceded by a safety alert symbol and one ofthree signal words: , , or .

such as Driver and Passenger Safety.how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.

such as Important Safety Reminders or ImportantSafety Precautions.

This entire book is filled with important safety information please read itcarefully.

A Few Words About Safety

Safety LabelsSafety Messages

Safety SectionInstructions

Safety Headings

DANGER WARNING CAUTION

ii

You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLYHURT if you dont follow instructions.

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLYHURT if you dont follow instructions.

You CAN be HURT if you dont followinstructions.

These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher off the ground, it has a highcenter of gravity. This means your vehicle can tip or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have asignificantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantlymore likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make sure you and your passengers always wearseat belts.

For information on how to reduce the risk of rollover, read Driving Guidelines on page of this manual and thesection on page . Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an

accident.

Your Pilot has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use only on pavement. Higher groundclearance has many advantages for off-highway driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and roughterrain. It also provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.

230261Off-Highway Guidelines

Important Handling Information

iii

Your Vehicle at a Glance

2

INDICATOR LIGHTSGAUGES

POWER DOOR LOCKSWITCHES

MIRRORCONTROLS

POWER WINDOWSWITCHES

HOOD RELEASEHANDLE

AUDIO SYSTEM

CLIMATE CONTROLSYSTEM

(P.61)(P.67)

(P.82)

(P.103)

(P.99)

(P.218)

(P.110)

(P.118, 128)

(P.137, 153, 168)

FUEL FILL DOORRELEASE(P.217)

PARKING BRAKEPEDAL(P.104)

REAR A/C CONTROL(P.135)

ACCESSORY POWER SOCKETS

To use the horn, press the pad around the H logo.:

Your Vehicle at a Glance

3

HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS

LIGHT CONTROLSWITCH

CRUISECONTROL

REMOTE AUDIOCONTROLS

STEERING WHEELADJUSTMENT

CRUISE CONTROL WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS

(P.112)

(P.72/74)

(P.207)

(P.188) (P.78) (P.74/76)

HORN HAZARD WARNINGLIGHTS

REAR WINDOWDEFOGGER(P.77)

(P.238)

(P.77)

(P.207)

VTM-4 LOCK

This section gives you importantinformation about how to protectyourself and your passengers. Itshows you how to use seat beltsproperly. It explains your Supple-mental Restraint System. And it tellsyou how to properly restrain infantsand children in your vehicle.

.........Important Safety Precautions . 6.......Your Vehicles Safety Features . 7

.......................................Seat Belts . 8...........................................Airbags . 9

.....................Seats & Seat-Backs . 10..........................Head Restraints . 10

..................................Door Locks . 10........Pre-Drive Safety Checklist . 11

............................Protecting Adults . 12

.....1. Close and Lock the Doors . 12...........2. Adjust the Front Seats . 12............3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 13

...4. Adjust the Head Restraints . 145. Fasten and Position the Seat

.....................................Belts . 15....6. Adjust the Steering Wheel . 18

7. Maintain a Proper Sitting................................Position . 18

.....Advice for Pregnant Women . 19...Additional Safety Precautions . 19

........................Protecting Children . 21All Children Must Be

...............................Restrained . 21Children Should Sit in the Back

...........................................Seat . 22The Passengers Airbag Poses

......Serious Risks to Children . 23If You Must Drive with Several

...................................Children . 25If a Child Requires Close

..................................Attention . 25...Additional Safety Precautions . 25

General Guidelines for Using...............................Child Seats . 26

.......................Protecting Infants . 30

.........Protecting Small Children . 35.......Protecting Larger Children . 38

Using Child Seats with.....................................Tethers . 42

.............................Using LATCH . 44Additional Information About Your

.................................Seat Belts . 46..Seat Belt System Components . 46

......................Lap/Shoulder Belt . 46Automatic Seat Belt

...............................Tensioners . 48...............Seat Belt Maintenance . 49

Additional Information About Your.....................................Airbags . 50

........................SRS Components . 50How Your Front Airbags

.........................................Work . 50...How Your Side Airbags Work . 52

How the SRS Indicator Light.......................................Works . 53

How The Side Airbag Cutoff...........Indicator Light Works . 54

.............................Airbag Service . 55...Additional Safety Precautions . 55

.............Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 56...................................Safety Labels . 57

Driver and Passenger Safety

Driver and Passenger Safety 5

Youll find many safetyrecommendations throughout thissection, and throughout this manual.The recommendations on this pageare the ones we consider to be themost important.

Excessive speed is a major factor incrash injuries and deaths. Generally,the higher the speed the greater therisk, but serious accidents can alsooccur at lower speeds. Never drivefaster than is safe for currentconditions, regardless of themaximum speed posted.

While airbags can save lives, theycan cause serious or fatal injuries tooccupants who sit too close to them,or are not properly restrained.Infants, young children, and shortadults are at the greatest risk. Besure to follow all instructions andwarnings in this manual. (See page

.)

Having a tire blowout or amechanical failure can be extremelyhazardous. To reduce the possibilityof such problems, check your tirepressures and condition frequently,and perform all regularly scheduledmaintenance. (See page .)

Children are safest when they areproperly restrained in a back seat,not the front seat. A child who is toosmall for a seat belt must be properlyrestrained in a child safety seat. (Seepage .)

Alcohol and driving dont mix. Evenone drink can reduce your ability torespond to changing conditions, andyour reaction time gets worse withevery additional drink. So dont drinkand drive, and dont let your friendsdrink and drive, either.

A seat belt is your best protection inall types of collisions. Airbagssupplement seat belts, but airbagsare designed to inflate only in amoderate to severe frontal collision.So even though your vehicle isequipped with airbags, make sureyou and your passengers alwayswear your seat belts, and wear themproperly. (See page .)15

9

21

272


Important Safety Precautions

Always Wear Your Seat Belt

Be Aware of Airbag Hazards Control Your Speed

Keep Your Vehicle in SafeCondition

Restrain All Children

Dont Drink and Drive

6

Your vehicle is equipped with manyfeatures that work together toprotect you and your passengersduring a crash.

These safety features are designedto reduce the severity of injuries in acrash. However, you and yourpassengers cant take full advantageof these safety features unless youremain sitting in a proper positionand

In fact, some safetyfeatures can contribute to injuries ifthey are not used properly.

Some safety features do not requireany action on your part. Theseinclude a strong steel frameworkthat forms a safety cage around thepassenger compartment; front andrear crush zones that are designed tocrumple and absorb energy during acrash; a collapsible steering column;and seat belt tensioners thatautomatically tighten the front seatbelts in the event of a crash.


Your Vehicles Safety Features

always wear your seat beltsproperly.

7

(7)(10)

(9) (3) (1) (4)

(2)(6)(10)

(7) (8)(5)

(2)

(1) Safety Cage(2) Crush Zones(3) Seats & Seat-Backs(4) Head Restraints(5) Collapsible Steering Column(6) Seat Belts(7) Airbags(8) Front Seat Belt Tensioners(9) Door Locks(10) Side Airbags

Your seat belt system alsoincludes a light on the

instrument panel to remind you andyour passengers to fasten your seatbelts.

Seat belts are the single mosteffective safety device for adults andlarger children. (Infants and smallerchildren must be properly restrainedin child seats.)

Not wearing a seat belt properlyincreases the chance of seriousinjury or death in a crash, eventhough your vehicle has airbags.

For your safety, and the safety ofyour passengers, your vehicle isequipped with seat belts in all seatingpositions.

In addition, most states and allCanadian provinces require you towear seat belts.

Help protect you in almost everytype of crash, including frontal,side, and rear impacts androllovers.

Keep you connected to the vehicleso you can take advantage of thevehicles built-in safety features.

When properly worn, seat belts:

Help keep you from being thrownagainst the inside of the vehicleand against other occupants.

Keep you from being thrown outof the vehicle.

Help keep you in a good positionshould the airbags ever deploy. Agood position reduces the risk ofinjury from an inflating airbag, andallows you to get the bestadvantage from the airbag.

Of course, seat belts cannotcompletely protect you in everycrash. But in most cases, seat beltscan reduce your risk of seriousinjury.

Always wearyour seat belt, and make sure youwear it properly.


Seat Belts

Why Wear Seat Belts

What you should do:


8

Not wearing a seat belt properlyincreases the chance of seriousinjury or death in a crash, evenif you have airbags.

Be sure you and yourpassengers always wear seatbelts and wear them properly.

They are designed to supplementthe seat belts.

To do their job, airbags mustinflate with tremendous force andspeed. So while airbags help savelives, they can cause minor injuries,or more serious or even fatalinjuries if occupants are notproperly restrained or sittingproperly.

Always wearyour seat belt properly, and situpright and as far back as possiblefrom the steering wheel ordashboard.

Your vehicle also has side airbags tohelp protect the upper torso of thedriver or a front seat passengerduring a moderate to severe sideimpact.

The most important things you needto know about your airbags are:

Your car has a SupplementalRestraint System (SRS) with dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags tohelp protect the heads and chests ofthe driver and a front seat passengerduring a moderate to severe frontalcollision.

Airbags



Airbags do not replace seat belts.

Airbags offer no protection in rearimpacts, rollovers, or minorfrontal or side collisions.

Airbags can pose serious hazards.

What you should do:

9

Head restraints can help protect youfrom whiplash and other injuries. Formaximum protection, the back ofyour head should rest against thecenter of the head restraint.

Reclining a seat-back too far reducesthe seat belts effectiveness andincreases the chance that the seatsoccupant will slide under the seatbelt in a crash and be seriouslyinjured.

Move the frontseats as far back as possible, andkeep adjustable seat-backs in anupright position whenever thevehicle is moving.

Your vehicles seats are designed tokeep you in a comfortable, uprightposition so you can take fulladvantage of the protection offeredby seat belts and the energyabsorbing materials in the seats.

How you adjust your seats and seat-backs can also affect your safety. Forexample, sitting too close to thesteering wheel or dashboardincreases the risk of you or yourpassenger being injured by strikingthe inside of the vehicle, or by aninflating airbag.

Keeping your doors locked reducesthe chance of being thrown out ofthe vehicle during a crash. It alsohelps prevent occupants fromaccidentally opening a door andfalling out, and outsiders fromunexpectedly opening your doors.


Seats & Seat-Backs

Head Restraints

Door Locks


What you should do:

10

To make sure you and yourpassengers get the maximumprotection from your vehicles safetyfeatures, check the following eachtime before you drive away:

All adults, and children who haveoutgrown child safety seats, arewearing their seat belts andwearing them properly (see page

).

Any infant or small child isproperly restrained in a child seatin a back seat (see page ).

Front seat occupants are sittingupright and as far back as possiblefrom the steering wheel anddashboard (see page ).

Seat-backs are upright (see page).

Head restraints are properlyadjusted (see page ).

All doors and the tailgate areclosed and locked (see page ).

The rest of this section gives moredetailed information about how youcan maximize your safety.

Remember, however, that no safetysystem can prevent all injuries ordeaths that can occur in severecrashes, even when seat belts areproperly worn and the airbags deploy.

All cargo is properly stored orsecured (see page ).

15

22

12

13

14

12

225



Pre-Drive Safety Checklist

11

The following pages provideinstructions on how to properlyprotect the driver and other adultoccupants.

These instructions also apply tochildren who have outgrown childseats and are large enough to wearlap/shoulder belts. (See page forimportant additional guidelines onhow to properly protect largerchildren.)

Your vehicle has a door and tailgatemonitor light on the instrumentpanel to indicate when a specificdoor or the tailgate is not tightlyclosed.

For security, locked doors canprevent an outsider fromunexpectedly opening a door whenyou come to a stop.

See page for how to lock thedoors.

For safety, locking the doors reducesthe chance that a passenger,especially a child, will open a doorwhile the vehicle is moving andaccidentally fall out. It also reducesthe chance of someone being thrownout of the vehicle during a crash.

After everyone has entered thevehicle, be sure the doors andtailgate are closed and locked.

Any driver who sits too close to thesteering wheel is at risk of beingseriously injured or killed by strikingthe steering wheel or from beingstruck by an inflating front airbagduring a crash.

38

82


Protecting Adults

Introduction Adjust the Front Seats

Close and Lock the Doors1.

2.

12

CONTINUED

To reduce the chance of injury, wearyour seat belt properly, sit uprightwith your back against the seat, andmove the seat away from thesteering wheel to the farthestdistance that allows you to maintainfull control of the vehicle. Also makesure your front seat passengermoves the seat as far to the rear aspossible.

See page for how to adjust thefront seats.

Once your seat is adjusted correctly,rock it back and forth to make surethe seat is locked in position.

Most shorter drivers can get farenough away from the steeringwheel and still reach the pedals.However, if you are concerned aboutsitting too close, we recommend thatyou investigate whether some typeof adaptive equipment may help.

The National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration and TransportCanada recommend that driversadjust the seat so the center of thechest is at least 10 inches (25 cm)away from the center of the steeringwheel. Also make sure your frontseat passenger moves the seat as farto the rear as possible.

Adjust the drivers seat-back to acomfortable, upright position,leaving ample space between yourchest and the airbag cover in thecenter of the steering wheel. If yousit too close to the steering wheel,you could be injured if the frontairbag inflates.

89


Protecting Adults

Adjust the Seat-Backs3.

13

Sitting too close to a frontairbag can result in seriousinjury or death if the frontairbags inflate.

Always sit as far back from thefront airbags as possible.

Before driving, make sure everyonewith an adjustable head restraint hasproperly positioned the headrestraint. The restraint should bepositioned so the back of theoccupants head rests against thecenter of the restraint. A tallerperson should adjust the restraint ashigh as possible.

See page for how to adjust seat-backs.

A front passenger should also adjustthe seat-back to an upright position,but as far from the dashboard aspossible. A passenger who sits tooclose to the dashboard could beinjured if the airbag inflates.

Reclining a seat-back so that theshoulder part of the belt no longerrests against the occupants chestreduces the protective capability ofthe belt. It also increases the chanceof sliding under the belt in a crashand being seriously injured. Thefarther a seat-back is reclined, thegreater the risk of injury.

90


Protecting Adults

Adjust the Head Restraints4.

14

Reclining the seat-back too farcan result in serious injury ordeath in a crash.

Adjust the seat-back to anupright position and sit wellback in the seat.

CONTINUED

Position the lap part of the belt aslow as possible across your hips,then pull up on the shoulder part ofthe belt so the lap part fits snugly.This lets your strong pelvic bonestake the force of a crash and reducesthe chance of internal injuries.

Properly adjusted head restraintswill help protect occupants fromwhiplash and other crash injuries.

See page for how to adjust thehead restraints.

Insert the latch plate into the buckle,then tug on the belt to make sure thebelt is securely latched. Also checkthat the belt is not twisted, because atwisted belt can cause seriousinjuries in a crash.

In the second row center seat andthe third row seats, be sure thedetachable anchors are also latched(see page ).

Check that the seat belt is nottwisted, because a twisted belt cancause serious injuries in a crash.

97

93


Protecting Adults

Fasten and Position the SeatBelts

5.

15

Improperly positioning headrestraints reduces theireffectiveness and you can beseriously injured in a crash.

Make sure head restraints arein place and positioned properlybefore driving.

If the seat belt touches or crossesyour neck, or if it crosses your arminstead of your shoulder, you need toadjust the seat belt anchor height.

If necessary, pull up on the belt againto remove any slack from theshoulder part, then check that thebelt rests across the center of yourchest and over your shoulder. Thisspreads the forces of a crash overthe strongest bones in your upperbody.

To adjust the height of a front seatbelt anchor, squeeze the two releasebuttons and slide the anchor up ordown as needed (it has fourpositions).


Protecting Adults

16

RELEASEBUTTON

Improperly positioning the seatbelts can cause serious injuryor death in a crash.

Make sure all seat belts areproperly positioned beforedriving.

This could causevery serious injuries in a crash.

See page for additionalinformation about your seat beltsystem and how to take care of yourbelts.

If a seat belt does not seem to workas it should, it may not protect theoccupant in a crash.

Anyone using a seat belt that isnot working properly can beseriously injured or killed. Have yourHonda dealer check the belt as soonas possible.

46

Protecting Adults


Never place the shoulder portion of alap/shoulder belt under your arm orbehind your back.

No one shouldsit in a seat with an inoperative seatbelt.

17

Adjust the steering wheel, if needed,so that the wheel points toward yourchest, not toward your face.

Pointing the steering wheel towardyour chest provides optimalprotection from the airbag.

See page for how to adjust thesteering wheel.

Sitting improperly can increase thechance of injury during a crash. Forexample, if an occupant slouches,lies down, turns sideways, sitsforward, leans forward or sideways,or puts one or both feet up, thechance of injury during a crash isgreatly increased.

After all occupants have adjustedtheir seats and put on seat belts, it isvery important that they continue tosit upright, well back in their seats,with their feet on the floor, until thevehicle is parked and the engine isoff.

In addition, an occupant who is out ofposition in the front seat can beseriously or fatally injured bystriking interior parts of the vehicle,or by being struck by an inflatingfront airbag. Being struck by aninflating side airbag can result inpossibly serious injuries.

Remember, to get the bestprotection from your vehiclesairbags and other safety features,you must sit properly and wear yourseat belt properly.

78

Adjust the Steering Wheel Maintain a Proper SittingPosition

6. 7.

Protecting Adults

Driver and Passenger Safety18

Sitting improperly or out ofposition can result in seriousinjury or death in a crash.

Always sit upright, well back inthe seat, with your feet on thefloor.

Pregnant women should also situpright and as far back as possiblefrom the steering wheel ordashboard. This will reduce the riskof injuries to both the mother andher unborn child that can be causedby a crash or an inflating airbag.

Each time you have a check-up, askyour doctor if its okay for you todrive.

Because protecting the mother is thebest way to protect her unborn child,a pregnant woman should alwayswear a seat belt whenever she drivesor rides in a vehicle.

Remember to keep the lap portion ofthe belt as low as possible acrossyour hips.

All passengersmust sit in locked, upright seatsand be properly restrained by seatbelts.

A passenger who is notwearing a seat belt during a crashor emergency stop can be thrownagainst the inside of the vehicle,against other occupants, or out ofthe vehicle.

If they do, theycould be very seriously injured in acrash.

CONTINUED

Advice for Pregnant Women Additional Safety PrecautionsNever let passengers ride in thecargo area or on top of a folded-down back seat.

Passengers should not stand up orchange seats while the vehicle ismoving.

Two people should never use thesame seat belt.

Protecting Adults


Devices intended to improveoccupant comfort or reposition theshoulder part of a seat belt canseverely compromise theprotective capability of the seatbelt and increase the chance ofserious injury in a crash.

Carrying hard or sharpobjects on your lap, or driving witha pipe or other sharp object inyour mouth, can result in injuriesif your front airbag inflates.

If a side airbaginflates, a cup holder or other hardobject attached on or near thedoor could be propelled inside thecar and hurt someone.

If yourhands or arms are close to theairbag covers in the center of thesteering wheel and on top of thedashboard, they could be injured ifthe airbags inflate.

Any objectattached to or placed on the coversmarked SRS AIRBAG in thecenter of the steering wheel andon top of the dashboard couldinterfere with the proper operationof the airbags. Or, if the airbagsinflate, the objects could bepropelled inside the car and hurtsomeone.

Do not put any accessories on seatbelts.

Do not place hard or sharp objectsbetween yourself and a frontairbag.

Do not attach hard objects on ornear a front door.

Keep your hands and arms awayfrom the airbag covers.

Do not attach or place objects onthe front airbag covers.

Protecting Adults


Children depend on adults to protectthem. However, despite their bestintentions, many parents and otheradults may not know how toprotect young passengers. (See page

.)So if you have children, or if you everneed to drive with a grandchild orother children in your vehicle, besure to read this section.

To reduce the number of childdeaths and injuries, every state andCanadian province requires thatinfants and children be restrainedwhenever they ride in a vehicle.

Each year, many children are injuredor killed in vehicle crashes becausethey are either unrestrained or notproperly restrained. In fact, vehicleaccidents are the number one causeof death of children ages 12 andunder.

(See page .)

26

38

properly

All Children Must Be Restrained

Any child who is too small to wear aseat belt should be properlyrestrained in a child seat.

A larger child should always berestrained with a seat belt, and use abooster, if needed.

Protecting Children


Children who are unrestrainedor improperly restrained can beseriously injured or killed in acrash.

Any child too small for a seatbelt should be properlyrestrained in a child seat. Alarger child should be properlyrestrained with a seat belt.

According to accident statistics,children of all ages and sizes aresafer when they are restrained in theback seat, not the front seat. TheNational Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration and TransportCanada recommend that all childrenages 12 and under be properlyrestrained in a back seat.

In a back seat, children are lesslikely to be injured by striking hardinterior parts during a collision orhard braking. Also, children cannotbe injured by an inflating airbagwhen they ride in the back.During a

crash, the belt could press deepinto the child and cause veryserious injuries.

If you are not wearing aseat belt in a crash, you could bethrown forward into thedashboard and crush the child.

If you are wearing a seat belt, thechild can be torn from your armsduring a crash. For example, ifyour vehicle crashes into a parkedvehicle at 30 mph (48 km/h), a20-lb (9 kg) infant will become a600-lb (275 kg) force, and you willnot be able to hold on.

Children Should Sit in the BackSeat

Never put a seat belt over yourselfand an infant or child.

Additional Precautions to ParentsNever hold an infant or child onyour lap.

Protecting Children


Front airbags have been designed tohelp protect adults in a moderate tosevere frontal collision. To do this,the passengers front airbag is quitelarge, and it inflates with tremendousspeed.

Ifthe airbag inflates, it can hit the backof the child seat with enough forceto kill or very seriously injure aninfant.

If the vehicle seat istoo far forward, or the childs head isthrown forward during a collision, aninflating front airbag can strike thechild with enough force to kill orvery seriously injure a small child.

Whenever possible,larger children should sit in the backseat, in a booster seat if needed, andbe properly restrained with a seatbelt. (See page for importantinformation about protecting largerchildren.)

38

The Passengers Front AirbagPoses Serious Risks to Children

Never put a rear-facing child seat inthe front seat of a vehicle equippedwith a passengers front airbag.

Infants

Small ChildrenPlacing a forward-facing child seat inthe front seat of a vehicle equippedwith a passengers front airbag canbe hazardous.

Larger ChildrenChildren who have outgrown childseats are also at risk of being injuredor killed by an inflating passengersfront airbag.

Protecting Children


To remind you of the passengersfront airbag hazards, and thatchildren must be properly restrainedin a back seat, your vehicle haswarning labels on the dashboard andon the drivers and front passengersvisors. Please read and follow theinstructions on these labels.

To remind you of the front airbaghazards, your vehicle has warninglabels on the drivers and frontpassengers visors. Please read andfollow the instructions on theselabels.

U.S. Models Canadian Models

Protecting Children


Using this feature willprevent children from opening thedoors and accidentally falling out(see page ).

Many parents say they prefer to putan infant or small child in the frontpassenger seat so they can watch thechild, or because the child requiresattention.

Your vehicle has two rows of backseats where children can be properlyrestrained.

Place the largest child in the frontseat, provided the child is largeenough to wear a seat beltproperly (see page ).

Move the vehicle seat as far to therear as possible (see page ).

Have the child sit upright and wellback in the seat (see page ).

Make sure the seat belt is properlypositioned and secured (see page

).

If you ever have to carry a group ofchildren (when carpooling forexample), and a child must ride infront:

Usingthis feature will prevent childrenfrom playing with the windows,which could expose them tohazards or distract the driver (seepage ).

Placing a child in the front seatexposes the child to hazards fromthe passengers front airbag, andpaying close attention to a childdistracts the driver from theimportant tasks of driving, placingboth of you at risk.

If a child requires physical attentionor frequent visual contact, westrongly recommend that anotheradult ride with the child in a backseat. The back seat is far safer for achild than the front.

Even very youngchildren learn how to unlockvehicle doors, turn on the ignition,and open the tailgate, which canlead to accidental injury or death.

12

15

38

18

87

99

CONTINUED

Additional Safety PrecautionsIf a Child Requires CloseAttention

If You Must Drive with SeveralChildren Use childproof door locks to

prevent children from opening thedoors.

Use the main power windowswitch to prevent children fromopening the rear windows.

Keep vehicle keys and remotetransmitters out of the reach ofchildren.

Protecting Children


Children up to about oneyear old should be restrained in arear-facing, reclining child seat. Onlya rear-facing seat provides theproper support to protect an infantshead, neck, and back. See page

for additional information onprotecting infants.

The following pages give generalguidelines for selecting and installingchild seats for infants and smallchildren.

To provide proper protection, a childseat should meet threerequirements:

Leaving children withoutadult supervision is illegal in moststates and Canadian provinces,and can be very hazardous. Forexample, infants and smallchildren left in a vehicle on a hotday can die from heatstroke. Andchildren left alone with the key inthe ignition can accidentally setthe vehicle in motion, possiblyinjuring themselves or others.

The child seat shouldmeet Federal Motor VehicleSafety Standard 213 (FMVSS 213)or Canadian Motor Vehicle SafetyStandard 213 (CMVSS 213). Lookfor the manufacturers statementof compliance on the box. 30

Infants:

Selecting a Child Seat

The child seat should be of theproper type and size to fit the child.

Do not leave children alone in yourvehicle.

The child seat should meet safetystandards.

1.

2.

General Guidelines for UsingChild Seats

Protecting Children


A child who is toolarge for a rear-facing child seat, andwho can sit up without support,should be restrained in a forward-facing child seat. See page foradditional information on protectingsmall children.

Due to variations in the design ofchild seats, vehicle seats, and seatbelts, all child seats will not fit allvehicle seating positions.

Before purchasing a child seat, werecommend that parents test thechild seat in the specific vehicleseating position (or positions) wherethey intend to use the seat. If apreviously purchased child seat doesnot fit, you may need to buy adifferent one that will fit.

However, Honda is confident thatone or more child seat models can fitand be properly installed in allrecommended seating positions inyour vehicle.

35

Small Children:

The child seat should fit thevehicle seating position (orpositions) where it will be used.

3.

Protecting Children


A small child in a forward-facingchild seat is also at risk. If thevehicle seat is too far forward,or the childs head is thrownforward during a collision, aninflating airbag can kill orseriously injure the child.

If a small child must ride in thefront, follow the instructionsprovided in this section.

The passengers front airbaginflates with enough force to killor seriously injure an infant in arear-facing child seat.

Recommended positions.Properly secure a rear-facing childseat (see page ).

Recommendedpositions. Properly secure a front-facing child seat (see page ).

Never in the front seat, dueto the front airbag hazard.

Not recommended,due to the front airbag hazard. If asmall child must ride in front,move the vehicle seat to the rear-most position and secure a front-facing child seat with the seat belt(see page ).

This page briefly summarizesHondas recommendations on whereto place rear-facing and forward-facing child seats in your vehicle.

36

31

36

Placing a Child Seat Front Passengers Seat

Back SeatsInfants:

Small children:

Infants:

Small children:

Airbags Pose SeriousRisks to Children

Protecting Children


After selecting a proper child seat,and a good position to install the seat,there are three main steps ininstalling the seat:

Make sure the child is properlystrapped in the child seataccording to the child seat makersinstructions. A child who is notproperly secured in a child seatcan be thrown out of the seat in acrash and be seriously injured.

However, a child seat does not needto be rock solid. In some vehiclesor seating positions, it may bedifficult to install a child seat so thatit does not move at all. Some side-to-side or back-and-forth movement canbe expected and should not reducethe child seats effectiveness.

When you are not using a child seat,either remove it and store it in a safeplace, or make sure it is properlysecured. An unsecured child seat canbe thrown around the vehicle duringa crash or sudden stop and injuresomeone.

If the child seat is not secure, tryinstalling it in a different seatingposition, or use a different style ofchild seat that can be firmly securedin the desired seating position.

To provide security during normaldriving maneuvers as well as duringa collision, we recommend thatparents secure a child seat as firmlyas possible.

All child seats aredesigned to be secured to thevehicle with the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. Some child seatscan be secured to the vehiclesLATCH anchorage system instead.A child whose seat is not properlysecured to the vehicle can beendangered in a crash. See pages

, and for instructions onhow to properly secure child seatsin this vehicle.

After installing a childseat, push and pull the seatforward and from side to side toverify that it is secure.

31 4436

Installing a Child Seat Secure the child in the child seat.

Storing a Child Seat

Properly secure the child seat tothe vehicle.

Make sure the child seat is firmlysecured.

1.

2.

3.

Protecting Children


Only a rear-facing child seat providesproper support for a babys head,neck, and back. Infants up to aboutone year of age must be restrained ina rear-facing child seat.

We recommend that an infant berestrained in a rear-facing child seatuntil the infant reaches the seatmakers weight or height limit and isable to sit up without support.

Two types of seats may be used: aseat designed exclusively for infants,or a convertible seat used in the rear-facing, reclining mode.

In this vehicle, a rear-facing childseat can be placed in any seatingposition in a back seat, but not in thefront seat.

If the passengersfront airbag inflates, it can hit theback of the child seat with enoughforce to kill or seriously injure aninfant. If an infant must be closelywatched, we recommend thatanother adult sit in the back seatwith the baby.

If placedfacing forward, an infant could bevery seriously injured during afrontal collision.

Protecting Infants

Child Seat Type

Rear-Facing Child Seat Placement

Never put a rear-facing child seat inthe front seat.

Do not put a rear-facing child seat ina forward-facing position.

Protecting Children


Placing a rear-facing child seatin the front seat can result inserious injury or death if thepassengers front airbag inflates.

Always place a rear-facing childseat in the back seat, not thefront.

The following pages provideinstructions on how to secure a rear-facing child seat with this type ofseat belt.

To activate the lockable retractor,slowly pull the shoulder part of thebelt all the way out until it stops,then let the belt feed back into theretractor (you might hear aclicking noise as the belt retracts).

With the child seat in the desiredback seating position, route thebelt through the child seataccording to the seat makersinstructions, then insert the latchplate into the buckle.

The lap/shoulder belts in the backseats have a locking mechanism thatmust be activated to secure a childseat.

If you have a child seat designedto attach to the vehicles LATCHanchorage system, follow theinstructions on page .

Before installing a child seat in thecenter seat of the second row orone of the third row seats, makesure the seat belt detachableanchor is latched (see page ).

1.

2. 3.

44

97

CONTINUED

Installing a Rear-Facing Child Seatwith a Lap/Shoulder Belt

Protecting Children


Push and pull the child seatforward and from side to side toverify that it is secure enough tostay upright during normal drivingmaneuvers. If the child seat is notsecure, unlatch the belt, allow it toretract fully, then repeat thesesteps.

After confirming that the belt islocked, grab the shoulder part ofthe belt near the buckle and pullup to remove any slack from thelap part of the belt. Remember, ifthe lap part of the belt is not tight,the child seat will not be secure.To remove slack, it may help toput weight on the child seat, orpush on the back of the seat, whilepulling up on the belt.

After the belt has retracted, tug onit. If the belt is locked, you will notbe able to pull it out. If you can pullthe belt out, it is not locked andyou will need to repeat these steps.

4.

5. 6.

Protecting Children


To deactivate the lockingmechanism and remove a child seat,unlatch the buckle, unroute the seatbelt, and let the belt fully retract.

Protecting Children


For proper protection, an infant mustride in a reclined, or semi-reclinedposition. To determine the properreclining angle, check with the babysdoctor or follow the seat makersrecommendations.

To achieve the desired recliningangle, it may help to put a rolled uptowel under the toe of the child seat,as shown.

When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent thedriver or a front-seat passenger frommoving the seat as far back asrecommended (see page ). Or itmay prevent them from locking theseat-back in the desired uprightposition (see page ).

In either case, we recommend thatyou place the child seat in anotherback seating position, or leave theaffected seat unoccupied. If theproblem cannot be solved, you maywish to get a smaller rear-facingchild seat.

12

13

Rear-Facing Child Seat InstallationTips

Protecting Children


In this vehicle, the best place toinstall a forward-facing child seat isin one of the seating positions in aback seat.We also recommend that a small

child stay in the child seat as long aspossible, until the child reaches theweight or height limit for the seat.

Of the different seats available, werecommend those that have a five-point harness system as shown.

If the vehicle seat istoo far forward, or the childs head isthrown forward during a collision, aninflating front airbag can strike thechild with enough force to causevery serious or fatal injuries. If asmall child must be closely watched,we recommend that another adult sitin the back seat with the child.

A child at least one year old who cansit up without support, and who fitswithin the child seat makers weightand height limits, should berestrained in a forward-facing,upright child seat.

CONTINUED

Protecting Small Children

Child Seat Type

Child Seat Placement

Placing a forward-facing child seat inthe front seat of a vehicle equippedwith a passengers front airbag canbe hazardous.

Protecting Children


The lap/shoulder belts in the outerback and front passenger seatingpositions have a locking mechanismthat must be activated to secure achild seat.

The following pages provideinstructions on how to secure aforward-facing child seat with thistype of seat belt.

With the child seat in the desiredseating position, route the beltthrough the child seat accordingto the seat makers instructions,then insert the latch plate into thebuckle.

If you have a child seat designedto attach to the vehiclesLATCH anchorage system,follow the instructions on page

.

If it is necessary to put a forward-facing child seat in the front, movethe vehicle seat as far to the rear aspossible, be sure the child seat isfirmly secured to the vehicle, and thechild is properly strapped in the seat.

Before installing a child seat in thecenter seat of the second row orone of the third row seats, makesure the seat belt detachableanchor is latched (see page ).

1.

2.

44

97

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Belt

Protecting Children


Improperly placing a forward-facing child seat in the frontseat can result in serious injuryor death if the front airbagsinflate.

If you must place a forward-facing child seat in front, movethe vehicle seat as far back aspossible and properly restrainthe child.

Push and pull the child seatforward and from side to side toverify that it is secure enough tostay upright during normal drivingmaneuvers. If the child seat is notsecure, unlatch the belt, allow it toretract fully, then repeat thesesteps.

After confirming that the belt islocked, grab the shoulder part ofthe belt near the buckle and pullup to remove any slack from thelap part of the belt. Remember, ifthe lap part of the belt is not tight,the child seat will not be secure. Itmay help to put weight on thechild seat, or push on the back ofthe seat, while pulling up on thebelt.

To activate the lockable retractor,slowly pull the shoulder part of thebelt all the way out until it stops,then let the belt feed back into theretractor (you might hear aclicking noise as the belt retracts).

After the belt has retracted, tug onit. If the belt is locked, you will notbe able to pull it out. If you can pullthe belt out, it is not locked andyou will need to repeat these steps.

3.

4.

5. 6.

CONTINUED

Protecting Children


To deactivate the lockingmechanism in order to remove achild restraint system, unlatch thebuckle, unroute the seat belt, and letthe belt fully retract.

When a child reaches therecommended weight or height limitfor a forward-facing child seat, thechild should sit in the back seat on abooster and wear a lap/shoulder belt.

We recommend that the child use abooster seat until the child is tallenough to use the seat belt without abooster.

The following pages giveinstructions on how to check properseat belt fit, what kind of boosterseat to use if one is needed, andimportant precautions for a childwho must sit in the front seat.

Protecting Larger Children

Protecting Children


Allowing a larger child to sitimproperly in the front seat canresult in injury or death if thepassengers front airbag inflates.

If a larger child must sit in front,make sure the child moves theseat as far back as possible,uses a booster seat if needed,and wears the seat belt properly.

CONTINUED

To determine if a lap/shoulder beltproperly fits a child, have the childsit in the rear seat, all the way backagainst the seat, and put on the seatbelt. Follow the instructions on page

. Then check how the belt fits.

If the shoulder part of the belt restsover the childs collarbone andagainst the center of the chest, andthe lap belt rests over the childshipbones and touches the tops of the

thighs as shown, the child isprobably big enough to wear the seatbelt.

However, if the shoulder belttouches or crosses the childs neck,or if the lap belt crosses the childsstomach, the child needs to use abooster seat.

This could result in serious neck andinternal injuries during a crash.

This could causevery serious injuries during a crash.It also increases the chance that thechild will slide under the belt in acrash and be injured.

Devices intended to improveoccupant comfort or reposition theshoulder part of a seat belt, severelycompromise the protective capabilityof the seat belt and increase thechance of serious injury in a crash.

If they do, they couldbe very seriously injured in a crash.

15

Checking Seat Belt Fit

Do not let a child wear a seat beltacross the neck or over the stomach.

Do not let a child put the shoulderpart of a seat belt behind the back orunder the arm.

Do not put any accessories on a seatbelt.

Two children should never use thesame seat belt.

Protecting Children


Of course, children vary widely. Andwhile age may be one indicator ofwhen a child can safely ride in thefront, there are other importantfactors you should consider.

Whichever style you select, followthe booster seat makers instructions.

The back seat is the safest place fora child of any age or size.

In addition, the passengers frontairbag poses serious risks to children.If the seat is too far forward, or thechilds head is thrown forwardduring a collision, or the child isunrestrained or out of position, aninflating front airbag can kill orseriously injure the child.

The side airbag also poses risks. Ifany part of a larger childs body is inthe path of a deploying airbag, thechild could receive possibly seriousinjuries.

If a child needs a booster seat, werecommend choosing a high or low-back style that allows the child to bedirectly secured with the lap/shoulder belt.

A child should continue using abooster seat until the child exceedsthe booster seat manufacturersrequirements.

Even then, the child may still need touse a booster seat. Note that somestates now require children to useboosters until they reach a certainage and/or weight. Be sure to checkcurrent laws in the state or stateswhere you intend to drive.

The National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration and TransportCanada recommend that all childrenages 12 and under be properlyrestrained in a back seat.

Using a Booster Seat

When Can a Larger Child Sit in Front

Protecting Children


If you decide that a child can safelyride up front, be sure to:

Carefully read the owners manualand make sure you understand allseat belt instructions and all safetyinformation.

Move the vehicle seat to the rear-most position.

Have the child sit up straight, backagainst the seat, and feet on ornear the floor.

Check that the childs seat belt isproperly positioned and secured.

Physically, a child must be largeenough for the lap/shoulder belt toproperly fit over the hips, chest, andshoulder (see pages and ). Ifthe seat belt does not fit properly,the child should not sit in the front.

To safely ride in front, a child mustbe able to follow the rules, includingsitting properly and wearing the seatbelt properly throughout a ride.

Supervise the child. Even maturechildren sometimes need to bereminded to fasten the seat beltsor sit properly.

Remind the child not to leantoward the door because of theside airbag.

15 39

Physical Size

Maturity

Protecting Children


Your vehicle has attachment pointsfor a tether-style child seat to beinstalled on the second or third rowas shown.

Since a tether can provide additionalsecurity, we recommend using atether whenever one is required oravailable.

Each second row seat has a tetheranchorage point behind the seatback.

There are three anchorage points onthe tailgate sill. Select the anchoragepoint you want to use, and slide thecover to open it (outboard anchor),or remove the cover (center anchor).

Second Seat Installation: Third Seat Installation:Using Child Seats with Tethers

Protecting Children


TETHER ANCHORAGE POINT

Lift the head restraint, then routethe tether strap over the seat-backbetween the legs of the headrestraint.

Attach the tether strap hook to thetether attachment point, and tightenthe strap according to the child seatmakers instructions. Make sure thestrap is not twisted.

Protecting Children


Put the child seat in a second rowvehicle seat and attach the childseat to the lower anchorsaccording to the child seat makersinstructions.

Your vehicle is equipped withLATCH (Lower Anchors andTethers for Children) at the secondrow seats. The lower anchors arelocated between the seat-back andseat bottom and are to be used onlywith a child seat designed for usewith LATCH.

The exact location of each loweranchorage is marked with a smallcircle above the lower anchoragepoint.

Move the seat belt buckle or seatbelt tongue away from the loweranchors.

To install a LATCH-compatible childseat:

Make sure there are no foreignobjects around the anchors.Foreign objects could get in theway of a secure connectionbetween the child seat and theanchors.

1.

2.

3.

Using LATCH

Protecting Children


LOWERANCHORS RIGID TYPE

MARKS

Follow the child seat makersinstructions for any additionaladvice on adjusting or tighteningthe fit.

Attach the attaching clip to thetether anchor fitting and tightenthe strap according to the childseat makers instructions. Makesure the strap is not twisted.

Push and pull the child seatforward and from side to side toverify that it is secure enough tostay upright during normal drivingmaneuvers.

This symbol on rear or forwardfacing child seats or boostercushions indicates the presence ofLATCH compatible hardware.

4. 5.

6.

Protecting Children


Lower Universal AnchorageSystem Symbol

45

FLEXIBLE TYPE

The seat belt system alsoincludes a light on the

instrument panel to remind you andyour passengers to fasten your belts.If the drivers seat belt is notfastened before the ignition is turnedON (II), the light will come on and abeeper will also sound. The beeperwill stop after a few seconds, but thelight will stay on until the driversseat belt is fastened.

The lap/shoulder belts goes overyour shoulder, across your chest,and across your hips.

Your seat belt system includes lap/shoulder belts in all eight seatingpositions. The front seat belts arealso equipped with automatic seatbelt tensioners.

The lap/shoulder belts in the centerseat of the second row and third rowseats are equipped with a detachableanchor that has two parts: a smalllatch plate and a buckle.

The detachable anchor shouldnormally be latched whenever theseats-backs are in an upright position.For more information about thedetachable anchors, see page .97

Seat Belt System Components Lap/Shoulder Belt

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts


The seat belts in all seating positionsexcept the drivers have an additionallocking mechanism that must beactivated to secure a child seat. (Seepages and for instructions onhow to secure child seats with thistype of seat belt.)

If the shoulder part of the belt ispulled all the way out, the lockingmechanism will activate. The beltwill retract, but it will not allow thepassenger to move freely.

To deactivate the lockingmechanism, unlatch the buckle andlet the seat belt fully retract. Torefasten the belt, pull it out only asfar as needed.

See page for instructions on howto wear the lap/shoulder beltproperly.

To fasten the belt, insert the latchplate into the buckle, then tug on thebelt to make sure the buckle islatched.

To unlock the belt, push the redPRESS button on the buckle.Guide the belt across your body sothat it retracts completely. Afterexiting the vehicle, be sure the beltis out of the way and will not getclosed in the door.

All seat belts have an emergencylocking retractor. In normal driving,the retractor lets you move freely inyour seat while it keeps sometension on the belt. During a collisionor sudden stop, the retractorautomatically locks the belt to helprestrain your body. 15

31 36



If your airbags inflate, the tensionersimmediately tighten the front seatbelts to help hold the occupants inplace. The belts will remain tightuntil you unbuckle them in thenormal way.

The SRS indicator light willcome on if there is a

problem with your automatic seatbelt tensioners (see page ).

Your vehicle has automatic seat belttensioners for added protectionduring a moderate to severe frontalcollision.

53

Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners



48

For safety, you should check thecondition of your seat belts regularly.

Pull each belt out fully and look forfrays, cuts, burns, and wear. Checkthat the latches work smoothly andthat the lap/shoulder belts retracteasily. Any belt not in good conditionor not working properly will notprovide good protection and shouldbe replaced as soon as possible.

For information on how to clean yourseat belts, see page .

Automatic seat belt tensioners thatdeployed during a crash must bereplaced.

If a seat belt is worn during a crash,it must be replaced by the dealer. Abelt that has been worn during acrash may not provide the same levelof protection in a subsequent crash.The dealer should also inspect theanchors for damage and replacethem if needed.

Honda provides a lifetime warrantyon seat belts. Honda will repair orreplace any seat belt component thatfails to function properly duringnormal use. Please see your

booklet fordetails.

329

HondaWarranty Information

Seat Belt Maintenance



U.S. Models

49

Not checking or maintainingseat belts can result in seriousinjury or death if the seat beltsdo not work properly whenneeded.

Check your seat belts regularlyand have any problemcorrected as soon as possible.

Your Supplemental Restraint System(SRS) includes:

Two front airbags. The driversairbag is stored in the center ofthe steering wheel; the frontpassengers airbag is stored in thedashboard. Both are marked SRSAIRBAG.

Automatic seat belt tensionersthat tighten the front seat belts inthe event of a moderate to severefrontal collision (see page ).

Sensors that can detect amoderate to severe frontalcollision.

A sophisticated electronic systemthat continually monitors andrecords information about thesensors, the control unit, theairbag activators, and driver andpassenger seat belt use when the

ignition is ON (II).

An indicator light on theinstrument panel that alerts you toa possible problem with thesystem (see page ).

Emergency backup power in caseyour vehicles electrical system isdisconnected in a crash.

If you ever have a moderate tosevere frontal collision, the sensorswill detect the vehicles rapiddeceleration. If the rate ofdeceleration is high enough, thecontrol unit will instantly inflate thefront airbags.

Your vehicle is equipped with dual-stage, dual-threshold airbags to helpreduce the chance of airbag-causedinjuries.

48

53

SRS Components How Your Front Airbags Work


Additional Information About Your Airbags

50

After a crash, you may see whatlooks like smoke. This is actuallypowder from the airbags surface.Although the powder is not harmful,people with respiratory problemsmay experience some temporarydiscomfort. If this occurs, get out ofthe vehicle as soon as it is safe to doso.

For additional information on howyour airbags work, see the booklettitled

that came with yourowners manual.

The total time for inflation anddeflation is approximately one-tenthof a second, so fast that mostoccupants are not aware that theairbags deployed until they see themlying in their laps.

For additional information on howyour airbags work, ask your dealerfor a copy of the booklet titled

During a frontal crash, your seatbelts help restrain your lower bodyand torso. Your airbag provides acushion to help restrain and protectyour head and chest.

Since both airbags use the samesensors, both airbags normallyinflate at the same time. However, itis possible for only one airbag toinflate.

This can occur when the severity ofa collision is at the margin, orthreshold, that determines whetheror not the airbags will deploy. Insuch cases, the seat belt will providesufficient protection, and thesupplemental protection offered bythe airbag would be minimal.

After inflating, the front airbagsimmediately deflate, so they wontinterfere with the drivers visibility,or the ability to steer or operateother controls.

SRS: What You Need to KnowAbout Airbags

SRS:What You Need to Know About Airbags.



U.S. Owners

Canadian Owners

51

Your vehicle is equipped with sideairbags for the driver and a frontseat passenger. The airbags arestored in the outer edges of the frontseat-backs, and both are markedSIDE AIRBAG.

If you ever have a moderate tosevere side impact, the sensors willdetect rapid deceleration and signalthe control unit to instantly inflateeither the drivers or the passengersside airbag.

Only one airbag will deploy during aside impact. If the impact is on thepassengers side, the passengersside airbag will deploy even if thereis no passenger.

To get the best protection from theside airbags, front seat occupantsshould wear their seat belts and situpright and well back in their seats.



How Your Side Airbags Work

52

If the light comes on at any othertime, or does not come on at all, youshould have the system checked byyour dealer. For example:

If the SRS indicator light does notcome on after you turn the ignitionON (II).

If the light stays on after theengine starts.

If the light comes on or flashes onand off while you drive.

The SRS indicator lightalerts you to a potential

problem with your front airbags andautomatic seat belt tensioners.

When you turn the ignition ON (II),this indicator will light briefly thengo out. This tells you that the systemis working properly.

This light will also alert you to apotential problem with your sideairbags or passengers side airbagautomatic cutoff system (see page

).

If you see any of these indications,your front or side airbags may notdeploy, your passengers side airbagautomatic cutoff system may notwork properly, or your seat belttensioners may not work when youneed them. See your Honda dealeras soon as possible.

54

How the SRS Indicator LightWorks



Ignoring the SRS indicator lightcan result in serious injury ordeath if the airbags, cutoffsystem, or tensioners do notwork properly.

Have your vehicle checked by adealer as soon as possible ifthe SRS light alerts you to apotential problem.

A front seat passenger should notuse a cushion or other object as abackrest. It may prevent the cutoffsystem from working properly.

When you turn the ignition ON (II),the indicator should light briefly andgo out (see page ). If it doesntlight, stays on, or comes on whiledriving without a passenger in thefront seat, have the system checked.

If a small-statured adult leanssideways, or larger adult slouchesand leans sideways into thedeployment path of the side airbag,the system may also shut off the sideairbag.

This light alerts you thatthe passengers side airbag

has been automatically shut off.

It does not mean there is a problemwith your side airbags. It means thatthe side airbag cutoff system hasactivated to prevent the side airbagfrom deploying.

If the side airbag cutoff indicatorlight comes on, you should have thepassenger sit upright. Once thepassenger is out of the deploymentpath of the side airbag, the systemwill turn the airbag back on and thelight will go out.

To reduce the risk of injury from aninflating side airbag, your vehicle hasan automatic cutoff system for thepassengers side airbag.

Although Honda does not encouragechildren to ride in the front, thissystem is designed to shut off theside airbag if a child leans sidewaysand the childs head is in the sideairbag deployment path.

62



How the Side Airbag CutoffIndicator Light Works

54

Together, airbags andseat belts provide the bestprotection.

Tampering could causethe airbags to deploy, possiblycausing very serious injury.

If rain or spilled watersoaks into a seat-back, it canprevent the side airbag systemfrom working properly.

See page for further informationand precautions relating to yourairbags.

Your front and side airbag systemsare virtually maintenance-free, andthere are no parts you can safelyservice. However, you must haveyour vehicle serviced if:

Anyairbag that has deployed must bereplaced along with the controlunit, automatic seat belttensioners, and other related parts.Do not try to remove or replaceany airbag by yourself. This mustbe done by a Honda dealer or aknowledgeable body shop.

Take your vehicle toan authorized Honda dealer assoon as possible. If you ignore thisindication, the airbags might notinflate when you need them.

Improperlyreplacing or covering front seat-back covers can prevent your sideairbags from inflating during acollision.

224

Airbag Service Additional Safety PrecautionsDo not attempt to deactivate yourairbags.

Do not tamper with airbagcomponents or wiring for anyreason.

Do not expose the front seat-backsto water.

Your airbags ever inflate.

The SRS indicator light alerts youto a problem.

Do not cover or replace front seat-back covers without consulting aHonda dealer.



Your vehicles exhaust containscarbon monoxide gas. You shouldhave no problem with carbonmonoxide entering the vehicle innormal driving if you maintain yourvehicle properly.Have the exhaust system inspectedfor leaks whenever:

The vehicle is raised for an oilchange.You notice a change in the soundof the exhaust.The vehicle was in an accidentthat may have damaged the under-side.

High levels of carbon monoxide cancollect rapidly in enclosed areas,such as a garage. Do not run theengine with the garage door closed.Even with the door open, run theengine only long enough to move thevehicle out of the garage.

With the tailgate open, air flow canpull exhaust gas into your vehiclesinterior and create a hazardouscondition. If you must drive with thetailgate open, open all the windowsand set the heating and coolingsystem/climate control system asshown below.

Select the Fresh Air mode.Select the mode.Turn the fan on high speed.Set the temperature control to acomfortable setting.

If you must sit in your parked vehicle,even in an unconfined area, with theengine running, adjust the heatingand cooling system/climate controlsystem as follows:

1.2.3.4.

Carbon Monoxide Hazard


Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.Breathing it can causeunconsciousness and even killyou.

Avoid any enclosed areas oractivities that expose you tocarbon monoxide.

These labels are in the locationsshown. They warn you of potentialhazards that could cause seriousinjury. Read these labels carefully.

If a label comes off or becomes hardto read, contact your Honda dealerfor a replacement.

U.S. models only U.S. models

Canadian models

Safety Labels


RADIATOR CAP

SUN VISOR

HOOD

DASHBOARD

BATTERY LABEL

This section gives information aboutthe controls and displays thatcontribute to the daily operation ofyour Honda. All the essentialcontrols are within easy reach.

...........................Control Locations . 60...............................Indicator Lights . 61

.............................................Gauges . 67Controls Near the Steering

.......................................Wheel . 71...................................Headlights . 72

Automatic Lighting Off.....................................Feature . 73

............Daytime Running Lights . 73....Instrument Panel Brightness . 73

................................Turn Signals . 74.....................Windshield Wipers . 74

..................Windshield Washers . 76Rear Window Wiper and

.....................................Washer . 76..........................Hazard Warning . 76

.............Rear Window Defogger . 77......Steering Wheel Adjustment . 78

...............................Keys and Locks . 79..............................................Keys . 79

....................Immobilizer System . 80............................Ignition Switch . 81

......................Power Door Locks . 82...................Remote Transmitter . 84

..............Childproof Door Locks . 87........................................Tailgate . 87

....................................Glove Box . 88.................................................Seats . 89

............Power Seat Adjustments . 89...........Drivers Lumbar Support . 90..........Manual Seat Adjustments . 91

Second and Third Row seat............................Adjustments . 92..........................Head Restraints . 93........................Rear Seat Access . 94

............Folding the Second Seat . 94...............Folding the Third Seat . 95

...................Detachable Anchors . 97....................................Seat Heaters . 98

..............................Power Windows . 99...........................................Mirrors . 102

...............................Parking Brake . 104...........................Beverage Holder . 105

.................Console Compartment . 107.................................Cargo Hooks . 107

........................Sunglasses Holder . 108........................................Sun Visor . 109

................................Vanity Mirror . 109............Accessory Power Sockets . 110

........................................Coin Box . 111......................................Coat Hook . 111

...............................Interior Lights . 112

Instruments and Controls

Instruments and Controls 59

Control Locations

Instruments and Controls60

INDICATOR LIGHTS (P.61)GAUGES (P.67)

POWER DOOR LOCKSWITCHES(P.82)

MIRRORCONTROLS

POWER WINDOWSWITCHES

HOOD RELEASEHANDLE

AUDIO SYSTEM

ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET

CLIMATE CONTROLSYSTEM

(P.103)

(P.99)

(P.218)

(P.110)

(P.137, 153. 168)

(P.118, 128)

FUEL FILL DOORRELEASE(P.217)

PARKING BRAKEPEDAL(P.104)

REAR A/C CONTROL(P.135)

The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.CONTINUED

Indicator Lights


PARKING BRAKEAND BRAKE SYSTEMINDICATOR (P.63)

SIDE AIRBAGCUTOFF INDICATOR(P.62)

MALFUNCTION INDICATORLAMP

LOW OIL PRESSUREINDICATOR (P.62)

CHARGING SYSTEMINDICATOR (P.62)

DOOR AND TAILGATEOPEN MONITOR (P.64)

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTSYSTEM INDICATOR (P.62)

VTM-4 INDICATOR (P.66)IMMOBILIZER SYSTEMINDICATOR (P.63)

HIGH BEAMINDICATOR (P.65)

A/T TEMPERATUREINDICATOR (P.66)

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMINDICATOR (P.63)

MAINTENANCEREQUIREDINDICATOR (P.69)

LOW FUELINDICATOR (P.65)

CRUISE CONTROLINDICATOR (P.65)

BRAKE LAMP INDICATOR (P.64)

SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT(P.62)

(P.349)

This indicator lights when you turnthe ignition switch ON (II). If itcomes on at any other time, itindicates that the passengers sideairbag has automatically shut off.For complete information, see page

.

The instrument panel has manyindicators to give you importantinformation about your vehicle. This indicator lights when you turn

the ignition switch ON (II). If itcomes on at any other time, itindicates a potential problem withyour front airbags. This light willalso alert you to a potential problemwith your side airbags, passengersside airbag automatic cutoff systemor automatic seat belt tensioners.For complete information, see page

.

See page .

The engine can be severely damagedif this light flashes or stays on whenthe engine is running. For completeinformation, see page .

If this light comes on when theengine is running, the battery is notbeing charged. For completeinformation, see page .

This indicator lights when you turnthe ignition switch ON (II). It is areminder to you and your passengersto protect yourselves by fasteningthe seat belts. A beeper also soundsif you have not fastened your seatbelt.

If you do not fasten your seat belt,the beeper will stop after a fewseconds but the light stays on untilyou do. Both the light and the beeperstay off if you fasten your seat beltbefore turning on the ignition.

53

54

349

347

348

Indicator Lights


Supplemental RestraintSystem Indicator

Malfunction IndicatorLamp

Low Oil PressureIndicator

Charging SystemIndicator

Seat Belt Reminder Light

Side Airbag CutoffIndicator

62

This indicator comes on for a fewseconds when you turn the ignitionswitch ON (II). It will then go off ifyou have inserted a properly-codedignition key. If it is not a properly-coded key, the indicator will blinkand the engine will not start (seepage ).

This indicator also blinks severaltimes when you turn the ignitionswitch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY(I) or LOCK (0).

This light normally comes on for afew seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II), and whenthe ignition switch is turned toSTART (III). If this light comes on atany other time, there is a problem inthe ABS. If this happens, take thevehicle to your dealer to have itchecked. With the light on, yourvehicle still has normal brakingability but no anti-lock. For completeinformation, see page .

This light has two functions:

This indicator comes on when youturn the ignition switch ON (II). Itis a reminder to check the parkingbrake. Driving with the parkingbrake not fully released candamage the brakes and tires.

If the indicator remains lit afteryou have fully released theparking brake while the engine isrunning, or if it comes on whiledriving, it can indicate a problemin the brake system. For completeinformation, see page .

1.

2.

80

351

242

Indicator Lights


Immobilizer SystemIndicator

Anti-lock Brake System(ABS) Indicator

Parking Brake and Brake SystemIndicator

63

U.S. Canada CanadaU.S.

The left or right turn signal lightblinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink orblinks rapidly, it usually means oneof the turn signal bulbs is burned out(see page ). Replace the bulb assoon as possible, since other driverscannot see that you are signalling.

When you turn on the HazardWarning switch, both turn signallights blink. All turn signals on theoutside of the vehicle should flash.

The appropriate light comes on inthis display if the tailgate or any dooris not closed tightly.

All the lights in the monitor displaycome on for a few seconds when youturn the ignition switch ON (II).

If a brake light does not work, theindicator comes on

when you push the brake pedal withthe ignition switch ON (II).

A burned out brake light is a hazardwhen drivers behind you cannot tellyou are braking. Have your brakelights repaired right away.

318

Indicator Lights


Turn Signal andHazard WarningIndicators

Door and Tailgate Open MonitorBrake Lamp Indicator

64

BRAKE LAMP

Canadian models only Canadian models onlyThis indicator lights when you turnthe ignition switch to ON (II) withthe headlight switch off and theparking brake set. It should go off ifyou turn on the headlights or releasethe parking brake. If it comes on atany other time, it means there is aproblem with the DRL. There mayalso be a problem with the highbeam headlights.

This light comes on with the highbeam headlights. See page forinformation on the headlightcontrols.

On Canadian models, this indicatorcomes on with reduced brightnesswhen the Daytime Running Lights(DRL) are on (see page ).

This lights when you set the cruisecontrol. See page for informationon operating the cruise control.

This light comes on when thewasher fluid level is low. Add washerfluid when you see this light come on(see page ).

This light comes on as a reminderthat you must refuel soon.

72

73

207

292

Daytime RunningLights Indicator

High Beam Indicator

Cruise Control Indicator

Washer Level Indicator

Low Fuel Indicator

Indicator Lights


This indicator monitors thetemperature of the automatictransmission fluid. The indicatorshould come on for a few secondswhen you turn the ignition switchON (II). If it comes on while driving,it indicates the transmission fluidtemperature is too high. Pull to theside of the road when it is safe, shiftto Park, and let the engine idle untilthe indicator goes out.

This light normally comes on for afew seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II). If this lightcomes on at any other time, there isa problem in the 4WD system. Takethe vehicle to your dealer to have itchecked.

If the indicator blinks while driving,pull to the side of the road when it issafe, shift to Park, and let the engineidle until the indicator goes out.

Indicator Lights


A/T TemperatureIndicator

VTM-4 Indicator

66

Continuing to drive with the A/TTemperature indicator lit may causeserious damage to the transmission.

Continuing to drive with the VTM-4indicator blinking may cause seriousdamage to the system.

U.S. Models

Canadian Models

This shows your speed in miles perhour (mph). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in kilometersper hour (km/h).

This shows your speed in kilometersper hour (km/h). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in miles perhour (mph).

The tachometer shows the enginespeed in revolutions per minute(rpm). To protect the engine fromdamage, never drive with thetachometer needle in the red zone.

The odometer shows the total dis-tance your vehicle has been driven.It measures miles in U.S. models andkilometers in Canadian models.It is illegal under U.S. federal law andCanadian provincial regulations todisconnect, reset, or alter theodometer with the intent to changethe number of miles or kilometersindicated.

Speedometer

Odometer

Tachometer

Gauges


TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE TEMPERATUREGAUGE

MAINTENANCEREQUIRED INDICATOR

TRIP METERSELECT/RESETBUTTONTRIP METER

ODOMETER

This meter shows the number ofmiles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)driven since you last reset it.

This shows how much fuel you have.It is most accurate when the vehicleis on level ground. It may showslightly more or less than the actualamount when you are driving oncurvy or hilly roads.

The needle returns to the bottomafter you turn off the ignition. Thegauge shows the fuel level readingimmediately after you turn theignition switch back ON (II).

There are two trip meters: Trip Aand Trip B. Switch between thesedisplays and the outside temperaturedisplay (EX model only) by pressingthe Select/Reset button repeatedly.Each trip meter works independently,so you can keep track of twodifferent distances.

To reset a trip meter, display it andthen press and hold the Select/Resetbutton until the number resets to0.0. Both trip meters will reset ifthe vehicles battery goes dead or isdisconnected.

This shows the temperature of theengines coolant. During normaloperation, the pointer should risefrom the bottom white mark to aboutthe middle white mark. In severedriving conditions, such as very hotweather or a long period of uphilldriving, the pointer may rise to theupper white mark. If it reaches thered (Hot) mark, pull safely to theside of the road. Turn to page forinstructions and precautions onchecking the engines coolingsystem.

345

Trip Meter Fuel Gauge

Temperature Gauge


Gauges

68

TRIP METER SELECT/RESET BUTTON

Avoid driving with an extremely lowfuel level. Running out of f uel couldcause the engine to misf ire, damagingthe catalytic converter.

This indicator reminds you that it istime to take your vehicle in forscheduled maintenance.Refer to the Maintenance Schedulesfor Normal and Severe DrivingConditions on pages and .

For the first 6,000 miles (9,600 km)after the Maintenance RequiredIndicator is reset, it will come on fortwo seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II).

Between 6,000 miles (9,600 km) and7,500 miles (12,000 km) thisindicator will light for two secondswhen you first turn the ignitionswitch ON (II), and then flash forten seconds.

If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000km) without having the scheduledmaintenance performed, thisindicator will remain on as a constantreminder.

Your dealer will reset this indicatorafter completing the scheduledmaintenance. If this maintenance isdone by someone other than yourHonda dealer, reset the indicator asfollows.

Turn off the engine.

Press and hold the Select/Resetbutton on the instrument panel,then turn the ignition switch ON(II).

Hold the button for approximatelyten seconds until the indicatorresets.

1.

2.

3.

274 276

Gauges


Maintenance Required Indicator

69

MAINTENANCE REQUIRED INDICATOR

SELECT/RESET BUTTON

This indicator displays the outsidetemperature in Fahrenheit in U.S.models, and in Centigrade inCanadian models. To see the outsidetemperature, pre

2003 Pilot Online Reference Owner's Manual...

Documents

Transcript of 2003 Pilot Online Reference Owner's Manual...