Honda Pilot: Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel

2023-2024 Honda Pilot is equipped with convenient switches positioned around the steering wheel for easy access and control. These switches allow drivers to manage various functions without taking their hands off the wheel, enhancing both convenience and safety on the road.

• ENGINE START/STOP Button
• Lights
• Auto High-Beam
• Wipers and Washers
• Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror Button
• Driving Position Memory System
• Adjusting the Steering Wheel

ENGINE START/STOP Button

■ Changing the Power Mode

If you carry the keyless remote and press ENGINE START/STOP button without depressing the brake pedal, the power mode will change in this order: VEHICLE OFF ACCESSORY ON VEHICLE OFF.

VEHICLE OFF: Vehicle power is turned OFF.

ACCESSORY: The audio system and some accessories can be used.

ON: All accessories can be used.

If the keyless remote is set in a storage box or another place where its signal can be interrupted, the power mode may not change.

■ Automatic Power Off

If you leave the vehicle for 30 to 60 minutes with the transmission in (P and the power mode in ACCESSORY, the vehicle automatically goes into the mode similar to VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) to avoid draining the battery.

■ Power Mode Reminder

If you open the driver's door when the power mode is set to ACCESSORY, a warning beep sounds.

■ Keyless Remote Reminder

When the power mode is set to any mode other than OFF and you remove the keyless remote from the vehicle and shut the door, an alarm will sound. If the alarm continues to sound, place the keyless remote in another location.

When the power mode is in ACCESSORY

The alarm will sound from outside the vehicle.

When the power mode is in ON

An alarm will sound both inside and outside the vehicle. In addition, a warning indicator will appear on the instrument panel.

When the keyless remote is within the system's operational range, and all the doors are closed, the warning function cancels.

Do not put the keyless remote on the dashboard or in the glove box. It may cause the warning buzzer to go off. Under some other conditions that can prevent the vehicle from locating the keyless remote, the warning buzzer may also go off even if the keyless remote is within the system's operational range.

Lights

The Honda Pilot 2023 features headlights and parking lights that provide essential visibility and safety in various driving conditions. These lights can be operated using intuitive controls, ensuring optimal illumination whether driving at night or in low-light situations.

When the lights are on, the lights on indicator in the instrument panel will be on.

■ Headlights/Parking Lights

The lights will turn on automatically depending on the ambient brightness. They can also be switched on and off manually.

The exterior lights will switch on automatically when the light switch is set to AUTO while the power mode is in ON.

Manual operation

Headlights/parking lights: Turn the light switch to .

Parking lights: Turn the light switch to .

Headlight/parking lights off: Turn the light switch to OFF and release it while the transmission is in (P) or the parking brake is applied.

The lights will come back on automatically when:

• The light switch is turned to OFF again and released.
• The transmission is changed out of (P) or the parking brake is released.

When the parking lights are on, the side marker, tail, and rear license plate lights will also switch on.

When the light switch is turned to or and the power is turned to OFF, a beeper sounds when the driver's door is opened.

If you suspect that the headlights are not positioned properly, have the vehicle inspected by a dealer.

■ High Beams

When the headlights are on, push the lever forward. Pull the lever back to return to low beams.

Flashing the high beams

Pull the lever back to switch on the high beams.

• Release the lever to return to low beams.

The light sensor is in the location shown below. Do not cover this light sensor with anything; otherwise, the automatic lighting system may not work properly.

Models without automatic intermittent wipers

Models with automatic intermittent wipers

■ Turn Signals

The turn signals can be used when the power mode is in ON.

1. : Turn signal
   Push the lever up or down based on the direction you want to turn, and the turn signal will blink.
2. : One-touch turn signal
   When you lightly push the lever up or down and release it, the turn signal will blink 3 times.
   • If you lightly push the lever in the opposite direction while it is blinking, the blinking will stop.

U.S. models

You can adjust the auto light sensitivity as follows:

The turn signal indicator on the instrument panel will blink when the external turn signal blinks.

■ Headlight Integration with Wipers

The headlights automatically come on when the wipers are used several times within a certain number of intervals with the headlight switch in AUTO.

The headlights automatically go off a few minutes later if the wipers are stopped.

This feature activates while the headlights are off in AUTO.

You can turn the headlight integration with wipers function on and off.

■ Automatic Lighting Off Feature

The headlights, all other exterior lights, and the instrument panel lights turn off 15 seconds after you set the power mode to VEHICLE OFF, take the remote with you, and close the driver's door.

If you set the power mode to VEHICLE OFF with the headlight switch on, but do not open the door, the lights turn off after 10 minutes (3 minutes, if the switch is in the AUTO position).

The lights turn on again when you unlock or open the driver's door. If you unlock the door, but do not open it within 15 seconds, the lights go off. If you open the driver's door, you will hear a reminder chime alerting you that the lights are on.

You can change the headlight auto off timer setting.

■ Fog Lights

When the low beam headlights are on, turn the fog light switch on to use the fog lights.

■ Daytime Running Lights

The parking/daytime running lights come on when the following conditions have been met:

• The power mode is in ON.
• The headlight switch is AUTO.

Rotating the light switch to OFF will turn off the daytime running lights.

The daytime running lights turn off once the headlight switch is turned on, or when the head light switch is in AUTO and it is getting darker outside.

Auto High-Beam

The front sensor camera detects the light sources ahead of the vehicle such as the lights of a preceding or oncoming vehicle, or street lights. When you are driving at night, the system automatically switches the headlights between low beam and high beam depending on the situation.

The auto high-beam system does not always operate in every situation. This system is just for assisting the driver. Always observe your surroundings and manually switch the headlights between high beam and low beam if necessary.

Regarding the handling of the camera mounted to the inside of the windshield, refer to the following.

For the auto high-beam to work properly:

• Do not place an object that reflects light on the dashboard.
• Keep the windshield around the camera clean.

  When cleaning the windshield, be careful not to apply the windshield cleanser to the camera lens.

• Do not attach an object, sticker, or film to the area around the camera.
• Do not touch the camera lens.

If the camera receives a strong impact, or repairing of the area near the camera is required, consult a dealer.

■ How to Use the Auto High-Beam

Activating the system

When all of the following conditions have been met, the auto high-beam indicator comes on and automatically switches between the high beam and low beam, depending on the situation.

• The power mode is in ON.
• The light switch is in AUTO.
• The lever is in the low beam position.
• The headlights have been automatically activated.
• It is dark outside the vehicle.

If the auto high-beam indicator does not come on even when all the conditions have been met, carry out the following procedure and the indicator will come on.

• Pull the lever toward you for flashing the high beams then release it while driving.
• Turn the light switch to then turn the light switch to AUTO.

Automatic switching between high-beam and low-beam

When the auto high-beam indicator comes on, the headlights switch between high beam and low beam based on the following conditions.

  High beam

  All of the following conditions must be met before the high beams turn on.

• Your vehicle speed is 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.
• There are no preceding or oncoming vehicle with headlights or taillights turned on.
• There are few street lights on the road ahead.

  Low beam

  One of the following conditions must be met before the low beams turn on.

• Your vehicle speed is 15 mph (24 km/h) or less.
• There is a preceding or oncoming vehicle with headlights or taillights turned on.
• There are many street lights on the road ahead.

In the following cases, the auto high-beam system may not switch the headlights properly or the switching timing may be changed. If the automatic switching operation does not fit your driving habits, please switch the headlights manually.

• The brightness of the lights from the preceding or oncoming vehicle is intense or poor.
• Visibility is poor due to the weather (rain, snow, fog, windshield frost, etc.).
• Surrounding light sources, such as street lights, electric billboards, and traffic lights are illuminating the road ahead.
• The brightness level of the road ahead constantly changes.
• The road is bumpy or has many curves.
• A vehicle suddenly appears in front of you, or a vehicle in front of you is not in the preceding or oncoming direction.
• Your vehicle is tilted with a heavy load in the rear.
• A traffic sign, mirror, or other reflective object ahead is reflecting strong light toward the vehicle.
• The oncoming vehicle frequently disappears under roadside trees or behind median barriers.
• The preceding or oncoming vehicle is a motorcycle, bicycle, mobility scooter, or other small vehicle.

The auto high-beam system keeps the headlight low beam on when:

• Windshield wipers are operating at a high speed.
• The camera has detected a dense fog.

Manual switching between high-beam and low-beam

If you want to manually switch the headlights between high beam and low beam, follow either of the procedures below. Note that when you do this, the auto highbeam indicator will turn off and the auto high-beam will be deactivated.

Using the lever: Pull the lever toward you for flashing the high beams then release it.

• To reactivate the auto high-beam, follow either of the procedures below and the auto high-beam indicator will come on.

• Pull the lever toward you and release it.
• Turn the light switch to and then to AUTO when the lever is in the low beam position.

Using the light switch: Turn the light switch to .

• To reactivate the auto high-beam, turn the light switch to AUTO when the lever is in the low beam position and the auto high-beam indicator will come on.

How to turn off the Auto High-Beam System

You can turn the auto high-beam system on and off.

If the Some driver assist systems cannot operate:

Camera temperature too high message appears:

• Use the climate control system to cool down the interior and, if necessary, also use defroster mode with the airflow directed toward the camera.
• Start driving the vehicle to lower the windshield temperature, which cools down the area around the camera.

If the Some driver assist systems cannot operate:

Clean front windshield or poor viewing condition. message appears:

• Park your vehicle in a safe place, and clean the windshield. If the message does not disappear after you have cleaned the windshield and driven for a while, have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

Wipers and Washers

■ Windshield Wipers/Washers

1. MIST
2. OFF
3. INT*1/AUTO*2
4. LO: Low speed wipe
5. HI: High speed wipe

The windshield wipers and washers can be used when the power mode is in ON.

MIST

The wipers run at high speed until you release the lever.

Wiper switch (OFF, INT*1/AUTO*2, LO, HI)

Move the lever up or down to change the wiper settings.

Adjusting wiper operation*

Turn the adjustment ring to adjust the wiper operation.

  Lower speed, fewer sweeps

  Higher speed, more sweeps

Washer

Sprays on the windshield and front-view camera* while you pull the lever toward you.

When you release the lever for more than one second, the spray stops, the wipers sweep two or three more times to clear the windshield, then stop.

*1: Models with manual intermittent operation
*2: Models with automatic intermittent operation

NOTICE

Do not use the wipers when the windshield is dry.

The wiper motor may stop motor operation temporarily to prevent an overload. Wiper operation will return to normal within a few minutes.

Models with intermittent time adjustment ring

If the vehicle speeds up while the wipers are operating intermittently, the length of the wipe interval shortens.

When the vehicle speeds up, the wiper operation's shortest delay setting and the LO setting become the same.

NOTICE

In cold weather, the blades may freeze to the windshield.

Operating the wipers in this condition may damage the wipers. Use the defogger or heated windshield* to warm the windshield, then turn the wipers on.

If the wipers stop operating due to an obstacle such as the buildup of snow, park the vehicle in a safe place.

Rotate the wiper switch to OFF, and set the power mode to ACCESSORY or VEHICLE OFF, then remove the obstacle.

■ Automatic Intermittent Wipers

When you push the lever down to AUTO, the windshield wipers sweep once, and go into the automatic mode.

The wipers operate intermittently, at low speed, or at high speed and stop in accordance with the amount of rainfall the rainfall sensor detects.

Auto sensitivity adjustment

When the wiper function is set to AUTO, you can adjust the sensitivity of the rainfall sensor (using the adjustment ring) so that wipers will operate in accordance with your preference.

Sensor sensitivity

  Low sensitivity

  High sensitivity

The rainfall sensor is in the location shown below.

NOTICE

AUTO should always be turned OFF before the following situations in order to prevent severe damage to the wiper system:

• Cleaning the windshield
• Driving through a car wash
• No rain present

■ Rear Wiper/Washer

1. INT: Intermittent
2. OFF
3. ON
4. Washer

The rear wiper and washer can be used when the power mode is in ON.

Wiper switch (OFF, INT, ON)

Change the wiper switch setting according to the amount of rain.

Washer ( )

Sprays on the rear window and rearview camera while you rotate the switch to this position. Hold it to activate the rear wiper and to spray the washers. Once released, the washer spray will stop and the rear wiper will return to its selected switch setting after a few sweeps.

Operating in reverse

When you change the transmission to (R) with the windshield wiper activated, the rear wiper operates automatically as follows even if its switch is off.

*1: Models with manual intermittent operation
*2: Models with automatic intermittent operation

Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror Button

In the 2023 Honda Pilot, you can defog the rear window and mirrors by pressing the rear defogger and heated door mirror button when the power mode is ON. This feature ensures clear visibility in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the rear defogger and heated door mirrors automatically turn off after 10-30 minutes, adjusting based on the outside temperature to optimize energy efficiency.

Press the rear defogger and heated door mirror button to defog the rear window and mirrors when the power mode is in ON.

The rear defogger and heated door mirrors automatically switch off after 10-30 minutes depending on the outside temperature.

This system consumes a lot of power, so turn it off when the window has been defogged. Also, do not use the system for a long time while the engine is idling. This may weaken the battery, making it difficult to start the engine.

Models with heated door mirror

When the power mode is set to ON and the outside temperature is below 41ºF (5ºC), the heated door mirror may automatically activate for 10 minutes.

Heated Windshield Button

Press the heated windshield button to deice the windshield at the wiper park area of the windshield when the power mode is in ON.

The heated windshield will automatically switch off after 15 minutes.

This system consumes a lot of power, so turn it off when the window has been deiced. Also, do not use the system for a long period when the engine is idling. This may weaken the battery, making it difficult to start the engine.

When the power mode is set to ON and the outside temperature is below 39ºF (4ºC), the heated windshield may automatically activate for up to 15 minutes.

Driving Position Memory System

• DRIVER 1 transmitter is linked to memory button 1.
• DRIVER 2 transmitter is linked to memory button 2.

The driver's seat moves rearward depending on the set seating position once you

• Stop the vehicle.
• Put the transmission in (P).
• Turn the engine off.
• Open the driver's door.

Once the power mode is in the ACCESSORY position, the driver's seat moves forward to the DRIVER 1 or 2 preset position.

Using the audio/information screen, you can disable the automatic seat and door mirrors adjustment function.

The driver's seat easy exit feature can be turned ON/ OFF.

System Operation

The system will not operate if:

• Either memory button is pressed while the seat or mirrors are in motion.
• The seat or mirrors position is adjusted while in operation.
• Either of the memorized positions is set fully to the rear.

The system may not recognize a key if:

• The key is in close proximity to a cell phone or other wireless device.
• Both keys are in the vehicle at the same time.
• The Driving Position Memory System is disabled in customized features.
• Opening driver's door without fully grabbing door handle.

■ Storing a Position in Memory

1. Set the power mode to ON. Adjust the driver's seat and door mirror to the desired position.

2. Press the SET button.

• The SET button indicator lights will come on.

3. Press the memory button (1 or (2 within five seconds of pressing the SET button.

• Once the seat and the outside mirrors position has been memorized, you will hear the double beep.

After you press the SET button, the storing operation will be canceled when:

• You do not press the memory button within five seconds.
• You readjust the seat position and door mirror before the double-beep.
• You set the power mode to any position except ON.

■ Recalling the Stored Position

1. Put the transmission into (P).

2. Apply the parking brake.

3. Press a memory button ( (1) or (2) ).

The seat and the door mirrors will automatically move to the memorized position.

The seat and the door mirrors will stop moving if you:

• Press the SET button or memory button (1) or (2).
• Adjust the seat position or door mirrors.
• Put the transmission into a position other than (P).

Adjusting the Steering Wheel

The steering wheel height and distance from your body can be adjusted so that you can comfortably grip the steering wheel in an appropriate driving posture.

1. While the vehicle is stopped, push the steering wheel adjustment lever down.

• The steering wheel adjustment lever is under the steering column.

2. Move the steering wheel up or down, and in or out.

• Make sure you can see the instrument panel gauges and indicators.

3. Pull the steering wheel adjustment lever up to lock the steering wheel in position.

• After adjusting the position, make sure you have securely locked the steering wheel in place by trying to move it up, down, in, and out.

WARNING

Adjusting the steering wheel position while driving may cause you to lose control of the vehicle and be seriously injured in a crash.

Adjust the steering wheel only when the vehicle is stopped.

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