New members: ask here instead of starting new thread

[r_hammel]

Originally posted by lizzard1
Hi everyone. Thanks for this informative site. I Ordered a Pilot ex cloth - sandstone about 3 weeks ago and anticipate that I will be waiting for it for several weeks.
After reviewing this site pretty thoroughly, I'm having some concerns and would love some feedback from people who've driven the pilot for a while. Here they are. I keep hearing about the bad tires (both goodyear and bridgestone) and the breaking distance seems quite long. What have you been noticing about tires and the breaks. What about all the rattles and other noises that I'm hearing about. Are most people experiencing this. Also I have concerns about the second row center seat (pullout cupholder and tray) that seems hard as a rock and I fear that my kid sitting in the middle seat of second row will be tortured on long trips. What have your passengers thought about the second row middle seat? The seatbelts in the middle row and rear seating seem a little cheap. Will they be safe. How comfortable and firm are the front seats. I've heard mixed reviews about front seat comfort and support. I've been driving a Volvo S70 with superb seats and fear that i will be taking a major step down in the seat department. I'm also concerned about some reports about the headlights. I drive on unlit country highways and dirt roads every day. Will the headlights be good enough. I've also hear about some problem with radio reception. I live in the boonies of new england with far away radio stations. What have you noticed about this. So lets's start with thes concerns. I would love your feedback. Thanks

Hey Lizzard,

I have over 7800 miles on my Pilot so I will offer my opinions to your points:

1. Tires
I have the Goodyears and will only comment on them. They are not the best tires. However, I will not be replacing them until they need to be. It just doesn't seem necessary. I have driven in many conditions (though no snow or ice yet), but they seem to perform acceptable in those conditions. If you are Jeff Gordon (or think you are), then maybe you need better tires. For me, I don't put my tires through the paces that a race car driver would. I slow down for sharp corners and for bad conditions, so superior cornering ability isn't a primary concern. I do take one a corner a little faster than others on my way to work and some times the Goodyear's will squeal, but they hold just fine, even in the rain. I just don't see a reason to throw away $500 for new tires when I have new ones already.
2. Brakes
In my opinion, the Pilot is the best braking vehicle I have ever owned. In fact, the brakes seem a little too touchy. Sometimes, the braking along with the downshifting causes the vehicle to slow down more than I want it to and results in a strange accelerated deceleration effect. I have no complaints here.
3. Noises
I only have the gas tank thud, which is a minimal issue. Annoying, but liveable.
4. Middle Row Middle Seat Comfort
It isn't very comfortable for adults, that I can say. Others have stated that kids actually like and prefer the middle seat. I would have your child sit there and see what they think. He/She may prefer the 3rd row seats.
5. Seatbelts
I haven't noticed that they seem cheap. What are you using for comparison? They appear virtually the same as the belts in the front, as far as materials and width and such. They don't seem any different than any other seat belts I have ever seen/used. I'm not sure what your safety concerns are either.
6. Front Seat Comfort
I like the Pilot's seats, at least in comparison with my Jeep Grand Cherokee. They aren't the most comfortable seat I have ever sat in, but I can't think of an SUV that was much more comfortable.
7. Headlights
I am not impressed with the headlights. I will probably have them adjusted to see if that helps, but they do not appear to illuminate all that much on Low beams. High beams, however, are awesome and illuminate everything. Others have replaced the bulbs with different ones and have reported improvements. I will try the more economical approach first, as I hate throwing away money.
8. Radio Reception
I haven't noticed that the reception is any worse than any other vehicle, but I have read others complain about it. I don't live in the boonies, so my experiences will be different. I do drive up through the NC mountains on occasion and this week-end took a trip to Kentucky, and I have always thought the reception to be adequate. However, I listen to CDs mostly when I travel as to not have to deal with changing stations all the time, and to take advantage of the CD collection that I have amassed.

[BTYSON]

I ordered my Pilot in early July and was told that it was built on October 28th, actually they said it was finished on this date.
The dealer said last Friday that they have not yet gotten a VIN
but should have one within 2 days. They kept telling me to expect the Pilot 10-12 days after after the build date.
I don't understand why they don't have a VIN number yet if it was finished 8 days ago. Should I expect the Pilot to be delivered by Monday the 11Th which would be about 14 days after build date??
I turn in my current Leased truck this week. Getting nervous.
Anyway for me to check for a VIN number online??
I know, be patient, it's worth the wait........

[havasu]

In my experience only your dealer knows for sure until you get the vehicle and can check the stickers, etc.
Our dealer got the VIN I think the day after (maybe two days after) it was built.
But it sounds like you're close! Now you have to wait for delivery.
Our wait seemed endless...

See http://www.honda-pilot.org/forums/sh...=&threadid=791 for some discussions of build date vs. when you find out VIN..

and don't forget to post your VIN (see link below) when you get it!
You're almost there!

[yoyo74]

Does anyone know if the newer Pilots still have the same "problems" and annoyances as the older Pilots? Has Honda worked out any of the glitches yet?

[ex0904]

Depends on what problems you are referring to. Mine was built in August and no major problems (window scrunch, water pump recall, rear vibration etc.) so far. Since this is the first model year, some problems can be expected. The ride is very smooth for an SUV.

[jhb]

Has anybody had the corner covers on the luggage rack come off when taking the Pilot through the car wash? Obviously, since I am asking the question, this did happen to me. We had take our Pilot through the car wash a number of times but on the last visit three of the four corner covers came off. This did not appear to be a car wash problem but a design problem. I took the Pilot back to the dealer where they reported that this was the first time they had seen the problem on a Pilot but that they had seen it several times on Odesseys. Will be interested to see if anyone else has had this problem.

JHB

[jhb]

What is the difference between a senior member, super senior member, member and junior member?

JHB

[havasu]

I think I've posted this in another thread somewhere but here it is again anyway. The member status depends on the number of posts.

1-29 Junior Member
30-   Member 1
75-   Member 2
100- Senior Member 3
200- Senior Member 4
300- Super Senior Member 5

I tried to post all the s but it won't let me ("too many images")

[pwc]

Just bought a Pilot but I don't know how to add it to my profile. I went to 'edit profile' but it's not there.

Is it too late to add this to my profile? Thanks

[havasu]

Originally posted by pwc
Just bought a Pilot but I don't know how to add it to my profile. I went to 'edit profile' but it's not there.

Is it too late to add this to my profile? Thanks

What do you mean add it to your profile?
Post the VIN in the "VIN table thread" (click the link in my signature)

If you want to post an "avatar" little picture under your name,
you can do that under "Control Panel"

If you want to add a signature below all your posts, you can do that in "Control panel" too

Welcome!!!

[havasu]

Aha. Under "Control Panel" you can change your signature under "Edit Profile" but change your avatar under "Edit Options" - at the bottom of the Edit Options page.

Does this help?

[bsmontgomery1]

Does anyone know where the "antenna" for the NAV system is located on the Pilot?

[Sage]

According to previous posts...

"the GPS antenna is in the dash, just above the NAV display."

If you do a search on NAV antenna you'll see several discussions on the various antennas and their locations.

[rbetz]

I think this topic may have already been discussed but I don't recall the specifics. At my next oil change I would like to put in synthetic oil but can't find a 5W20 grade. Are there any out there, and if not, is fuel economy the only downside to going to 5W30?

[N_Jay]

AMS Oil has one, and Mobil! is comming out with one.
Some have thought a heavier oil might effect the smoothness of the idle