New members: ask here instead of starting new thread

[Tom]

I am picking up my new Pilot tomorrow (VIN 542540) -- the dealer is trying to sell me on the VIN etching on the windows ($269 !!) and "Environmental Paint Protection, Leather protection and full undercoating ($329).

Has anyone ever heard of this Environmental Paint Protection? It was sold as a clear coat of some type that eliminates the need to ever wax the car and a warranty that covers the paint from acid rain, etc.

Thanks for any of your thoughts.
Tom in Westport, CT

[Sage]

Congratualtions on your new Pilot!!

Here's a thread that may be helpful...
http://honda-pilot.org/forums/showth...&threadid=1596

Also, If you do a search on paint warranty you'll find other threads that have 'drifted' to the subject.

Have fun tomorrow!

[reedw]

Hi, we're seriously considering the purchase of a Pilot, but I'd like to know when the rollover test will be done by the NHTSA (I think those are the right initials). Does anyone know? We like the Volvo's XC90 safety features, but don't want to spend that much money. Thanks!

[gopilot]

That is a good question, I was waiting for that info too, but they scored five stars on almost everything else. If it is the rollover test you are waiting for, I would go buy one anyway... I bet you they come in high..

rob

[dwdyer]

Hello,

I'm mostly new here but have been lurking and reading for a few days now. I test drove a Pilot EX-L tonight and have a few wee questions. I'm one that trusts the Wisdom of the Net rather than the Wisdom of the Salesperson. I've already learned quite a bit here.

• I noticed that the demo vehicle I drove didn't seem to want to shift into anything lower than "D". Is there a trick here? I had no problem with the shifter wanting to drop past "D" as people have talked about -- exactly the opposite, in fact! The shifter seemed odd to me, pulling sort of forward rather than down, but I assume that's normal.
• The rear differential lock can't be engaged on the fly, correct? Gotta be in Park?
• The audio system does seem a bit weak, but I expect I'd replace speakers. Has anyone done this with success in improving the sound? (I've replaced speakers on almost every vehicle I've ever owned.)
• I figure the rails on top of the EX are pretty much useless without the crossbars? (I'm driving an F-150 now, so this roof-stuff is new to me.)
• I couldn't open the tailgate on the demo I drove. I turned the key one way, tried to lift, turned it the other way and tried to lift. Another trick here?
• The salesperson casually mentioned "heated seats" with the EX-L. I was under the impression it didn't have this and don't see it anywhere in the specs. True or false? (I may go with cloth anyway because I'm a big guy and that could contribute to leather sag and the side bolsters on the seats sort of pinched a bit, and the cloth has more "give". Or maybe the leather would "supple up".)
• Anyone had problems with enging pinging/clatter using regular unleaded? My F-150 clatters under heavy acceleration or steep hills with regular, and Ford says that's normal. Higher octane resolves it though.

Anyway, that's my short list of puzzlements for the moment. So far I'm leaning towards getting one. I would miss the low-end V8 torque that I get with the F-150, but I do highway and city driving with no towing at all, so I don't really need it.

I'm also stuck on a color. I prefer the gray interior over the saddle by far, but I prefer a dark color. That leaves me with the Nighthawk or Redrock, or maybe the Sage Brush as the fern interior isn't too far from gray. Dunno yet.

-W-

[gopilot]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dwdyer
[B]Hello,

I'm mostly new here but have been lurking and reading for a few days now. I test drove a Pilot EX-L tonight and have a few wee questions. I'm one that trusts the Wisdom of the Net rather than the Wisdom of the Salesperson. I've already learned quite a bit here.

• I noticed that the demo vehicle I drove didn't seem to want to shift into anything lower than "D". Is there a trick here? I had no problem with the shifter wanting to drop past "D" as people have talked about -- exactly the opposite, in fact! The shifter seemed odd to me, pulling sort of forward rather than down, but I assume that's normal.
• The rear differential lock can't be engaged on the fly, correct? Gotta be in Park?
• The audio system does seem a bit weak, but I expect I'd replace speakers. Has anyone done this with success in improving the sound? (I've replaced speakers on almost every vehicle I've ever owned.)
• I figure the rails on top of the EX are pretty much useless without the crossbars? (I'm driving an F-150 now, so this roof-stuff is new to me.)
• I couldn't open the tailgate on the demo I drove. I turned the key one way, tried to lift, turned it the other way and tried to lift. Another trick here?
• The salesperson casually mentioned "heated seats" with the EX-L. I was under the impression it didn't have this and don't see it anywhere in the specs. True or false? (I may go with cloth anyway because I'm a big guy and that could contribute to leather sag and the side bolsters on the seats sort of pinched a bit, and the cloth has more "give". Or maybe the leather would "supple up".)
• Anyone had problems with enging pinging/clatter using regular unleaded? My F-150 clatters under heavy acceleration or steep hills with regular, and Ford says that's normal. Higher octane resolves it though.

Hello there, If you are looking for a SUV all wheel drive get the Honda Pilot, you will love the quality and resale value compared to American.

Now to your questions, the shifter not wanting to gear into past D, not sure what you mean there, but when I drive mine it all seems fine..

The on dash button for 4x4 only works in reverse or if you are stuck and then you can use it, it will not work on the fly..Putting it in Park then using it will not work, It will not continue to be in TRUE 4x4 at all times. I think you have to put it in second gear, and only works up to a certain amount of speed(but I am sure someone else will correct me on that)

You have to buy the center rails for it, Honda only provides the outer rails on all Pilots, except the LX which has none.

The back gate should open??? not sure what is wrong there, but the back tail glass does not open. Just the whole gate.

Only the Canadian Pilots come with heated mirrors and seats (none of the American Pilots offer heated seats or mirrors in either both cloth or leather)

Honda recommends using regular unleaded gas, and not premium.. I think this is the first time any company has recommended an octane level of 87, usually companies recommend Premium gas.

Hope this helps a bit, you will sure to get more responses to any other questions you have...


rob

[havasu]

Originally posted by dwdyer

• I couldn't open the tailgate on the demo I drove. I turned the key one way, tried to lift, turned it the other way and tried to lift. Another trick here?

The tailgate opens without a key, assuming the Pilot is unlocked. This is different from American cars and I was confused at first too. The latch is under the Honda emblem above the license plate.

I'd like to hear more of your impressions comparing the vehicles.. many folks here were disgusted with American cars and thus are Honda owners. We weren't, had some problems with our former American minivan, but just liked the Pilot better. So as someone who doesn't seem all that disgruntled with the current American truck, your opinions are interesting. The Pilot was my first non GM/Ford car since my '79 Datson 310. Loved it too.

[Twinkie]

Originally posted by dwdyer
[list][*]I noticed that the demo vehicle I drove didn't seem to want to shift into anything lower than "D". Is there a trick here? I had no problem with the shifter wanting to drop past "D" as people have talked about -- exactly the opposite, in fact! The shifter seemed odd to me, pulling sort of forward rather than down, but I assume that's normal....I'm driving an F-150 now...

I have a F-150 4X4 also and found the shifter throw to be very awkward at first as well. I can't really put my finger on the difference, but the action really was different from the F-150. After driving the Pilot for a while, I have since forgotten about it. Best of luck.

[havasu]

Originally posted by dwdyer
I noticed that the demo vehicle I drove didn't seem to want to shift into anything lower than "D". Is there a trick here? I had no problem with the shifter wanting to drop past "D" as people have talked about -- exactly the opposite, in fact! The shifter seemed odd to me, pulling sort of forward rather than down, but I assume that's normal.

I had remembered something about that so i tried it this morning.
You have to move the gearshift level back toward the dash just a bit to get to those lower gears. That's good, because you can't shift below "D" without trying that way.

[dwdyer]

Ah, thanks for the info, folks! Things are becoming clearer.

I'm about *this* close to going in again for another demo drive, and then pursue an EX-L (adding the fog lights, rear splashguards, and the day/night mirror).

I'm still stuck on color, but that's something I can't get advice for.

Thanks again!
-W-

[dicksproul]

While parked on slight decline I engage reverse, disengage parking brake and the pilot starts rolling downhill until I accelerate quite a bit, seems strange. Is this normal, don't remember happening on other automatics.

[PILOTHEAD]

Not a new memeber but what a great idea it is to have this area seems like a lot to manage for you!! any way i was looking for an old thread called i did not know that and i could not seem to pull it up from the search box... specifically i wanted to ask if anyone found a good use for what we are now affectionalty calling the french fry holder...that pocket on the passenger door that is is right in front of the the acutal handle rail that you pull to close the door when you are in the passenger seat. We dont eat many frys any more but it looks like it is the perfect size to cradle the typical fast food fry container.

[havasu]

Here is the thread:
Did You Know? I Did Not Know That!
http://www.honda-pilot.org/forums/sh...=&threadid=547

And yes, the Pilot will roll backwards even when it's in "D"
which shocked me one day. Other automatics I've had would
always have a little bit of forward motion when in "D" -
fortunately I realized it before rolling into the car behind me
in the parking lot!

[TheWorm]

The rolling backward, or forward (depending on the hill you're on) is normal.

I posted a tech bulletin from Honda/Acura someplace, but can't remember which thread it was in. You could try searching for "transmission roll" or somesuch, but suffice it to say that it's normal and the explanation was low-friction trannies and torque converters for improved fuel economy.

[N_Jay]

But can we kill this thread.

When I sign in, it always has a new post in it, but the title does not help me know if I need to read it or not.

I am not sure why it is worse to start a new thread, and then direct the person to old threads on the subject or resolve it there,
vs.
post here in this "mixed" thread, and then direct the person to old threads on the subject or resolve it here.

Seems a lot of stuff gets resolved here and the discussion never ends up under a properly named thread.

Just my thoughts!