Yes I did buy one! It has a bit over 105K miles, it's a EX with none of the optional features, just the basic standard, and I don't have any prior maintenance records.
Thanks for much information I received on this site, which greatly facilitated my choice to buy a Pilot!
I have many questions about WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FIRST, with this new vehicle... I know it is cumbersome to quote separately particular snippets when there are many questions in a post, so I am numbering my questions below, if you would prefer to simply indicate the number of the question you are replying to.
I'd like to pamper it and keep it for years, I'm sure you understand that feeling... so I have technical questions about what to do now to give it a good start under my ownership.
A1_ What is the best synthetic oil for it?
A2_ Also, I don't know what is in there now, so I'm leary about doing a simple fillup: will there be too much fluid mixed from the leftover old oil with the new, and if so, what to do if they are of incompatible type?
A3_ Can one tell by looking, if the oil in place is synthetic or not, how?
A4_ Is there such a thing as an oil flush? Can you do it as DIY well enough, or should this be done at a shop?
A5_ for a Pilot over 100K miles (old engine), is it best to continue to use the originl 5W20 grade oil, and add oil additives to it, or switch to a "high mileage" oil which contains its own additives?
B1_ I think I should get a xmission fluid flush done also; what is the recommended Honda fluid, do I have to buy it from the dealer or are there commercial equivalents that are not just labeled for Honda vehicles, but are really as good?
B2_ I read once a post from an owner saying he changed from the standard Honda xmission fluid and used a synthetic fluid instead; is that a marked improvement, and if so, what is the synthetic fluid that will properly benefit the Pilot specifically?
B3_ What about the VTM-4 rear differential fluid?
C1_ At 105K miles, a the timing belt must be replaced; can a mechanic look at it and see it it was done or not?
C2_ Does it have to be done only once, I did not see when it has to be done again?
C3_ How much does it normally cost, if you get the water pump replaced proactively as well?
C4_ is this a service which it is much better to do at Honda, with Honda parts, or can usual mechanics do it well and are 3rd party parts good enough? Which ones are best?
D1_ The manual says that if you tow, you should use "premium" gasoline. The wording of types of gasoline varies among brands so is that meant to get higher octane, and if so, which numeric value? Or is that meant to get specific concentrations of additives? Is "premium" meant to be the top grade, no matter how that is called at any gas station?
D2_ As regards gasoline, the Honda Owner's Manual also says:
D3_ Further,
And do you know SAFE BRAND gasolines that can be trusted to NOT CONTAIN any methanol?
D4_ Ethanol is bad for car engines; although the manual says the Pilot is designed to run on gas containing up to 10% ethanol, the compliance of gasoline brand is voluntary and not regulated by federal testing. So we can only trust that their % is what the pump label says. What is the best additive to specifically prevent damage from ethanol, without overloading the system with unwanted additives added-in for other uses?
D5_ Water or condensation in gasoline is also bad; what is the best additive to specifically remove water, without overloading the system with unwanted additives added-in for other uses?
Taking care of the above concerns would help me make the proper start on maintaining my vehicle, and optimize its good service and life.
Your replies to some or all of these questions will be greatly appreciated, and I hope this thread will be useful also to other new owners of used 1st gen Pilots. Thanks very much!
Thanks for much information I received on this site, which greatly facilitated my choice to buy a Pilot!
I have many questions about WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FIRST, with this new vehicle... I know it is cumbersome to quote separately particular snippets when there are many questions in a post, so I am numbering my questions below, if you would prefer to simply indicate the number of the question you are replying to.
I'd like to pamper it and keep it for years, I'm sure you understand that feeling... so I have technical questions about what to do now to give it a good start under my ownership.
A1_ What is the best synthetic oil for it?
A2_ Also, I don't know what is in there now, so I'm leary about doing a simple fillup: will there be too much fluid mixed from the leftover old oil with the new, and if so, what to do if they are of incompatible type?
A3_ Can one tell by looking, if the oil in place is synthetic or not, how?
A4_ Is there such a thing as an oil flush? Can you do it as DIY well enough, or should this be done at a shop?
A5_ for a Pilot over 100K miles (old engine), is it best to continue to use the originl 5W20 grade oil, and add oil additives to it, or switch to a "high mileage" oil which contains its own additives?
B1_ I think I should get a xmission fluid flush done also; what is the recommended Honda fluid, do I have to buy it from the dealer or are there commercial equivalents that are not just labeled for Honda vehicles, but are really as good?
B2_ I read once a post from an owner saying he changed from the standard Honda xmission fluid and used a synthetic fluid instead; is that a marked improvement, and if so, what is the synthetic fluid that will properly benefit the Pilot specifically?
B3_ What about the VTM-4 rear differential fluid?
C1_ At 105K miles, a the timing belt must be replaced; can a mechanic look at it and see it it was done or not?
C2_ Does it have to be done only once, I did not see when it has to be done again?
C3_ How much does it normally cost, if you get the water pump replaced proactively as well?
C4_ is this a service which it is much better to do at Honda, with Honda parts, or can usual mechanics do it well and are 3rd party parts good enough? Which ones are best?
D1_ The manual says that if you tow, you should use "premium" gasoline. The wording of types of gasoline varies among brands so is that meant to get higher octane, and if so, which numeric value? Or is that meant to get specific concentrations of additives? Is "premium" meant to be the top grade, no matter how that is called at any gas station?
D2_ As regards gasoline, the Honda Owner's Manual also says:
Do you know SAFE BRAND gasolines that can be trusted to NOT CONTAIN manganese-based fuel additives such as MMT?
D3_ Further,
I have never seen the MTBE level listed at the pump?
And do you know SAFE BRAND gasolines that can be trusted to NOT CONTAIN any methanol?
D4_ Ethanol is bad for car engines; although the manual says the Pilot is designed to run on gas containing up to 10% ethanol, the compliance of gasoline brand is voluntary and not regulated by federal testing. So we can only trust that their % is what the pump label says. What is the best additive to specifically prevent damage from ethanol, without overloading the system with unwanted additives added-in for other uses?
D5_ Water or condensation in gasoline is also bad; what is the best additive to specifically remove water, without overloading the system with unwanted additives added-in for other uses?
Taking care of the above concerns would help me make the proper start on maintaining my vehicle, and optimize its good service and life.
Your replies to some or all of these questions will be greatly appreciated, and I hope this thread will be useful also to other new owners of used 1st gen Pilots. Thanks very much!