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Honda Pilot Maintenance and Repair

3189 messages,  Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 3:25 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Pilot, Electrical, Engine, Steering, SUV

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#31 of 3189 re: pulsating wind noise by mqc99 Dec 05, 2002 (9:20 pm)
I don't think this problem is unique to the Pilot or the Highlander. I have experienced it in all the cars I have driven (namely: Corolla, Jetta, Accord and a few rental cars). The trick is to crack open your front windows slightly. Then, the pounding wind noise will disappear.
#32 of 3189 re: pulsating wind noise by toca Dec 06, 2002 (1:35 pm)
I agree. Our two Subaru's do the same thing.   Also don't think it's worthy of a "buyers beware" warning either....
#33 of 3189 re: pulsating wind noise 2 by kaitsu Dec 06, 2002 (4:16 pm)
Our Volvo wagon does it as well...
#34 of 3189 Pulsating Wind Noise and Towing Question by walleye5 Dec 08, 2002 (7:10 pm)
I have also heard pulsating wind noise in some of my past vehicles with rear windows down. I suggest a moon roof if you must have a window open, although some moon roofs pulsate also.   On towing. I am still concerned about buying a Pilot (see previous posting). I tow a 1000 lb boat and tried a demo Pilot and towed it. Since we only have the choice of D (no D4) on shift selector, you are towing in 5th gear. The tranny kicks down twice on every little knoll (first out of lock-up torque converter, then into 4th, I believe). Why does Honda not supply a D4 option like the Acura MDX, Explorer and most other vehicles? Can't get any decent answer from 2 different dealers or the factory help line. Seems annoying to have it shift up and down so much, although it is smooth. Must also be hard on transmission. Advice Please from anyone with experience towing with Pilot or an opinion!
#35 of 3189 Door seals squeak a lot by rbarands Dec 09, 2002 (3:04 pm)
Has anyone noticed how the door seals squeak quite a bit? I didn't notice it at first, but in the past two months, the squeak from the door seals (sounds like the lid moving around on a styrafoam cooler) has become very annoying. The ride is definitely not very quiet. Is the rubber Hoda used for the seals defective? I have 7500 miles on the Pilot.
#36 of 3189 Towing by 01r1 Dec 09, 2002 (3:31 pm)
Walleye5 - I had similar concerns and this is how it was explained to me, or best I can remember... The Pilot's transmission has only three planetary gears, even though they call it a five speed auto. Fifth gear is actually using the third planetary gear, but locked without the torque converter's slippage. Fourth gear is still using the third planetary gear, but is allowed to slip, effectively giving you a different ratio. Third gear uses the second planetary gear, but is locked without the torque converter's slippage. Second gear uses the first planetary gear, along with first gear, both are allowed to slip.   Driving and towing in fifth and third gears are recommended because they are both locked in without the torque converter slippage. This prevents additional heat build up that would occur from continued torque converter slippage. Since fourth gear isn't really a direct gear, they don't want you towing continuously in it generating extra heat, thus no D4 selection available.   When you said the tranny kicks down twice on every little knoll, I think it's taking you to third gear. Did you try leaving the selector in D3 while towing?   I tow a light utility trailer with various loads, total trailer+load weight 800-1200 lbs. If I'm cruising down the Interstate at 70 mph I leave it in D(5). If I'm going up and down a lot of hills I drop it into D3 and leave it. I do think that the ratio of the pseudo fourth gear would be nice for towing, but that's not the case with these newer "cost-effective" transmissions.   Of course, I may not have that description totally right, so others feel free to clarify.   -Pete
#37 of 3189 re: Towing, 3 speed tranny by zorglub Dec 09, 2002 (5:07 pm)
O1r1, I certainly hope you're wrong (nothing personal mind you) because what you described is basically a 3 speed tranny, and I really don't think Honda would sell a 3 speed tranny on a 2002 Pilot.   While I'm no technician, it seems to me that any modern automatic tranny automatically locks out final gear at cruising speed.
#38 of 3189 Towing by walleye5 Dec 09, 2002 (5:40 pm)
Pete, Thanks for your response re: towing. I don't know if the explanation you gave is technically correct, but I am suspicious that it may not be, because the Acura MDX sister vehicle has a D4 position on the transmission shifter. I tried towing with the demo vehicle in D3, but tacs at about 3,600 rpm at 70 mph, which is too fast in my view. I just wish there was someone at Honda that I could contact on this, but the customer service people just send you back to the dealer who sends you back to customer service. Interested in additional inputs on this topic from other readers.   Pete, how many miles on your Pilot and how do you like it? With the latest $4,000 rebate on Explorers plus my Rockwell supplier "x" plan discount, plus Ford credit card points, hard to justify the comparable high price on the Honda, even though I just lost the engine in my 3.8 Mercury Sable wagon (again). ~$7,000 premium is a little hard to swallow. Mike
#39 of 3189 walleye5 by 01r1 Dec 10, 2002 (8:58 am)
Mike- I haven't been able to confirm this tranny setup, that info came from a Honda tech and I'm not sure of his competency.   I've got about 3500 miles on mine and have been very happy with the gas mileage, power, smoothness, low noise level, and sound system. I've been getting 19-20 mpg around town and 24-25 mpg on the highway (cc set 70-75mph).   I am not happy with my dealer experience - hard sell, low trade-in, screwed up the towing package install and I lost my power steering pump first day. The Pilot itself had a few defects, outside of the dealer problems, one maplight in back has defective casing, buttons on the steering wheel have sharp edges on back, leather seats are sagging, and I have a clunking noise in the back that I'm trying to pinpoint.   If I had it to do over, I would have bought the MDX, because it has some features that I'm missing and would be willing to pay for - heated mirrors, heated seats, sunroof, memory position for seat, D4, and 4-wheel traction and stability control.   Sounds like you have a tough decision comparing the new Explorer and the Pilot. The Explorer is much cheaper initially, then it's a little bit of a gamble, but some people fair pretty well.   I travel a lot and typically rent Fords. Had an 03 Explorer EB for about 1500 miles and drove it through KS, MO, NE, IA, SD, ND, & MN and had no complaints what so ever. Last week I had an 03 Expedition XLT for about 1000 miles and drove it all around Lake Michigan, and got to test out it's winter abilities. I really like the low-end torque of that V8, the seats were more comfortable than the Pilot, AWD mode would grind gears going in but worked great once engaged, more interior noise than the Pilot, 12mpg in AWD mode, and the power locks stopped working when the temp hit -7F (but I won't hold that against them).   -Pete
#40 of 3189 Towing by walleye5 Dec 13, 2002 (7:09 pm)
Pete, Thanks for the great response and extra info, much appreciated. Sounds like there is a thread through the postings of perhaps not the most comfortable seats and some quality problems with Pilot. Am now considering a Windstar (would not drive the 3.8 beyond warranty due to history f headgasket problems)or Chrysler. These vehicles have good high-sitting seats and get decent mileage. Would like the Chrysler AWD, but these are pretty pricey ($38,000). Mike

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