Honda Pilot (2024 year). Manual in english

Safe Driving

For Safe Driving

The following pages explain your vehicle’s safety features and how to use them
properly. The safety precautions below are ones that we consider to be among the
most important.

Important Safety Precautions

■

Always wear your seat belt

A seat belt is your best protection in all types of collisions. Airbags are designed to
supplement seat belts, not replace them. So even though your vehicle is equipped
with airbags, make sure you and your passengers always wear your seat belts, and
wear them properly.

■

Restrain all children

Children ages 12 and under should ride properly restrained in a back seat, not the
front seat. Infants and small children should be restrained in a child seat. Larger
children should use a booster seat and a lap/shoulder seat belt until they can use the
belt properly without a booster seat.

■

Be aware of airbag hazards

While airbags can save lives, they can cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants
who sit too close to them, or are not properly restrained. Infants, young children,
and short adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and
warnings in this manual.

■

Don’t drink and drive

Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to
changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink.
So don’t drink and drive, and don’t let your friends drink and drive, either.

Important Safety Precautions

Some states, provinces, and territories prohibit the
use of cell phones other than hands-free devices by
the driver while driving.

For Safe Driving

Important Safety Precautions

Safe Driving

■

Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely

Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying
close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash.
Remember, situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe to
divert some attention away from driving.

■

Control your speed

Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher
the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds.
Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum
speed posted.

■

Keep your vehicle in safe condition

Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous.
To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition
frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.

■

Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle

Children, pets, and people needing assistance left unattended in the vehicle may be
injured if they activate one or more of the vehicle controls. They may also cause the
vehicle to move, resulting in a crash in which they and/or another person(s) can be
injured or killed. Also, depending on the ambient temperature, the temperature of
the interior may reach extreme levels, which can result in harm or death. Even if the
climate control system is on, never leave them in the vehicle unattended as the
climate control system can shut off at any time.

For Safe Driving

Important Handling Information

Safe Driving

Important Handling Information

Your vehicle has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use
only on pavement. Higher ground clearance has many advantages for off-highway
driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough terrain. It also
provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.

These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher
off the ground, it has a higher center gravity making it more susceptible to tipping
or rollover if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder,
make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.

Important Handling Information

For information on how to reduce the risk of rollover,
read:

Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle

P. 519

Off-Highway Driving Guidelines

P. 507

Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result
in a crash or a rollover.

For Safe Driving

Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

Safe Driving

Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

The following checklist will help you take an active role in protecting yourself and
your passengers.

Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

Your vehicle is equipped with many features that
work together to help protect you and your
passengers during a crash.

Some features do not require any action on your part.
These include a strong steel framework that forms a
safety cage around the passenger compartment,
front and rear crush zones, a collapsible steering
column, and tensioners that tighten the front and
second row outer seat belts in a sufficient crash.

However, you and your passengers cannot take full
advantage of these features unless you remain seated
in the correct position and always wear your seat
belts. In fact, some safety features can contribute to
injuries if they are not used properly.

Safety Cage
Crush Zones
Seats and Seat-Backs
Head Restraints
Collapsible Steering Column
Seat Belts
Front Airbags

Side Curtain Airbags
Door Locks

Side Airbags

Knee Airbags

Seat Belt Tensioners

For Safe Driving

Safety Checklist

Safe Driving

Safety Checklist

For the safety of you and your passengers, make a habit of checking these items
each time before you drive.

•

After everyone has entered the vehicle, be sure all doors and the tailgate are
closed and locked. Locking the doors and the tailgate helps prevent an occupant
from being ejected and an outsider from unexpectedly opening a door or the
tailgate.

Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside

P. 192

•

Adjust your seat to a position suitable for driving. Be sure the front seats are
adjusted as far to the rear as possible while allowing the driver to control the
vehicle. Sitting too close to a front airbag can result in serious or fatal injury in a
crash.

Seats

P. 239

•

Adjust head restraints to the proper position. Head restraints are most effective
when the center of the head restraint aligns with the center of your head. Taller
persons should adjust their head restraint to the highest position.

Adjusting the Front and Second Row Outer Seat Head Restraint Positions

P. 253

•

Always wear your seat belt, and make sure you wear it properly. Confirm that any
passengers are properly belted as well.

Fastening a Seat Belt

P. 52

•

Protect children by using seat belts or child seats according to a child’s age,
height, and weight.

Child Safety

P. 77

Safety Checklist

If the door and/or tailgate open message appears on
the driver information interface, a door and/or the
tailgate is not completely closed. Close all doors and
the tailgate tightly until the message disappears.

Models with A-type meter

Models with B-type meter

Continued

Safe Driving

Seat Belts

About Your Seat Belts

Seat belts are the single most effective safety device because they keep you
connected to the vehicle so that you can take advantage of many built-in safety
features. They also help keep you from being thrown against the inside of the
vehicle, against any passengers, or out of the vehicle. When worn properly, seat
belts also keep your body properly positioned in a crash so that you can take full
advantage of the additional protection provided by the airbags.

In addition, seat belts help protect you in almost every type of crash, including:

frontal impacts

side impacts

rear impacts

rollovers

■

Lap/shoulder seat belts

All seven or eight seating positions are equipped with lap/shoulder seat belts with
emergency locking retractors. In normal driving, the retractor lets you move freely
while keeping some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop, the
retractor locks to restrain your body.

The front passenger’s, second row, and third row seat belts also have a lockable
retractor for use with child seats.

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

P. 87

About Your Seat Belts

If you extend the seat belt too quickly, it will lock in
place. If this happens, slightly retract the seat belt,
then extend it slowly.

Seat belts cannot completely protect you in every
crash. But in most cases, seat belts can reduce your
risk of serious injury.

Most states and all Canadian provinces and territories
require you to wear seat belts.

WARNING

Not wearing a seat belt properly increases
the chance of serious injury or death in a
crash, even though your vehicle has
airbags.

Be sure you and your passengers always
wear seat belts and wear them properly.

Seat Belts

About Your Seat Belts

Safe Driving

■

Proper use of seat belts

Follow these guidelines for proper use:

•

All occupants should sit upright, well back in the seat, and remain in that position
for the duration of the trip. Slouching and leaning reduce the effectiveness of the
belt and can increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

•

Never place the shoulder part of a lap/shoulder seat belt under your arm or
behind your back. This could cause very serious injuries in a crash.

•

Two people should never use the same seat belt. If they do, they could be very
seriously injured in a crash.

•

Do not put any accessories on the seat belts. Devices intended to improve comfort
or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt can reduce the protective capability
and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

About Your Seat Belts

If a rear seat passenger moves around and extends
the seat belt, the lockable retractor may activate. If
this happens, release the retractor by unfastening the
seat belt and allow the belt to retract completely.
Then refasten the belt.

Continued

Seat Belts

About Your Seat Belts

Safe Driving

■

Front seats

The seat belt system includes an indicator on
the instrument panel to remind the driver or a
front passenger or both to fasten their seat
belts.
If you set the power mode to ON and a seat
belt is not fastened, a beeper will sound, and
the indicator will blink. After a few seconds,
the beeper will stop and the indicator will
come on and remain illuminated until the seat
belt is fastened.
The beeper will periodically sound and the
indicator will blink while the vehicle is moving
until the seat belt is fastened.

■

Seat Belt Reminder

Seat Belt Reminder

The indicator will also come on if a front passenger
does not fasten their seat belt within six seconds after
the power mode is set to ON.

When no one is sitting in the front passenger’s seat,
the indicator will not come on and the beeper will not
sound.

The indicator also may not come on and the beeper
may not sound when the occupant is not heavy
enough to trigger the weight sensor. Such occupants
(e.g., infants and smaller children) should be moved
to the rear seat as a deploying front airbag likely will
injure or kill them.

Protecting Child Passengers

P. 77

The driver information interface uses colors to aid the
driver in checking the status of the passengers.
For the front seating positions:

•

Green indicates the seat belt is fastened.

•

An unfastened gray graphic indicates the seat belt
is not fastened and an occupant has not been
detected.

•

An unfastened red graphic indicates the seat belt is
unfastened and an occupant has been detected.

Models with A-type meter

Models with second row center seat

Models without second row center seat

: Fastened

: Unfastened

: Fastened

: Unfastened

Continued

Seat Belts

About Your Seat Belts

Safe Driving

■

Rear seats

Your vehicle monitors rear seat belt use. The
driver information interface notifies you if any
of the rear seat belts are unfastened after they
were previously fastened.

In order to encourage the driver to evaluate
rear seat belt usage, the display appears
when:

•

Any of the rear passenger seat belts are
unfastened when the power mode is set to
ON.

•

Any of the rear passengers unfasten their
seat belt.

The seat belt reminder indicator blinks and the
beeper sounds if any rear passenger seat belts
are unfastened while driving.

To see the display:

Switching the Display

P. 125, 154

Models with A-type meter

Models with second row center seat

Models without second row center seat

: Fastened

: Unfastened

: Fastened

: Unfastened

Seat Belt Reminder

The system will not detect a passenger in the rear
seats who has not fastened the seat belt.
The driver should check the status of the rear
passengers’ seat belts at the start of each trip and
each time a passenger is seated in the rear seats,
using the driver information interface as an aid.
An alert will sound if a passenger in the rear seats
unfastens the seat belt while the vehicle is in motion
or if motion resumes while the graphic is red.

The driver information interface uses colors to aid the
driver in checking the status of the passengers.
For the rear seating positions:

•

Green indicates the seat belt is fastened.

•

An unfastened gray graphic indicates the seat belt
has not been fastened recently.

•

An unfastened red graphic indicates the seat belt
was unfastened recently.

The system does not monitor harnesses that are part
of a child seat, the anchors of the LATCH system, the
installation of a removable seat, or the anchor
buckles of the second and third row center seat belts.
While the system can inform you that a seat belt
buckle is fastened, it cannot determine whether the
seat is properly installed, the center seat belt anchors
are in use, or if a child seat is properly installed or
used.

Protecting Child Passengers

P. 77

Continued

Seat Belts

About Your Seat Belts

Safe Driving

A transceiver is installed in the removable seat
to wirelessly communicate the seat belt
fastening information to the vehicle. It will
automatically connect to the vehicle whenever
the seat is in or near its installation position.

Radio waves are transmitted to and from a
transceiver in the removable seat in order to
obtain the seat belt status.
In the following cases, the seat belt may be
displayed as unfastened even if it is fastened:

•

Strong radio waves are being transmitted
by nearby equipment, such as a wireless
phone charger.

•

Telecommunications equipment, a laptop
computer, cell phone, wireless device, or
another high-powered electronic device is
placed in, under, or close to the removable
seat.

•

A metallic object is covering all or part of
the seat, or a large metallic object is placed
in the cabin in a way that is blocking the
vehicle’s antennas from communicating
with the transmitter in the seat.

•

The battery in the transceiver dies.

Seat Belt Reminder

Electronic devices can create radio frequencies which
interfere with the wireless seat belt reminder
communication. If the system does not function as
expected, please check that such items are not in,
under or adjacent to the removable seat. Then turn
the ignition off and then on again. If the malfunction
continues, please see your dealer.

The transceiver has a specially designed coin-cell
battery that needs to be replaced periodically. Battery
life is about five years, but this varies depending on
regularity of use.

The battery can be consumed whenever the seat
transceiver is receiving strong radio waves. Avoid
placing high powered electrical devices in or near the
removable seat, such as gaming consoles or wireless
chargers.

If the battery is low or the seat belt reminder is no
longer working, please see your dealer to have the
battery replaced.

WARNING

CHEMICAL BURN HAZARD

The battery that powers the seat belt
transceiver can cause severe internal burns
and can even lead to death if swallowed.
Keep new and used batteries away from
children.

If you suspect that a child has swallowed
the battery, seek medical attention
immediately.

Transceiver

Models equipped with a removable seat

Seat Belts

About Your Seat Belts

Safe Driving

The front seats and the second row outer
seats are equipped with automatic seat belt
tensioners to enhance safety.

The tensioners automatically tighten the front
seat belts and the second row outer seats
during a moderate-to-severe frontal collision,
sometimes even if the collision is not severe
enough to inflate the front airbags or the
driver’s and passenger’s knee airbags.

■

Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners

Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners

The seat belt tensioners can only operate once.
If a tensioner is activated, the SRS indicator will come
on. Have a dealer replace the tensioner and
thoroughly inspect the seat belt system as it may not
offer protection in a subsequent crash.

During a moderate-to-severe side impact, the
tensioners on both sides of the vehicle also activate.

Seat Belts

Fastening a Seat Belt

Safe Driving

Fastening a Seat Belt

After adjusting a front seat to the proper position, and while sitting upright and well
back in the seat:

Seats

P. 239

Pull the seat belt out slowly.

Insert the latch plate into the buckle, then
tug on the belt to make sure the buckle is
secure.

Make sure that the belt is not twisted or
caught on anything.

Fastening a Seat Belt

No one should sit in a seat with an inoperative seat
belt or one that does not appear to be working
correctly. Using a seat belt that is not working
properly may not protect the occupant in a crash.
Have a dealer check the belt as soon as possible.

Never insert any foreign objects into the buckle or
retractor mechanism.

If the seat belt appears to be locked in a fully
retracted position, firmly pull out on the shoulder belt
once, then push it back in.
Then smoothly pull it out of the retractor and fasten.
If you are unable to release the seat belt from a fully
retracted position, do not allow anyone to sit in the
seat, and take your vehicle to a dealer for repair.

About Your Seat Belts

P. 43

Seat Belt Inspection

P. 58

Pull out slowly.

Correct
Seated
Posture.

Latch
Plate

Buckle

Continued

Seat Belts

Fastening a Seat Belt

Safe Driving

Position the lap part of the belt as low as
possible across your hips, then pull up on
the shoulder part of the belt so the lap part
fits snugly. This lets your strong pelvic
bones take the force of a crash and reduces
the chance of internal injuries.

If necessary, pull up on the belt again to
remove any slack, then check that the belt
rests across the center of your chest and
over your shoulder. This spreads the forces
of a crash over the strongest bones in your
upper body.

The front seats have adjustable shoulder anchors to accommodate taller and shorter
occupants.

Move the anchor up and down while
pulling the shoulder anchor outward.

Position the anchor so that the belt rests
across the center of your chest and over
your shoulder.

Fastening a Seat Belt

To release the belt, push the red

PRESS

button and

then guide the belt by hand until it has retracted
completely.
When exiting the vehicle, be sure the belt is properly
stowed so that it will not get caught in the closing
door.

WARNING

Improperly positioning the seat belts can
cause serious injury or death in a crash.

Make sure all seat belts are properly
positioned before driving.

Lap belt
as low as
possible

■

Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor

Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor

The shoulder anchor height can be adjusted to four
levels. If the belt contacts your neck, lower the height
one level at a time.

After an adjustment, make sure that the shoulder
anchor position is secure.

Pull
outward

Seat Belts

Fastening a Seat Belt

Safe Driving

Pull out the seat belt’s small latch plate and
the latch plate from each holding slot in the
ceiling.

■

Seat Belt with Detachable Anchor

Seat Belt with Detachable Anchor

To unlatch the detachable anchor, insert the latch
plate into the slot on the side of the anchor buckle.

WARNING

Using the seat belt with the detachable
anchor unfastened increases the chance of
serious injury or death in a crash.

Before using the seat belt, make sure the
detachable anchor is correctly latched.

Small
Latch
Plate

Latch Plate

Small Latch Plate

Latch Plate

Second row seat

Small Latch Plate

Latch Plate

Third row seat

* Not available on all models

Seat Belts

Fastening a Seat Belt

Continued

Safe Driving

Line up the triangle marks on the small
latch plate and anchor buckle. Make sure
the seat belt is not twisted. Attach the belt
to the anchor buckle.

Small
Latch
Plate

Anchor Buckle

Second row seat

Third row seat

Small
Latch
Plate

Anchor
Buckle

* Not available on all models

Seat Belts

Fastening a Seat Belt

Safe Driving

Insert the latch plate into the buckle.
Properly fasten the seat belt the same way
you fasten the lap/shoulder seat belt.

Latch Plate

Buckle

Second row seat

Third row seat

Latch Plate

Buckle

* Not available on all models

Seat Belts

Fastening a Seat Belt

Safe Driving

If you are pregnant, the best way to protect yourself and your unborn child when
driving or riding in a vehicle is to always wear a seat belt and keep the lap part of the
belt as low as possible across the hips.

■

Advice for Pregnant Women

Advice for Pregnant Women

Each time you have a checkup, ask your doctor if it is
okay for you to drive.

To reduce the risk of injuries to both you and your
unborn child that can be caused by an inflating front
airbag:

•

When driving, sit upright and adjust the seat as far
back as possible while allowing full control of the
vehicle.

•

When sitting in the front passenger’s seat, adjust
the seat as far back as possible.

Wear the shoulder belt
across the chest avoiding
the abdomen.

Wear the lap part of the
belt as low as possible
across the hips.

Seat Belts

Seat Belt Inspection

Safe Driving

Seat Belt Inspection

Regularly check the condition of your seat belts as follows:

•

Pull each belt out fully, and look for frays, cuts, burns, and wear.

•

Check that the latch plates and buckles work smoothly, and the belts retract
easily.

If a belt does not retract easily, cleaning the belt may correct the problem. Only
use a mild soap and warm water. Do not use bleach or cleaning solvents. Make
sure the belt is completely dry before allowing it to retract.

Any belt that is not in good condition or working properly will not provide proper
protection and should be replaced as soon as possible.
A belt that has been worn during a crash may not provide the same level of
protection in a subsequent crash. Have your seat belts inspected by a dealer after
any collision.

Seat Belt Inspection

WARNING

Not checking or maintaining seat belts can
result in serious injury or death if the seat
belts do not work properly when needed.

Check your seat belts regularly and have
any problem corrected as soon as possible.

Continued

Safe Driving

Airbags

Airbag System Components

Airbags

Airbag System Components

Safe Driving

The front, driver’s knee, front passenger’s
knee, side, and side curtain airbags are
deployed according to the direction and
severity of impact. Both side curtain airbags
are deployed in a rollover. The airbag
system includes:

Two SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
front airbags. The driver’s airbag is stored
in the center of the steering wheel; the
front passenger’s airbag is stored in the
dashboard. Both are marked

SRS

AIRBAG

Two knee airbags. The driver’s knee
airbag is stored under the steering
column; the front passenger’s knee
airbag is stored under the glove box.
Both are marked

SRS AIRBAG

Two side airbags. One for the driver and
one for the front passenger. The airbags
are stored in the outer edges of the seat-
backs. Both are marked

SIDE AIRBAG

Two side curtain airbags, one for each
side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored
in the ceiling, above the side windows.
The front and rear pillars are marked

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG

An electronic control unit that, when the
power mode is in ON, continually
monitors information about the various
impact sensors, seat and buckle sensors,
rollover sensor, airbag activators, seat
belt tensioners, and other vehicle
information. During a crash event, the
unit can record such information.

Automatic seat belt tensioners for the
front seats and the second row outer
seats. In addition, the driver’s and front
passenger’s seat belt buckles incorporate
sensors that detect whether or not the
belts are fastened.

Driver’s seat position sensor. This sensor
detects the driver’s seat slide position to
help determine the optimal deployment
of the driver’s airbag.

Weight sensors in the front passenger’s
seat. The sensors are used for occupant
classification to activate or deactivate the
front passenger’s airbag.

Impact sensors that can detect a
moderate-to-severe front or side impact.

An indicator on the dashboard that alerts
you that the front passenger’s front
airbag has been turned off.

An indicator on the instrument panel that
alerts you to a possible problem with your
airbag system or seat belt tensioners.

Safing Sensor

A rollover sensor that can detect if your
vehicle is about to roll over and signal the
control unit to deploy both side curtain
airbags.

Pressure sensors that can detect a
moderate-to-severe side impact.

Airbags

Airbag System Components

Safe Driving

Airbags can pose serious hazards. To do their job, airbags must inflate with
tremendous force. So, while airbags help save lives, they can cause burns, bruises,
and other minor injuries, sometimes even fatal ones if occupants are not wearing
their seat belts properly and sitting correctly.

What you should do:

Always wear your seat belt properly and sit upright and as

far back from the steering wheel as possible while allowing full control of the
vehicle. A front passenger should move their seat as far back from the dashboard as
possible.

Remember, however, that no safety system can prevent all injuries or deaths that
can occur in a severe crash, even when seat belts are properly worn and the airbags
deploy.

Do not place hard or sharp objects between yourself and a front airbag.

Carrying hard or sharp objects on your lap, or driving with a pipe or other sharp
object in your mouth, can result in injuries if your front airbag inflates.

Do not attach or place objects on the front, driver’s knee, and front
passenger’s knee airbag covers.

Objects on the covers marked

SRS AIRBAG

could interfere with the proper operation of the airbags or be propelled inside the
vehicle and hurt someone if the airbags inflate.

■

Important Facts About Your Airbags

Important Facts About Your Airbags

Do not attempt to deactivate your airbags. Together,
airbags and seat belts provide the best protection.

When driving, keep hands and arms out of the
deployment path of the front airbag by holding each
side of the steering wheel. Do not cross an arm over
the airbag cover.

Airbags

Types of Airbags

Safe Driving

Types of Airbags

Your vehicle is equipped with four types of airbags:

•

Front airbags:

Airbags in front of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats.

•

Knee airbags:

Airbags under the steering column and under the glove box.

•

Side airbags:

Airbags in the driver’s and front passenger’s seat-backs.

•

Side curtain airbags:

Airbags above the side windows.

Each is discussed in the following pages.

Front Airbags (SRS)

The front SRS airbags inflate in a moderate-to-severe frontal collision to help protect
the head and chest of the driver and/or front passenger.

SRS

(Supplemental Restraint System) indicates that the airbags are designed to

supplement seat belts, not replace them. Seat belts are the occupant’s primary
restraint system.

The front airbags are housed in the center of the steering wheel for the driver, and
in the dashboard for the front passenger. Both airbags are marked

SRS AIRBAG

■

Housing Locations

Types of Airbags

The airbags can inflate whenever the power mode is
in ON.

After an airbag inflates in a crash, you may see a
small amount of smoke. This is from the combustion
process of the inflator material and is not harmful.
People with respiratory problems may experience
some temporary discomfort. If this occurs, get out of
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Front Airbags (SRS)

During a frontal crash severe enough to cause one or
both front airbags to deploy, the airbags can inflate
at different rates, depending on the severity of the
crash, whether or not the seat belts are latched, and/
or other factors. Frontal airbags are designed to
supplement the seat belts to help reduce the
likelihood of head and chest injuries in frontal
crashes.

Continued

Airbags

Front Airbags (SRS)

Safe Driving

Front airbags are designed to inflate during moderate-to-severe frontal collisions.
When the vehicle decelerates suddenly, the sensors send information to the control
unit which signals one or both front airbags to inflate.

A frontal collision can be either head-on or angled between two vehicles, or when a
vehicle crashes into a stationary object, such as a concrete wall.

While your seat belt restrains your torso, the
front airbag provides supplemental protection
for your head and chest.
The front airbags deflate immediately so that
they won’t interfere with the driver’s visibility
or the ability to steer or operate other
controls.

The total time for inflation and deflation is so fast that most occupants are not
aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in front of them.

■

Operation

■

How the Front Airbags Work

How the Front Airbags Work

Although the driver’s and front passenger’s airbags
normally inflate within a split second of each other, it
is possible for only one airbag to deploy. This can
happen if the severity of a collision is at the margin,
or threshold that determines whether or not the
airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will
provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental
protection offered by the airbag would be minimal.

Airbags

Front Airbags (SRS)

Safe Driving

■

When front airbags should not deploy

Minor frontal crashes:

Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts and

help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might occur
during a less than moderate-to-severe frontal crash.

Side impacts:

Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration

causes a driver or front passenger to move toward the front of the vehicle. Side
airbags and side curtain airbags have been specifically designed to help reduce the
severity of injuries that can occur during a moderate-to-severe side impact which
can cause the driver or passenger to move toward the side of the vehicle.

Rear impacts:

Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a rear

impact. Front airbags cannot provide any significant protection and are not designed
to deploy in such collisions.

Rollovers:

In a rollover, your best form of protection is a seat belt or, if your vehicle

is equipped with a rollover sensor, both a seat belt and a side curtain airbag. Front
airbags, however, are not designed to deploy in a rollover as they would provide
little, if any, protection.

■

When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage

Because the airbag system senses sudden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to deploy.
Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object
that causes a sudden deceleration in the vehicle chassis. Since the impact is
underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.

■

When front airbags may not deploy, even though exterior damage
appears severe

Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags
would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they
had deployed.

Continued

Airbags

Front Airbags (SRS)

Safe Driving

The airbags have advanced features to help reduce the likelihood of airbag related
injuries to smaller occupants.

The driver’s advanced airbag system includes a
seat position sensor.

Based on information from this sensor and the
severity of the impact, the advanced airbag
system determines the optimal deployment of
the driver’s airbag.

The front passenger’s advanced airbag system
has weight sensors. The sensors are used for
occupant classification to activate or
deactivate the front passenger’s airbag.

For adult size occupants, the system will
automatically activate the front passenger’s
airbag. If a small adult sits in the front
passenger seat and the system does not
recognize him/her as an adult, see

Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

P. 74

■

Advanced Airbags

Advanced Airbags

If there is a problem with the driver’s seat position
sensor or the passenger’s seat weight sensors, the
SRS indicator will come on, and in the event of a
crash, the airbag will deploy (regardless of the driver’s
seating position or passenger’s occupant
classification) with a force corresponding to the
severity of the impact.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Indicator

P. 73

For the advanced front airbags to work properly,
confirm that:

•

The occupant is sitting in an upright position
wearing the seat belt properly and the seat-back is
not excessively reclined.

•

The occupant is not leaning against the door or
center console.

•

The occupant’s feet are placed on the floor in front
of them.

•

There are no objects hanging from the front
passenger’s seat.

•

Only small, lightweight objects are in the seat-back
pocket.

•

The steering wheel and passenger’s side dashboard
are not obstructed by any object.

•

No liquid has been spilled on or under the seat.

•

There is no child seat or other object pressing
against the rear of the seat or seat-back.

•

There is no rear passenger pushing or pulling on
the back of the front passenger’s seat.

Driver’s
Seat
Position
Sensor

Passenger’s
Seat Weight
Sensors

Airbags

Front Airbags (SRS)

Safe Driving

We advise against allowing a child age 12 or under to ride in the front passenger’s
seat. However, if you do allow a small child or infant to ride in the front passenger’s
seat, the system is designed to automatically deactivate the front passenger’s airbag.
Do not let a small child or infant ride in the front passenger’s seat if the airbag does
not automatically deactivate.

Advanced Airbags

•

There are no objects placed under or beside the
front passenger’s seat. Improperly positioned
objects can interfere with the advanced airbag
sensors.

•

The head restraint is not contacting the roof.

Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

P. 74

•

The floor mat behind the front passenger’s seat is
hooked to the floor mat anchor. An improperly
placed mat can interfere with the advanced airbag
sensors.

Floor Mats

P. 731

Airbags

Knee Airbags

Continued

Safe Driving

Knee Airbags

The knee SRS airbags inflate in a moderate-to-severe frontal collision to help keep
the driver and/or front passenger in the proper position and to help maximize the
benefit provided by the vehicle’s other safety features.

SRS

(Supplemental Restraint System) indicates that the airbags are designed to

supplement seat belts, not replace them. Seat belts are the occupant’s primary
restraint system.

The knee airbag for the driver and the one for
the front passenger are housed under the
steering column and the glove box
respectively.

Both are marked

SRS AIRBAG

■

Housing Locations

Knee Airbags

Do not attach accessories on or near the knee airbags
as they can interfere with the proper operation of the
airbags, or even hurt someone if the airbags inflate.

The driver and front passenger should not store any
items under the seat or behind their feet. The items
can interfere with proper airbag deployment in the
event of a moderate to severe frontal collision and
may result in inadequate protection.

Housing
Location

Airbags

Knee Airbags

Safe Driving

The driver’s and front passenger’s knee airbag
deploy at the same time as the driver’s and
front passenger’s airbag respectively.

Even if the collision is not severe enough to
deploy the front airbags, the knee airbags may
inflate alone.

■

Operation

When
inflated

Knee
Airbag

When
inflated

Knee
Airbag

Honda Pilot (2024 year). Manual in english - page 1