Wheels, Tires and Turning Radius
A 65-series tire was selected to provide optimum comfort for all passengers. Tires are P245/65/R17 105T radials mounted on 17 x 7.5-inch wheels. The Pilot LX is equipped with styled steel wheels, while Pilot EX, EX-L and Touring models feature cast alloy wheels with a bright machined look. The Pilot Touring has an exclusive wheel design for a more upscale appearance. Seventeen and 18-inch chrome finish alloy wheels are available as a dealer-installed accessory on all models.

The compact spare is carried under the rear load floor and can be lowered by turning a hidden hex-head bolt with the provided lug-nut wrench. The hex-head bolt is located under a cover conveniently located in the rear hatch trim area. This arrangement guarantees the security of the spare and keeps it readily accessible without disturbing luggage or cargo carried onboard. Room is provided to stow a flat or a full-size spare in the compact spare's location.

Braking System
Consistent with its use as a people and cargo hauler and as a towing platform, the 4-wheel disc brakes on the 2009 Pilot are the largest brake system ever featured on a production Honda vehicle. The brake system is engineered to provide high levels of braking capability. The ventilated front brake rotors are 13.0-inches in diameter with a thickness of 1.1-inches, while the solid rear rotors are 13.2-inch diameter units with a thickness of 0.43-inches. Dual-piston cast iron brake calipers are used in front and single-piston cast iron calipers are fit in back. A single stage vacuum booster consists of one 10.5-inch diameter booster chamber.

The Pilot features large capacity brake components. Consisting of four-wheel disc brakes and four-channel anti-lock brakes, the Pilot's brakes are tuned for stable and linear braking forces. For optimum performance with widely varying loads, Pilot has Electronic Brake Distribution system (EBD) technology. EBD monitors braking force and adjusts front-to-rear brake effort to achieve maximum braking performance and stability. At the rear, a select-low braking strategy is used to help maintain directional stability in slippery driving. In the event one rear wheel verges on lock-up, triggering a pressure modulation at that wheel, brake pressure is also diminished at the adjoining wheel to help preserve the rear axle's lateral stability. The parking brake is set by stepping on a pedal located on the left side of the driver's foot well, freeing space in the center console area. The release is located on the lower left side of the instrument panel.

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
The Pilot's Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS) has four sensing and activating channels to detect a wheel on the verge of lock up. In the event this occurs, brake pressure is held and then reduced to permit that wheel to regain traction before full braking resumes. The front suspension geometry has a very small scrub radius to help maintain dynamic stability even when one front wheel is braking harder than the other because of uneven traction conditions. (See the safety section for more information.)

Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), also known as electronic stability control, is included as standard equipment. By continually monitoring the vehicle's operating parameters (such as road speed, throttle position, steering wheel position along with acceleration, braking and cornering loads), VSA anticipates the vehicle approaching oversteer or understeer. To help correct either of these situations, VSA first acts to transfer torque bias to the axle with the most traction. This preventative measure significantly reduces the number of brake and throttle interventions. The response is so quick that the instability may be corrected even before the driver knows it is occurring. Traction Control is integrated into the VSA, and it helps the vehicle accelerate smoothly on slippery surfaces. (See the safety section for more information.)