The Firing order of your Honda Pilot is one of the most important things to know if you want to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
The firing order is the order in which your engine’s cylinders fire and it’s important because it means that one cylinder can only be fired at a time.
In this article, you’ll find the firing order and a useful visual diagram for your Honda Pilot model year from 2002 to 2015. Let’s dive right in.
What Engine is in the 2002-2015 Model Year Honda Pilot?
The first and second generation of the Honda Pilot which was produced from 2002 to 2015 is equipped with the legendary 3.5L V6 engine.
From 2002 to 2009, the first generation produced 240 horsepower and 242 lb/ft of torque. The second generation saw a slight improvement, with the engine now producing 250 horsepower and 253 lb/ft of torque.
The engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission which sends power to the front wheels via a drive train that consists of a limited-slip differential and independent suspension system with an optional all-wheel-drive.
Honda Pilot Firing Order
The Firing Order for the Honda Pilot is 1-4-2-5-3-6, so in this engine, the first cylinder that fires is number 1.
The second cylinder that fires is 4, then the third cylinder that fires is 2, and so on until the sixth cylinder, which is 6.
This is the order in which your Honda pilot engine fires. The firing order is important because it tells you where to look for problems with your Honda Pilot engine.
If the engine is misfiring, you need to check which cylinders aren’t firing properly so that you can fix them before they cause any damage.
Honda Pilot Diagram
Now that you know the firing order of your Honda Pilot engine, you can use this diagram to help you visualize how all of the cylinders work together.
The Importance of Firing Order on a Honda Pilot
As I mentioned above the firing order of your engine plays a vital role in how your Pilot runs; here are some reasons why:
1. Tells You Which Cylinders Are Not Firing Properly
If you have an engine misfire on certain cylinders, it’s very easy to see which ones are not firing properly.
Normally the OBD2 Scanner will point out the cylinders that are misfiring, and you can then look at the firing order to see which cylinders are not firing.
This will help you determine if it’s a bad spark plug, coil pack, or worn-out piston ring.
2. Reduces Engine Vibrations
Another importance of the correct firing order on your Pilot is that it will help reduce engine vibrations.
If your engine is not firing in the correct order, then there will be a lot of vibration in your vehicle.
This can lead to premature wear and tear on your engine components as well as affect performance.
3. Efficient Power Production
A proper firing order ensures that the engine can generate power as efficiently as possible.
The firing order is designed to provide the most power with the least amount of fuel consumption, ensuring that the Honda Pilot has good fuel efficiency for its class.
4. Ensures a Smooth Power Delivery
The firing order of your Pilot is also important for ensuring a smooth power delivery.
If the engine is not firing in the correct order, then it will be difficult for you to accelerate or climb hills. The result is that your vehicle will have trouble moving forward and may stall out at stoplights.
5. Engine Longevity
The firing order also has implications for engine wear and longevity. An incorrect or inefficient firing order can lead to premature wear on the engine, reducing its lifespan.
Optimal Exhaust Timing
A correct firing order, together with the camshaft design, affects exhaust valve timing. This, in turn, influences how effectively the engine expels exhaust gases, which can impact overall engine performance.
Honda Pilot Firing Order Table
| Order | Cylinder Number |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 4 | 5 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 6 |
Here is a helpful Table displaying the firing order for the Honda Pilot’s 3.5L engine. The cylinder numbers indicate their location within the engine, and the firing order displays the sequence in which the spark plug within that cylinder ignites.
Additional Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Pilot
https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/
https://feng.stafpu.bu.edu.eg/Mechanical%20Engineering/2511/crs-14012/Files/Firing%20order.pdf