Honda Pilot MPG, gas tank, tires, and towing

Pilot generations at a glance

• 2008 (1st generation, last year): 3.5-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic, 20.3-gallon tank.
• 2009–2015 (2nd generation): a larger body, the 3.5-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic, and a 21-gallon tank.
• 2016–2022 (3rd generation): a direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 with a 6-speed automatic on lower trims and a 9-speed on upper trims. Tank 19.5 gallons. TrailSport joined for 2022.
• 2023 and later (4th generation): a new 3.5-liter V6 with a 10-speed automatic, front- or all-wheel drive.

Pilot gas mileage by year

Open a model year for each EPA version. Mileage rose from 18–19 mpg on 2010–2011 models to 22–23 mpg on the 2016 and later Pilot. The TrailSport, with its off-road tires, is rated 1 mpg lower than other AWD Pilots. With a trailer, mileage drops well below these numbers; your own log is the best guide.

EPA estimates for new vehicles from fueleconomy.gov (U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE), data retrieved November 12, 2026. Your mileage will vary with how and where you drive. EPA data on this site starts with the 2010 model year.

Pilot gas tank size and range

Range below is the tank size times the EPA combined rating. In real use, with a full load of passengers or a trailer, plan stops well before that. The trip gas cost calculator works out the cost of a road trip, and the gas budget calculator does it for a month.

Pilot tire size and pressure

Pilot pressures range from 31 to 35 psi depending on year and wheel. The 2012–2015 LX is the odd one: 31 psi front and 33 psi rear. Upper 2012–2015 trims on 18-inch wheels take 35 psi all around, and the 2016–2022 Pilot takes 32 psi on 18-inch wheels and 35 psi on 20-inch wheels. The driver’s door jamb label has your numbers. See tire pressure light for warning lights.

Pilot oil at a glance

The 2008–2015 Pilot holds 4.5 quarts with the filter: 5W-20 through 2011, 0W-20 from 2012. The 2016–2022 Pilot takes 0W-20 and holds 5.7 quarts. All years and the oil spec: Pilot oil page.

Pilot towing capacity

The Pilot is the strongest tower among these Hondas, but the rating depends on drive and year:

• 2016–2022: 5,000 lb for an all-wheel-drive Pilot with an automatic transmission fluid (ATF) cooler, 3,500 lb for AWD without the cooler and for front-wheel drive, per the 2020 manual. The limit drops as you add passengers: at 5,000 lb it assumes two or three people aboard. A dealer can add the ATF cooler.
• 2009–2015: 4,500 lb with 4WD, 3,500 lb with 2WD.
• 2008: up to 4,500 lb.
• 2023 and later: we could not check a manual; the rating is in the Driving section of your owner’s manual.

• 4th generation (2023–2026): Check your owner’s manual
• 3rd generation (2016–2022): up to 5,000 lb⁷
• 2nd generation (2009–2015): up to 4,500 lb³
• 1st generation (2008): up to 4,500 lb¹

Recalls: check by VIN

Recalls apply to specific VINs. Type your 17-character VIN into nhtsa.gov/recalls; you’ll find it at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side and on your registration. On a used Pilot, check before you buy. Any Honda dealer will do recall work for free.

What to record in your log

• Fill-ups with and without a trailer, kept apart. That is the only way to know your real towing mileage and range.
• Each Maintenance Minder service with its code, especially B16 (rear differential on AWD) and any code with a 4 (timing belt on the V6).
• Trailer trips with weight and distance, since Honda’s timing belt guidance changes for a Pilot that tows.

Use a car maintenance log and a fuel log.

FAQ

What is the gas mileage of a Honda Pilot?

The 2026 Pilot is rated 22 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 20 to 21 mpg with all-wheel drive. A 2016–2022 Pilot is rated 22 to 23 mpg.

How much can a Honda Pilot tow?

5,000 lb for a 2016–2022 Pilot with all-wheel drive and an ATF cooler (3,500 lb otherwise), and 4,500 lb for a 2009–2015 Pilot with 4WD.

How big is the gas tank on a Honda Pilot?

19.5 gallons on 2016–2022, 21 gallons on 2009–2015, and 20.3 gallons on the 2008 Pilot.

What tire pressure does a Honda Pilot use?

32 psi on 18-inch wheels and 35 psi on 20-inch wheels for 2016–2022. Earlier Pilots range from 31 to 35 psi; see the table above.

Milealot is an independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by American Honda Motor Co. Honda, Pilot, and Maintenance Minder are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to name the vehicles.

Sources

1. 2008 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Service Information Summary and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
2. 2009 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Service Information Summary and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
3. 2011 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Service Information Summary and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
4. 2012 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Service Information Summary (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
5. 2013 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Specifications and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
6. 2016 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Specifications, maintenance, and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
7. 2020 Honda Pilot Owner’s Manual, Specifications and towing (archived copy of techinfo.honda.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
8. U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, fueleconomy.gov vehicle data (MPG; retrieved November 12, 2026)