To pop the hood on a 2013 Honda Pilot, pull the interior hood-release lever, then release the front secondary latch and lift the hood.
Step 1: Open from inside the cabin
Locating the interior release
Find the hood-release lever inside the cabin, typically on the driver's side near the kick panel or under the dash. The lever is usually labeled and pulled toward you to release the latch.
- Ensure the engine is off and the parking brake is set.
- Locate the interior hood-release lever near the driver's side footwell or under the dashboard.
- Pull the lever firmly toward you until you hear or feel the hood release and the hood pops up slightly.
Hearing a pop indicates the interior latch has released, allowing you to access the front latch to fully open the hood.
Step 2: Release the front secondary latch
Finding the front latch
Stand at the front of the vehicle and locate the secondary latch along the center edge of the hood, just behind the grille. This latch is what keeps the hood secured from the outside.
- With the hood popped up a bit, reach to the center of the hood edge and locate the small front latch.
- Push the latch to the side or lift it, depending on the mechanism, to release the hood.
- Gently lift the hood from the center until it is fully opened, supported by its gas struts or a prop rod.
Once the front latch is released, the hood should raise higher and stay open due to the hood’s support mechanism. If your Pilot uses a prop rod, secure it in the designated hole to hold the hood open; if it uses gas struts, simply continue lifting until fully open.
What to do after opening
Always ensure the hood is securely open before performing any maintenance. If using a prop rod, leave it engaged in its support hole. If the hood is held by gas struts, confirm it is fully supported. When you’re finished, lower the hood slowly until the latch engages with a light tap to close.
Summary
Opening the hood on a 2013 Honda Pilot is a two-stage process: first release the interior hood latch from inside the cabin, then release the front secondary latch to lift the hood. With the hood open and secured, you can safely inspect the engine bay or perform maintenance as needed.