Where to put jack on 2011 Honda Pilot?

The 2011 Honda Pilot stores its jack in the spare-tire well in the rear cargo area, and you lift at designated points along the rocker-panel pinch welds or at the center front/rear crossmembers. This guide shows exactly where to place the jack and how to change a tire safely.

Locating the jack and the tool kit

Before lifting, locate the jack and tools so you can access them quickly when needed. The jack kit is stored with the spare tire in the rear cargo area floor. Access comes by lifting the floor panel and removing the spare-tire cover to reveal the scissor jack and lug wrench.

Note: The exact layout can vary by market or trim, but the jack and lug wrench are typically part of the same toolkit. Ensure you have the correct tools before starting any tire change.

• Open the rear hatch and lift the cargo floor panel to reach the spare-tire well.


• Remove the spare-tire cover and pull out the jack, lug wrench, and any associated handle or extension.


• Ensure the vehicle is on a level surface and the parking brake is engaged before proceeding.

Keeping the toolkit organized and returning it to its storage location after use helps you stay prepared for future roadside changes.

Designated jacking points on the 2011 Pilot

Use only the reinforced jacking points designated by Honda. These points include the pinch-weld areas along the rocker panels near each wheel and the center crossmembers at the front and rear of the vehicle. Do not place the jack on the exhaust, fuel lines, or suspension components.

If your vehicle is AWD, the jacking points and procedure remain the same; do not rely on the drivetrain to bear weight while changing a tire. Always support the car with the jack only at the proper points and, if possible, use wheel chocks on the opposite side.

Safety reminders

Never get under the car while it is supported only by a jack. Use jack stands if you need extra working clearance. Check that the jack pad sits atop a solid, flat section of the designated point and keep hands and feet clear of the wheel when loosening or tightening lug nuts.

• Front center jacking point: located on the front crossmember beneath the engine cradle (centered under the vehicle).


• Rear center jacking point: located on the rear crossmember behind the rear axle (centered under the vehicle).


• Left front pinch-weld jacking point: along the left rocker panel near the front wheel.


• Right front pinch-weld jacking point: along the right rocker panel near the front wheel.


• Left rear pinch-weld jacking point: along the left rocker panel near the rear wheel.


• Right rear pinch-weld jacking point: along the right rocker panel near the rear wheel.

These points are designed to support the vehicle safely during lifting and to minimize damage to bodywork and structural components.

Step-by-step tire change procedure

Follow these steps to change a tire safely and efficiently. The sequence helps maintain stability and protect the vehicle and yourself during the process.

1. Park on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and place wheel chocks on the wheels opposite the tire you are changing.


2. Retrieve the jack kit from the spare-tire well and loosen the lug nuts slightly while the vehicle is still on the ground.


3. Position the jack under the appropriate jacking point for the wheel you are changing and raise the vehicle until the tire clears the ground.


4. Remove the lug nuts completely and take the wheel off the studs.


5. Mount the spare or repaired wheel onto the studs, hand-tighten the lug nuts, then lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to the specified torque.


6. Stow the jack and tools back in their storage locations and secure the spare wheel.

After you’ve finished, drive slowly for a short distance and re-check the lug-nut torque once the wheel has settled. If you used a temporary spare, follow the vehicle’s guidance on speed and distance until you can install a full-size wheel.

Summary

For a 2011 Honda Pilot, the jack lives in the spare-tire well in the rear cargo area. Use the pinch-weld points along the rocker panels or the center front/rear crossmembers to jack the vehicle, and always follow safe procedures: level ground, parking brake applied, wheel chocks in place, and lug nuts torqued to spec. With proper preparation and attention to the designated points, changing a tire can be performed safely and efficiently.