R Position

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Honda Pilot, 2007 Honda Pilot, and 2006 Honda Pilot. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Hydraulic pressure is applied to the servo valve to engage the reverse selector with the countershaft reverse gear while the shift lever is in the R position.
Hydraulic pressure is applied to the 5th clutch, then the 5th clutch engages the mainshaft reverse gear with the mainshaft.
The mainshaft reverse gear drives the countershaft reverse gear via the reverse idler gear.
The countershaft reverse gear drives the countershaft via the reverse selector which drives the reverse selector hub.
The rotation direction of the countershaft is changed by the reverse idler gear.
Power is transmitted to the final drive gear, which in turn drives the final driven gear, and the transfer drive gear (4WD).
4WD: The transfer output shaft drives the transfer hypoid drive gear/shaft and the transfer output shaft (hypoid gear).

NOTE: The illustration shows the 4WD transmission; the 2WD transmission does not have the transfer mechanism.

Fig 1: Power Flow Diagram - R Position (4WD Transmission)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.