service indicator HONDA RIDGELINE 2008 1.G Owners Manual

2008 Ridgeline Online Reference Owner's Manual
Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety .............................................................................................................................. iii Important Handling Information .................................................................................................................... iv
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) .................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) .................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls
(indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column)
............................................ 57
Features (climate control
, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control and Homelink)
...................................... 123
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ..................................................................... 179
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ................................................................................................ 197
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 237
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fuses) ...................................... 275
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 301
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 317
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ......................................................................................... 321
Index ............................................................................................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
1 00X31-SJC-6202

How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other convenience
f eatures.
A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints. What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
Features Bef ore Driving
Driving
Maintenance
T echnical Inf ormation
Warranty and Customer
Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
T aking Care of the Unexpected
Overview of Contents
2
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µ
This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts. It
explains how your airbags work. And
it tells you how to properly restrain
inf ants and children in your vehicle.
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features .7
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
...........................................
Airbags .9
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .11
.....
1. Close and Lock the Doors .11
...........
2. Adjust the Front Seats .11
............
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs .12
...
4. Adjust the Head Restraints .13
5. Fasten and Position the
.............................
Seat Belts .14
6. Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .15
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .16
...
Additional Safety Precautions .17 Additional Inf ormation About Your
.................................
Seat Belts .18
..
Seat Belt System Components .18
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .19
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .19
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance .20
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags .21
......
Airbag System Components .21
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .23
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .26
How your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .28
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .28
How the Side Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .29
How the Passenger Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .29
.............................
Airbag Service .30
...
Additional Safety Precautions .31
Protecting Children General ................................
Guidelines .32
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .32 All Children Should Sit in a
.................................
Back Seat .33
The Passenger’s Front Airbag .........
Can Pose Serious Risks .33
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .35
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .35
...
Additional Safety Precautions .36
Protecting Inf ants and Small ...................................
Children .37
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .37
.........
Protecting Small Children .38
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .39
....................
Installing a Child Seat .40
...............................
With LATCH .41
.........
With a Lap/Shoulder Belt .44
..............................
With a Tether .46
...........
Protecting Larger Children .49
...............
Checking Seat Belt Fit .49
..................
Using a Booster Seat .50
When Can a Larger Child Sit in
.........................................
Front .51
...
Additional Safety Precautions .52
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .53
...................................
Saf ety Labels .54
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
5
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Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance f ree, and there are no
parts you can saf ely service.
However, you must have your
vehicle serviced if:Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by an authorized dealer or
a knowledgeable body shop. Any airbag
that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit and other related parts. Any
seat belt tensioner that activates
must also be replaced.
Be aware that objects placed on the
f ront seat can cause the indicator to
come on.
If no weight is detected in the f ront
seat, the airbag will be automatically
shut of f . However, the indicator will
not come on.
The passenger airbag of f indicator
maycomeonandoff repeatedlyif
the total weight on the seat is near
the airbag cutof f threshold.
If an adult or teenage passenger is
riding in f ront, move the seat as f ar
to the rear as possible, and have the
passenger sit upright and wear the
seat belt properly. If the indicator comes on with no
f ront seat passenger and no objects
on the seat, or with an adult riding
there, something may be interf ering
with the weight sensors. Look f or
and remove:
Any items under the f ront
passenger’s seat.
Any object hanging on the seat or
in the seat-back pocket.
Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, your airbags may not
operate properly.
Any object touching the rear of
the seat-back.
If no obstructions are f ound, have
your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible.
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Airbag Service
An airbag ever inf lates.
T he SRS indicat or alert s you t o aproblem.
30
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This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If itcomesonandstaysonatany
other time, or if it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. Take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked. Without VSA, your vehicle
still has normal driving ability, but
will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. See pagef or more inf ormation on the
VSA system. It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system.
This indicator has three f unctions:
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. For more inf ormation, see
page . This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. It
remindsyouthatitistimetotake
your vehicle in f or scheduled
maintenance. The maintenance main
items and sub items will be displayed
in the information display. See page
f or more inf ormation on the
maintenance minder.
This indicator goes of f when your
dealer resets it after completing the
required maintenance service.
1.
2.
3. 215
215
215 239
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
VSA A ctivation Indicator Maintenance Minder
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
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This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator and the tire
pressure monitor will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
The appropriate tire indicator will
come on along with the low tire
pressure indicator if a tire is
signif icantly underinf lated or has
suddenly lost pressure. See
for what to
do if this indicator comes on.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure on the tire
pressure monitor, and determine the
cause. If it is because of a f lat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). Ref er to page
f or more inf ormation. 276
208 298 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator T ire Pressure Monitor
Low
Tire Pressure Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
68
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To switch the information display
between the odometer, trip meter
and outside temperature (if
equipped), and engine oil lif e and
maintenance service items, press the
SELECT button repeatedly.
This shows the total distance your
vehicle has been driven. It measures
miles in U.S. models and kilometers
in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
Odometer
Gauges
70
SPEEDOMETER
TACHOMETER TEMPERATURE GAUGE FUEL GAUGE
SELECT
BUTTON
RESET
BUTTON
OUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR
U.S. model is shown. INFORMATION
DISPLAY
ODOMETER/
TIGHTEN FUEL
CAP MESSAGE
TRIP METER
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The inf ormation display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil lif e and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
inf ormation helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs f or continued trouble-
f ree driving. Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.
If your f uel f ill cap is loose or
missing, a ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’
message appears on the information
display af ter you start the engine.
Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. When you restart the
engine, the message appears again.
The message goes of f af ter several
days of normal driving once you
tighten or replace the fuel fill cap. To
scroll to another display, press the
SELECT button. If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
291 239
Maintenance Minder Display
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
73
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Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
We recommended using a quality
gasoline containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contactyour authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 % ethanol by
volume and up to 15 % MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Premium f uel is recommended when
towing in certain conditions (see
page ).
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
229
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
180
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Whenever f illing a f uel container,
use an approved f uel container, and
place it on the ground. Do not f ill the
f uel container in the vehicle,
including the pickup bed and the
In-Bed Trunk. Make sure to put the
f uel pump nozzle in the f uel f iller of
the container securely and to handle
it properly.
Your vehicle has a warning label f or
f illing a portable f uel container on
the lef t rear side of the pickup bed.
Before placing the fuel container in
the vehicle, wipe up any spill
completely.
Gasoline or f uel vapors are
extremely f lammable and explosive.
Improperly handling f uel can cause
anexplosioninwhichyoucanbe
seriously injured.
Screw the fuel fill cap back on
until it clicks at least once. If you
do not properly tighten the cap,
the malf unction indicator lamp
maycomeon(seepage ).You
will also see a ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL
CAP’’ message on the inf ormation
display.
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
5.
6.
291
Service Station Procedures
Filling a Port able Fuel Cont ainer
182
Do not fill a portable fuel
container in the pickup bed.
Static electricity can ignite gas
vapors and you can be burned.
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