steering HONDA RIDGELINE 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Your vehicle has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed f or use only on pavement. Higher ground
clearance has many advantages f or of f -highway driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier. Your vehicle also has a shorter
wheelbase, allowing it to respond quicker to the steering wheel than other sport utility vehicles with a longer
wheelbase.
In addition to these characteristics, your vehicle’s pickup bed area allows you to carry more cargo and has the dual-
action tailgate to handle the items easily.
These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher of f the ground, it has a high
center of gravity. This means your vehicle can tip or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a
signif icantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is signif icantly
more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make sure you and your passengers always wear
seat belts.
Overloading or improperly loading cargo could af f ect your handling and the vehicle’s stability, and could result in a
crash. Make sure the cargo is properly loaded and all items are secured in the pickup bed area.
For inf ormation on how to reduce the risk of rollover, read ‘‘Driving Guidelines’’ on page of this manual and thesection on page . Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result in loss of
control or an accident. 268
306
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Important Handling Inf ormation
iv
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2009 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, multi-information display, dashboard, and steering column
)
........... 59
Features (climate control
, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control and Homelink®)
..................................... 145
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ..................................................................... 247
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ................................................................................................ 267
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 311
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fuses) ...................................... 359
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 385
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 403
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ......................................................................................... 407
Index ............................................................................................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
1 00X31-SJC-6300

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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Only on vehicles equipped with navigation system. Ref er to the navigation system manual. To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
If equipped
On models with navigation system.
On models without navigation system.
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
REMOTE AUDIO CONTROLS
HEADLIGHT CONTROL DIAL
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM OFF SWITCH HORN
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT SEAT HEATERS PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
INDICATORSEL/RESET BUTTON INFO ( ) BUTTON
SELECT BUTTON
VTM-4 LOCK
Vehicle with navigation system is shown. INTERIOR LIGHT CONTROL
SWITCH CRUISE CONTROLS HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
VOICE CONTROL
BUTTONS BLUETOOTH
HANDSFREELINKSYSTEM VOICE CONTROL
BUTTONS
MULTI-CONTROL LEVER
(WINDSHIELD WIPERS/
WASHERS/TURN SIGNALS/
HEADLIGHT HIGH BEAMS)
(P.98)
(P.94)
(P.202)
(P.95) MOONROOF SWITCH
(P.131)
FOG LIGHTS
(P.292)
BED LIGHT SWITCH
(P.144) (P.99)
(P.126)
(P.142)
(P.207) (P.99) (P.31)
(P.76) (P.76) (P.76)
(P.76)
(P.276)
SHIFT LEVER
(P.271) TRIP/RESET BUTTON
(P.76)
(P.97) (P.218)INFO ( ) BUTTON
2
124
4
5
3 3
2
2 5
4
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Your vehicle is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.
Some f eatures do not require any
action on your part. These include a
strong steel f ramework that f orms a
saf ety cage around the passenger
compartment, front and rear crush
zones, a collapsible steering column,
and tensioners that tighten the f ront
seat belts in a crash.
However, you and your passengers
can’t take f ull advantage of these
f eatures unless you remain sitting in
a proper position and. In fact, some safety
f eatures can contribute to injuries if
they are not used properly.
The f ollowing pages explain how you
cantakeanactiveroleinprotecting
yourself and your passengers.
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features
always wear
your seat belts
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
7
(7) (9) (1)
(2)
(6) (10)
(8)
(5)
(2) (11)
(4)
(3)
(10)
(6) Seat Belts
(7) Front Airbags
(8) Front Seat Belt Tensioners
(9) Door Locks
(10) Side Airbags
(11) Side Curtain Airbags
(1) Safety Cage
(2) Crush Zones
(3) Seats and Seat-Backs
(4) Head Restraints
(5) Collapsible Steering Column
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The rest of this section gives more
detailed inf ormation about how you
can maximize your saf ety.
The most important things you need
to know about your airbags are:
They are designed to supplement
the seat belts.
Remember, however, that no saf ety
system can prevent all injuries or
deaths that can occur in a severe
crash, even when seat belts are
properly worn and the airbags deploy.Always wear
your seat belt properly, and sit
upright and as f ar back f rom the
steering wheel as possible while
allowing f ull control of the vehicle. A
f ront passenger should move their
seat as far back from the dashboard
as possible.
To do their job, airbags must
inf late with tremendous f orce. So
while airbags help save lives, they
can cause minor injuries or more
serious or even fatal injuries if
occupants are not properly
restrained or sitting properly.
In addition, your vehicle has side
curtain airbags to help protect the
heads of the driver, f ront passenger,
and passengers in the outer rear
seating positions during a moderate
to severe side impact or rollover (see
page f or more inf ormation on how
your side curtain airbags work).
30
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features
Airbags do not replace seat belts.
A irbags of f er no prot ect ion in rearimpact s, or minor f ront al or sidecollisions. What you should do:
Airbags can pose serious hazards.
10
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If you sit too close to the steering
wheel or dashboard, you can be
seriously injured by an inf lating f ront
airbag, or by striking the steering
wheel or dashboard.
Adjust the driver’s seat-back to a
comf ortable, upright position,
leaving ample space between your
chest and the airbag cover in the
center of the steering wheel.
Passengers with adjustable seat-
backs should also adjust their seat-
back to a comf ortable, upright
position.
Once your seat is adjusted correctly,
rock it back and f orth to make sure it
is locked into position. See page
f or how to adjust the f ront seats.
If you cannot get f ar enough away
f rom the steering wheel and still
reach the controls, we recommend
that you investigate whether some
type of adaptive equipment may help.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that drivers
allow at least 10 inches (25 cm)
between the center of the steering
wheel and the chest. In addition to
adjusting the seat, you can adjust the
steering wheel up and down (see
page ).99
119
On RT and Canadian DX and VP models
Protecting A dults and Teens
Adjust the Seat-Backs3.
14
Sitting too close to a front
airbag can result in serious
injury or death if the front
airbags inflate.
Always sit as far back from the
front airbags as possible.
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Your airbag system includes:Two SRS (supplemental restraint
system) f ront airbags. The driver’s
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the f ront
passenger’sairbagisstoredinthe
dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS
AIRBAG’’ (see page ).
Two side airbags, one f or the
driver and one f or a f ront
passenger. The airbags are stored
in the outer edges of the seat-
backs. Both are marked ‘‘SIDE
AIRBAG’’ (see page ).
Two side curtain airbags, one f or
each side of the vehicle. The
airbags are stored in the ceiling,
above the side windows. The f ront
and rear pillars are marked ‘‘SIDE
CURTAIN AIRBAG’’ (see page ). 25
28
30
CONT INUED
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
A irbag System Components
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
23
(15)
(16)
(15)
(8)
(12)
(1)
(3)
(5)
(6)(4)
(14) (14)
(10)
(13)
(2)
(7)
(9)
(11)
(5)(4)
(7)
(6) Driver’s Seat Position Sensor
(7) Front Passenger’s Weight Sensors
(8) Front Impact Sensors
(9) Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
(10) Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) Sensors (1) Driver’s Front Airbag
(2) Passenger’s Front Airbag
(3) Control Unit
(4) Front Seat Belt Tensioners
(5) Side Airbags
(11) Front Passenger’s Weight Sensors/OPDS Sensors Control Unit
(12) SRS Indicator
(13) Side Curtain Airbags
(14) Side Impact Sensors (First)
(15) Side Impact Sensors (Second)
(16) Roll Rate Sensor
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This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .60
............................
Instrument Panel .61
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .62
.............................................
Gauges .76
..............
Multi-Inf ormation Display.82
Controls Near the Steering
...........................................
Wheel .93
........................
Multi-Control Lever .94
........................................
Headlights .95
...............
Headlight Control Dial .95
........................................
Fog Lights .97
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .98
.................
Hazard Warning Button .99
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment .99
................................................
Keys .100
......................
Immobilizer System .101
..............................
Ignition Switch .102
....................................
Door Locks .103
............
Childproof Door Locks .104
Auto Door Locking/
..............................
Unlocking .104
.....................
Remote Transmitter .110
.....................
Dual-Action Tailgate .113
.............................
In-Bed Trunk .116
...............................................
Seats .119
..................................
Seat Heaters .126............................
Power Windows .128
.......................................
Moonroof .131
...............................
Parking Brake .132
...........................................
Mirrors .133
.........
Interior Convenience Items .135
.........................
Center Console .136
.......
Console Compartments .136
.........................
Cargo Hooks .137
.....................
Beverage Holders .137
..................................
Glove Box .138
................................
Coat Hooks .138
....................
Sunglasses Holder .138
........
Accessory Power Sockets .139
...................................
Sun Visor .140
............................
Vanity Mirror .140
........................
AC Power Outlet .141
...............................
Interior Lights .142
.....................................
Bed Lights .144
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59
TM
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2009 Ridgeline

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Only on vehicles equipped with navigation system. Ref er to the navigation system manual. To use the horn, press the center pad of the steering wheel.
If equipped
On models with navigation system.
On models without navigation system.
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
93
MOONROOF SWITCH
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
REMOTE AUDIO CONTROLS
HEADLIGHT CONTROL DIAL
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM OFF SWITCH HORN
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT SEAT HEATERS PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
INDICATORSEL/RESET BUTTON INFO ( ) BUTTON
SELECT BUTTON
TRIP/RESET BUTTON
SHIFT LEVER VTM-4 LOCK
Vehicle with navigation system is shown. CRUISE CONTROLS HAZARD WARNING BUTTON
BED LIGHT SWITCH VOICE CONTROL
BUTTONSBLUETOOTH
HANDSFREELINKSYSTEM VOICE CONTROL
BUTTONS INTERIOR LIGHT CONTROL
SWITCH
MULTI-CONTROL LEVER
(WINDSHIELD WIPERS/
WASHERS/TURN SIGNALS/
HEADLIGHT HIGH BEAMS)
(P.98)
(P.131)
(P.94)
(P.202)
(P.95)
FOG LIGHTS (P.97)
(P.292)
(P.144) (P.99)
(P.126)
(P.142)
(P.207) (P.99) (P.31)
(P.76) (P.76) (P.76)
(P.76)
(P.76)
(P.271) (P.276) INFO ( )BUTTON
(P.218)
2 2
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4
5
5
3 3
2 4
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