display HONDA RIDGELINE 2021 Owner's Manual (in English)
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uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
■If you want to keep the transmission in (N position [car wash mode]
With the engine running:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Select 
(N, then release the button to display (Neutral) (N hold mode on the 
multi-information display.
3. Press and hold 
(N again for two seconds.
u This puts the vehicle in car wash mode which must be used when your vehicle 
is pulled through a conveyor type automatic car wash where you or an 
attendant do not remain in the vehicle.
If the ENGINE STOP/START button is pressed 
after car wash mode has been activated, the 
power mode will change to ACCESSORY and a 
message will be displayed on the multi-
information display. u For 15 minutes the transmission remains 
in 
(N with the power mode in 
ACCESSORY. After that, the 
transmission automatically changes to 
(P and the power mode changes to OFF.
u Manually changing to 
(P cancels 
ACCESSORY mode. The 
(P indicator 
comes on and the power mode changes 
to OFF. You must always put the 
transmission into 
(P when car wash 
mode is no longer needed.
1If you want to keep the transmission in ( N position [car wash mode]
Note that the transmiss ion may not stay in (N 
position while any of the  following indicators is on:
•Transmission system indicator.
•Malfunction indicator lamp.•Charging system indicator. 
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uuWhen Driving uIntelligent Traction Management
Driving
Intelligent Traction Management
The Intelligent Traction Management opti mizes vehicle performance to help you 
drive on various surfaces. The system  has available modes to select from: Normal, 
Snow , Mud
*, and Sand*.
Press the mode button to select the appropr iate mode. The mode you select appears 
on the multi-information display. When the vehicle is  turned off and restarted, 
Intelligent Traction Management  mode will revert to Normal.
1Intelligent Traction Management
Refer to the Off-Highway Dr iving section for driving 
tips and safety precautions.
2 Off-Highway Driving Guidelines  P. 383
Mud
Use when driving on 
muddy road or off-
road surfaces.
Sand
Use when driving on 
soft, sandy road or 
off-road surfaces. Normal
Provides balanced 
driving performance 
on most road surfaces.
Mode Button
Snow
Use when driving on 
snowy road surfaces.
AWD models
* Not available on all models 
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uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop
Driving
Auto Idle Stop
To help maximize fuel econ omy, the engine automatica lly stops when the vehicle 
comes to a stop, depending on environmen tal and vehicle operating conditions. The 
indicator (green) comes on at this time.
The environmental and vehicle conditions that 
impact Auto Idle Stop system operation are 
varied.
2Auto Idle Stop Activates When: P. 408, 
409
The engine then restarts once the vehicle is 
about to move again,  and the indicator 
(green) goes off.
2 The Engine Automatically Restarts When:  
P. 410
If the driver’s door is opened while the 
indicator (green) comes on, a buzzer sounds 
to notify you that the Auto Idle Stop function 
is in operation.
A message associated with Auto Idle Stop 
appears on the multi-information display.
2 Indicators P. 78
2 Customized Features  P. 298
1Auto Idle Stop
The 12-volt battery insta lled in this vehicle is 
specifically designed for a m odel with Auto Idle Stop. 
Using a 12-volt battery other than this specified type 
may shorten the 12-volt ba ttery life, and prevent 
Auto Idle Stop from activati ng. If you need to replace 
the 12-volt battery, make sure to select the specified 
type. Ask a dealer for more details.
The duration of the Au to Idle Stop operation:
•Increase in the ECON mode, compared to when the 
ECON mode is off, with  climate control in use.
2 ECON Mode P. 403 
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uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel. 
To partially disable VSA ® functionality/
features, press and hold it until you hear a 
beep.
The traction control stop s fully functioning, 
allowing the wheels to spin more freely at low 
speed. The VSA ® OFF  indicator will also come 
on and a message on the multi-information 
display informs you that the mode is changed.
Traction control mode cannot be changed 
during Mud or Sand modes. If you are driving 
on mud or sand, Mud or Sand Intelligent 
Traction Management modes can also be 
used to free a stuck ve hicle. On other road 
surfaces, change to Normal or Snow mode, 
then press and hold the   (VSA ® OFF ) 
button.
To restore VSA ® functionality/features, press 
the  (VSA ® OFF ) button until you hear a 
beep. 
VSA ® is turned on every time you start the 
engine, even if you turned it off the last time 
you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® On and Off1 Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control 
(ESC), System
In certain unusual  conditions when your vehicle gets 
stuck in shallow mud or fr esh snow, it may be easier 
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the   button is pressed, the traction control 
function becomes less effective. This allows for the 
wheels to spin more freely  at low speed. You should 
only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA ® off if 
you are not able to free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after  freeing your vehicle, be sure to 
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving 
your vehicle with the VSA ® system switched off.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the 
engine compartment while system checks are being 
performed immediately after starting the engine or 
while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF  Indicator
When the   button is pressed
AWD models 
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uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring  System (TPMS) with Tire 
Fill Assist
Monitors the tire pressure while you are 
driving. If your vehicle’s tire pressure becomes 
significantly low, the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS 
indicator comes on and a message appears on 
the multi-information display.1 Tire Pressure Monitoring System  (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and 
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can 
trigger the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS indicator to come 
on. 2 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator 
Comes On or Blinks P. 560
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:
•Warm weather can beco me under-inflated in 
colder weather.
•Cold weather can become  over-inflated in warmer 
weather.
The Low Tire Pressure/TPMS indicator will not come 
on as a result of over inflation.
Only use genuine TPMS specified wheels since your 
vehicle’s wheels are equipped with the low tire 
pressure/TPMS sensor.
If you drive your vehicle  without the genuine TPMS 
specified wheels, the low ti re pressure/TPMS indicator 
blinks for about one minute and then stays on. 2 Tire and Wheel Replacement  P. 522
The TPMS audibly and visually informs you of 
changes in tire pressure of  the individual tire that you 
are adjusting using audibl e and visual indications.
If a change in tire pressure has been significant, the 
system beeps and the hazard lights flash continuously 
for five seconds when the specified tire pressure is 
reached. Stop filling the tire.
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS indicator 
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uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist
Driving
To select the tire pressure monitor, set the power 
mode to ON, and press the   
(information) button until you see the tire 
pressure screen.
The pressure for each tire is displayed in psi.
Tire Pressures Low  is displayed when a tire 
has significantly low pressure. The specific tire 
is displayed on the screen.
■Tire Pressure Monitor1 Tire Pressure Monitor
The pressure displayed  on the multi-information 
display can be slightly  different from the actual 
pressure as measured by a gauge. If there is a 
significant di fference between the two values, or if 
the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS indicator and the 
message on the multi-inform ation display do not go 
off after you have inflated the tire to the specified 
pressure, have the system checked by a dealer.
Tire Pressure Monitor Problem  may appear if you 
drive with the compact spare tire, or there is a 
problem with the TPMS. 
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uuWhen Driving uBlind spot information System*
Driving
Blind spot information System*
Is designed to detect vehicles in specified alert zones adjacent to your vehicle, 
particularly in harder to see areas commonly known as “blind spots.”
When the system detects vehi cles approaching from behind in adjacent lanes, the 
appropriate indicator comes on for a few se conds, providing assistance when you 
change lanes.
■How the system works
1 Blind spot information System*
Important Safety Reminder
Like all assistance systems, blind spot information 
system has limitations. Over reliance on blind spot 
information system may result in a collision.
The system is for your convenience only. Even if an 
object is within the alert zone, the following 
situations may occur.
•The blind spot informatio n system alert indicator 
may not come on due to  obstruction (splashes, 
etc.) even without the  Blind Spot Info Not 
Available multi-information display appearing.
•The blind spot informatio n system alert indicator 
may come on even with  the message appearing.
3WARNING
Failure to visually confirm that it is safe to 
change lanes before doing so may result in 
a crash and serious injury or death.
Do not rely only on the blind spot 
information system wh en changing lanes.
Always look in your mi rrors, to either side 
of your vehicle, and behind you for other 
vehicles before changing lanes.
Alert zone range
A: Approx. 1.6 ft. (0.5 m)
B: Approx. 10 ft. (3 m)
C: Approx. 10 ft. (3 m) Radar Sensors:
underneath the 
rear bumper 
corners
Alert ZoneA
B
C
●The transmission is in (D.●Your vehicle speed is 
between 20 mph (32 km/h) 
and 100 mph (160 km/h)
* Not available on all models 
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uuHonda Sensing ®u Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)
Driving
Press and hold the butt on until the beeper 
sounds to switch the system on or off.
When the CMBS
TM is off:
• The CMBSTM indicator in the instrument 
panel comes on.
• A message on the multi-information display 
reminds you that the system is off.
The CMBS
TM is turned on every time you start 
the engine, even if you turned it off the last 
time you drove the vehicle.
■CMBSTM On and Off1 Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)
The CMBS
TM may automatically shut off, and the 
CMBSTM indicator will come and stay on under certain 
conditions:
2 CMBS
TM Conditions and Limitations  P. 430
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer if you find any 
unusual behavior of the system (e.g., the warning 
message appears too frequently). 
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uuHonda Sensing ®u Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
440
Driving
Take your foot off the pedal and press down the  –/SET button when you reach the 
desired speed. The moment you release the  –/SET button, the set speed is fixed, and 
ACC begins.
When ACC starts operating, the vehicle icon, 
interval bars and set speed appear on the 
multi-information display.
■To Set the Vehicle Speed1 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
ACC may not work properly  under certain conditions.
2 ACC Conditions and Limitations  P. 443
When not using ACC: Turn off adaptive cruise by 
pressing the  MAIN button. This also will turn off the 
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS).
When the  MAIN button is pressed, both ACC and 
the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) are either 
turned on or off.
Do not use ACC under the following conditions:
•On roads with heavy traf fic or while driving in 
continuous stop and go traffic.
•On roads with sharp turns.
•On roads with steep downhill sections, as the set 
vehicle speed can be exceeded by coasting. In such 
cases, ACC will not apply the brakes to maintain 
the set speed.
•On roads with toll collection facilities or other 
objects between lanes of  traffic, or in parking 
areas, or faci lities with driv e through access.
You can switch the displayed set speed 
measurements on the audio/information screen 
between mph and km/h. 2 Customized Features  P. 298
On when ACC 
begins
Press and release–/SET
 Button
Set Vehicle 
Interval
Set Vehicle 
Speed 
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uuHonda Sensing ®u Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Driving
■There is a vehicle ahead
ACC monitors if a vehicle ahead of you ente rs the ACC range. If a vehicle is detected 
doing so, the ACC system maintains or decele rates your vehicle’s set speed in order 
to keep the vehicle’s set followi ng-interval from the vehicle ahead.
2To Set or Change Following-interval  P. 446
■When in Operation1When in Operation
If the vehicle detected  ahead of you slows down 
abruptly, or if a nother vehicle is de tected cutting in 
front of you, the beep er sounds and a message 
appears on the multi-information display.
Depress the brake pedal,  and keep an appropriate 
interval from the vehicle ahead.
Beep
ACC Range: 394 ft. (120 m)