engine HONDA RIDGELINE 2021 Owner's Manual (in English)
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uuBefore Performing Maintenance uSafety When Performing Maintenance
Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
Some of the most important safety precau tions are given here. However, we cannot 
warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in performing maintenance. 
Only you can decide whether you should perform a given task.
• To reduce the possibility of fire or explos ion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames 
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
• Never leave rags, towels, or other flammable objects under the hood.
u Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite them, causing a fire.
• To clean parts, use a co mmercially available degreas er or parts cleaner, not 
gasoline.
• Wear eye protection and protective clothi ng when working with the battery or 
compressed air.
• Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is poisonous and can kill you.
u Only operate the engine if th ere is sufficient ventilation.
• The vehicle must be in a stationary condition.
u Make sure your vehicle is parked on le vel ground, the parking brake is set, and 
the engine is off.
• Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
u Make sure to let the engine and exhaust system cool thoroughly before 
touching vehicle parts.
• Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
u Do not start the engine unless instruct ed, and keep your hands and limbs away 
from moving parts.
u Do not open the hood while the Auto  Idle Stop function is activated.
■Maintenance Safety
■Vehicle Safety
1Safety When Performing Maintenance
3WARNING
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or 
failing to correct a pr oblem before driving 
can cause a crash in which you can be 
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and 
maintenance recommendations according 
to the schedules in  this owner’s manual.
3WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance 
instructions and precautions can cause you 
to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and 
precautions in this owner’s manual. 
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uuBefore Performing Maintenance uParts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service
Maintenance
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service
The use of Honda genuine parts and fluids is recommended when maintaining and 
servicing your vehicle. Honda genuine parts are manufactured according to the 
same high quality standards used in Honda vehicles.1Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service
NOTICE
Do not press the engine cover forcibly. This may 
damage the engine cover and component parts. 
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491Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance items, which should be serviced at the same time that you replace the 
engine oil, appear on th e multi-information display.
You can view them on the engine  oil life screen at any time.
To Use Maintenance MinderTM
1.Set the power mode to ON.
2. Press the   (Information) button until the engine oil life appears on the 
multi-information display.
■Displaying the Maintenance Minder Information1Displaying the Maintena nce Minder Information
Based on the engine ope rating conditions, the 
remaining engine oi l life is calculated and displayed 
as a percentage.
There is a list of maintena nce main and sub items you 
can view on the multi-information display. 2 Maintenance Service Items  P. 494
Displayed Engine Oil 
Life (%)Calculated Engine Oil  Life (%)
100 100 to 91
9090 to 81
80 80 to 71
7070 to 61
60 60 to 51
5050 to 41
40 40 to 31
3030 to 21
20 20 to 16
1515 to 11
10 10 to 6
55 to 1
00
Remaining Engine Oil Life
Maintenance Service Items Press the   
(Information) button 
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uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance
■Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-Information 
Display
Maintenance MessageOil Life DisplayExplanationInformation
-
100%When you select the Maintenance 
Minder screen, it displays the 
percentage of engine oil life 
remaining.
-
Maintenance Due Soon15%The remaining engine oil life is 15 to 
6 percent. Once you switch the 
display by pressing the   
(Information) button, this message 
will go off.The engine oil is approaching the end 
of its service life, and the maintenance 
items should be inspected and serviced 
soon. 
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uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
MaintenanceThe system message indicator ( ) comes on along with the Maintenance Minder message.
Maintenance MessageOil Life DisplayExplanationInformation
Maintenance Due Now5%The remaining engine oil life is 5 to 1 
percent. Pressing the   
(Information) button to switch to 
another display.The engine oil has almost reached the 
end of its service life, and the 
maintenance items should be inspected 
and serviced as soon as possible.
Maintenance Past DueNegative DistanceThe remaining engine oil life has 
passed its service life, and a negative 
distance appears after driving over 
10 miles (U.S. models) or 10 km 
(Canadian models).  Pressing the 
 (Information) button to 
switch to another display.The engine oil  life has passed.
The maintenance items must be 
inspected and serviced immediately.
U.S.Canada 
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uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the maintenance message in the 
multi-information display,  replace the brake fluid 
every 3 years.
•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if 
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder MessageSystem Message 
Indicator
Sub Items
Main 
Item
*1: If the message Maintenance Due Now does not appear more than 12 months after the display 
is reset, change the engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column on page  581.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and  from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA ®)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmission 
temperatures. This requires transmission fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the 
Maintenance Minder
TM. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission 
fluid changed at every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
*5: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under 
-20°F, -29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.) / 100,000 km (Canada).
*6: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of  mechanical (Shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than 
recommended by the Maintenance Minder
TM. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, 
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3
●Replace transmission fluid and transfer fluid*, *4
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*5
●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*, *6
* Not available on all models 
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uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance
Reset the maintenance minder information display if you have performed the 
maintenance service.
1. Set the power mode to ON.
2. Display the engine oil life.
2 Displaying the Maintenance Minder Information P. 491
3.Press and hold the  RESET button for about 10 seconds to enter the reset mode.
4. Select  Reset with the   (Information) button, then push the  RESET button.
u A maintenance reset complete message will be displayed on multi-information 
display.
u The displayed maintenance items disappear, and the engine oil life display 
returns to  100%.
u To cancel the oil life reset mode, select  Cancel, then push the  RESET button.
■Resetting the Display1Resetting the Display
NOTICE
Failure to reset the Maintenance MinderTM display 
after a maintenance servic e results in the system 
showing incorrect maintenance intervals, which can 
lead to serious mechanical problems.
The dealer will reset the Maintenance Minder
TM 
display after completing th e required maintenance 
service. If someone other  than a dealer performs 
maintenance service, reset the Maintenance 
Minder
TM display yourself.
You can also reset the Maintenance Minder
TM display 
using the audio/information screen. 2 Customized Features  P. 298
Press the 
 
(Information) 
button
RESET button 
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Maintenance
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood
Brake Fluid 
(Black Cap)
Washer Fluid
Radiator Cap
Engine Coolant 
Reserve Tank Engine Oil Dipstick 
(Orange) Engine Oil Fill Cap
Battery 
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uuMaintenance Under the Hood uOpening the Hood
Maintenance
Opening the Hood
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set 
the parking brake.
2. Pull the hood release handle under the 
driver’s side lower left corner of the 
dashboard.
u The hood will pop up slightly.
3. Push the hood latch lever (located under 
the front edge of the hood to the center) to 
the side and raise the hood. Once you have 
raised the hood slightly, you can release the 
lever.
4. Remove the support rod from the clamp 
using the grip. Mount the support rod in 
the hood.
When closing, remove the support rod, and 
stow it in the clamp,  then gently lower the 
hood. Remove your hand at a height of 
approximately 12 inches (30 cm) and let the 
hood close.1 Opening the Hood
NOTICE
Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are 
raised.
The hood will strike the wipe rs, resulting in possible 
damage to the hood and/or the wipers.
NOTICE
Do not press the engine cover forcibly. This may 
damage the engine cover and component parts.
When closing the hood, check that the hood is 
securely latched.
If the hood latch lever moves  stiffly, or if you can 
open the hood without lifti ng the lever, the latch 
mechanism should be cl eaned and lubricated.
Do not open the hood while the Auto Idle Stop 
function is activated.
Hood Release Handle
Pull
Lever
Support RodGrip
Clamp 
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uuMaintenance Under the Hood uEngine Compartment Cover
Maintenance
Engine Compartment Cover
The component parts in the engine co mpartment are protected by a cover.
You may need to remove the cover when you perform certain maintenance work. 
Pull up on the engine compartment cover, disengaging the pin clips from the 
receiver clips.
Engine Compartment Cover