service HONDA RIDGELINE 2007 1.G User Guide

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .178
.................
Fuel Recommendation .178
.........
Service Station Procedures .179
....................................
Ref ueling .179
Opening and Closing the
.......................................
Hood .181
...................................
Oil Check .182
.............
Engine Coolant Check .182
...............................
Fuel Economy .183
...
Accessories and Modif ications .184
.............................
Carrying Cargo .186
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
177

Help assure your vehicle’s future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
accele ration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200
miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exch anged 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 persi stent, 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
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-b ased
fuel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely affect performance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact your
authorized dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxyg enated gasoline
containing up to 10 % eth anol 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 .
224
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
178

CONT INUED
Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
onthehandletotheleftof the
driver’s seat. Park with the driver’s side closest
to the service station pump.Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top of f ’’ the tank. Leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes. Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
The fuel fill cap is attached to the
f uel f iller with a tether. Insert the
attachment on the fuel fill cap into
the slit on the f uel f ill door.
even though the tank is not f ull,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery
system. The system helps keep
f uel vapors f rom going into the
atmosphere. Try f illing at another
pump. If this does not f ix the
problem, consult your dealer.
1.
2. 3.
4.
If the f uel nozzle keeps clicking of f
Ref ueling
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
179
Pull
FUEL FILL CAP
ATTACHMENT TETHER
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine, and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.

Whenever filling a fuel container,
use an approved fuel container, and
place it on the ground. Do not fill the
fuel container in the vehicl e,
including the pickup bed and the
In-Bed Trunk. Make sure to put the
fuel pump nozzle in the fuel filler of
the container securely and to handle
it properly.
Your vehicle has a warning label for
filling a portable fuel container on
the left rear side of the pickup bed.
Before
placing the fuel container in
the vehicle, wipe up any spill
completely. Gasoline or fuel vapors are
extremely flammable and explosive.
Improperly handling fuel can cause
anexplosioninwhich youcanbe
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.
289
Service Station Procedures
Filling a Port able Fuel Cont ainer
180
Do not fill a portable fuel
container in the pickup bed.
Static electricity can ignite gas
vapors and you can be burned.

Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood. The hood latch
handle is above the ‘‘H’’ logo. Pull
this handle until it releases the
hood, then lif t the hood.Pull the support rod out of its clip,
and insert the end into either of
the designated holes pointed to by
an arrow.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated.
Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle under the lower lef t
corner of the dashboard. The
hood will pop up slightly.
1. 2. 3.
Service Station Procedures
Opening and Closing the Hood
Bef ore Driving
181
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
LATCH SUPPORT ROD

Wait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe off the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Remove
the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .Look
at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page for
info rmation on adding the proper
coolan t.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
1.
2.
3. 4.
246 249
241
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil Engine Coolant Check
Oil Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
182
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANK

If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire. If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly, and inf late the tire to
the recommended pressure shown
on the driver’s doorjamb. When this indicator is on, one or
more of your tires is signif icantly
under inf lated. You should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible.
The VTM-4 Lock will temporarily
disengage when the vehicle speed
exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h). The
indicator in the button will remain on.
do
any of the f ollowing: Press the VTM-4 LOCK button. Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure indicator and the
appropriate tire on the tire pressure
monitor to come on. Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Move the shift lever to D.
Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
To Disengage the VTM-4 L ock, Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(T PMS)
VTM-4 System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
204
Do not continuously spin the f ront tires
of your vehicle. Continuously spinning
the f ront tires can cause transmission
or rear dif f erential damage.

Each wheel is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor mounted inside the
tire behind the valve stem. You must
use TPMS specific wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
qualified technician.
The
appropriate tire indicator and
low tire pressu re indicator comes on
if a tire becomes significantly
underinflated. See
on page .
Driving
on a signifi cantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
ov erheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-infl ation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Al though your tire pressure is
monito red, each tire should be
checked monthly, including the
spare.
Set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified on the vehicle
placard and in this owner’s manual
(see page ).
Check
the pressure with the tires
cold, after the vehic le has been
parked for at least 3 hours. This
indicator comes on and stays on
if there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system.
If this happens, the system will shut
off and no longer monitor tire
pressures. Have the system checked
by your dealer as soon as possible.
If you have a flat tire, the low tire
pressu re and tire monitor indicators
will come on. Replace the indicated
flat tire with the compact spare tire
(see page ). Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a f lat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Havetheflattirerepairedbyyour
dealer as soon as possible. After you replace the flat tire with
thecompactsparetire,thelowtire
pressure indicator stays on. This is
normal; the system is not monitoring
the spare tire pressure. Manually
check the spare tire pressure to be
sure it is correct.
266 204
275
CONT INUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator Low Tire
Pressure Indicator T ire Pressure Monitor
Changing a T ire with T PMS
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
205

The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated.
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Towing perf ormance can be
af f ected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Theref ore, premium
f uel (premium unleaded gasoline
with pump octane number of 91 or
higher) is recommended when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590
kg).
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
Break-In Period
224

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all sch eduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehic le
for any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
carefully inspect your vehicle to
ma ke sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsafe.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
The
route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy road s). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving off-highway can be
hazardous if you fail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precau tions.
To
avoid loss of control or rollover,
be sure to follow all precau tions and
recommendations.
Be sure to store cargo properly
and do not exceed your cargo load
limits (see page and ).
Be aware that a heavy load can
reduce ground clearance and your
ability to clear obstacles.
Whenever you drive, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear seat belts.
Keep your speed low, and never
go faster than the conditions allow.
It’s up to you to continually assess
the situation and drive within the
limits. 187 212
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember
Important Saf ety Precautions
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
228