HONDA RIDGELINE 2008 1.G Owners Manual

µ
´ ´ If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle.
Start the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
vehicle’s battery. Connect the
other end to the positive ( )
terminal on the booster battery.
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
4. 6.
7.
5.
3.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
287
BOOSTER
BATTERY
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2008 Ridgeline

If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
The pointer of your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
If it climbs to the red mark, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood. 1.
2.
3.
If theEngineOverheats
288
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
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2008 Ridgeline

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (seeon page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
4.
5.
6.
7. 8.9.
10.
11.
298
298
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
289
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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2008 Ridgeline

Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page). Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
184
248
298
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
290
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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2008 Ridgeline

If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn of f as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator could come on
because of a loose or missing f uel f ill
cap. You will also see a ‘‘TIGHTEN
FUEL CAP’’ message on the
inf ormation display. Tighten the cap
until it clicks at least once.
Tightening the cap will not turn the
indicator of f immediately; it can take
several days of normal driving. The indicator may also come on with
the ‘‘D’’ indicator.If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
thesecodesmaybeerased.Itcan
take several days of driving under
various conditions to set the codes
again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malf unction indicator lamp will
come on f or 20 seconds. If it then
goes of f , the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks f ive times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle for a state
emissions test until the readiness
codes are set. Ref er to
f or more inf ormation (see
page ). 315
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Readiness Codes Emissions
Testing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
291
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
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2008 Ridgeline

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible (seeon page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position, and as a reminder
to check the parking brake. It will
stay on if you do not f ully release the
parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ). If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. 298
255
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
292
Canada
U.S.
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2008 Ridgeline

The vehicle’s f uses are contained in
threefuseboxes.The primary under-hood f use box is
on the passenger’s side. The
secondary f use box is next to the
brake f luid reservoir. To open them,
pushthetabsasshown.
The interior f use box is on the
driver’s lower lef t side. To remove
the f use box lid, put your f inger in
the notch on the lid, and pull it
outward slightly, then pull it toward
you and take it out of its hinges. If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, check f or a
blown f use f irst. Determine f rom the
chart on pages and , or the
diagram on the f use box lid, which
f use or f uses control that device.
Check those f uses f irst, but check all
the f uses bef ore deciding that a
blown f use is the cause. Replace any
blown f uses, and check if the device
works.
296297
CONT INUED
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
293
UNDER-HOOD (SECONDARY)
UNDER-HOOD (PRIMARY)
INTERIOR
NOTCH
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2008 Ridgeline

Check the smaller f uses in the
under-hood f use boxes and all the
fuses in the interior fuse box by
pulling out each one with the f use
puller provided in the primary
under-hood f use box.
Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are of f .
Check each of the large f uses in
the primary under-hood f use box
by looking through the side
window at the wire inside.
Removing these f uses requires a
Phillips-head screwdriver.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box. 4.
3.
1.
2
Fuses
294
BLOWN
FUSE PULLER
BLOWN
FUSE
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2008 Ridgeline

If the driver’s power window f use is
removed, the AUTO f unction of the
driver’s window may be disabled. To
reset the AUTO f unction, see page.
If you cannot drive the vehicle
without f ixing the problem, and you
do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse
of the same rating or a lower rating
f rom one of the other circuits. Make
sureyoucandowithoutthatcircuit
temporarily (such as the accessory
power socket or radio).
If you replace the blown f use with a
spare f use that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
f use with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.
Look f or a blown wire inside the
fuse.If itisblown,replacethefuse
withoneof thesparefusesof the
same rating or lower. If the radio f use is removed, the
audio system will disable itself . The
nexttimeyouturnontheradioyou
will see ‘‘CODE’’ in the f requency
display. Use the preset bars to enter
thecode(seepage).If the replacement fuse of the
same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious
electrical problem in your vehicle.
Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit and have your vehicle
checked by a qualif ied technician.
5. 6.
108 166
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
295
BLOWN
Replacing a f use with one that has a
higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a
replacement f use with the proper
rating f or the circuit, install one with
a lower rating.
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2008 Ridgeline

Î
Î Î Î
Î
Î
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µ
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Î
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If equipped
If equipped
Left Headlight Low Beam
Not Used
Left Headlight High Beam
Small Lights
Right Headlight High Beam
Right Headlight Low Beam
Back Up
FI ECU (PCM)
DBW
Not Used
Heated Seat
MG Clutch
10 A
10 A
15 A
10 A
10 A
7.5 A 15 A
15 A
15 A
7.5 A
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6 (7.5 A)
20 A
40 A
20 A
15 A
(20 A) Back Light
VSA FSR
VSA MTR
VTM-4
Front Accessory Sockets
Electric Brake 13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
20 A
20 A
40 A
15 A
40 A
30 A
30 A
40 A
40 A
120 A 50 A
50 A Horn, Stop
Defroster
Back Up, ACC
Hazard
Option 1
Not Used
Cooling Fan
Condenser Fan
Heater Motor
Seat
Battery
BIGIMain
Power Window
Spare Fuses
7
8
9
10
11 (20 A)
(7.5 A) (20 A) 7.5 A
(20 A) Small Lights
Stop/Turn Lights
Charge
TPMS
Moonroof
:
:
Circuits Protected
Amps.
No.
No. Amps. Circuits Protected No. Amps. Circuits Protected
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
24 28
Fuse Locations
296
PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
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2008 Ridgeline