towing HONDA RIDGELINE 2009 1.G Owner's Manual

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Maintenance Minder
324
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Symbol
Symbol
A B 1
2
3
4
5
6
If the message, ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ or ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear
more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil
every year.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
323
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
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).
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).
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. 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).
:
NOTE : :
Maintenance Minder
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2009 Ridgeline

µµTheheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items on the
pickup bed or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied technician.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance minder schedule.
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicleinanyof thefollowing
conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently towing a trailer. Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Timing Belt
Timing Belt, Lights
336
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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2009 Ridgeline

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .360
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .361
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .369
................................
Jump Starting .370
..............
If the Engine Overheats .372
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .374
..........
Charging System Indicator .374
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .375
...............
Brake System Indicator .376
..............................................
Fuses .378
..............................
Fuse Locations .381
......................
Emergency Towing .383
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .383
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
359
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Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
If you tow a trailer f requently, we
recommend that you use a regular
tire as a spare. You can store the
regular size spare tire on the tire tray,
but store the tool kit at the side of
the In-Bed Trunk (see page ),
and secure it.
2.1.
367
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
361
TOOL BOX
SPARE TIRE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
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2009 Ridgeline

Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page .
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
Turn of f all electrical accessories:
heater, A/C, climate control, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in Park, and set the
parking brake.
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
1.
2.
270
378
383
Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing
Jump Starting
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
370
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
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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 (see
on 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 (see
on 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.
383
383
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
373
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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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.
You will also see a ‘‘BRAKE FLUID
LOW’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
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. 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 (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
90
90383On models with navigation system
On models with navigation system
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
377
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CONT INUED
If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see the previous page).
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
tie down hooks on the lower of the
f ront and rear bumpers.
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
383
FRONT
REAR
TIE DOWN
HOOK TIE DOWN
HOOK‘‘Rocking’’ your vehicle between
f orward and reverse gear or revving up
the engine and allowing the wheels to
spin f reely at high speeds can damage
the automatic transmission. Use a tow
service to prevent transmission damage.
Towing your vehicle with two tires on
the ground will damage parts of the
4WD system. It should be transported
on a f lat-bed truck or trailer.
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If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
384
To avoid damage to your vehicle, use
the tie down hooks f or straight, f lat
ground towing only. Do not tow at an
angle. These hooks should not be used
f or open-road towing.
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ÎÎ
CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .254
..................................
Emergencies .359
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .370
...........
Brake System Indicator .376
................
Changing a Flat Tire .361
.....
Charging System Indicator .374
..................
Checking the Fuses .378
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .99
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .374
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .375
..................
Overheated Engine .372
............................
Stuck Vehicle .383
.......................................
Towing .383
.........................
Emergency Brake .132
.......................
Emissions Controls .397
........................
Emissions Testing .400Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .76
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .63,375
.................
Oil Lif e Display .313,317
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .63,374
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .326
...............................
Overheating .372
............................
Specif ications .389
............................
Speed Limiter .275
.......................................
Starting .270
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .369
Evaporative Emissions Control
........................................
System .397
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .55
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .398
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..........................
Fan, Interior .147,154
.........................................
Features .145
...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .3,60
................
Daytime Running Lights .97
.................................
Dead Battery .370
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .406
......
Def rosting the Windows .150,155
................
Dif f erential Fluid, Rear .333
....................................
Dimensions .388
...............
Dimming the Headlights .95
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .331
..................................
Engine Oil .253
..........................
Directional Signals .95
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .288
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .328
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor .11
Doors
Locking and ..............
Unlocking .103,104,107
..................
Lockout Prevention .103
....................
Power Door Locks .103
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .390
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5 ...........................................
Driving .267
....................................
Economy .254
...................................................
D3 .273
Dual-Action Tailgate ...............................
Indicator .11,115
...................................
Operation .113
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .345
Index
E
F
D
INDEX
III
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2009 Ridgeline