transmission HONDA RIDGELINE 2009 1.G Owner's Manual

Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the odometer/
trip meter display or on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display or multi-inf ormation display
(depending on models). The oil and
f ilter collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
Engine Oil A dditives
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
327
WASHER DRAIN BOLT
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Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on the inf ormation
display or multi-inf ormation display
(depending on models).
1.
2.
Windshield Washers, A utomatic T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
331
DIPSTICK
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
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Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the f ill plug, then
add the f luid into the f ill hole to
bring it to the level between the
upper and lower marks on the
dipstick.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid).
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. 6.
5.
3.
4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
332
DIPSTICK UPPER MARKLOWER MARK
Use only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). Do
not mix with other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 is not covered by the
Honda new vehicle warranty.
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2009 Ridgeline

Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door,
In-Bed Trunk lid, and tailgate seals.
Also, apply a vehicle body wax to
the painted surfaces that mate
with the door, In-Bed Trunk lid
and tailgate seals.
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting may be lost. To reset the time,
see page .
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradioyouwill
see ‘‘CODE’’ in the f requency display.
Use the preset bars to enter the code
(see page ).
The navigation system will also
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN
bef ore it can be used. Ref er to the
navigation system manual.
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Fill the f uel tank.
205
204
CONT INUED
On models without navigation system
On models with navigation systemVehicle Storage
Checking the Battery, Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
357
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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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Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page . If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page
).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run. Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See
on page .
Check these things:
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all. You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
370
383 356
370
101
CONT INUED
Jump Starting T he Starter Operates Normally
Emergency T owing
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
369
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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 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 indicators.
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
372
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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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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The engine number is stamped into
the engine block. It is on the f ront.
The transmission number is on a
label on top of the transmission.
Identif ication Numbers
Technical Inf ormation
387
ENGINE NUMBERAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER
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