tow HONDA RIDGELINE 2009 1.G Service Manual

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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2009 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.
381382
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
378
UNDER-HOOD (SECONDARY)
UNDER-HOOD (PRIMARY)
INTERIOR
NOTCH
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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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2009 Ridgeline

µ
µ µ
µ
µ µ
µ µ
µ
covers your new vehicle, except f or
the battery, emissions control
systems, and accessories, against
def ects in materials and
workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s
emissions control systems. Time,
mileage, and coverage are
conditional. Please read your
warranty booklet f or exact
inf ormation. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle.
Your new vehicle is covered by these
warranties:
provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom your dealer.
this warranty gives up
to 100% credit toward a replacement
battery. a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
covered by a limited warranty.
Please read your warranty booklet
f or details.
covers all Honda
replacement parts against defects in
materials and workmanship.
Honda accessories are covered
under this warranty. Time and
mileage limits depend on the type of
accessory and other f actors. Please
read your warranty booklet f or
details. all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit. Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2009 Honda warranty inf ormation
booklet that came with your vehicle
f or precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your vehicle’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty
inf ormation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2009 warranty
manual that came with your vehicle.
Warranty Coverages
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant yEmissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty Replacement Muf f ler L if et ime
Limited Warranty
Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit ed Warranty Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty
Accessory Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant yWarrant y and Cust omer Relat ions
405
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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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Î
Î
Î
CONT INUED
........................................
Sun Visor .140
........................
Sunglasses Holder .138
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ......................................
Servicing .32
.........................
SRS Indicator .30,64
...................
System Components .23
..................................
Synthetic Oil .327
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .359
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .390
.....................................
Tachometer .76
Tailgate, Dual-Action ...............................
Indicator .11,115
...................................
Operation .113
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .340
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .359
Technical Descriptions
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .390
.....
Emissions Control Systems .397
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .399
.......................
Temperature Gauge .76
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts .21
............................
Thef t Protection .204
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .399 ....................................
Timing Belt .336
....................................
Tire Chains .354
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .361
.................................
Tire Labeling .392
Tire Pressure Monitoring ....................
System (TPMS) .278
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .72,278
Required Federal ............................
Explanation .394
.............
Tire Pressure Monitor .279
....
TPMS Indicator .72,73,279,281
...............................................
Tires .348
..............................
Air Pressure .350
.........................
Checking Wear .350
..........................
Compact Spare .360
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .390
......................................
Inf lation .349
..................................
Inspection .350
..............................
Maintenance .351
...................................
Replacing .352
......................................
Rotating .351
...........................................
Snow .353
....................
Specif ications .353,389
................................
Tire Chains .354
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .361 Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .296
................
Emergency Wrecker .383
.................................
Equipment .301
....
Equipment and Accessories .297
.............................
Weight Limit .293
.........................
Trailer Loading .295
.................
Trailer Towing Tips .303
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid .333
Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level .331
...........................
Fluid Selection .332
..............
Identif ication Number .387
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .271
.....................................
Treadwear .390
.................................
Trip Meter .79,84
................................
Trunk, In-Bed .116
....................................
Turn Signals .95
Index
U
T
INDEX
IX
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ÎÎ
Î
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .248
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .328
................................
Vanity Mirror .140
.........
Vehicle Capacity Load .260,388
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .388
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .386
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
)
....................................
System .291
...
VSA Activation Indicator .71,291
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .292
........
VSA System Indicator .70,291
.............................
Vehicle Storage .357
.....................................
Ventilation .149
.................................................
VIN .386
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .326
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .276
............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .56
..................
Warranty Coverages .405Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level .330
............................
Level Indicator .67
.....................................
Operation .94
...........................................
Wheels .348
...............
Adjusting the Steering .99
......................................
Wrench .364
Windows ................
Operating the Power .128
Windshield ...........................
Def roster .148,155
.......................................
Washers .94
...
Wiper Zone, Heated .95,150,156
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .346
.....................................
Operation .94
....................................
Worn Tires .350
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing .383
....................
XM
Satellite Radio .167
:U.S.only
Index
X
V
W
X
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