automatic transmission HONDA RIDGELINE 2010 1.G User Guide

This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission f luid. It should come on
f or a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it means the transmission f luid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is saf e, shif t
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when you turn the headlight control
dial to either the or
position.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
position without turning of f the
headlight control dial, this indicator
remains on. A reminder chime will
also sound when you open the driver’s
door. You will also see an ‘‘A/T TEMP
HIGH’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).91
On models with navigation system
Lights On Indicator A/T Temperature
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
69
Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
Table of Contents

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Variable Torque
Management
4-wheel drive
(VTM-4
) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA
), aka
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
system, the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), and f acts you need
if you are planning to tow a trailer or
drive of f -highway. ........................
Driving Guidelines . 268
........................
Preparing to Drive . 269
.......................
Starting the Engine . 270
..............
Automatic Transmission . 271
Variable Torque Management
...........
4WD (VTM-4) System . 276
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
......................................
(TPMS) . 278
...........................................
Parking . 286
.............................
Braking System . 288
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 289
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability Control .......................
(ESC), System . 291
.................
Towing Weight Limits . 293
..........
Towing Weight Guidelines . 295
...........................
Towing a Trailer . 296
Of f -Highway Driving
..................................
Guidelines . 306
Driving
Driving
267

These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in.The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it f lashes while driving (in
any shif t position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission.
If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
To shif t f rom Park to any position,
pressfirmlyonthebrakepedal,and
pull the shif t lever toward you. You
cannot shif t out of Park when the
ignition switch is in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position.
When the ‘‘D’’ indicator warns of a
possible problem with the
transmission, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
).
91
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On models with navigation system
Shif t L ever Position Indicators Shif ting
Automatic Transmission
Driving
271
SHIFT LEVER
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µµThis position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Pull the shif t lever
towards you, then move it out of
Park.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see on
page .
You must also pull the shif t lever
towards you to shift into Park. To
avoid transmission damage, come to
a complete stop bef ore shif ting into
Park. The shif t lever must be in Park
for you to remove the key from the
ignition switch. Press the brake
pedal and pull the shif t lever towards
you to shif t f rom Park to reverse. To
shif t f rom reverse to neutral, come
to a complete stop, and then shif t.
Pull the shif t lever towards you
bef ore shif ting into reverse f rom
neutral.
275
To shift from: PtoR
RtoP
NtoR Dto2 2to1
1to2
2toD
DtoN
NtoD
RtoN Do this:
Press the brake pedal, and
pull the shift lever towardsyou.
Pull the shift lever towards you.
Move the shift lever.
Automatic Transmission
Park (P)
Shif t L ock Release Reverse (R)
272
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µ
µ
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Press the D3 switch on the end of
the shif t lever to turn this mode on
or of f ; the D3 indicator comes on
whenever D3 is selected.
TheD3switchcanbeoperatedonly
when the ignition switch is in the ON
(II) position and the shif t lever is in
the D position.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 5) f or your
speed and acceleration. You may
notice the transmission shif ting up at
higher engine speeds when the
engine is cold. This helps the engine
warm up f aster.
Af ter you stop in D, 2, 1, N, or R
position with the ignition switch in
the ACCESSORY (I) position f or an
extended period, you may not be
able to move the shift lever from
neutral to reverse or Park. In this
case, press the brake pedal, and turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, then shif t out of neutral. Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear.
Automatic Transmission
D3Drive (D)
Neutral (N)
Driving
273
D3 SWITCH
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µTo shif t to second,
pull the shif t lever towards you, then
shif t to the lower gear. This position
locks the transmission in second
gear. It does not downshif t to f irst
gear when you come to a stop.
Use second gear: For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
For starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow.
To help reduce wheel spin.
When driving downhill with a
trailer.
This will increase the
automatic transmission f luid
temperature and may cause
overheating.
Shif ting out of the D position will
cancel D3, and cause the D3
indicator to go out. Selecting the D
position again will resume D3, and
the indicator will come on.
Turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position turns D3 of f . To
use D3 when you restart the engine,
select the D position, and press the
D3 switch again.
TheD3indicatoralsocomesonfora
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
When D3 is on, the transmission
selects only the f irst three gears.
Use D3 f or engine braking when
going down a steep hill.
Automatic Transmission
Second (2)When t owing a t railer on level roads
under normal driving condit ions, donot use D3.
274
D3 INDICATOR
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µTo shif t f rom second to
first, pull the shift lever towards you,
then shif t to the lower gear. This
position locks the transmission in
f irst gear. By upshif ting and
downshif ting through 1, 2, and D,
you can operate the transmission
much like a manual transmission
without a clutch pedal.
If you shif t into f irst position when
the vehicle speed is above 28 mph
(45 km/h), the transmission shif ts
into second gear first to avoid
sudden engine braking. If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pulling the shif t lever does
not work.
Set the parking brake.
Make sure the ignition switch is in
the LOCK (0) position.
Putaclothonthenotchof the
shif t lock release slot cover to
prevent scratches. Using a small
f lat-tip screwdriver or a metal
f ingernail f ile, caref ully pry on the
notch of the cover to remove it.
1. 2. 3.
CONT INUED
First (1) Engine Speed Limiter Shift Lock Release
Automatic Transmission
Driving
275
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Insert the built-in key into the shift
lock release slot.
Push down on the key while you
pull the shif t lever towards you,
and move it out of Park to neutral.Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot, then reinstall the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the instrument panel
side. Press the brake pedal, and
restart the engine.
If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by your dealer. Your vehicle is equipped with a
Variable Torque Management
4-wheel-drive system (VTM-4)that
distributes engine torque to the
appropriate drive axle depending on
the available traction conditions. The
system is completely automatic,
always active, and does not require
any driver interaction.
6.
4. 5.
Automatic Transmission, VTM-4System
VTM-4System
276
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT
COVER
VTM-4 LOCK BUTTON
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Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
When towing a f ixed-sided trailer
(e.g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling.
When towing a trailer on level roads
under normal driving conditions, do
not use D3. This will increase the
automatic transmission fluid
temperature and may cause
overheating.With heavy cargo on the pickup bed,
your vehicle has a higher center of
gravity. Drive slowly and cautiously,
and allow more time and distance f or
braking. Loading heavy cargo could
af f ect your vehicle’s handling and
perf ormance.
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses.
Allow more time and distance f or
braking. Do not brake or turn
suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and use D3. Do not
‘‘ride’’ the brakes.
If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission f luid
temperature increases and exceeds
the specif ied limit, the A/T
temperature indicator comes on (see
page ).
You will also see an ‘‘A/T TEMP
HIGH’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ). 69
91
On models with navigation system
T owing Speeds and Gears
Making T urns and BrakingDriving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
304
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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. If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see the previous
column).
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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