wheel HONDA RIDGELINE 2011 1.G Owner's Guide

If the vehicle’s tires slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shif t to f irst gear, and turn on VTM-4
lock (see page ). Disengage
VTM-4 lock as soon as the boat is
out of the water to prevent damage
to the VTM-4 system.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
Do not park on an incline unless it is
unavoidable. If you must park on an
incline, f ollow the steps below to
help prevent the vehicle and trailer
f rom rolling and possibly injuring
someone.
Turn the f ront wheels toward the
curb on a downhill, and away f rom
the curb on an uphill.
With the f oot brake f ully pressed,
have someone place wheel chocks
on the downhill side of the vehicle
and trailer wheels.
Firmly apply the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
putting pressure on the parking
mechanism in the transmission. It
also makes it easier to move the
shif t lever out of Park when you
want to drive away.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
When parking on level ground,
f ollow all normal precautions (see
page ) including putting the
transmission in Park, and f irmly
setting the parking brake.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.
1. 2. 3. 276
383
286
bottom Ret rieving a Boat
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Parking
Backing Up
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle
Driving
305
Main MenuTable of Contents

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily f or use on pavement. But
its higher ground clearance and f our-
wheel drive VTM-4
system allow
you to occasionally travel on unpaved
roads and surf aces. Your vehicle is
not designed f or trailblazing,
mountain climbing, or other
challenging off-road activities. If you decide to drive on unpaved
roads, you will f ind that it requires
somewhat dif f erent driving skills.
Your vehicle will also handle
somewhat dif f erently than it does on
pavement. Be sure to pay extra
attention to the precautions and tips
in this section, and get acquainted
with your vehicle bef ore leaving the
pavement.
General Inf ormation
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
306
Improperly operating this
vehicle on or off-pavement can
cause a crash or rollover in
which you and your passengers
could be seriously injured orkilled.
Keep your speed low, and
don’t drive faster than
conditions permit.
Follow all instructions and
guidelines in this owner’smanual.
Main MenuTable of Contents

Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway, and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second (2) gear will
help you have a smoother start on
snow or ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not ‘‘pump’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.Your vehicle is not equipped with
undercarriage guards to protect key
components, so take care to avoid
rocks, tree stumps, and other
obstacles in your path.
Because your vehicle has a higher
center of gravity than a conventional
passenger vehicle, driving a wheel
over a tall object, or allowing a wheel
to drop into a deep hole, can cause
your vehicle to tip or roll over.
If you can’t clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
do not try to
turn around
A ccelerating and Braking A voiding Obstacles Driving on Slopes
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
308
Main MenuTable of Contents

The banks and surf ace under the
water provide good traction. The
water may hide hazards such as
rocks, holes, or mud.
Bef ore driving through water, stop,
get out if necessary, and make sure
that:
If you decide it is saf e to drive
through water, choose a suitable
speed, and proceed without shif ting,
changing speeds, stopping, or
shutting of f the engine.
Do not try to cross water at high
speeds, as this may cause severe
damage to the cooling system or
result in loss of control.
After driving through water, test
your brakes. If they got wet, gently
‘‘pump’’ them while driving slowly
until they operate normally.
If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may
be required. This service is not
covered by your warranties.
The water is not f lowing too f ast.
Deep rushing water can sweep you
downstream. Even very shallow
rushingwatercanwashthe
ground f rom under your tires and
cause you to lose traction and
possibly roll over.
The banks are sloped so you can
drive out.
The water is not deep enough to
cover your wheel hubs, axles, or
exhaust pipe. You could stall and
not be able to restart your engine.
The water can also damage
important vehicle components. If you get stuck, and cannot get
unstuck with the VTM-4 system,
engage the VTM-4
Lock (see page
), and carefully try to go in the
direction (f orward or reverse) that
you think will get you unstuck. Do
notspinthetiresathighspeeds.It
will not help you get out and may
cause damage to the transmission or
VTM-4 system.
If you are still unable to f ree yourself ,
your vehicle is equipped with f ront
and rear tow hooks designed f or this
purpose (see page ). 383
276
CONT INUED
If You Get Stuck
Crossing a Stream
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Driving
309
Main MenuTable of Contents

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
models), and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .U.S. Vehicles:
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 312
.................
Maintenance Minder . 313
..............................
Fluid Locations . 325
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 326
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter . 327
..............................
Engine Coolant . 329
....................
Windshield Washers . 330
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 331
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 333
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 333
....................................
Brake Fluid . 334
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 335
....................................
Timing Belt . 336
.............................................
Lights . 336
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 344
.....................................
Floor Mats . 345
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 345
.................................
Wiper Blades . 346
...........................................
Wheels . 348
...............................................
Tires . 348
...................
Checking the Battery . 356
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 357
407
Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Maint enance
311
TM
Main Menu

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.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
Remove the cover, then check the
level on the side of the reservoir
when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark, and put the
cover back in place.
Power Steering Fluid
Maint enance
335
LOWER LEVEL
COVER
UPPER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Main MenuTable of Contents

Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install and lock each holding clip
bypushingonthecenter.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
To change the passenger’s side
bulb, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
lef t, and turn of f the engine. To
change the driver’s side bulb, turn
the steering wheel to the right.
Use a f lat-tip screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender, and pull the inner
f ender cover back. 5. 6.
1. 2. 3. 4.7.
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal/
Hazard/Parking L ight Bulb
338
HOLDING CLIPS
BULB SOCKET
Main MenuTable of Contents

Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm against the
window.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and turn the wiper
switch of f to return the wiper arms
to the parked position.Clean the wheels as you would the
rest of the exterior. Wash them with
thesamesolution,andrinsethem
thoroughly.
Aluminum alloy wheels have a
protective clear-coat that keeps
the aluminum f rom corroding and
tarnishing. Cleaning the wheels
with harsh chemicals (including
some commercial wheel cleaners)
or a stif f brush can damage the
clear-coat. To clean the wheels,
use a mild detergent and a sof t
brush or sponge. To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated.
The f ollowing pages give more
detailed inf ormation on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced.
6. 7. 8. 9.
If equipped
Wiper Blades, Wheels, Tires
Wheels T ires
348
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.
Main MenuTable of Contents

In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
The service lif e of your tires is
dependent on many f actors,
including, but not limited to, driving
habits, road conditions, vehicle
loading, inf lation pressure,
maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even
when the tires are not in use).
In addition to your regular
inspections and inf lation pressure
maintenance, it is recommended that
you have annual inspections
perf ormed once the tires reach f ive
years old. It is also recommended
that all tires, including the spare, be
removed f rom service af ter 10 years
from the date of manufacture,
regardless of their condition or state
of wear.
The last f our digits of the TIN (tire
identif ication number) are f ound on
the sidewall of the tire and indicate
the date of manufacture (See
on page ). To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
models). Move the tires to the
positions shown in the diagram each
time they are rotated. If you
purchase directional tires, rotate
only f ront-to-back.
392 Tire Rotation
T ire Maintenance
Tire Service Lif e
Tire
Labeling
Tires
Maint enance
351
Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)Front
On vehicles with aluminum wheels,
improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Honda wheel weights f or
balancing.
Main MenuTable of Contents

It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
The ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of the wheels.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the
vehicle. Tire size and construction
can af f ect wheel speed and may
cause the ABS or VSA system to
activate. Also be sure you use only TPMS
specif ic wheels. If you do not, the
tire pressure monitoring system will
not work.
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
352
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
Main MenuTable of Contents