ECO mode HONDA RIDGELINE 2011 1.G Workshop Manual

µ
µ µ
µ
µ
µµ
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmedup)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).
An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
323
CONT INUED
Fuel Economy Factors
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page
). Drive moderately
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Observe the speed limit
Avoid excessive idling
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
326
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
255
Main MenuTable of Contents

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
CONT INUED
On models with navigation system
Shif t L ever Position Indicators Shif ting
Automatic Transmission
Driving
271
SHIFT LEVER
Main MenuTable of Contents

Press the VTM-4 LOCK button.
The indicator in the button comeson.
To get unstuck, apply light pressure
to the accelerator pedal. Do not spin
the f ront tires f or more than a f ew
seconds. Because of the amount of
torque applied to the rear tires, they
should not spin. This is normal. If
you are not able to move the vehicle,
stop and reverse direction.
If you become stuck, you can
activatetheVTM-4bypressingthe
VTM-4 LOCK button while in f irst
(1), second (2), or reverse (R) gear
below18mph(30km/h).Thismode
overrides the auto system to send
maximum torque to the rear axle.
This mode is only intended f or
intermittent use at low speed to free
your vehicle if it becomes stuck or
when you encounter a steep grade
with one wheel on a slippery surf ace.
Generally, you should f irst allow the
auto mode to operate to adjust for
the available traction conditions.
Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position.
Move the shift lever to D.
Press the VTM-4 LOCK button. do
any of the f ollowing:
The VTM-4 Lock will temporarily
disengage when the vehicle speed
exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h). The
indicator in the button will remain on.
The vehicle speed must be below
18 mph (30 km/h).
Move the shift lever to first (1),
second (2), or reverse (R) gear.
1. 2. 3.
VTM-4System
To Engage the VTM-4 Lock:
To Disengage the VTM-4 L ock,
Driving
277
Do not use the VTM-4 LOCK button on
dry, paved roads. Driving on dry,
paved roads with VTM-4 Lock ON may
damage the rear dif f erential when
making a turn. Strange noise and
vibration can also result.
Do not continuously spin the f ront tires
of your vehicle. Continuously spinning
the f ront tires can cause transmission
or rear dif f erential damage.
Main MenuTable of Contents

When the low tire pressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tires is
signif icantly underinf lated. You
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inf late them to
the proper pressure as indicated on
the vehicle’s tire inf ormation placard.
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly, and inf late the tire to
the recommended pressure shown
on the driver’s doorjamb.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
If you cannot make the low tire
pressure indicator go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible.Driving on a signif icantly under
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure indicator may
come on unexpectedly.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor (not including the spare tire).
If the air pressure of a tire becomes
signif icantly low, the sensor in that
tire immediately sends a signal that
causes the low tire pressure
indicator and the appropriate tire on
thetirepressuremonitortocomeon.
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
360
On models without navigation system
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
278
Main MenuTable of Contents

CONT INUED
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator may come on unexpectedly.
When the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator is on, one or more of your
tires is signif icantly underinf lated.
Youshouldstopandcheckyourtires
as soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure as indicated
on the vehicle’s tire inf ormation
placard.
It is possible that the pressures
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
dif f erent.
If the dif f erence is signif icant or you
cannot make the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator and message on the
multi-inf ormation display go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see which tire is
losing pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display along with a
‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message.
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
361On models with navigation systemLow Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
281
Main MenuTable of Contents

CONT INUED
To see the inf lation pressures of all
f our tires, press the SEL/RESET
button. The display changes as
shown above.Each tire pressure is shown in PSI
(U.S. models) or in kPa (Canadian
models).
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see which tire is
losing pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display along with a
‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
283
U.S. models
Canadian models
Main MenuTable of Contents

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
288
Main MenuTable of Contents

´
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Check trailer light requirements f or
the areas where you plan to tow, and
use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.Ref er to the above illustration f or
wiring information.
We recommend that you have your
dealer install a Honda wiring harness
and converter. This harness has
been designed f or your vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
trailer lighting connector.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
connector to install an optional trailer
lighting connector that mates with
your vehicle. You can get this
optional connector f rom your dealer. Since lighting and wiring vary with
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer.Except RT models
On RT models
Trailer Lights
Towing a Trailer
300
TAILLIGHTS
(GREEN/BLACK) ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
AND BRAKE LIGHTS
(GREEN/RED) GROUND
(BLACK)
B CHARGE
(GREEN)
LEFT TURN SIGNAL
AND BRAKE LIGHTS
(GREEN/RED)
BACK-UP LIGHTS
(BLUE)
Main MenuTable of Contents

´
Ref er to the above illustrations f or
wiring information.The trailer jumper harness is used to
install the controller f or the electric
trailer brakes. For more inf ormation,
see on page .Insert the trailer brake f use into the
secondary under-hood f use box (see
page ).
298 381
Except RT models Except RT models
T railer Connect or Socket s T railer Jumper Harness
Trailer BrakesT railer Brake Fuse
Towing a Trailer
302
7-PIN TRAILER SOCKET
SMALL
LIGHT
(GREEN)
BACK LIGHT
(YELLOW)
GROUND
(WHITE) GROUND
(BLACK)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
LEFT
TURN/
STOP
(RED) BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE)
B
CHARGE
(BLACK)
RIGHT
TURN/
STOP
(BROWN)
ELECTRIC
BRAKE
(BLUE) BRAKE LIGHTS
(SKY BLUE)
Main MenuTable of Contents

CONT INUED
Press the TRIP/RESET button f or
about 10 seconds. The engine oil
lif e and the maintenance item
code(s) will blink.Press the TRIP/RESET button f or
another 5 seconds. The
maintenance item code(s) will
disappear, and the engine oil lif e
will reset to ‘‘100.’’To see the current engine oil lif e,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and push and release
the SEL/RESET button on the
dashboard repeatedly, until the
engine oil lif e is displayed (see page
).
3.
4.
83
On models with navigation system
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
317
U.S. model is shown.
ENGINE OIL LIFE DISPLAY SEL/RESET BUTTON
TM
Main MenuTable of Contents