service HONDA RIDGELINE 2012 1.G User Guide

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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

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
f or any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comf ort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.
To avoid loss of control or rollover,
be sure to f ollow all precautions and
recommendations.
Be sure to store cargo properly
and do not exceed your cargo load
limits (see page and ).
Be aware that a heavy load can
reduce ground clearance and your
ability to clear obstacles.
Whenever you drive, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear seat belts.
Keep your speed low, and never
go faster than the conditions allow.
It

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
the model), and instructions for
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 . 314
.................
Maintenance Minder . 315
..............................
Fluid Locations . 327
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 328
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter . 329
..............................
Engine Coolant . 331
....................
Windshield Washers . 332
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 333
....................................
Brake Fluid . 335
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 336
....................................
Timing Belt . 337
.............................................
Lights . 337
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 345
.....................................
Floor Mats . 346
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 346
.................................
Wiper Blades . 347
...........................................
Wheels . 349
...............................................
Tires . 349
...................
Checking the Battery . 357
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 358
..................................
Interior Care . 359
409
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 eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine. Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards Injury f rom moving parts.
Burns f rom hot parts.
314 Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner

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Your vehicle displays engine oil lif e
and maintenance service items on
the inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
the model) to show you when you
should have your dealer perf orm
engine oil replacement and indicated
maintenance services.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil lif e and displays it as a
percentage. The remaining engine oil lif e is
shownonthedisplayaccordingto
this table:
To see the current engine oil lif e,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and press the SELECT
button repeatedly until the engine oil
lif e display appears (see page ).78
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Calculated Engine
Oil Lif e (%)
100% 91% 90% 81%
80% 71%
70% 61%
60% 51%
50% 41%
40% 31%
30% 21%
20% 16%
15% 11%10% 6%
5% 1% 0% Displayed
Engine Oil Lif e (%) 100%90% 80% 70%60%50%40% 30% 20%15%10%5% 0%
On models without navigation system
Engine Oil L if e Display
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
315
SELECT BUTTON
ENGINE OIL LIFE DISPLAY
U.S. model is shown.
TM
Main MenuTable of Contents

The 15 and 10 percent oil lif e
indicator reminds you that the time
is coming soon to take your vehicle
in f or the required maintenance.
If the remaining engine oil lif e is 15
to 6 percent, you will see the engine
oil lif e indicator every time you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. The Maintenance Minder
indicator will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
near the ‘‘OIL LIFE

Immediately have the service
perf ormed, and make sure to reset
the display as described as f ollows.
When the engine oil lif e is 0 percent
or negative distance traveled, the
Maintenance Minder indicator
( )remainsonevenif you
change the inf ormation display.
All maintenance items displayed on
the inf ormation display are in code.
For an explanation of these
maintenance codes, see page . Your dealer will reset the display
af ter completing the required
maintenance service. You will see
‘‘OIL LIFE 100%

ÛÝ
When the remaining engine oil lif e is
15 percent or less, the display shows
a ‘‘SERVICE DUE SOON

ÛÝ
You will also see the system
message every time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position until you have the indicated
maintenance perf ormed by your
dealer.
The maintenance item code(s)
indicate the main and sub items
required at the time of the oil change
(see page ).
When the remaining engine oil lif e is
less than 5 percent, you will see the
above display. The display then
changes to ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW.

ÛÝ
ÛÝ
Negative distance traveled means
your vehicle has passed the
maintenance required point.
The system message will appear
again by pressing the INFO ( / )
button after canceling it.
You will also see the system
message every time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position until you have the indicated
maintenance perf ormed by your
dealer.
Immediately have the service
perf ormed, and make sure to reset
the display as described on page .
If the indicated required service is
not done and the remaining engine
oil lif e becomes 0%, the multi-
inf ormation display will show a
‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE