towing HONDA RIDGELINE 2012 1.G User Guide

´
Ref er to the above illustrations f or
wiring inf ormation.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 ).
300 383
Except RT and U.S. Sport models Except RT and U.S. Sport models
T railer Connect or Socket s T railer Jumper Harness
Trailer BrakesT railer Brake Fuse
Towing a Trailer
304
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)
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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

Use a nylon strap to attach your
vehicle to the recovery vehicle, and
caref ully take out the slack in the
strap. Once the strap is tight, the
recovery vehicle should apply f orce.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoid
becoming stuck, too.
You should never use a jack to try to
get unstuck. Your vehicle could
easily slip of f the jack and hurt you
or someone else.You may saf ely tow a trailer of f -road
if you f ollow these guidelines:
Do not exceed the trailer weight
or tongue limits (see page ).
Stay on smooth, level dirt roads,
and avoid driving in hilly terrain.
Allow extra room f or starting,
stopping, and turning.
Slow down if you encounter bumps
or other obstacles. 297
Towing a Trailer Off-Road
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
312
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Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
If you tow a trailer f requently, we
recommend that you use a regular
tire as a spare. You can store the
regular size spare tire on the tire tray,
but store the tool kit at the side of
the In-Bed Trunk (see page ),
and secure it.
2.
1.
369
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of the Unexpected
363
TOOL BOX SPARE TIRE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the jack.
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Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er toon page .
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page . Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
Turn of f all electrical accessories:
heater, A/C, climate control, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in Park, and set the
parking brake.
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
1. 2.
272
385
380 Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
If the Engine Won

CONT INUED
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 the Unexpected
385
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
386
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.
Main MenuTable of Contents

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
..........................
Fan, Interior . 147, 154
.........................................
Features . 145
...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iv
...................................
Dashboard . 3, 60
................
Daytime Running Lights . 97
.................................
Dead Battery . 372
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 408
......
Def rosting the Windows . 148, 155
................
Dif f erential Fluid, Rear . 390
....................................
Dimensions . 390
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 95
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 333
..................................
Engine Oil . 255
..........................
Directional Signals . 95
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 290
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 330
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor . 11
Doors
Locking and ..............
Unlocking . 103, 104, 107
..................
Lockout Prevention . 103
....................
Power Door Locks . 103
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5 ...........................................
Driving . 269
....................................
Economy . 256
...................................................
D3 . 275
Dual-Action Tailgate
...............................
Indicator . 11, 115
...................................
Operation . 113
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 346
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 256
..................................
Emergencies . 361
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 372
...........
Brake System Indicator . 378
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 363
.....
Charging System Indicator . 376
..................
Checking the Fuses . 380
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 99
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 376
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 377
..................
Overheated Engine . 374
............................
Stuck Vehicle . 385
.......................................
Towing . 385
.........................
Emergency Brake . 132
.......................
Emissions Controls . 399
........................
Emissions Testing . 402 Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 76
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 63, 377
.................
Oil Lif e Display . 315, 319
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 63, 376
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 328
...............................
Overheating . 374
............................
Specif ications . 391
............................
Speed Limiter . 277
.......................................
Starting . 272
.................
Engine, if it won

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 . 329
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the . 361
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 392
.....................................
Tachometer . 76
Tailgate, Dual-Action
...............................
Indicator . 11, 115
...................................
Operation . 113
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 341
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 361
Technical Descriptions
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 399
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter . 401
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 76
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 22
............................
Thef t Protection . 205
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 401 ....................................
Timing Belt . 337
....................................
Tire Chains . 355
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 363
.................................
Tire Labeling . 394
Tire Pressure Monitoring
....................
System (TPMS) . 280
Low Tire Pressure ..................
Indicator . 72, 280, 283
Required Federal
............................
Explanation . 396
.....
Tire Pressure Monitor . 281, 284
....
TPMS Indicator . 72, 73, 281, 283
...............................................
Tires . 349
..............................
Air Pressure . 351
.........................
Checking Wear . 351
..........................
Compact Spare . 362
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
......................................
Inf lation . 350
..................................
Inspection . 351
..............................
Maintenance . 352
...................................
Replacing . 353
......................................
Rotating . 352
...........................................
Snow . 354
....................
Specif ications . 354, 391
................................
Tire Chains . 355
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 363 Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 298
................
Emergency Wrecker . 385
.................................
Equipment . 303
....
Equipment and Accessories . 299
.............................
Weight Limit . 295
.........................
Trailer Loading . 297
.................
Trailer Towing Tips . 305
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 391
Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 333
...........................
Fluid Selection . 334
..............
Identif ication Number . 389
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 273
.....................................
Treadwear . 392
.................................
Trip Meter . 79, 84
................................
Trunk, In-Bed . 116
....................................
Turn Signals . 95
Index
U
T
INDEX
IX
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ÎÎ.....................................
XM
Radio . 167
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 248
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 330
................................
Vanity Mirror . 140
.........
Vehicle Capacity Load . 262, 390
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 390
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 388
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ....
Control (ESC), System . 292
.............
VSA OFF Indicator . 71, 293
.......................
VSA OFF Switch . 294
........
VSA System Indicator . 70, 293
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 357
.....................................
Ventilation . 149
.................................................
VIN . 388
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 328
Variable Torque Management
4-wheel drive system
...............................
(VTM-4
) . 278
................................
VTM-4
Lock . 278 ............
WARNING, Explanation of . iv
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 56
..................
Warranty Coverages . 407
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level . 332
............................
Level Indicator . 67
.....................................
Operation . 94
...........................................
Wheels . 349
...............
Adjusting the Steering . 99
......................................
Wrench . 366
Windows
................
Operating the Power . 128
Windshield ...........................
Def roster . 148, 155
.......................................
Washers . 94
...
Wiper Zone, Heated . 95, 150, 156
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades . 347
.....................................
Operation . 94
....................................
Worn Tires . 351
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 385 :U.S.only
Index
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