lights HONDA RIDGELINE 2012 1.G Owner's Manual

If equipped
The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, license
plate lights, and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicle or remove the audio unit.
This alarm continues for two
minutes, then the system resets. To
deactivate the system before the two
minutes have elapsed, unlock the
driver

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the tailgate is f ully
closed when it is not used as an
extended pickup bed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and In-Bed
Trunk are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
pages and ). When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the inf ormation
display or multi-inf ormation
display (depending on the model)(
s e e pag es,,, an d
).
1. 2. 3. 4.5. 6. 8.
7. 9.
10. 11.
121 133
99
16
61 76 77
119 89
Preparing to Drive
Driving
271
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Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area in your vehicle or
the In-Bed Trunk, or take them
with you.
Lock the doors.
Check the indicator on the driver

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
290
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´
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 inf ormation.
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 and U.S. Sport models
On RT and U.S. Sport models
Trailer Lights
Towing a Trailer
302
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)
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CONT INUED
Insert the connector securely into
the socket.
Hook the retaining tab on the
inner side of the lid against the
retaining tab of the connector to
prevent disconnection during
operation.
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer
hitch as standard equipment. Make sure the connector and the
socketarefreeof dirt,moisture,
or other f oreign material.
Open the socket lid by pulling it up.
Also see page f or trailer-related
inf ormation.
The 7-pin trailer connector is needed
f or the trailer lights. To connect the
connector: 1. 2.3. 4.
299
Except RT and U.S. Sport models
Towing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Connect ing t he T railer Connect ors
Driving
303
TRAILER HITCH
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTORLID
RETAINING TAB
SOCKET RETAINING TAB
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´
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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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

µµµ µ
µ
µ
Ì
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page . Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Lights Check the operation of
all the lights monthly. See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the odometer/
trip meter display or the multi-
inf ormation display. 255
333255
337349 335
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Owner

µµTheheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items on the
pickup bed or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied technician.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
Maintenance Minder schedule.
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (100,000 km) if you regularly
drive your vehicle in any of the
f ollowing conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110