checking oil HONDA RIDGELINE 2012 1.G Owners Manual

Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
1. 2. 3.
4.
328 331
325
A dding Engine Oil Engine Coolant Check
Oil Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner

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

CONT INUED
Back Window.......................................
Indicator . 75
...........................
Operation . 128, 129
Battery
Charging System
...........................
Indicator . 63, 376
............................
Jump Starting . 372
..............................
Maintenance . 357
............................
Specif ications . 391 Bed Lights
.......................................
Indicator . 74
...................................
Operation . 144
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 247
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,20
.........................
Beverage Holders . 137
........
HandsFreeLink. 221
..................................
Booster Seats . 52
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 291
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 248
...........................................
Fluid . 335
............
Bulb Replacement . 341, 342
.......................................
Parking . 132
.................
System Indicator . 65, 378
........................
Wear Indicators . 290
.............................
Braking System . 290
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 248
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 98
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 259
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.....................................
Position) . 102
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 139
...........................
AC Power Outlet . 141
................
Active Head Restraints . 124
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 329
........
Adjusting the Steering wheel . 99
...........................
Advanced Airbags . 27
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 23
..............
Air Conditioning System . 146
.................................
Usage . 147, 153
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) . 157
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 351
......................................
Antif reeze . 331
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 66, 289
...................................
Operation . 291
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 205
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock . 102
........................................
Armrests . 122
................
Audio System . 159, 167, 174
...
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking . 104 Automatic Heated Wiper
..............................
Zone . 95, 150, 156
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 210
..............
Automatic Transmission . 273
..........................
Capacity, Fluid . 390
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 333
.......................................
Shif ting . 273
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators . 273
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 274
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 277
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack . 205Bluetooth
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
Main Menu

Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights . 341
..............................
Brake Lights . 341
.................................
Bed Lights . 344
.........
Daytime Running Lights . 340
.................................
Fog Lights . 340
Front Turn Signal/Parking/
.......................
Hazard Lights . 339
.................................
Headlights . 337
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 342
.................
License Plate Lights . 343
Rear Bulbs (Brake/Taillights,
Turn Signal/Hazard Lights, ................
Back-up Lights) . 341
............................
Specif ications . 391
......................
Bulbs, Halogen . 337, 340
...................
Capacities Chart . 390, 391
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 55
.........................
Cargo Hooks . 118, 137
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 261
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of . iv
.........................................
CD Care . 198
..........................
CD Changer . 181, 189 CD Player/Changer Error
...................................
Messages . 202
.......................................
CD Player . 175
........................
Certif ication Label . 388
....................................
Chains, tire . 355
Change Oil
........................................
How to . 329
......................................
When to . 315
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 363
...
Charging System Indicator . 63, 376
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 271
................
Childproof Door Locks . 104
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 34
..............................
Booster Seats . 52
...................................
Child Seats . 41
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 34
..........................................
Inf ants . 39
..........................
Larger Children . 51
.........................................
LATCH . 43
......................
Risks with Airbags . 35
.............................
Small Children . 40
....................................
Tether . 43, 48
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 35
.......................................
Child Seats . 41
.........................................
LATCH . 43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 48 ...............
Climate Control System . 152
..............................................
Clock . 207
....................................
Coat Hooks . 138
.....................
Code, Audio System . 205
..................
CO in the Exhaust . 55, 399
......................
Compact Spare Tire . 362
.........................................
Compass . 213
.................
Console Compartment . 136
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 406
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 59
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 331
....................................
Checking . 255
.........................
Proper Solution . 331
...................
Temperature Gauge . 76
..............................
Courtesy Light . 143
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 399
Cruise Control .......................................
Indicator . 67
...................................
Operation . 210
...................................
Cup Holders . 137
.........................
Customer Service . 406
Index
C
II
Main Menu

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

....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 250
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 346
...............................................
Oil . 330
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 99
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 363
.....................................
Floor Mats . 346
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 333
..........................................
Brake . 335
..........................
Power Steering . 336
.......................
Rear Differential . 390
...................
Transf er Assembly . 391
..................
Windshield Washer . 332
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 165
.................
Folding the Rear Seats . 125
........................................
Fog Lights . 97
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 99
..............................
Front Seat . 119, 121
............................
Adjusting . 119, 121
.....................................
Airbags . 9, 25
.......................................
Heaters . 126
.................................................
Fuel . 248
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 250
...........................................
Gauge . 76 ................
Octane Requirement . 248
...............................
Oxygenated . 249
........................
Reserve Indicator . 68
........................
Tank, Filling the . 250
...............................
Fuel Economy . 256
Actual Mileage and EPA Fuel Economy Estimates .......................
Comparison . 256
......
Calculating Fuel Economy . 258
.............
Fuel Economy Factors . 257
........
Improving Fuel Economy . 257
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 380
....
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 337, 340
...........................
HandsFreeLink
. 221
..............................
HFL Buttons . 221
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 99
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 256
Gasoline
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 68
...........................................
Gauge . 76
................
Octane Requirement . 248
........................
Tank, Filling the . 250
................
Gas Station Procedures . 250
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 76
...............................................
Fuel . 76
...............................
Speedometer . 76 .................................
Tachometer . 76
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) . 296
GCWR (Gross Combined
.................
Weight Rating) . 296, 390
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 274
......................................
Glove Box . 138
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
.................
Weight Rating) . 296, 390
Index
G H
IV
Main Menu

Î
CONT INUED
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 248
...................................
Odometer . 79, 84
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 308
...................
Of f -Road Precautions . 309
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 329
......................
Change, When to . 315
......................
Checking Engine . 255
...........................................
Filter . 330
..............
Pressure Indicator . 63, 376
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart . 328
.........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 102
............................
Outside Mirrors . 134
....................
Overheating, Engine . 374
....
Owner

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
Main Menu

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
X
V W
X
Main Menu