trailer HONDA RIDGELINE 2013 1.G Owner's Manual

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. 293
Towing a Trailer Off-Road
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
308
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Driving

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Maintenance Minder
322
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Symbol
Symbol
A B 1
2
3
4
5
6
TM
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake
fluid every 3 years.
If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
NOTE : :
:
321
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every
60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).
Driving in mountainous terrain at very low speeds,
towing a trailer or driving when fully loaded causes
more mechanical (shear) stress and fluid deterioration.
This requires differential fluid changes more frequently
than recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
12/08/09 16:41:39 31SJC670_329

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 from 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°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently towing a trailer.
CONT INUED
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Timing Belt
T iming Belt, L ights
333
TM
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
12/08/09 16:43:02 31SJC670_340
Maint enance

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.
365
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
359
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.
12/08/09 16:46:27 31SJC670_366

CONT INUED
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional 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
381
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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T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed

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CONT INUED
........................................
Sun Visor .140
........................
Sunglasses Holder .138
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ......................................
Servicing .32
.........................
SRS Indicator .30, 64
...................
System Components . 23
..................................
Synthetic Oil .325
.....................................
Tachometer .76
Tailgate, Dual-Action ...............................
Indicator .11, 115
...................................
Operation .113
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 337
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 357
Technical Descriptions ....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 388
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 395
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .397
.......................
Temperature Gauge .76
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 22
............................
Thef t Protection .205
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 397....................................
Timing Belt .333
....................................
Tire Chains .351
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 359
.................................
Tire Labeling .390
Tire Pressure Monitoring ....................
System (TPMS) .276
Low Tire Pressure ..................
Indicator . 72, 276, 279
Required Federal ............................
Explanation .392
.....
Tire Pressure Monitor . 277,280
....
TPMS Indicator . 72, 73,277,279
...............................................
Tires .345
..............................
Air Pressure .347
.........................
Checking Wear .347
..........................
Compact Spare .358
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 388
......................................
Inf lation .346
..................................
Inspection .347
..............................
Maintenance .348
...................................
Replacing .349
......................................
Rotating .348
...........................................
Snow .350
....................
Specif ications .350, 387
................................
Tire Chains .351
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 359Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .294
................
Emergency Wrecker . 381
.................................
Equipment .299
....
Equipment and Accessories . 295
.............................
Weight Limit .291
.........................
Trailer Loading .293
.................
Trailer Towing Tips . 301
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 387
Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 329
...........................
Fluid Selection .330
..............
Identif ication Number . 385
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 269
.....................................
Treadwear .388
.................................
Trip Meter .79, 84
................................
Trunk, In-Bed .116
....................................
Turn Signals .95
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .357
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 388
U
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IX
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IndexA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Î:U.S.only