tow HONDA RIDGELINE 2014 1.G Owners Manual

How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other convenience
f eatures. A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
The Maintenance Minder shows
you when you need to take your
vehicle to the dealer for maintenance
service. There is also a list of things
to check and instructions on how to
check them.
A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints. What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
Features Bef ore Driving
Driving
Maintenance
T echnical Inf ormation
Warranty and Customer
Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
T aking Care of the Unexpected
Overview of Contents
2
TM
12/08/09 15:59:23 31SJC670_009

A rollover sensor monitors the
degree and rate your vehicle may
roll over and automatically deploy
the side curtain airbags and activate
the front seat belt tensioners (see
page).
In a rollover toward the front
passenger’s side of the vehicle, both
side curtain airbags will inflate and
the front seat belt tensioners will
activate even if there are no
occupants on that side of the vehicle.
To get the best protection f rom the
side curtain airbags, occupants
should wear their seat belts and sit
upright and well back in their seats. When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, this indicator
comes on f or several seconds then
goes of f . This tells you the system is
working properly.
If the indicator comes on at any
other time, or does not come on at all,
you should have the system checked
by your dealer. For example:
If the SRS indicator does not come
on after you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
If the indicator comes on or
flashesonandoff whileyoudrive. If the indicator stays on after the
engine starts.
The SRS indicator alerts you to a
potential problem with your airbag
system components.
In a moderate to severe side
impact, sensors will detect
rapid acceleration and signal the
control unit to instantly inflate the
side curtain airbag. 22
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
How Your Side Curtain
Airbags Work
How the SRS
Indicator WorksIn a Rollover
In a Side Impact
30
SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG
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Driver and Passenger Saf ety

If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure. This indicator normally comes
on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position.If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost pressure on the tire pressure
monitor, and determine the cause. If
it is because of a f lat tire, replace the
flat tire with the compact spare (see
page ), and have the flat tire
repaired as soon as possible. If two
or more tires are underinf lated, call a
prof essional towing service (see
page ). Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two f unctions:
Check the tire pressure monitor
on the multi-information display
and determine the cause (see
page ).
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see
page ). If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
1.
91
359
381 276
280
On models without navigation system On models with navigation system
Low Tire Pressure
IndicatorLow Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
72
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Inst rument s and Cont rols

This indicator normally comes
on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
have the flat tire repaired as soon as
possible. If two or more tires are
underinf lated, call a prof essional
towing service. For more
inf ormation, see page . If this indicator begins to flash,
there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system
(TPMS). You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display. The indicator continues to
flash for a while (approximately 1
minute), then stays on. If this
happens, have your dealer check
the system as soon as possible.
For more information, see
page
. If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked. For more
inf ormation, see page .
2.
381 282
277
On models without navigation system
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
73
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Inst rument s and Cont rols

Push the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in position.
Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.
Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.
Move the steering wheel so it
points toward your chest, not
toward your f ace. Make sure you
can see the instrument panel
gauges and indicators. Push the lever on the left side
of the steering column all the
way down.
Pushthebuttontoturnonthe
hazard warning lights (f our-way
flashers). This causes all four
outside turn signals and both turn
indicators in the instrument panel to
f lash. Use the hazard warning lights
if you need to park in a dangerous
area near heavy traffic, or if your
vehicle is disabled. 3.
4.
1.
2. Steering Wheel A djustment
Hazard Warning Button
Hazard Warning Button, Steering Wheel A djustment
99
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
12/08/09 16:12:17 31SJC670_106
Inst rument s and Cont rols

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time. Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
Premium f uel is recommended when
towing in certain conditions (see
page ).
301
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
244
T o help prevent harmf ul f uel system
and engine deposits, use high quality
f uel containing detergent and additives.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain harmf ul manganese-
based f uel additives such as MMT , if
such gasoline is available.
12/08/09 16:31:39 31SJC670_251
Bef ore Driving

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
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
information on adding the proper
Refer to on page for information
about checking other items on
your
1.
2.
3. 4.
324 327
321
A dding Engine Oil Engine Coolant Check
Oil Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
251
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
MIN
MAX
RESERVE TANK
12/08/09 16:32:26 31SJC670_258
Bef ore Driving
lower marks.
vehicle.
proper coolant.

The maximum load for your
vehicle is:Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit:
Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
These f igures include the total
weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Label Example See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb. 1.
2.
3.
RT,RTS,DX,VP,CanadianSport
models, and Touring model withoutmoonroof
RTL, U.S. Sport models, and Touringmodel with moonroof
L oad L imits (Payload)
Carrying Cargo
258
1,470 lbs (670 kg) 1,520 lbs (690 kg) Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
12/08/09 16:33:31 31SJC670_265
Bef ore Driving

µ·
The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load
must not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). Both are on a label on
the driver’s doorjamb.
5.
6. 4.
Example 3 Example 2
Example 1
Carrying Cargo
259
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
(68kgx2=136kg)Cargo Weight
(1,220 lbs)
(554 kg)
Max Load (1,520 lbs)
(690 kg)
Max Load (1,520 lbs) (690 kg)
Max Load (1,520 lbs) (690 kg) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
(68kgx4=272kg)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs)
(68kgx5=340kg)
Cargo Weight
(770 lbs)
(350 kg) Cargo Weight
(920 lbs)
(418 kg)
12/08/09 16:33:43 31SJC670_266
Bef ore Driving

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Variable Torque
Management
4-wheel drive
(VTM-4
) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA
), aka
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
system, the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), and f acts you need
if you are planning to tow a trailer or
drive of f -highway. ........................
Driving Guidelines .266
........................
Preparing to Drive .267
.......................
Starting the Engine .268
..............
Automatic Transmission . 269
Variable Torque Management
...........
4WD (VTM-4) System . 274
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .276
...........................................
Parking .284
.............................
Braking System .286
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 287
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability Control .......................
(ESC), System .288
.................
Towing Weight Limits . 291
..........
Towing Weight Guidelines . 293
...........................
Towing a Trailer .294
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .304
Driving
265
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