HONDA RIDGELINE 2019 Owner's Manual (in English)

519
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 520
Safety When Performing Maintenance ... 521
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 522
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 523
Maintenance Under the Hood Maintenance Items Under the Hood .... 527
Opening the Hood ........................... 528
Engine Compartment Cover ............. 529
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 530
Oil Check ......................................... 531
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 532
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ...533 Engine Coolant ................................ 535
Transmission Fluid ............................ 537
Brake Fluid ....................................... 538
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 538
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 539Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 545
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 547
Tire and Loading Information Label ... 548
Tire Labeling .................................... 548
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) .... 550Wear Indicators................................ 552 Tire Service Life ................................ 552
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 553
Tire Rotation .................................... 554
Winter Tires ..................................... 555
Battery ............................................... 556
Remote Transmitter Care Replacing the Button Battery ........... 557
Heating and Cooling System*/Climate
Control System* Maintenance............. 558Cleaning Interior Care .................................... 559
Exterior Care.................................... 561
Accessories and Modifications ........ 565
* Not available on all models

520
Maintenance
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance
For your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.)
■Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.
■Periodic inspections
• Check the automatic transmi ssion fluid level monthly.
2Automatic Transmission Fluid P. 537
•Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2 Checking the Brake Fluid P. 538
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examin e the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 547
•Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 539
•Check the condition of the wiper bl ades at least every six months.
2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 545
■Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are “certified” to
EPA standards.
According to state and fede ral regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all ma intenance services should
be performed in accordan ce with the intervals
indicated by the mult i-information display.
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 525
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills a nd tools, you can purchase a
subscription to the Service Express website at
www.techinfo.honda.com .
2 Authorized Manuals P. 611
If you want to perform ma intenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing ma intenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models

521
uuBefore Performing Maintenance uSafety When Performing Maintenance
Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
Some of the most important safe ty precautions are given here.
However, we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether you should perform a given
task.
• To reduce the possibility of fire or explos ion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
• Never leave rags, towels, or other flammable objects under the hood.
u Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite them, causing a fire.
• To clean parts, use a co mmercially available degreaser or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
• Wear eye protection and prot ective clothing when working with the battery or
compressed air.
• Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is poisonous and can kill you.
u Only operate the engine if th ere is sufficient ventilation.
• The vehicle must be in a stationary condition.
u Make sure your vehicle is parked on le vel ground, the parking brake is set, and
the engine is off.
• Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
u Make sure to let the engine and exhaust system cool thoroughly before
touching vehicle parts.
• Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
u Do not start the engine unless instruct ed, and keep your hands and limbs away
from moving parts.
■Maintenance Safety
■Vehicle Safety
1 Safety When Performing Maintenance
3WARNING
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or
failing to correct a pr oblem before driving
can cause a crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and
maintenance recommendations according
to the schedules in this owner’s manual.
3WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance
instructions and prec autions can cause you
to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and
precautions in this owner’s manual.

522
uuBefore Performing Maintenance uParts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service
Maintenance
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service
The use of Honda genuine parts and fluids is recommended when maintaining and
servicing your vehicle. Honda genuine parts are manufactured according to the
same high quality standards used in Honda vehicles.1Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service
Do not press the engine cover forcibly. This may
damage the engine cover and component parts.

523Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance items, which should be serviced at the same time that you replace the
engine oil, appear on the multi-information display.
You can view them on the engine oil life screen at any time.
To Use Maintenance MinderTM
1. Set the power mode to ON.
2. Press the (Information) button until the engine oil life appears on the
multi-information display.
■Displaying the Maintenance Minder Information1 Displaying the Maintena nce Minder Information
Based on the engine ope rating conditions, the
remaining engine oi l life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
There is a list of maintena nce main and sub items you
can view on the multi-information display. 2 Maintenance Service Items P. 525
Displayed Engine Oil
Life (%)Calculated Engine Oil Life (%)
100 100 to 91
9090 to 81
80 80 to 71
7070 to 61
60 60 to 51
5050 to 41
40 40 to 31
3030 to 21
20 20 to 16
1515 to 11
10 10 to 6
55 to 1
00
Remaining Engine Oil Life
Maintenance Service Items Press the
(Information) button

524
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance
The system message indicator ( ) comes on along with the Maintenance Minder message.
■Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-Information
Display
Maintenance MessageOil Life DisplayExplanationInformation
Maintenance Due Soon15%The remaining engine oil life is 15 to
6 percent. Once you switch the
display by pressing the
(Information) button, this message
will go off.The engine oil is approaching the end
of its service life, and the maintenance
items should be inspected and serviced
soon.
Maintenance Due Now5%The remaining engine oil life is 5 to 1
percent. Pressing the
(Information) button to switch to
another display.The engine oil has almost reached the
end of its service life, and the
maintenance items should be inspected
and serviced as soon as possible.
Maintenance Past DueNegative DistanceThe remaining engi ne oil life has
passed its service life, and a negative
distance appears after driving over
10 miles (U.S. models) or 10 km
(Canadian models). Pressing the
(Information) button to
switch to another display.The engine oil life has passed.
The maintenance items must be
inspected and serviced immediately.
U.S.Canada

525
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the maintenance message in the
multi-information display, replace the brake fluid
every 3 years.
•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder MessageSystem Message
Indicator
Sub Items
Main
Item
*1: If the message
Maintenance Due Now does not appear more than 12 months after the display
is reset, change the engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column on page 609.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: 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).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and li nes (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4: 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).
*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (Shear) stress to fluid. 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).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3
●Replace transmission fl uid and transfer fluid*
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*, *5
* Not available on all models

uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
526
Maintenance
Reset the engine oil life display if you have performed the maintenance service.
1. Set the power mode to ON.
2. Go to the Maintenance Info. group.
2Customized Features P. 318
3.Press and hold the RESET button
u The oil life reset mode is displayed on the multi-information display.
4. Select Reset with the (Information) button, then push the RESET
button.
u The displayed maintenance items disappea r, and the engine oil life display
returns to 100%.
u To cancel the oil life reset mode, select Cancel, then push the RESET button.
■Resetting the Display1Resetting the Display
NOTICE
Failure to reset the engine oil life after a maintenance
service results in the sy stem showing incorrect
maintenance intervals, which can lead to serious
mechanical problems.
The dealer will reset the en gine oil life display after
completing the required ma intenance service. If
someone other than a deal er performs maintenance
service, reset the engine oil life display yourself.
You can reset the engine oi l life display using the
audio/information screen. 2 Customized Features P. 318
Models with Display Audio
Models with color audio system
Press the

(Information)
button
RESET button

527
Maintenance
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood
Brake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Washer Fluid
Radiator Cap
Engine Coolant
Reserve Tank Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange) Engine Oil Fill Cap
Battery
Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick

528
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uOpening the Hood
Maintenance
Opening the Hood
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set
the parking brake.
2. Pull the hood release handle under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
u The hood will pop up slightly.
3. Push up the hood latch lever in the center
of the hood to release the lock mechanism,
and open the hood.
4. Remove the support rod from the clamp
using the grip. Mount the support rod in
the hood.
When closing, remove the support rod, and
stow it in the clamp, then gently lower the
hood. Remove your hand at a height of
approximately 12 inches (30 cm) and let the
hood close.1 Opening the Hood
NOTICE
Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are
raised: The hood will stri ke the wipers, and may
damage either the hood or the wipers.
When closing the hood, check that the hood is
securely latched.
If the hood latch lever moves stiffly, or if you can
open the hood without lifti ng the lever, the latch
mechanism should be cl eaned and lubricated.
Hood Release Handle
Pull
Lever
Support RodGrip
Clamp