Towing HONDA RIDGELINE 2021 Owner's Manual (in English)

Contents
This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
The Navigation Manual is available online at owners.honda.com
(U.S.) or honda.ca (Canada). If you are the first registered owner
of your vehicle, you may request a complimentary printed
copy of the Navigation Manual within the first six months of
vehicle purchase. To request a copy, visit owners.honda.com. In
Canada, please request a copy from your Honda dealer.
This owner’s manual covers all models of your vehicle. You may find
descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s ma nual (including the front cover)
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but
not all, models. Your particular mo del may not have some of these
features.
This owner’s manual is for vehicles sold in the United States and
Canada.
The information and specifications in cluded in this publication were
in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any
obligation.2 Safe Driving P. 31
For Safe Driving P. 32 Seat Belts P. 37 Airbags P. 44
2Instrument Panel P. 77
Indicators P. 78 Gauges and Multi-Information Display P. 110
2Controls P. 115
Clock P. 116 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 117
Security System P. 136 Windows P. 139
Mirrors P. 164 Seats P. 166
2Features P. 203
Audio System P. 204
General Information on the Audio System P. 281
HomeLink ® Universal Transceiver P. 323 Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ® P. 329
2 Driving P. 363
Before Driving P. 364 Towing a Trailer P. 372
Braking P. 468Parking Your Vehicle P. 472
2Maintenance P. 487
Before Performing Maintenance P. 488 Maintenance MinderTM P. 491
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 514
Climate Control System Maintenance P. 528
2Handling the Unexpected P. 537
Tools P. 538 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 539
Overheating P. 555 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 557
If You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 569
2 Information P. 573
Specifications P. 574 Identification Numbers P. 576
Emissions Testing P. 579 Warranty Coverages P. 581

Contents
Child Safety P. 59Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 74Safety Labels P. 75
Tailgate P. 131 Opening and Closing the Trunk P. 133
Moonroof* P. 143 Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 145
Interior/Exterior Convenience Items P. 175Climate Control System P. 195
Audio System Basic Operation P. 211 Audio Error Messages P. 278
Customized Features P. 298
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 383 When Driving P. 385 Honda Sensing® P. 423
Multi-View Rear Camera P. 481 Refueling P. 483 Fuel Economy and CO
2 Emissions P. 486
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 496 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 508
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 516 Battery P. 525 Remote Transmitter Care P. 527
Cleaning P. 529 Accessories and Modifications P. 535
Engine Does Not Start P. 549If the Battery Is Dead P. 552
Fuses P. 562 Emergency Towing P. 568
If You Cannot Unlock the Tailgate P. 570 Refueling P. 571
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 577 Reporting Safety Defects P. 578
Authorized Manuals P. 584 Customer Service Information P. 585
Quick Reference GuideP. 6
Safe DrivingP. 31
Instrument PanelP. 77
ControlsP. 115
FeaturesP. 203
DrivingP. 363
MaintenanceP. 487
Handling the UnexpectedP. 537
InformationP. 573
IndexP. 587

26
Quick Reference Guide
Handling the Unexpected (P537)
Flat Tire (P539)
●Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire
located in the trunk.
Indicators Come On (P557)
●Identify the indicator and consult the
owner’s manual.
Engine Won’t Start (P549)
●If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse (P562)
●Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating (P555)
●Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing (P568)
●Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

81
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Transmission
System
Indicator
●The current shift position or all the
shift positions blink if there is a
problem with the transmission system
and the vehicle will no longer move.●Immediately stop in a safe place.
2Emergency Towing P. 568●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
●The current shift position or all the
shift positions blink if you cannot
select
(P due to the transmission
system failure.
●The engine can be activated as a
temporary measure.
2 If the Transmission System Indicator
Blinks along with the Warning
Message P. 561
●Set the parking brake when parking.●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicator
●Blinks and the beeper sounds for a
few seconds if you are not wearing a
seat belt when you set the power
mode to ON, then the indicator
comes on.
●If the front passenger is not wearing a
seat belt, the indicator comes on a
few seconds later.
●Blinks while driving if you and/or the
front passenger has not fastened a
seat belt. The beeper sounds and the
indicator blinks at regular intervals.
●The beeper stops and the indicator goes
off when you and the front passenger
fasten their seat belts.
●Stays on after you and/or the front
passenger has fastened the seat
belt(s) - A detection error may have
occurred in the sensor. Have your vehicle
checked by a dealer.
2 Seat Belt Reminder P. 38

363
Driving
This chapter discusses driving and refueling.
Before Driving................................... 364
Towing a Trailer ................................ 372
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines ..... 383
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 385
Precautions While Driving................. 392
Automatic Transmission ................... 394
Shifting ............................................ 395
ECON Mode .................................... 403
Intelligent Traction Management...... 404
Auto Idle Stop .................................. 406
Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System ..............412
Agile Handling Assist ....................... 414 Intelligent Variable To
rque Management (i-
VTM4
TM) AWD System*.................. 415
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist .......................... 416
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 418
Blind spot information System
*........... 420
Honda Sensing ®................................ 423
Collision Mitigati on Braking System
TM
(CMBSTM) ....................................... 426
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)......... 438
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS).... 451
Road Departure Mitigation System ... 460
Front Sensor Camera ....................... 465 Radar Sensor ................................... 467
Braking Brake System ................................... 468
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 470
Brake Assist System ......................... 471
Parking Your Vehicle When Stopped ................................ 472
Parking Sensor System
*................... 473
Cross Traffic Monitor*..................... 477
Multi-View Rear Camera .................. 481
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 483
How to Refuel ................................. 484
Fuel Economy and CO
2 Emissions .... 486
* Not available on all models

367
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load Limit
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 1,444 lbs (655 kg).
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 1,400 lbs (635 kg).
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 1,543 lbs (700 kg).
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 1,477 lbs (670 kg).
See the Tire and Loading Information label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weig ht of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your
vehicle’s placard.
1Maximum Load Limit
3WARNING
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.
2WD without moonroof models
2WD with moonroof models
AWD without moonroof models
AWD with moonroof models
Label Example

uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
368
Driving
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) 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 av ailable cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs. (1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That we ight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicl e. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.1 Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all a ccessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load. 2 Specifications P. 574
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle. 2 Specifications P. 574
3WARNING
Never let passengers ride in the
pickup bed, in the trunk space, or
on the bed rails. This could cause
very serious injuries or death. No
one should ride in any position on
your vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and seat belts.
Exceeding load limits or
improperly loading cargo on the
vehicle can cause a crash in which
you can be seriously injured or
killed.
Load the cargo carefully before
starting to drive.

369
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Driving
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
accessories, cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVW R) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.1 Maximum Load Limit
Towing a Trailer:
See Towing a Trailer to determine whether your
vehicle is designed to tow a trailer.
2 Towing a Trailer P. 372
Load Limits Example
Example1
Max Load 1,477 lbs (670 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo Weight
1,177 lbs (534 kg)
Example2 Max Load 1,477 lbs (670 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) Cargo Weight
727 lbs
(330 kg)

372
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelin es. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
weight of the trailer, cargo, and everything in
or on it shown in the table.
Towing loads in excess of this can seriously
affect vehicle handling and performance and
can damage the engine and drivetrain.
Each weight limit is calculated based on the following conditions:
• Occupants fill seats from the fro nt of the vehicle to the back
• Each occupant weights 150 lbs (68 kg)
• Each occupant has 17.6 lbs (8 kg) of cargo in the cargo area
Any additional weight, cargo or accessori es reduce the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load.
■Towing Load Limits1 Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not av ailable, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and then
measure the tongue load with an appropriate scale or
tongue gauge or estima te it based on cargo
distribution.
Refer to the trailer owner’s manual for additional
information.
Break-in Period.
Avoid towing a trailer duri ng your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information 2 Vehicle Specifications P. 574
3WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
Number of
occupantsAWD models2WD models
25,000 lbs (2,267 kg)3,500 lbs (1,587 kg)
34,875 lbs (2,211 kg)3,375 lbs (1,531 kg)
44,750 lbs (2,154 kg)3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)
54,500 lbs (2,041 kg)3,000 lbs (1,360 kg)

373
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Continued
Driving
■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately:
Boat trailers: 5 – 15% of the total trailer
weight
Other trailers: 10 – 15% of total trailer weight
Tongue LoadTongue Load
Number of occupantsAWD models2WD models
2600 lbs (272 kg)420 lbs (190 kg)
3585 lbs (265 kg)405 lbs (184 kg)
4570 lbs (259 kg)390 lbs (177 kg)
5540 lbs (245 kg)360 lbs (163 kg)