HONDA RIDGELINE 2021 Owner's Manual (in English)

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uuBefore Driving uCarrying Cargo
Driving
Carrying Cargo
Your vehicle can carry a large amount of cargo in the pickup bed.
However, the pickup bed is not intended for carrying passengers.
People who ride in the pickup bed can be ve ry seriously injured or killed in a crash.
• When loading and unloading cargo, make sure all passengers or any objects are
clear of the tailgate before opening or closing it. The tailgate should be closed
securely before driving when it is not used as the extended pickup bed.
• The maximum allowable loading weight for the trunk is 300 lbs (136 kg).
Do not exceed this weight limi t, or you may damage the trunk.
• The maximum allowable loading weight on the pickup bed is 1,100 lbs (500 kg).
Do not exceed the load limit.
2 Maximum Load Limit P. 367
•Distribute cargo evenly on the pickup bed. Place the heaviest items on the bottom
and as far forward as possible of the rear axle. Tie down and secure all items that
could be thrown out of the vehicle during a crash or sudden stop.
• If you stack items higher than the bed si des, tailgate, or back window, secure
them with a net or cover.
This will reduce the risk of items being thrown out of the pickup bed during a
crash or sudden stop.
• When the tailgate is dropped open, it can be used as an extended pickup bed.
The maximum allowable weight on the tailgate while driving is 300 lbs (136 kg).
Exceeding this limit c ould damage the tailgate.
• Carrying heavy cargo in the pickup bed will raise your vehicle’s center of gravity.
This can affect handling and performance. Drive more slowly and cautiously, and
allow extra time and distance for braking.
■Carrying Cargo in the Pickup Bed1 Carrying Cargo
3WARNING
Allowing passengers to ride in the pickup
bed or on the tailgate can result in death or
serious injury in a crash.
Make sure all passengers ride in a seat and
wear a seat belt properly.
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 eq uipped 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.

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uuBefore Driving uCarrying Cargo
Driving
You can also support motorcycles on the pickup bed floor with the cleats.
The floor panel of the pickup bed is designed to hold motorcycle tires. Be sure to
tighten motorcycles securely, with an ap proved tie-down or motorcycle strap,
according to the motorcyc le maker’s instructions.
When carrying motorcycles or any other cargo, do not spill any oil or fluid on the
pickup bed. A spilled liquid may damage the pickup bed.

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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)

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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)

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
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Driving
■How to weigh the trailer lo ads using the public scale
Check each weight in the order indicated as shown.
Refer to the table on the right for each we ight’s limit except for the tongue load.
2Tongue load P. 373
•If you cannot weigh the rear axle, subtract 1 from 2.
• The maximum gross combined weight (4) decreases by 2% for every 1,000 feet
(305 meters) of elevation.
• To calculate the tongue load, subtract 5 from 6.
• Refer to the trailer owner’s manu al for additional information.
1How to weigh the trailer loads using the public scale
Fully load the vehicle and trailer. An attendant who
watches the scale is needed as all occupants should
stay in the vehicle.
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. Weight limit for 2WD models AWD models
Front gross axle3,042 lbs
(1,380 kg)3,131 lbs
(1,420 kg)
Gross vehicle 5,710 lbs
(2,590 kg) 6,019 lbs
(2,730 kg)
Rear gross axle3,086 lbs
(1,400 kg)3,263 lbs
(1,480 kg)
Gross combined 8,245 lbs
(3,740 kg) 10,031 lbs
(4,550 kg)
1. Front gross axle weight.
2. Gross vehicle weight.4. Gross combined weight.
3. Rear gross axle weight. 5. Hitched trailer weight.
6. Unhitched trailer weight.

Continued375
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
Towing generally requires a vari ety of supplemental equipment.
To ensure the best quality, we recommend that you purchase Honda equipment
whenever possible.
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer hitch as standard equipment. The jumper harness
and trailer brake fuse are stored in the glove box.
2 Trailer brakes P. 376
Open the lid of the socket (located next to the
trailer hitch) to expo se the 7-pin trailer
connector.
■Hitches
Read the trailer manufacturer ’s instructions, and select the appropriate draw bar for
the height of the trailer you will be towing.
■Towing Equipment and Accessories
Models with AWD1 Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipmen t is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and lo cal regulations.
Consult your trai ler maker for prope r installation and
setup of the equipment.
Improper installation and setup can affect the
handling, stability, and br aking performance of your
vehicle.
Consult your traile r sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of tra ilers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qua lified technician.
Trailer packages and products:
•Ball mount, hitch plug, hitch pin etc.•Wiring harness kit
•Trailer hitch kit (jum per harness included)
Are available at a dealer.
7-Pin trailer connector
Lid Trailer hitch

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
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Driving
■Weight distribution hitches
Your vehicle is designed to tow without the need for a load distributing hitch. If you
wish to use one, please consult your trailer maker for proper installation and set-up.
Improper set-up could degrade the handlin g, stability, and braking performance of
your vehicle.
■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer brake s: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure they are electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to attach trailer brakes to your ve hicle’s hydraulic system, as it will lower
braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.
The 4-pin gray connector installed in your vehicle has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake controllers.1 Trailer brakes
The 4-pin gray connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the parking brake
pedal.

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Continued
Driving
Have a qualified mechanic install your trailer
brake controller following the trailer brake
controller manufacturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake controller
may increase the distance it takes for you to
stop your vehicle when towing a trailer.
The trailer hitch harness is used to install the
controller for the electric trailer brakes.
Insert the trailer brake fuse into the engine
compartment sub fuse box.
2 Engine Compartment Fuse Box Type B
P. 564
Electric Brake
(Brown)
Ground
(Black) +B (Light
Green) (20A)
Stop
(Violet)
Trailer brake controller
connector’s terminals:
Electric Brake
(Brown)
+B (20A)
(Blue)
Ground
(Black)
Brake Lights
(Sky Blue)

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
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Driving
■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
We recommend that you have a dealer install a Honda wiring harness and converter.
They are designed for your vehicle.1 Trailer light
The trailer lighting connect or is located behind the
trailer hitch.
Even if you are planning to use the non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converte r, ask a dealer for the
correct connector and pins.
Left turn signal and
brake lights (White)
Electric brake (Brown) Right turn signal and
brake lights (Red)
Back-up lights (Blue) Ground (Black)
Tail lights (Black)
+B Charge (Green)
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes:
(For 2WD Vehicles Only):

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
The 7-pin trailer connector is needed for your trailer lights. When inserting the
connector to the socket, check if the co nnector and the socket are free of dirt,
moisture, or other foreign material.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type and brand. If a connector is
required, it should only be installed by a qualified technician.
■Sway control
This device can be used if your trailer te nds to sway. Your trailer maker can tell you
what kind of sway control you need and how to install it. Improper installation could
degrade the handling and stability of your vehicle.
■Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and territories requir e special exterior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes:
Tail lights
(Black)
Left turn
signal and
brake lights
(White)
Ground (Black) +B Charge
(Green)
Right turn
signal and
brake lights
(Red)
Electric brake
(Brown)
Back-up lights (Blue) 1. Pull the socket lid to open.
2. Insert the 7-pin trailer
connector into the socket. 3. Hook the lid
retaining tab onto the
socket retaining tab.
Socket
(For Vehicles Equipped with Trailer Hitch Harness Only):