window HONDA RIDGELINE 2021 (in English) Owner's Guide

487
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 488
Safety When Performing Maintenance ... 489
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 490
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 491
Maintenance Under the Hood Maintenance Items Under the Hood .... 496
Opening the Hood ........................... 497
Engine Compartment Cover ............. 498
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 499
Oil Check ......................................... 500
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 501
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ...502 Engine Coolant ................................ 504
Transmission Fluid ............................ 506
Brake Fluid ....................................... 507
Refilling Window Wa
sher Fluid......... 507
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 508Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 514
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 516
Tire and Loading Information Label ... 517
Tire Labeling .................................... 517
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) .... 519Wear Indicators................................ 521 Tire Service Life ................................ 521
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 522
Tire Rotation .................................... 523
Winter Tires ..................................... 524
Battery ............................................... 525
Remote Transmitter Care Replacing the Button Battery ........... 527
Climate Control System Maintenance.......528CleaningInterior Care .................................... 529
Exterior Care.................................... 531
Accessories and Modifications ........ 535

507
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uBrake Fluid
Maintenance
Brake Fluid
The fluid level should be between the MIN
and MAX marks on the side of the reserve
tank.
Refilling Window Washer Fluid
Check the amount of window washer fluid.
If the level is low, fill the washer reservoir.
If the washer fluid is low, a message appears on the multi-information display.
Pour the washer fluid carefully. Do not overflow the reservoir.
Specified fluid: Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3
■Checking the Brake Fluid
1Brake Fluid
NOTICE
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not compatible with your
vehicle’s braking system and can cause extensive
damage.
If the specified br ake fluid is not av ailable, you should
use only DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid from a sealed
container as a temporary replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion
and decrease the longevity of the system. Have the
brake system flushed and re filled with Honda Heavy
Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as soon as possible.
If the brake fluid level is at or below the MIN mark,
have a dealer inspect the vehicle for leaks or worn
brake pads as soon as possible.
Reserve Tank
MIN
MAX
1 Refilling Window Washer Fluid
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water
solution in the windshield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage y our vehicle’s paint. A
vinegar/water solution ca n damage the windshield
washer pump.
Use only commercially avai lable windshield washer
fluid.
Avoid prolonged use of hard water to prevent lime
scale build up.
Models without washer level sensor
Models with washer level sensor

514
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades
Checking Wiper Blades
If the wiper blade rubber has deteriorated, it will leave streaks, become noisy, and
the hard surfaces of the blade may scratch the window glass.
Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber
1. Lift the driver side wiper arm first, then the
passenger side.
2. Using a flat-tip screwd river, pry up on the
edge of the lock tab to release it.
Wrap the flat-tip screwdriver with a cloth to
prevent scratches.
3. Slide the holder off the wiper arm.1Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber
NOTICE
Avoid dropping the wiper arm onto the windshield, it
may damage the wiper arm and/or the windshield.
Lock Tab

528
Maintenance
Climate Control System Maintenance
Air Conditioning
To ensure proper and safe operation, th e Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE
J2845) recommends that the refrigerant system only be serviced by trained and
certified technicians.
Never repair or replace the air conditioning evaporator (cooling coil) with one
removed from a used or salvaged vehicle.
New replacement mobile air conditioning evaporators must be certified (and
labeled) as meeting SAE Standard J2842.
Dust and Pollen Filter
The climate control system is equipped with a dust and pollen filter that collects
pollen, dust, and other debris in the air. The Maintenance MinderTM messages will let
you know when to replace the filter.
We recommend that you replace the dust a nd pollen filter sooner when using your
vehicle in areas with high concentrations of dust.
1 Climate Control System Maintenance
NOTICE
Vented refrigerant is harmful to the environment.
To avoid refrigerant from venting, never replace the
evaporator with one re moved from a used or
salvaged vehicle.
Refrigerant in your vehicle’ s air conditioning system is
flammable and can be igni ted during servicing if
proper procedures are not followed.
The air conditioner labe l is found under the hood:
2 Safety Labels P. 75
2 Specifications P. 574
Canadian models
: Caution
: Flammable Refrigerant
Requires Registered
Technician to Service
Air Conditioning
System
:
:
1
Dust and Pollen Filter
If the airflow from the climate control system
deteriorates noticeably, and the windows fog up
easily, the filter may need to be replaced. Please
contact a dealer for replacement.

529Continued
Maintenance
Cleaning
Interior Care
Use a damp cloth with a mixture of mild detergent and warm water to remove dirt.
Use a clean cloth to remove detergent residue.
Use a soft brush with a mixture of mild soap and warm water to clean the seat belts.
Let the belts air dry. Wipe the loops of the seat belt anchors using a clean cloth.
Wipe using a glass cleaner.
■Cleaning Seat Belts
1 Interior Care
Do not spill liquids inside the vehicle.
Electrical devices and sy stems may malfunction if
liquids are splashed on them.
Do not use silicone based sprays on electrical devices
such as audio devices and switches.
Doing so may cause the items to malfunction or
cause a fire inside the vehicle.
If a silicone based spray is inadvertently used on
electrical devices, consult a dealer.
Depending on their compos ition, chemicals and
liquid aromatics may cause discoloration, wrinkles,
and cracking to resin-ba sed parts and textiles.
Do not use alkali solvents or organic solvents such as
benzene or gasoline.
After using chemicals, make su re to gently wipe them
away using a dry cloth.
Do not place used cloths on top of resin based parts
or textiles for long periods of time without washing.
Loop
■Cleaning the Window1Cleaning the Window
Wires are mounted to the in side of the rear window.
Wipe along the same direct ion as the wires with a
soft cloth so as not to damage them.
Be careful not to spill fluids, such as water or glass
cleaner, on or around the co ver of both the front
sensor camera and the rainfall/light sensor
*.
* Not available on all models

uuCleaning uExterior Care
532
Maintenance
• Make sure to follow the instructions indicated on the automated car wash.
• Fold in the door mirrors.
• For models equipped with automatic inte rmittent wipers, turn the wipers off.
• Keep sufficient distance between the cleaning nozzl e and the vehicle body.
• Take particular care around the windows. St anding too close may cause water to
enter the vehicle interior.
• Do not spray high pressure water directly into the engine compartment. Instead,
use low pressure water and a mild detergent.
A good coat of automotive body wax helps protect your vehicle’s paint from the
elements. Wax will wear off over time and expose your vehicle’s paint to the
elements, so reapply as necessary.
■Using an Automated Car Wash
■Using High Pressure Cleaners
■Applying Wax
1 Using an Automated Car Wash
When using an automated car wash that pulls the
vehicle through with a c onveyor, make sure the
transmission in
( N position.
2 If you want to keep the transmission in
(N
position [car wash mode] P. 399
1Applying Wax
NOTICE
Chemical solvents and st rong cleaners can damage
the paint, metal, and plasti c on your vehicle. Wipe
away spills immediately.

Continued533
uuCleaning uExterior Care
Maintenance
If you get gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery fluid on resi n coated parts, they
may be stained or the coating may peel. Prom ptly wipe it away using a soft cloth and
clean water.
Wipe using a glass cleaner.
Aluminum is susceptible to deterioration caused by salt and other road
contaminants. When necessary, as early as possible use a sponge and mild detergent
to wipe away these contaminants. Do no t use a stiff brush or harsh chemicals
(including some commercial wheel cleaners).
These can damage the protective finish on aluminum alloy wheels, resulting in
corrosion. Depending on the type of finish, the wheels also may lose their luster or
appear burnished. To avoid water stains, wi pe the wheels dry with a cloth while they
are still wet.
■Maintaining the Bumpers and Other Resin Coated Parts
■Cleaning the Window
■Maintaining Aluminum Wheels
1 Maintaining the Bumpers an d Other Resin Coated Parts
Ask a dealer about the corr ect coating material when
you want to repair the painted surface of the parts
made of resin.

534
uuCleaning uExterior Care
Maintenance
The inside lenses of exterior lights (headli ghts, brake lights, etc.) may fog temporarily
if you have driven in the rain, or after the vehicle has been run through a car wash.
Dew condensation also may build up inside the lenses when there is a significant
enough difference between the ambient and inside lens temperatures (similar to
vehicle windows fogging up in rainy conditions). These conditions are natural
processes, not structural design problems in the exterior lights.
Lens design characteristics may result in mo isture developing on the light lens frame
surfaces. This also is not a malfunction.
However, if you see large amounts of wa ter accumulation, or large water drops
building up inside the lenses, have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
■Fogged Exterior Light Lenses

535
Maintenance
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories
When installing accessories, check the following:
• Do not install accessories on the windsh ield. They can obstruct your view and
delay your reaction to driving conditions.
• Do not install any accessories over areas marked SRS AIRBAG, on the sides or
backs of the front seats, on front or si de pillars, or near the side windows.
Accessories installed in these areas may interfere with proper operation of the
vehicle’s airbags or may be propelled into you or another occupant if the airbags
deploy.
• Be sure electronic accessories do not overload electrical circuits or interfere with
proper operation of your vehicle.
2 Fuses P. 562
•Before installing any electro nic accessory, have the installer contact a dealer for
assistance. If possible, have a deal er inspect the final installation.
• Your vehicle should not be used to carry a slide-in camper. If you install a truck
cap, be sure it is properly installed an d does not exceed your vehicle’s load limits.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 367
1Accessories and Modifications
Honda Genuine accessor ies are recommended to
ensure proper operati on on your vehicle.
3WARNING
Improper accessories or modifications can
affect your vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a crash in which
you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instruction s in this owner’s
manual regarding accessories and
modifications.

Index
587
Index
Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System).................. 470
AC Power Outlet ...................................... 191
Accessories and Modifications ................ 535
Accessory Power Sockets ......................... 182
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) ................ 438
Indicator ................................................... 91
Additives
Coolant .................................................. 504
Engine Oil ............................................... 499
Washer ................................................... 507
Adjusting Armrest .................................................. 174
Front Seats.............................................. 166
Head Restraints ............................... 171, 172
Mirrors.................................................... 164
Rear Seats ............................................... 169
Steering Wheel ....................................... 163
Temperature ........................................... 113
Agile Handling Assist ............................... 414
Air Conditioning System (Climate Control System) .................................................... 195
Changing the Mode................................ 195
Defrosting the Windshield and Windows .............................................. 196
Dust and Pollen Filter .............................. 528
Recirculation/Fresh Air Mode................... 196
Sensor .................................................... 201
Synchronized Mode ................................ 198
Using Automatic Climate Control............ 195
Air Pressure ...................................... 517, 575 Airbags
........................................................ 44
Advanced Airbags ..................................... 50
After a Collision ......................................... 47
Airbag Care ............................................... 58
Event Data Recorder .................................... 0
Front Airbags (SRS) .................................... 47
Indicator .............................................. 55, 82
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator .................. 56
Sensors ...................................................... 44
Side Airbags .............................................. 52
Side Curtain Airbags .................................. 54
All-wheel drive (AWD) Indicator ............... 88
AM/FM Radio ............................................ 236
Android Auto ............................................ 273
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .................. 470
Indicator .................................................... 82
Apple CarPlay ........................................... 269
Armrest ..................................................... 174
Audio Remote Controls ............................ 209
Audio System ............................................ 204
Adjusting the Sound ................................ 229
Audio/Information Screen ........................ 212
Auxiliary Input Jack .................................. 207
Changing the Home Screen Icon Layout ................................................... 216
Closing Apps ........................................... 226
Display Setup ........................................... 230
Error Messages ........................................ 278
General Information ................................ 281
Home Screen ........................................... 219
Limitations for Manua l Operation ............ 231 MP3/WMA/AAC ...................................... 256
Reactivating ............................................ 208
Remote Controls ..................................... 209
Security Code .......................................... 208
Selecting an Audio Source ....................... 231
Status Area ............................................. 225
Theft Protection ...................................... 208
Truck Bed Audio...................................... 277
USB Flash Drives .............................. 256, 282
USB Port.................................................. 205
Wallpaper Setup...................................... 217
Audio/Information Screen ....................... 212
Authorized Manuals ................................ 584
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking ................. 130
Customize ....................................... 314, 315
Auto High-Beam ....................................... 154
Indicator.................................................... 86
Auto Idle Stop .......................................... 406
OFF Button .............................................. 407
Auto Idle Stop Indicator (Green) ............... 89
Auto Idle Stop System Indicator (Amber) ..................................................... 89
Automatic Intermittent Wipers ............... 158
Automatic Lighting .................................. 150
Automatic Transmission ........................... 394
Creeping ................................................. 394
Fluid ................. .....................

.................. 506
Kickdown ................................................ 394
Operating the Shift Button ...................... 397
Shifting ................................................... 395
Auxiliary Input Jack .................................. 207