HONDA RIDGELINE 2021 Owner's Manual (in English)

uuCleaning uInterior Care
530
Maintenance
The front and rear seat floor mats hook over
floor anchors, which keep them from sliding
forward. To remove a mat for cleaning, turn
the anchor knobs to the unlock position.
When reinstalling the mat after cleaning, turn
the knobs to the lock position.
Do not put additional floor mats on top of
the anchored mats.
To properly clean leather:
1. Use a vacuum or soft dry cloth first to remove any dirt or dust.
2. Clean the leather with a soft cloth dampen ed with a solution comprised of 90%
water and 10% neutral soap.
3. Wipe away any soap residu e with a clean damp cloth.
4. Wipe away residual water and allow leather to air dry in the shade.
■Floor Mats1Floor Mats
If you use any floor mats that were not originally
provided with your vehicle, make sure they are
designed for your specific ve hicle, fit correctly, and
are securely anchored by the floor anchors.
Position the rear seat fl oor mat properly. If not
properly positioned, the fl oor mat can interfere with
the front seat functions.
Lock
Unlock
■Maintaining Genuine Leather1
Maintaining Genuine Leather
It is important to clean or wipe away dirt or dust as
soon as possible. Spills can soak into leather resulting
in stains. Dirt or dust ca n cause abrasions in the
leather. In addition, pl ease note that some dark
colored clothing can rub onto the leather seats
resulting in discol oration or stains.

531
uuCleaning uExterior Care
Continued
Maintenance
Exterior Care
Dust off the vehicle body after you drive.
Regularly inspect your vehicle for scratches on painted surfaces. A scratch on a
painted surface can result in body rust. If you find a scratch, promptly repair it.
Wash the vehicle regularly. Wash more fr equently when driving in the following
conditions:
• If driving on roads with road salt.
• If driving in coastal areas.
• If tar, soot, bird droppings, insects, or tree sap are stuck to painted surfaces.
Use a water and mild detergent solution, and
a soft brush or cloth to clean the inside of the
trunk.
To drain water from the trunk, remove the
drain plug by turning it counter-clockwise. u When you are finished washing the
trunk, dry it with a soft cloth, and
reinstall the drain plug.
■Washing the Vehicle
■Washing the Trunk
1Washing the Vehicle
Do not spray water into the air intake vents. It can
cause a malfunction.
Do not spray water onto the capless unit when the
fuel fill door is open. It ca n cause damage to the fuel
system or engine.
Air Intake Vents
Drain plug

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.

536
uuAccessories and Modifications uModifications
Maintenance
Modifications
Do not modify your vehicle in a manner that may affect its handling, stability, or
reliability, or install non-genuine Honda parts or accessories that may have a similar
effect.
Even minor modifications to vehicle systems can affect overall vehicle performance.
Always make sure all equipment is prop erly installed and maintained, and do not
make any modification to your vehicle or its systems that might cause your vehicle
to no longer meet federal, state, province, territory, and local regulations.
The on-board diagnostic port (OBD-II/SAE J1962 connector) installed on this vehicle
is intended to be used with automobile system diagnostic devices or with other
devices that Honda has approved. Use of any other type of device may adversely
affect the vehicle’s electronic systems or allow them to be compromised, possibly
resulting in a system malfunction, draine d battery, or other unexpected problems.
Do not modify or attempt to repair any of the electrical components.

537
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
ToolsTypes of Tools .................................. 538
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 539
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 549
If the Smart Entry Remote Battery is Weak .......................................... 550
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 551
If the Battery Is Dead ....................... 552
Overheating How to Handle Overheating ............. 555 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 557
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 557
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 558
If the Brake System I ndicator (Red) Comes
On .................................................559
If the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System
Indicator Comes On ....................... 559
If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator Comes On or Blinks........................ 560 If the Transmission System Indicator Blinks
along with the Warning Message... 561
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 562
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 567
Emergency Towing ........................... 568
If You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door....569
If You Cannot Unlock the Tailgate ... 570
Refueling
Refueling From a Portable Fuel Container ................................... 571

538
Handling the Unexpected
Tools
Types of Tools
1Types of Tools
The tools are stored in the trunk.
Wheel Nut Wrench/
Jack Handle
Jack
Jack Handle Bar
Funnel
Trunk

539Continued
Handling the Unexpected
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat while driving, grasp the steering wheel firmly, and brake gradually
to reduce speed. Then, stop in a safe plac e. Replace the flat tire with a compact
spare tire. Go to a dealer as soon as possib le to have the full-size tire repaired or
replaced.
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level, non-slippery surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Put the transmission into
(P.
3. Turn on the hazard warning lights an d set the power mode to VEHICLE OFF.
1Changing a Flat Tire
Follow compact spare precautions:
Periodically check the tire pressure of the compact
spare. It should be set to the specified pressure.
Specified Pressure: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
When driving with the compact spare tire, keep the
vehicle speed under 50 mph (80 km/h). Replace with
a full-size tire as soon as possible.
The compact spare tire and wheel in your vehicle are
specifically for this model. Do not use them with
another vehicle. Do not us e another type of compact
spare tire or wheel with your vehicle.
Do not mount tire chains on a compact spare tire.
If a chain-mounted front tire goes flat, remove one of
the full-size rear tires and replace it with the compact
spare tire. Remove the flat front tire and replace it
with the full-size tire that was removed from the rear.
Mount the tire chains on the front tire.
Do not use a puncture-repairi ng agent on a flat tire,
as it can damage the tire pressure sensor.