Page 182 of 320
Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
messages displayed in the
inf ormation display. See(see page
).
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more f uel.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside or on the
truck bed adds weight and rolling
resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and
reduces the chance of corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible. Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
f uel. Use cruise control when
appropriate.
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
231
For example,
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
179
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Page 186 of 320
![HONDA RIDGELINE 2006 1.G Owners Manual µ·
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 1,530
(1,480) lbs’’ on your vehicle’s
placard. [The placard is on the
driver’s doorjamb.]
To d HONDA RIDGELINE 2006 1.G Owners Manual µ·
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 1,530
(1,480) lbs’’ on your vehicle’s
placard. [The placard is on the
driver’s doorjamb.]
To d](/manual-img/13/6026/w960_6026-185.png)
µ·
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 1,530
(1,480) lbs’’ on your vehicle’s
placard. [The placard is on the
driver’s doorjamb.]
To determine the correct cargo and
luggage load limit:
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is:
These f igures include the total
weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all passengers,
accessories,cargo,andtrailer
tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb. If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ). Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity in
step 4.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
1,530 (1,480) pounds or 690 (670)
kilograms. Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the maximum load is
1,530 lbs and there will be f ive 150
lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 780 lbs.
[1,530 750 (5 150) = 780 lbs.]
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
207
On vehicles without moonroof ornavigation system
On vehicles with moonroof and/ornavigation system
Carrying Cargo
Load Limit (Payload)
Bef ore Driving
183
1,530 lbs (690 kg)
1,480 lbs (670 kg)
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.
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Page 187 of 320

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
If you lif t up the rear seats, f ollow
the instructions above, and be sure
to keep cargo height below the
bottom of the windows. If cargo is
higher, it could interf ere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor in the In-Bed Trunk, placing
the heaviest items on the bottom
and as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
during a crash or sudden stop.
Make sure the In-Bed Trunk lid is
closed securely bef ore driving.
Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area with the
rear seats f olded up, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
Be sure the total weight of the
items in the In-Bed Trunk does not
exceed 300 lbs (136 kg).
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack.
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the In-Bed
T runk or on a Roof Rack
Carrying Cargo
184
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Page 188 of 320

CONT INUED
Your vehicle can carry a large
amount of cargo in the pickup bed.
However, the pickup bed is not
intended f or carrying passengers.
Peoplewhorideinthepickupbed
can be very seriously injured or
killed in a crash (see page ).
Make sure your cargo is properly
loaded and all items are secured so
they will not shif t or f all out while
driving.When loading cargo, make sure all
passengers or any objects are
clear of the tailgate bef ore
opening and closing it. The
tailgate should be closed securely
bef ore driving when it is not used
as the extended pickup bed.
The maximum allowable loading
weight on the pickup bed is 1,100
lbs (500 kg). Do not exceed the
load limit (see page ).
Distribute cargo evenly on the
pickup bed. Place the heaviest
items on the bottom and as f ar
f orward 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 sides, tailgate, or back window,
secure them with a net or cover.
This will reduce the risk of items
beingthrownoutof thepickup
bed during a crash or sudden stop.
When the tailgate is dropped open,
itcanbeusedasanextended
pickup bed. The maximum
allowable weight on the tailgate
while driving is 300 lbs (136 kg).
Exceeding this limit could damage
the tailgate.
Carrying heavy cargo in the
pickup bed will raise your vehicle’s
center of gravity. This can affect
handling and perf ormance. Drive
more slowly and cautiously, and
allow extra time and distance f or
braking.
8
183
Carrying Cargo
Carrying Cargo in the Pickup Bed
Bef ore Driving
185
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.
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Page 192 of 320

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the VTM-4system, the VSA
system, the tire pressure monitoring
system, and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.........................
Driving Guidelines .190
........................
Preparing to Drive .191
.......................
Starting the Engine .192
..............
Automatic Transmission .193
Variable Torque Management
.........
4WD (VTM-4) System .198
..............................
VTM-4Lock .198
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .199
...........................................
Parking .201
.............................
Braking System .202
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .203
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .205
.................
Towing Weight Limits .207
..........
Towing Weight Guidelines .209
...........................
Towing a Trailer .210
Of f -Highway Driving
..................................
Guidelines .219
Driving
Driving
189
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Page 210 of 320

The maximum weight of the trailer
andeverythinginoronitdependson
the number of occupants in your
vehicleandthetypeof trailerbeing
towed (see page ).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance.
Your vehicle has been designed to
tow a trailer, as well as carrying
passengers and their cargo. To
safety tow a trailer, you should
caref ully observe the load limits (see
page ), use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.
Be sure to read the
sectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
The weight that the tongue of a f ully-
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
should f ollow the recommended load
guidelines (see page ). Too
much tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
209
183
219
209
Towing Weight Limits
T ot al T railer WeightT ongue L oad
Load Limits
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
Driving
207
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
beforestartingtodrive.
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Page 211 of 320

µµ
µ The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo, and the tongue
load is 6,050 lbs (2,745 kg).
The maximum
allowable weight on the vehicle axles
is 3,105 lbs (1,410 kg) on the f ront
axle, and 3,245 lbs (1,475 kg) on the
rear axle.
The maximum
allowable weight of the f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer is 10,088 lbs
(4,575 kg) with the proper hitch.
The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent f or every 1,000 f eet (305
meters) of elevation. Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale (see page
).
Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions. To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described. 207
209
Estimating Loads
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR)
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR)
To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
Towing Weight Limits
208
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Page 212 of 320
ÎÎÎ
Î
ÎÎ
µµ
Number of
Occupants 2
3
4
5 Max. T railer Weight Max. T ongue Load
Towing Weight Guidelines
Driving
209
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Guidelines:
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weights 150 lbs (70 kg),
and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cab, pickup bed, or In-Bed Trunk. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces
the maximum trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page ).
Recommended tongue load should be 5 15% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 10 15% of the total trailer weight for all other
trailers.
208
5000 lbs (2268 kg)
4750 lbs (2155 kg)
4750 lbs (2155 kg)
4500 lbs (2041 kg)
600 lbs (272 kg)
600 lbs (272 kg)
570 lbs (258 kg)
516 lbs (234 kg)
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