2006 HONDA RIDGELINE trailer

Use a nylon strap to attach your
vehicle to the recovery vehicle, and
caref ully take out the slack in the
strap. Once the strap is tight, the
recovery vehicle should apply f orce.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoid
becoming stuck, too.
You should never use a jack to try to
get unstuck. Your vehicle could
easily slip of f the jack and hurt you
or someone else.You may saf ely tow a trailer of f -road
if you f ollow these guidelines:
Do not exceed the trailer weight
or tongue limits (see page ).
Stay on smooth, level dirt roads,
and avoid driving in hilly terrain.
Allow extra room f or starting,
stopping, and turning.
Slow down if you encounter bumps
or other obstacles. 209
Towing a Trailer Off-Road
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
222
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Maintenance Minder
232
: Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Rotate tires
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km). Maintenance Sub Items
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
2
3
4
5
Symbol
A
B
Symbol 1
2 Symbol
6
1
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
If the message ‘‘SERVICE dUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
NOTE: 1:
230
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-
powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or
trailer towing results in higher transmission and transfer
temperatures or frequently fully loaded. This requires
transmission and transfer fluid changes more frequently
than recommended by the Maintenance Minder.
If you regulary drive your vehicle under these conditions, have
the transmission and transfer fluid changed every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F,
43°C), in very low temperatures (under-20°F, -29°C), or towing a
trailer, replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada)
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or
trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress
to fluid or frequently fully loaded. This requires differential fluid
changes more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under
these conditions, have the differential fluid changed at
7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
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The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance minder schedule.
Replace the belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)
or 100,000 km (Canada) if you
regularly drive your vehicle in one or
more of these conditions:
Remove the cover, then check the
level on the side of the reservoir
when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark, and put the
cover back in place. Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible. Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Towing a trailer.
Timing Belt
Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
244
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
COVER
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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CONT INUED
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way, and remove the bulb.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items on the
pickup bed or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied mechanic.
1.
2.
3.
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
245
WEATHER SEAL CONNECTOR HOLD-DOWN WIRE
BULBHalogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Follow these precautions:Do not mount snow chains on a
compact spare.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces. Use greater caution while
driving. Driving with the compact spare
tiremayactivatetheTPMS(see
page ). The TPMS does not
monitor compact spare tire
pressure.
200
Compact Spare Tire
264
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
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Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all passengers get
out of the vehicle while you
change the tire.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
If you tow a trailer f requently, we
recommend that you use a regular
tire as a spare. You can store the
regular size spare tire on the tire tray,
but store the tool kit at the side of
the In-Bed Trunk (see page ),
and secure it.
2.
1.
271
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
265
TOOL BOX SPARE TIRE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
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If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required. If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with all f our wheels on the
ground, do the f ollowing:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shif t to D f or several seconds,
then to N.
Turn of f the engine. With all f our wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
Emergency T owing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
286
Towing your vehicle with two tires on
the ground will damage parts of the
4WD system. It should be transported
on a f lat-bed truck or trailer. Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the all f our wheels of f
the ground.The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.
Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.
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CONT INUED
..................
TPMS Indicator .65,200
...............................................
Tires .255
..............................
Air Pressure .256
.........................
Checking Wear .256
..........................
Compact Spare .264
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .294
......................................
Inf lation .255
..................................
Inspection .256
..............................
Maintenance .257
...................................
Replacing .258
......................................
Rotating .257
...........................................
Snow .259
....................
Specif ications .259,293
................................
Tire Chains .259
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .266
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .207
................
Emergency Wrecker .286
....
Equipment and Accessories .211
.............................
Weight Limit .207
.........................
Trailer Loading .209
.................
Trailer Towing Tips .215
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid .243
Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level .241
...........................
Fluid Selection .242 ..............
Identif ication Number .291
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .193
.....................................
Treadwear .294
.......................................
Trip Meter .68
..................................
Trunk, In-Bed .92
....................................
Turn Signals .73
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .263
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .294
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .174
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .238
................................
Vanity Mirror .114
.........
Vehicle Capacity Load .183,292
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .292
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .290
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .205
........
VSA System Indicator .64,205
...
VSA Activation Indicator .64,205
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .206.............................
Vehicle Storage .262
.....................................
Ventilation .123
.................................................
VIN .290
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .236
..................................
VTM-4Lock .198
.............
WARNING, Explanation of .ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .52
....................
Warranty Coverages .303
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level .240
............................
Level Indicator .62
.....................................
Operation .72
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering .76
......................................
Wrench .266
Windows ................
Operating the Power .102
Windshield ...................................
Def roster .123
.......................................
Washers .72
...........
Wiper Zone, Heated .73,125
Index
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INDEX
IX
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