2006 HONDA RIDGELINE transmission

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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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Fluid Locations
Maint enance
235
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)RADIATOR CAP AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
: Under the gray cover
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Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability. You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the information
display. Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the odometer
and trip meter display. The oil and
f ilter collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Oil and Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
237
WASHER
DRAIN BOLT
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CONT INUED
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Remove the dipstick, and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
1.
2. 3.
4.
Windshield Washers, A utomatic T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
241
DIPSTICKDIPSTICK
LOWER MARK UPPER MARK
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
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To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time.Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
The automatic transmission should
be drained and ref illed with new f luid
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
inf ormation display.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the f ill plug, and add
f luid to bring it to the upper mark.
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.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and ref illed
with Honda ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient. The rear dif f erential should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
inf ormation display. This service
may be needed more of ten under
certain driving conditions (see page
).
Always use Honda VTM-4
Dif f erential Fluid, and have your
dealer replace the rear differential
f luid.
6.
5.
232
A utomatic Transmissison Fluid, Rear Dif f erential Fluid
Rear Dif f erential Fluid
242
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If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door,
In-Bed Trunk lid, and tailgate seals.
Also,applyavehiclebodywaxto
the painted surfaces that mate
with the door, In-Bed Trunk lid
and tailgate seals.
Vehicle Storage
262
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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.
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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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Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things: Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights, and check
their brightness. If the headlights
areverydimordonotcomeonat
all, the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
thefusesareOK,thereis
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem (see
on page ). If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page
).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
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CONT INUED
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
Emergency T owing T he Starter Operates Normally
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
273
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