2007 HONDA RIDGELINE Owners Manual

Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood. The hood latch
handle is above the ‘‘H’’ logo. Pull
this handle until it releases the
hood, then lif t the hood.Pull the support rod out of its clip,
and insert the end into either of
the designated holes pointed to by
an arrow.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated.
Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle under the lower lef t
corner of the dashboard. The
hood will pop up slightly.
1. 2. 3.
Service Station Procedures
Opening and Closing the Hood
Bef ore Driving
181
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
LATCH SUPPORT ROD

Wait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe off the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Remove
the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .Look
at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page for
info rmation on adding the proper
coolan t.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
1.
2.
3. 4.
246 249
241
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil Engine Coolant Check
Oil Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
182
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANK

For example, an underinflated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more fuel.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicl e’s underside or on the
truck bed adds weight and rolling
resistan ce. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and
reduces the chance of corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible. Try
to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehic le uses extra
fuel. 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.
Always
maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display. See on page
.
241
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
183

Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved for your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Modifying
your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make it unsafe. Before you make any
modifications or add any accessories,
be sure to read the following
info rmation.
Al though non-Honda accessories
may fit on your vehicle, they may not
meet factory specifications, and
could adversely affect your vehicle’s
handling and stability. When
properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags and anti-lock brakes.
Befo re installing any accesso ry:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interfere with
the proper operation of your
vehicle.
If
you install a truck cap, be sure it is
properly installed and does not
exceed your vehicle’s load limits (see
page ). 187 291
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Your vehicle should not be used to
carry a slide-in camper.
184
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
saf ety systems could make the
systems inef f ective.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with
non-Honda components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:
Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system.
Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer f or assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the f inal installation.
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. In these areas,
accessories may interf ere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
A ccessories and Modif ications
Modif ying Your Vehicle
Bef ore Driving
185

The pickup bed on your vehicle
allows you to carry heavy and large
cargo. You can also store items in
theIn-BedTrunkandonaroof-rack
(if equipped).
Your vehicle also has these
convenient storage areas inside:Glove box
Front door and seat-back pockets
Fold-up rear seat with under-seat
storage
Console compartment
Pockets on the dashboard
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
186
GLOVE BOX
DASHBOARD
POCKETS
PICKUP BED
CONSOLE
COMPARTMENTS
SEAT-BACK POCKETS
FOLD-UP REAR SEAT WITH UNDER-SEAT STORAGE IN-BED TRUNK
DOOR POCKET

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 for your vehicle
is:
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicl e.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from
1,530 (1,480) pounds.
The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the maximum load is
1,530 lbs and there will be five 150
lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capaci ty is 780 lbs.
[1,530 750 (5 150) = 780 lbs.] Determine
the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
in the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capaci ty in
step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from 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 ).
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 occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load
must not exceed the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) or the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR).
Bothareonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
212
On vehicles without moonroofOn vehicles with moonroof
Carrying Cargo
L oad L imits (Payload)
Bef ore Driving
187
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.

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.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.
Be sure the total weight of the
items in the In-Bed Trunk does not
exceed 300 lbs (136 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.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals, the proper operation of the
seats, or proper operation of the
sensors under the seats.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
If youfoldtherearseatsup,tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. Also, keep all cargo
below the bottom of the windows.
If it is higher, it could interf ere
with the proper operation of the
side curtain airbags.
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
If you carry any items on a roofrack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 110 lb (50 kg).
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the In-Bed
T runk or on a Roof Rack
Carrying Cargo
188
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash
or sudden stop.