2007 HONDA RIDGELINE ECU

To disconnect the connectors,
reverse the connection steps, then
make sure the socket lid and
socket cover are securely in place.
Avoid using excessive f orce when
disconnecting the connectors.Electric current f lows through the
electrical supply circuit only when
the ignition switch is in the ON
(II) position.
Using the electrical supply circuit
when the engine is at a stop or
idling can discharge the battery.
Bef ore you submerge the trailer
hitchinwater(suchasataboat
ramp), make sure the connectors
are removed and the socket lid
and socket cover are securely in
place. Failure to do this will result
in electrical system problems.
Af ter the connectors are
submergedinwater,openthe
socket lid and the socket cover to
drain them.
Towing a Trailer
Import ant Precaut ions
222

The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated.
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Towing perf ormance can be
af f ected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Theref ore, premium
f uel (premium unleaded gasoline
with pump octane number of 91 or
higher) is recommended when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590
kg).
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
Break-In Period
224

Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on the valve cover. Pour in
the oil slowly and caref ully so you do
not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Reinstall the engine
oil f ill cap, and tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes, and recheck the
oil level on the engine oil dipstick.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine. Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
246
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP

CONT INUED
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration. 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
251
DIPSTICKDIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER 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.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator fan comes on, then
shut off the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds
wait longer than 90 seconds.
before going to step 2, but do not

Install the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber weather seal
over the back of the headlight
assembly.Makesureitisright
side up.To change the passenger’s side
bulb, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
lef t, and turn of f the engine. To
change the driver’s side bulb, turn
the steering wheel to the right.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender, and pull the inner
f ender cover back.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb.
4.
5.
6.
1.
2.3.
4.
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal/
Hazard/Parking L ight Bulb
256
HOLDING CLIPS

Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Push the socket into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise
until it locks.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Install the rear light assembly in
the rear pillar. Tighten the two
bolts securely.Place a cloth on the edge of the
lens segment. Remove each lens
segment by caref ully prying on its
edge with a small f lat-tipped
screwdriver.Remove the three mounting
screws f rom the light assembly.
Remove the screw under each lens.
Pull the high-mount brake light
assembly out of the vehicle. Remove the lens f rom the light
assembly.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
6.
Lights
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
258
LENS SEGMENT

Put the lens back on the light
assembly, and tighten the
mounting bolts securely.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the light assembly back into
the vehicle. Install the screws and
tighten them securely.
Reinstall the lens segments.Remove the license plate light
assembly by pulling it towards you,
and then pulling the f ront edge
upward.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Push the socket into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise
until it locks.
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
1.
2.
3.
4.
7.
8.
9.
CONT INUED
Lights
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
Maint enance
259

Reinstall the light assembly.
Reinstall the mounting screw, and
tighten it securely. Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol. If your seat belts get dirty, use a sof t
brush with a mixture of mild soap
and warm water to clean them. Do
not use bleach, dye, or cleaning
solvents. Let the belts air-dry bef ore
you use the vehicle. The floor mats that came with your
vehicle hook over f loor mat anchors.
This keeps the f loor mats f rom
sliding f orward or backward and
possibly interf ering with the pedals
or making the f ront passenger’s
weight sensors inef f ective.
If you remove a f loor mat, make sure
tore-anchoritwhenyouputitback
in your vehicle.
6.
7.
8.
CONT INUED
Cleaning the Seat Belts
Floor Mats
Lights, Cleaning the Seat Belts, Floor Mats
Maint enance
261
LOOP