2007 HONDA RIDGELINE engine

In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or fresh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched off. When the VSA system
is off, the traction control system is
also off. You should only attempt to Driving
with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malfunction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.
This switch is above the parking
brake release handle. Press it to turn
the VSA system on and of f .
When VSA is off, the VSA activation
indicator comes on as a reminder.
VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the
vehicle. 269
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
VSA Of f Switch
VSA and Tire Sizes
Driving
211
free your vehicle with the VSA off if
you are not able to free it when the
VSA is on.
Immediately after freeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.

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

If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and use D3. Do not
‘‘ride’’ the brakes.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
When towing a f ixed-sided trailer
(e.g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
When towing a trailer on level roads
under normal driving conditions, do
not use D3. This will increase the
automatic transmission fluid
temperature and may cause
overheating. Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses.
Allow more time and distance f or
braking. Do not brake or turn
suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
With heavy cargo on the pickup bed,
your vehicle has a higher center of
gravity. Drive more slowly and
cautiously. Loading heavy cargo
could af f ect your vehicle’s handling
and performance.
CONT INUED
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
T owing Speeds and Gears
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
Driving
225

The banks and surface under the
water provide good traction. The
water may hide hazards such as
rocks, holes, or mud.
Before
driving through water, stop,
get out if necessary, and make sure
that:
If you decide it is safe to drive
through water, choose a suitable
speed, and proceed without shifting,
changing speed s, stopping, or
shutting off the engine.
Do not try to cross water at high
speeds, as this may cause severe
damage to the cooling system or
result in loss of control.
After driving through water, test
your brakes. If they got wet, gently
‘‘pump’’ them while driving slowly
until they operate normally.
If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may
be required. This service is not
covered by your warranties.
The
water is not flowing too fast.
Deep rushing water can sweep you
downstream. Even very shallow
rushingwatercanwashthe
ground from under your tires and
cause you to lose traction and
possibly roll over.
The
ban ks are sloped so you can
drive out.
The
water is not deep enough to
cover your wheel hubs, axles, or
exhaust pipe. You could stall and
not be able to restart your engine.
The water can also damage
important vehicle components. If
you get stuck, and cannot get
unstuck with the VTM-4 system,
engage the VTM-4 Lock (see page
), and carefully try to go in the
direction (forward or reverse) that
you think will get you unstuck. Do
notspinthetiresathighspeeds.It
will not help you get out and may
cause damage to the transmission or
VTM-4 system.
If you are still unable to free yourself,
your vehicle is equipped with front
and rear tow hooks designed f or this
purpose (see page ). 297
203
If You Get Stuck
Crossing a Stream
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
230

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .234
....................
Maintenance Minder .235
....................
Maintenance Record .243
..............................
Fluid Locations .245
........................
Adding Engine Oil .246
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .247
..............................
Engine Coolant .249
....................
Windshield Washers .250
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .251
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid .252
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid .253
....................................
Brake Fluid .253
....................
Power Steering Fluid .254
....................................
Timing Belt .254
.............................................
Lights .255
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .261
.....................................
Floor Mats .261
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .262
.................................
Wiper Blades .262
...........................................
Wheels .264
...............................................
Tires .265
...................
Checking the Battery .270
.............................
Vehicle Storage .272
315
Maintenance
Maint enance
233

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required. All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine. Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards Injury f rom moving parts.
Burns f rom hot parts.
234
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual. Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.

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CONTINUED
Calculated Engine
Oil Life (%)
100 % 91 %
90 % 81 %
80 % 71 %
70 % 61 %
60 % 51 %
50 % 41 %
40 % 31 %
30 % 21 %
20 % 16 %
15 % 11 %
10 % 6 %
5% 1%
0% Displayed
Engine Oil Life (%)
100 %
90 %
80 %
70 %
60 %
50 %
40 %
30 %
20 %
15 %
10 %
5%
0%
The remaining engine oil life is
displayed on the engine oil life
display according to the table shown
below.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life and displays it as a
percentage. Your vehicle displays engine oil life
and maintenance service items on
the information display to show you
when you should have your dealer do
engine oil replacement and indicated
maintenance service.
To see the current engine oil life,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and press the SELECT
button repeatedly until the engine oil
life display appears (see page ). 70
Maintenance Minder
Engine Oil L if e Display
Maint enance
235
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR
ENGINE OIL LIFE
DISPLAY

The maintenance item code(s)
indicate the main and sub items
required at the time of the oil change
(see page ).
If the engine oil lif e is 15 percent or
less, you will see ‘‘SERVICE dUE
SOON’’ message in the inf ormation
display every time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. The maintenance minder
indicator will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
below the message. When the remaining engine oil lif e is
less than 5 percent, you will see a
‘‘SERVICE dUE NOW’’ message
along with the same maintenance
item code(s), every time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
The message changes between
SERVICE and dUE SOON
repeatedly.
The message changes between
SERVICE and dUE NOW repeatedly.
242
Maintenance Minder
236
MAINTENANCE ITEM CODES MAINTENANCE MAIN ITEM
MAINTENANCE SUB ITEMS MAINTENANCE ITEM CODES
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