2007 HONDA RIDGELINE check transmission fluid

This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission f luid. It should come on
f or a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it means the transmission f luid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is saf e, shif t
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem in the 4WD
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer to have it checked.
If the indicator blinks while driving,
the VTM-4 fluid temperature is too
high. Pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e, shif t to Park, and let
the engine idle until the indicator
goes out.
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when you turn the headlight control
dial to either the or
position.
If you turn the ignition switch to
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
without turning of f the headlight
control dial, this indicator remains on.
A reminder chime will also sound
when you open the driver’s door. Lights On Indicator A/T Temperature
IndicatorVTM-4 Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
66
Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
Continuing to drive with the VTM-4
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.

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

µµµ
µ
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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specified interval s. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the fluid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
. Lights
Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and licen se plate lights monthly.
See page .
182 182
251 253
265 255
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maint enance
241

Î
Î
Ì Ì
Ì
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Maintenance Minder
242
: 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
Maintenance
Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
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 connect ions
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km). 2
3
4
5
Symbol
A
B
Symbol 1
2 Symbol
6
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 tempera tures (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 me chanical (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).
1
1
If the message ‘‚SERVICE DUE NOW ’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
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.
NOTE: 1:
240
Maintenance Minder

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

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .184
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .82
............
Accessory Power Sockets .116
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .247
........
Adjusting the Steering wheel .79
...........................
Advanced Airbags .25
.....................................
Airbag (SRS) .9
..............
Air Conditioning System .122
.........................................
Usage .123
...............
Air Outlets (Vents) . 124, 129
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .266
......................................
Antif reeze .249
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 63, 208
...................................
Operation .208
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .162
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .82
........................................
Armrests .101
................
Audio System . 133, 142, 159
.....
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .84
Automatic Heated Wiper
......................................
Zone . 76, 127
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .19 .............
Automatic Speed Control . 165
..............
Automatic Transmission . 197
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .302
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 251
.......................................
Shif ting .197
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .197
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 198
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 202
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .161
Back Window .......................................
Indicator .69
...................................
Operation .105
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 62, 288
............................
Jump Starting .284
..............................
Maintenance .270
............................
Specifications . 303
Bed Lights .......................................
Indicator .69
...................................
Operation .120
..............................
Bef ore Driving .177 ....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
.........................
Beverage Holders .114
..................................
Booster Seats .50
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 208
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 178
...........................................
Fluid .253
............
Bulb Replacement . 257, 258
.......................................
Parking .109
.................
System Indicator . 63, 290
........................
Wear Indicators .207
.............................
Braking System .207
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 178
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 78
........................
Brights, Headlights .76
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

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CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .123
.........................................
Features .121
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .179
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .262
...............................................
Oil .248
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .79
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .275
..............................
Economy, Fuel .183
..................................
Emergencies .273
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .284
...........
Brake System Indicator .290
................
Changing a Flat Tire .275
.....
Charging System Indicator .288
..................
Checking the Fuses .291
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .79
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .288
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .289
..................
Overheated Engine .286
............................
Stuck Vehicle .297
.......................................
Towing .296
.........................
Emergency Brake .109
.......................
Emissions Controls .307
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .72
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 62, 289
.........................
Oil Lif e Display .235
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62, 288 ..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .246
...............................
Overheating .286
............................
Specif ications .303
............................
Speed Limiter .201
.......................................
Starting .196
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .283
Evaporative Emissions Control
........................................
System .307
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .308
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .16
................
Daytime Running Lights .78
.................................
Dead Battery .284
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .314
..............
Def rosting the Windows .127
................
Dif f erential Fluid, Rear .252
....................................
Dimensions .302
...............
Dimming the Headlights .76
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .251
..................................
Engine Oil .182
..........................
Directional Signals .76
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .207
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .248
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor .64
Doors
..
Locking and Unlocking . 83, 84, 86
....................
Lockout Prevention .83
......................
Power Door Locks .83
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .304
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .193
....................................
Economy .183
...................................................
D3 .199
Dual-Action Tailgate
.................................
Indicator . 64, 94
.....................................
Operation .92 ..........
Dual Temperature Control .130
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .262
Index
E
F
INDEX
III

ÎÎ
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .300
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .183
Gasoline
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .65
...........................................
Gauge .71
................
Octane Requirement .178
........................
Tank, Filling the .179
................
Gas Station Procedures .179
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .72
...............................................
Fuel .71
...............................
Speedometer .70
.................................
Tachometer .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .213
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .213
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .198
......................................
Glove Box .115
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .213
.....................................
Floor Mats .261
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .251
..........................................
Brake .253
..........................
Power Steering .254
.......................
Rear Differential .252
...................
Transf er Assembly .253
..................
Windshield Washer .250
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .140
.................
Folding the Rear Seats .103
..........................
Four-way Flashers .79
........................................
Front Seat .98
..............................
Adjusting . 98, 100
.........................................
Airbags .23
.......................................
Heaters .104
.................................................
Fuel .178
......................
Fill Door and Cap .179
...........................................
Gauge .71
................
Octane Requirement .178
...............................
Oxygenated .178
........................
Reserve Indicator .65
........................
Tank, Filling the .179
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .291
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 255..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 79
.................................
Headlights . 75, 76
........................................
Aiming .255
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 77
.................................
Control Dial .76
.......
Daytime Running Lights . 78
..................
High Beam Indicator . 65
.....
High Beams, Turning on . 75, 76
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 76
.........................
Reminder Chime .77
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 255
..................................
Turning On .76
............................
Head Restraints .102
.............................
Heated Mirrors .111
...............................
Heaters, Seats .104
.....................
Heating and Cooling .123
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 75
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .171
.......................
Hood, Opening the .181
..................................................
Horn .74
Index
G
H I
IV