2007 HONDA RIDGELINE traction control

The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surfaces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situ ations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
When
VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some unusual noise from the
modulator. You will also see the VSA
activation indicator blink. When
VSA activates, you will see the
VSA activation indicator blink (see
page ). If
the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehic le as
soon as possible.
If the low tire pressure indicator
comes on (see page ), the VSA
system automatically turns on even if
youturnitoff withtheVSAOFF
button.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e, and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on, or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer. 67
204
VSA A ctivation Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
210

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.

The maximum weight of the trailer
andeverythinginoronitdependson
the number of occupants in your
vehicleandthetypeoftrailerbeing
towed (see page ).
To wing a load that is too heavy can
seriously affect your vehicle’s
handling and performance.
Your
vehicle has been designed to
tow a trailer, as well as carrying
passengers and their cargo. To
safety tow a trailer, you should
carefully observe the load limits (see
page ), use the proper equipment,
and follow the guidelines in this
section.
Be sure to read the
sectiononpage
if you plan to tow off paved
surfaces.
The weight that the tongue of a fully-
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
should follow the recommended load
guidelines (see page ). Too
much tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
187
214214
227
T ot al T railer Weight
T ongue L oad
Load Limits
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
Towing Weight Limits
212
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all sch eduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehic le
for any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
carefully inspect your vehicle to
ma ke sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsafe.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
The
route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy road s). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving off-highway can be
hazardous if you fail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precau tions.
To
avoid loss of control or rollover,
be sure to follow all precau tions and
recommendations.
Be sure to store cargo properly
and do not exceed your cargo load
limits (see page and ).
Be aware that a heavy load can
reduce ground clearance and your
ability to clear obstacles.
Whenever you drive, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear seat belts.
Keep your speed low, and never
go faster than the conditions allow.
It’s up to you to continually assess
the situation and drive within the
limits. 187 212
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember
Important Saf ety Precautions
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
228

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

Thediagramsinthissectiongive
you the dimensions and capacities of
your vehicle and the locations of the
identif ication numbers. It also
includes inf ormation you should
know about your vehicle’s tires and
emissions control systems.................
Identif ication Numbers .300
................................
Specif ications .302
DOT Tire Quality Grading
......................
(U.S. Vehicles) .304
Unif orm Tire Quality ..................................
Grading .304
.................................
Treadwear .304
......................................
Traction .304
.............................
Temperature .305
.................................
Tire Labeling .306 .......................
Emissions Controls . 307
.....................
The Clean Air Act .307
Crankcase Emissions Control
....................................
System .307
Evaporative Emissions Control ....................................
System .307
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .307
...
Exhaust Emissions Controls .308
....................
PGM-FI System .308
Ignition Timing Control
................................
System .308
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ...................
(EGR) System .308
Three Way Catalytic ...........................
Converter .308
....................
Replacement Parts .308
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .309
..............
State Emissions Testing .310
T echnical Inf ormation
Technical Inf ormation
299

µ
The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example: The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades. Unif orm T ire Quality Grading
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A Treadwear Traction AA, A, B, C
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
304