
2008 Ridgeline Online Reference Owner's Manual 
                          Contents  
  
 Owner's Identification Form
 
 Introduction  ..........................................................................................................................................................  i      A Few Words About Safety  ..............................................................................................................................  iii    Important Handling Information .................................................................................................................... iv 
 Your  Vehicle  at  a  Glance  (main  controls)  ....................................................................................................  3
 Driver  and  Passenger  Safety  (seat  belts,  SRS,  and  child  protection)   ....................................................  5   
 Instruments  and  Controls  
(indicators,  gauges, dashboard,  and  steering  column)
  ............................................  57  
 Features  (climate control
, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control and Homelink)
   ......................................  123 
 Before  Driving  (fuel,  vehicle  break- in,  and  cargo  loading)   .....................................................................  179  
 Driving  (engine  and  transmission  operation) ................................................................................................  197  
 Maintenance   (minder,  fluid  checking,  minor  services,  and  vehicle  storage)...........................................  237  
 Taking  Care  of  the  Unexpected  (flat  tire,  dead  battery,  overheating, fuses) ......................................  275  
 Technical  Information  (vehicle  specifications,  tires,  and  emissions  controls) .......................................  301  
 Warranty  and  Customer  Relations  (U. S.  and  Canada  only) (warranty  and  contact  information) ... 317  
 Authorized  Manuals  (U. S.  only) (how  to  order) .........................................................................................  321  
 Index  ............................................................................................................................... ........................................  I  
  
Service  Information  Summary  ( fluid  capacities  and  tire  pressures)      
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1  00X31-SJC-6202 

How to operate the heating and air 
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other convenience 
f eatures. 
A convenient ref erence to the 
sections in this manual. 
A quick ref erence to the main 
controls in your vehicle. 
Explains the purpose of each 
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.The proper way to start the engine, 
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information. 
How to order manuals and other 
technical literature. 
A summary of the inf ormation you 
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
The maintenance minder shows you 
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check 
and instructions on how to check
them.
A summary of the warranties 
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
This section covers several problems 
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
Important inf ormation about the 
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints. What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
Contents 
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety 
Instruments and Controls 
Features Bef ore Driving 
Driving 
Maintenance
T echnical Inf ormation 
Warranty and Customer 
Relations
(U.S. and Canada only) 
Authorized Manuals 
(U.S. only) 
Index 
Service Inf ormation Summary
T aking Care of the Unexpected
Overview of Contents
2
\f—\f—y
\fy
(\fy\f\f\fy
 2008  Ridgeline   

CONT INUED
This could cause
very serious injuries in a crash. 
See page f or additional 
inf ormation about your seat belts 
and how to take care of them.
The front seats have adjustable seat 
belt anchors. To adjust the height of
an anchor, squeeze the two release
buttons, and slide the anchor up or
down as needed (it has f our
positions). If a seat belt does not seem to work 
as it should, it may not protect the
occupant in a crash.
After all occupants have adjusted
their seats and head restraints, and
put on their seat belts, it is very 
important that they continue to sit 
upright, well back in their seats, with
their feet on the floor, until the
vehicle is parked and the engine is
of f .
Using a seat
belt that is not working properly can 
result in serious injury or death.
Have your dealer check the belt as
soon as possible. Sitting improperly can increase the
chance of injury during a crash. For
example, if an occupant slouches,
lies down, turns sideways, sits
forward, leans forward or sideways,
or puts one or both f eet up, the
chance of injury during a crash is
greatly increased.
18
Protecting A dults and Teens
Never place t he shoulder port ion of a
lap/shoulder belt under your arm orbehind your back.
No one should sit in a seat wit h aninoperat ive seat belt .Maintain a Proper Sitting 
Position
6.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
15
RELEASE 
BUTTONS
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f\f\fy
 2008  Ridgeline   

If they do, they could be very
seriously injured in a crash.
If they do, they could
be killed or very seriously injured 
in a crash.
They could be
killed or injured in a crash, or 
become ill or even die f rom carbon
monoxide poisoning if engine
exhaust enters the cap.
A passenger who is not
wearing a seat belt during a crash
or emergency stop can be thrown
against the inside of the vehicle,
against other occupants, or out of
the vehicle. If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a 
crash.
Devices intended to improve
occupant comf ort or reposition the
shoulder part of a seat belt can
reduce the protective capability of
the seat belt and increase the 
chance of serious injury in a crash.
Carrying hard or sharp
objects on your lap, or driving with
a pipe or other sharp object in
your mouth, can result in injuries
if your f ront airbag inf lates. If your
hands or arms are close to an 
airbag cover, they could be injured
if the airbag inf lates.
Objects on
the covers marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’
could interf ere with the proper
operation of the airbags or be 
propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone if the airbags inf late.
If a side airbag or a
side curtain airbag inf lates, a cup
holder or other hard object
attached on or near the door could 
be propelled inside the vehicle and 
hurt someone.
Protecting A dults and Teens
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Never let passengers ride in t he
area in front of a folded-up rearseat .
Never let passengers ride in t hepickup bed.
Never let passengers ride inside atruck cap (shell).
Passengers should not stand up orchange seats while the vehicle ismoving. T wo people should never use t he
same seat belt .
Do not put any accessories on seatbelts.
Do not place hard or sharp object sbet ween yourself and a f rontairbag. K eep your hands and arms away
f rom t he airbag covers.
Do not at t ach or place object s onthe f ront airbag covers.
Do not at t ach hard object s on ornear a door.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
17
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f\fy
 2008  Ridgeline   

If the impact is on the passenger’s 
side, the passenger’s side curtain
airbag will inflate even if there are no 
occupants on that side of the vehicle.A rollover sensor monitors the
degree and rate your vehicle may roll
over and automatically deploy the
side curtain airbags and activate the
f ront seat belt tensioners (see page
).
In a rollover toward the f ront
passenger’s side of the vehicle, both
side curtain airbags will inf late and
the f ront seat belt tensioners will
activate even if there are no
occupants on that side of the vehicle. 
To get the best protection f rom the 
side curtain airbags, occupants
should wear their seat belts and sit
upright and well back in their seats. The SRS indicator alerts 
you to a potential problem
with your airbags or seat belt
tensioners. 
When you turn the ignition switch to 
the ON (II) position, this indicator
comes on f or several seconds then
goes of f . This tells you the system is
working properly. 
If the indicator comes on at any 
other time, or does not come on at all,
you should have the system checked 
by your dealer. For example:
If the SRS indicator does not come
on after you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. 
If the indicator comes on or 
flashesonandoff whileyoudrive. 
If the indicator stays on after the 
engine starts.
In a moderate to severe side impact,
sensors will detect rapid acceleration
and signal the control unit to
instantly inflate the side curtain
airbag and activate the seat belt
tensioner on the driver’s or the
passenger’s side of the vehicle. 19
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
How Your Side Curtain A irbags
Work
How the SRS Indicator Works
In a Side ImpactIn a Rollover
28
SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG
\f—\f—y
\fy
(\fy\f\fy
 2008  Ridgeline   

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains 
carbon monoxide gas. Carbon
monoxide should not enter the 
vehicle in normal driving if you 
maintain your vehicle properly and
f ollow the inf ormation on this page.High levels of carbon monoxide can 
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change. 
You notice a change in the sound 
of the exhaust. 
The vehicle was in an accident 
that may have damaged the
underside. With a truck cap installed and the 
back window open, engine exhaust
may enter the vehicle and cause a 
hazardous condition. Keep the back 
window tightly closed whenever you
drive with a truck cap installed. 
If you must sit in your parked vehicle 
with the engine running, even in an
unconf ined area, adjust the heating
and cooling system/climate control
system as f ollows:
Select the f resh air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
53
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic. 
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill 
you. 
Avoid any enclosed areas or 
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f\fy
 2008  Ridgeline   

See page . 
The engine can be severely damaged 
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more information, see page . 
If this indicator comes on when the 
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .This indicator comes on when you 
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates that the
passenger’s side airbag has
automatically shut off. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on f or several
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it 
comes on at any other time, it 
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This indicator will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system, 
side curtain airbags, rollover sensor,
automatic seat belt tensioners,
driver’s seat position sensor, or the
f ront passenger’s weight sensors.
For more inf ormation, see page .
29
291
290
290 28
Malf unction Indicator 
Lamp 
L ow Oil Pressure 
Indicator 
Charging System 
Indicator
Supplemental Restraint 
System Indicator Side A irbag Of f
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
62
U.S. Canada
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f\fy
 2008  Ridgeline   

This indicator also blinks several 
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom the ON (II) position to 
the ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0) 
position.
This indicator normally comes on f or 
a f ew seconds when you turn the 
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, and when the ignition
switch is turned to the START (III)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem with the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked at a dealer. With the
indicator on, your vehicle still has
normal braking ability but no anti-
lock brakes. For more inf ormation,
see page .
This indicator comes on f or a f ew 
seconds when you turn the ignition 
switch to the ON (II) position. It will
gooffifyouhaveinserteda
properly-coded ignition key. If it is
not a properly-coded key, the
indicator will blink and the engine
will not start (see page ).
This indicator has two f unctions:
Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. A beeper
sounds if you drive with the
parking brake not f ully released.
Driving with the parking brake not
fully released can damage the
brakes and tires. 
If it stays on after you have fully 
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it 
comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the brake
system. For more inf ormation, see
page .
1. 
2.
81
213
292 Anti-lock Brake System 
(A BS) Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
63
U.S. Canada
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f\fy
 2008  Ridgeline