2008 HONDA RIDGELINE cooling

If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks. Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
251
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
The washer level indicator will come
on when the level is low (see page
).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2. 65
Windshield Washers
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
252
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

This f ilter removes the dust and
pollenthatisbroughtinfromthe
outside through the heating and
cooling system/climate control
system.
Have your dealer replace this filter
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
inf ormation display. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air, or if the airf low
from the heating and cooling
system/climate control system
becomeslessthanusual.Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Replace them if you f ind signs of
cracking in the rubber, areas that are
getting hard, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
To replace a wiper blade:
To raise the wiper arm, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and activate the wipers
(see page ). When the wipers
are in the upright position, turn
the ignition switch off to stop the
wipers in that position. Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
1.
2.
75
Dust and Pollen Filter, Wiper Blades
Dust and Pollen Filter Wiper Blades
264
WIPER ARMS
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the wiper arms.
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door,
In-Bed Trunk lid, and tailgate seals.
Also,applyavehiclebodywaxto
the painted surfaces that mate
with the door, In-Bed Trunk lid
and tailgate seals.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
Vehicle Storage
274
\f—\f—y

\fy
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (seeon page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
4.
5.
6.
7. 8.9.
10.
11.
298
298
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
289
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

Î
Î Î Î
Î
Î
Î
µ
µ µ
µ
´
Î
Î
µ
If equipped
If equipped
Left Headlight Low Beam
Not Used
Left Headlight High Beam
Small Lights
Right Headlight High Beam
Right Headlight Low Beam
Back Up
FI ECU (PCM)
DBW
Not Used
Heated Seat
MG Clutch
10 A
10 A
15 A
10 A
10 A
7.5 A 15 A
15 A
15 A
7.5 A
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6 (7.5 A)
20 A
40 A
20 A
15 A
(20 A) Back Light
VSA FSR
VSA MTR
VTM-4
Front Accessory Sockets
Electric Brake 13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
20 A
20 A
40 A
15 A
40 A
30 A
30 A
40 A
40 A
120 A 50 A
50 A Horn, Stop
Defroster
Back Up, ACC
Hazard
Option 1
Not Used
Cooling Fan
Condenser Fan
Heater Motor
Seat
Battery
BIGIMain
Power Window
Spare Fuses
7
8
9
10
11 (20 A)
(7.5 A) (20 A) 7.5 A
(20 A) Small Lights
Stop/Turn Lights
Charge
TPMS
Moonroof
:
:
Circuits Protected
Amps.
No.
No. Amps. Circuits Protected No. Amps. Circuits Protected
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
24 28
Fuse Locations
296
PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
\f—\f—y
\fy
(\fy\f\f
y
2008 Ridgeline

.....................................
Floor Mats .263
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .253
..........................................
Brake .255
..........................
Power Steering .256
.......................
Rear Differential .254
...................
Transf er Assembly .255
..................
Windshield Washer .252
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .142
.................
Folding the Rear Seats .104
..........................
Four-way Flashers .79
................................
Front Seat .99,101
..............................
Adjusting .99,101
.....................................
Airbags .9,23
.......................................
Heaters .105
.................................................
Fuel .180
......................
Fill Door and Cap .181
...........................................
Gauge .71
................
Octane Requirement .180
...............................
Oxygenated .180
........................
Reserve Indicator .65
........................
Tank, Filling the .181 ...............................
Fuel Economy .185
Actual Mileage and EPA FuelEconomy Estimates
.......................
Comparison .185
......
Calculating Fuel Economy .187
.............
Fuel Economy Factors .186
........
Improving Fuel Economy .186
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .293
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .185
Gasoline
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .65
...........................................
Gauge .71
................
Octane Requirement .180
........................
Tank, Filling the .181
................
Gas Station Procedures .181
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .72
...............................................
Fuel .71
...............................
Speedometer .70
.................................
Tachometer .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .218 GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
.......................................
Rating) .218
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .202
......................................
Glove Box .117
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .218
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .257
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers .79
.................................
Headlights .75,76
........................................
Aiming .257
..............
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 .257
..................................
Turning On .76
............................
Head Restraints .102
.............................
Heated Mirrors .113
...............................
Heaters, Seats .105
.....................
Heating and Cooling .125
Index
G H
IV
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f
y
2008 Ridgeline