2008 HONDA RIDGELINE engine

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 the
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
position 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.
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2008 Ridgeline

To switch the information display
between the odometer, trip meter
and outside temperature (if
equipped), and engine oil lif e and
maintenance service items, press the
SELECT button repeatedly.
This shows the total distance your
vehicle has been driven. It measures
miles in U.S. models and kilometers
in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
Odometer
Gauges
70
SPEEDOMETER
TACHOMETER TEMPERATURE GAUGE FUEL GAUGE
SELECT
BUTTON
RESET
BUTTON
OUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR
U.S. model is shown. INFORMATION
DISPLAY
ODOMETER/
TIGHTEN FUEL
CAP MESSAGE
TRIP METER
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2008 Ridgeline

This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: TRIP A
and TRIP B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the SELECT
button repeatedly. Each trip meter
works independently, so you can
keep track of two dif f erent distances.To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the RESET
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’. Both trip meters will reset if
the vehicle’s battery goes dead or is
disconnected. And both continue to
track mileage, even when only one is
displayed.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the last
selection is displayed.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.
Trip Meter Fuel Gauge
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
71
SELECT BUTTON
RESET BUTTON
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
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2008 Ridgeline

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This indicator displays the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit (U.S.
models) or Centigrade (Canadian
models).
The temperature sensor is in the
f ront bumper. Theref ore, the
temperature reading can be af f ected
by heat ref lection f rom the road
surf ace, engine heat, and the
exhaust f rom surrounding traf f ic.
This can cause an incorrect
temperature reading when your
speed is under 19 mph (30 km/h).
The sensor delays the indicator
update until it reaches the correct
outside temperature. This may take
several minutes.
If the outside temperature is
incorrectly displayed, you can adjust
it up to 5°F in U.S. models ( 3°C
in Canadian models) warmer or cooler.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. For
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system, see page .
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near f reezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
f orming on the road surf ace.
When it reaches the desired value,
release the RESET button. You
should see the new outside
temperature displayed.
To adjust the outside temperature
indicator, make sure the outside
temperature indicator is shown in
thedisplay,thenpressandholdthe
RESET button f or 10 seconds (the
TRIP A or B is also reset). The
f ollowing sequence will appear f or 1
secondeach:0,1,2,3,4,5, 5, 4,3, 2, 1, 0 (U.S.) or 0, 1, 2, 3,
3, 2, 1, 0 (Canada).
NOTE: The temperature must be
stabilized bef ore doing this
procedure.
288
If equipped
Temperature Gauge Outside Temperature Indicator
Gauges
72
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2008 Ridgeline

The inf ormation display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil lif e and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
inf ormation helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs f or continued trouble-
f ree driving. Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.
If your f uel f ill cap is loose or
missing, a ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’
message appears on the information
display af ter you start the engine.
Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. When you restart the
engine, the message appears again.
The message goes of f af ter several
days of normal driving once you
tighten or replace the fuel fill cap. To
scroll to another display, press the
SELECT button. If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
291 239
Maintenance Minder Display
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
73
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2008 Ridgeline

These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
immobilizer system. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works
only in the ignition and the driver’s
door lock. You can keep the glove
boxlockedwhenyouleaveyour
vehicle and the valet key at a parking
f acility.
You can also keep the In-Bed Trunk
locked by using the main switch in
theglovebox(seepage ). Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your keys. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Use
only Honda-approved key blanks.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
The valet key does not contain a
battery. Do not try to take it apart.
98
Keys
80
VALET KEY
(LIGHT GRAY)
MASTER KEY
WITH REMOTE
TRANSMITTER
KEY
NUMBER
TAG
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2008 Ridgeline

When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the immobilizer
system indicator should come on f or
a f ew seconds, then go of f . If the
indicator starts to blink, it means the
system does not recognize the
coding of the key. Turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK (0) position,
remove the key, reinsert it, and turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position again.The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undrivable.
If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your dealer.
The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled.
If you have lost your key and cannot
start the engine, contact your dealer.
As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Immobilizer System
Inst rument s and Cont rols
81
Always take the ignition key with you
whenever you leave the vehicle alone.
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2008 Ridgeline

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The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position. Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or the
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
LOCK (0)
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II) ST A RT (III)
Ignition Switch
82
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2008 Ridgeline