2008 HONDA RIDGELINE maintenance

Instrument Panel
Canadian models
60
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATORLOW FUEL INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
BACK WINDOW OPEN
INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
INDICATOR
BED LIGHTS ON INDICATOR IN-BED TRUNK OPEN
INDICATOR (P.69)
(P.62)
(P.63) (P.62)
(P.69) (P.69)(P.68)
(P.62)
(P.61)
(P.65)
(P.65)
(P.63)
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR
(P.68)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
(P.68)
VSA ACTIVATION INDICATOR
TPMS INDICATOR LIGHTS ON INDICATOR
DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS
INDICATOR A/T TEMPERATURE INDICATOR HIGH BEAM INDICATOR VTM-4 INDICATOR
(P.66)
(P.65) (P.66)(P.67)
(P.66) (P.65) LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.67)
(P.62)
(P.65)
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATORIMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
WASHER LEVEL
INDICATOR
(P.67)
(P.63)
(P.291) DOOR AND TAILGATE
MONITOR
(P.64)
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2008 Ridgeline

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If itcomesonandstaysonatany
other time, or if it does not come on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, there is a
problem with the VSA system. Take
your vehicle to a dealer to have it
checked. Without VSA, your vehicle
still has normal driving ability, but
will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. See pagef or more inf ormation on the
VSA system. It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ).
Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system.
This indicator has three f unctions:
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. 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
remindsyouthatitistimetotake
your vehicle in f or scheduled
maintenance. The maintenance main
items and sub items will be displayed
in the information display. See page
f or more inf ormation on the
maintenance minder.
This indicator goes of f when your
dealer resets it after completing the
required maintenance service.
1.
2.
3. 215
215
215 239
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
VSA A ctivation Indicator Maintenance Minder
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
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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

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

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
We recommended using a quality
gasoline containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contactyour authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 % ethanol by
volume and up to 15 % MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Premium f uel is recommended when
towing in certain conditions (see
page ).
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
229
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
180
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2008 Ridgeline

Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
1.
2.
3. 4.
248 251
245
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil Engine Coolant Check
Oil Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
184
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANK
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2008 Ridgeline

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The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see on page ).
For example: An under-inf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption. In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption. Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible. Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
Combine several short trips into
one. A warmed-up engine is more
f uel ef f icient than a cold one. The A/C
puts an extra load on the engine
which makes it use more f uel. Use
the f resh-air ventilation when
possible.
245
Fuel Economy Factors
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page
).
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
Drive moderately Observe the speed limit
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Avoid excessive idling
Plan and combine trips
Minimize the use of the air
conditioning system
248
Fuel Economy
Vehicle Maint enance
Drive Ef f icient ly
186
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2008 Ridgeline

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
f or any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.
To avoid loss of control or rollover,
be sure to f ollow all precautions 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. 191217
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember
Important Saf ety Precautions
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Driving
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2008 Ridgeline