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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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µµ
OFF
Parking and indicator lights
Headlights
Push down on the
multi-control lever to signal a lef t
turn and up to signal a right turn. To
signal a lane change, push lightly on
the lever and hold it. The lever will
return to center when you release it
or complete a turn.
To turn on the high
beams, push the multi-control lever
f orward until you hear a click. The
blue high beam indicator will come
on (see page ). Pull the lever back
to return to the low beams.
To f lash the high beams, pull the
lever back lightly, then release it.
The high beams will stay on as long
as you hold the lever back.
Your vehicle has heating wires at the
bottom of the windshield to help
heat the wiper blades and the
windshield. If the outside
temperature is near f reezing, the
heater turns on automatically when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. The heater turns
of f automatically when the outside
temperature is above f reezing.
This f unction helps to increase wiper
perf ormance when the wiper arms
sit in the parked position in snowy or
icy conditions.
1.
2.
3.
65 Headlight Control Dial
Turn Signal
High Beams
Automatic Heated Wiper Zone
Multi-Control L ever, Headlights
76
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µIf you remove the key f rom the
ignition switch with the headlight
control dial on, but do not open the
door, the lights will turn of f af ter 10
minutes.
Turning the dial to
the ‘‘ ’’ position turns on the
parking lights, taillights, instrument
panel lights, and license plate lights.
Turning the dial to the ‘‘ ’’
position turns on the headlights. If
you leave the lights on and remove
the key from the ignition switch, you
will hear a reminder chime when you
open the driver’s door.
When the dial is in the ‘‘ ’’ or
‘‘ ’’ position, the lights on
indicator comes on as a reminder.
This indicator stays on if you leave
the lights on and turn the ignition
switch to the ACCESSORY (I) or
LOCK (0) position. The automatic lighting of f f eature
turns off the headlights, all other
exterior lights, and the instrument
panel lights within 15 seconds of
removing the key from the ignition
switch and closing the driver’s door. The lights will turn on again when
you unlock or open the driver’s door.
This feature activates if you leave
the headlight control dial in the
‘‘ ’’ or ‘‘ ’’ position, remove
the key, then open and close the
driver’s door. If you unlock the door, but do not
open it within 15 seconds, the lights
go of f . With the driver’s door open,
you will hear a lights-on reminder
chime.
Automatic Lighting Of f Feature
Headlights
Headlights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
77
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The dial on the instrument panel
controls the brightness of the
instrument panel lights and the
console compartment light. Turn the
dial to adjust the brightness.
With the headlight control dial of f ,
the high beam headlights and the
high beam indicator come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and release the parking
brake. They remain on until you turn
the ignition switch of f , even if you
set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the headlight control dial.
The instrument panel will illuminate
when you unlock and open the
driver’s door. The brightness will
increase when you insert the key in
the ignition switch.If you do not insert the key in the
ignition switch af ter opening the
driver’s door, the illumination turns
of f about 30 seconds af ter you close
the door.
If you insert the key but do not turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, the illumination turns of f in
about 10 seconds.
The instrument panel brightness is
dimmedwhenyouturntheheadlight
controldialtothe‘‘ ’’or
‘‘ ’’ position to reduce glare at
night. To cancel it, turn the
instrument panel brightness control
dial upward f ully until you hear a
click.
Canadian models only
Instrument Panel Brightness
Daytime Running L ights
Headlights, Instrument Panel Brightness
78
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS CONTROL DIAL
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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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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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µµ
µ µ
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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To lock any passenger’s door when
getting out of the vehicle, push the
lock tab down, and close the door.
To lock the driver’s door, remove the
key f rom the ignition switch, and
push the lock tab down, or push the
f ront of the master switch, then
close the door.
With the driver’s door open and the
key in the ignition, both master door
lock switches will not lock, but they
will unlock. The lock f eature is not
disabled if the driver’s door is closed.
Pushing the f ront of the switch on
the open passenger’s door will lock
all doors and the In-Bed Trunk.
The lock tab on each door locks and
unlocks that door. Pulling up on the
driver’s door lock tab only unlocks
the driver’s door. To unlock the
driver’s door and the In-Bed Trunk
f rom the outside, turn the key and
release it. If you turn it again, all the
doors unlock.
Youcanopenorclosetheside
windows by using the key in the
driver’s door (see page ).
To lock all doors and the In-Bed
Trunk, push the f ront of the master
door lock switch on either f ront door,
pressthelocktabdownonthe
driver’s door, or use the key on the
outside lock on the driver’s door. This vehicle has auto door locking/ unlocking f eatures. See page f or
how to set them.
Pushing the rear of either master
door lock switch will unlock all of the
doors and the In-Bed Trunk. 84
109
L ockout Prevent ion
Power Door L ocks
Door L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
83
MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH LOCK TAB
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2008 Ridgeline