2008 HONDA RIDGELINE ECU

The cargo net can be used to hold
lightweight items in the pickup bed.
Secure all items properly. The net
may not prevent heavy items f rom
beingthrownoutwardinacrashora
sudden stop.The cargo cover can be used to
cover the cargo area on the pickup
bed.
Your vehicle’s pickup bed has a rust
resistant surf ace. To repair small
chips and scratches in the bed, a
repair kit is available f rom your
dealer. More extensive damage
should be repaired by your dealer.
To avoid problems with the bed
surf ace and the In-Bed Trunk lid, do
not use spray-in bed liner products.
Optional Cargo Net Optional Cargo Cover
Pickup Bed Repair
Carrying Cargo
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Your vehicle has higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.With heavy cargo on the pickup bed,
your vehicle has a higher center of
gravity. Drive slowly and cautiously,
and allow more time and distance f or
braking. Loading heavy cargo could
af f ect your vehicle’s handling and
perf ormance.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:
Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
Make sure the cargo is properly
loaded and all items are secured so
they will not shif t while driving.
Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof .
Your vehicle allows you to carry
more cargo than a typical passenger
vehicle.
Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
See page f or of f -highway driving
guidelines. 232
Driving Guidelines
198
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2008 Ridgeline

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the tailgate is f ully
closed when it is not used as an
extended pickup bed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and In-Bed
Trunk are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
pages and ).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
8.
7.
9.
10.
11. 14
79
59
112
99101
Preparing to Drive
Driving
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2008 Ridgeline

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area in your vehicle or
the In-Bed Trunk, or take them
with you.
Lock the doors.
Check the indicator on the driver’s
door to verify that the security
system is set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb, and set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb, and set the parking brake.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
On vehicles with security system
Parking
Parking T ips
Driving
211
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2008 Ridgeline

Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
Many states and provinces require
special exterior mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don’t, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot.When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. See page f or proper
tire size, page f or how to store a
full size wheel and tire, and page
f or inf ormation on changing a
flat tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare
tire. 271
282
277
Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rolTrailer Mirrors Spare Tires
Towing a Trailer
Driving
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2008 Ridgeline

Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer
hitch as standard equipment.
The cover, the ball mount, the hitch
pin, the hitch pin clip, and the jumper
harness are stored in the In-Bed
Trunk.
Also see page f or trailer-related
inf ormation.Always use the cover when you are
not using the ball mount to keep dirt,
mud, and snow f rom clogging the
hitch.
To install the cover, slide it into the
opening at the end of the trailer
hitch. To remove the cover, pull it
out and store it in a saf e place.
Install the ball mount bef ore you tow
a trailer. Check f or and remove
f oreign material inside of the trailer
hitch bef ore installing the ball mount.
To install the ball mount, slide it into
the trailer hitch. Line up the holes in
the trailer hitch with the holes in the
ball mount, then insert the hitch pin
into the hole. Secure the hitch pin
with the hitch pin clip.
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CONT INUED
On U.S. RTX model only
Towing EquipmentInst alling t he Cover Inst alling t he Ball Mount
Towing a Trailer
Driving
225
TRAILER HITCH
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
4-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR
TRAILER HITCHCOVER
HITCH PIN HITCH PIN
CLIP
BALL MOUNT
TRAILER HITCH
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2008 Ridgeline

The 7-pin trailer connector is needed
f or the trailer lights. To connect the
connector, do this:Make sure the connector and the
socketarefreeof dirt,moisture,
or other f oreign material.
Open the socket lid by pulling it up. Insert the connector securely into
the socket.
Hook the retaining tab on the
inner side of the lid against the
retaining tab of the connector to
prevent disconnection during
operation.
Remove the socket cover, and
attach it securely over the socket.
Insert the connector into the
socket securely to prevent
disconnection during operation.
The 4-pin trailer connector is also
needed f or the trailer lights. To
connect the connector, do this:
1. 1.
2. 3.
4.
2.
Connect ing t he T railer Connect ors
Towing a Trailer
226
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
SOCKETRETAINING
TAB
RETAINING
TAB
LID
4-PIN TRAILER CONNECTORSOCKET COVER
7-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR 4-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR
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2008 Ridgeline

To disconnect the connectors,
reverse the connection steps, then
make sure the socket lid and
socket cover are securely in place.
Avoid using excessive f orce when
disconnecting the connectors.Electric current f lows through the
electrical supply circuit only when
the ignition switch is in the ON
(II) position.
Using the electrical supply circuit
when the engine is at a stop or
idling can discharge the battery.
Bef ore you submerge the trailer
hitchinwater(suchasataboat
ramp), make sure the connectors
are removed and the socket lid
and socket cover are securely in
place. Failure to do this will result
in electrical system problems.
Af ter the connectors are
submergedinwater,openthe
socket lid and the socket cover to
drain them.
CONT INUED
Import ant Precaut ions
Towing a Trailer
Driving
227
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