2008 HONDA RIDGELINE maintenance

In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
The service lif e of your tires is
dependent on many f actors,
including, but not limited to, driving
habits, road conditions, vehicle
loading, inf lation pressure,
maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even
when the tires are not in use).
In addition to your regular
inspections and inf lation pressure
maintenance, it is recommended that
you have annual inspections
perf ormed once the tires reach f ive
years old. It is also recommended
that all tires, including the spare, be
removed from service after 10 years
from the date of manufacture,
regardless of their condition or state
of wear.
The last f our digits of the TIN (tire
identif ication number) are f ound on
the sidewall of the tire and indicate
the date of manufacture (See
on page ). To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the information display.
Move the tires to the positions
shown in the illustration each time
they are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only f ront-to-
back.
308 Tire Rotation
T ire Maintenance
Tire Service Lif e
Tire
Labeling
Tires
Maint enance
269
Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) Front
(For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
On vehicles with aluminum wheels,
improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Honda wheel weights f or
balancing.
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

µ
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualif ied technician. Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f uture corrosion.
The navigation system will also
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN
bef ore it can be used. Ref er to the
navigation system manual.
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradioyouwill
see ‘‘CODE’’ in the f requency display.
Use the preset bars to enter the code
(see page ).
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting may be lost. To reset the time,
see page .167
166
On vehicles with navigation system
On vehicles without navigation system
Checking the Battery
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Maint enance
273
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

µ
Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inf lated to
the inf lation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manuf acturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inf lation
pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a
dif f erent size than the size indicated
on the vehicle placard or tire
inf lation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inf lation
pressure f or those tires.)As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale
and
when one or more of your tires is
signif icantly under-inf lated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inf late them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inf lation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Required Federal Explanation
310
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f
y
2008 Ridgeline

T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
(U.S. only)
Authorized Manuals
321
Form Description
2006-08 Honda Ridgeline Service Manual 2008 Honda Ridgeline
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2006 Model Series Ridgeline Body Repair Manual
2008 Honda Ridgeline Owner’s Manual
2008 Honda Ridgeline Navigation Manual 2008 Honda Ridgeline Quick Start Guide 2008 Ridgeline Honda Service History
Order Form for Previous Years-Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61SJC02
61SJC02EL
61SJC30
31SJC620
31SJC810
31SJCQ20
31SJCM20 HON-R
www. helminc. com
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

CONT INUED
Back Window.......................................
Indicator .69
...................................
Operation .107
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,290
............................
Jump Starting .286
..............................
Maintenance .272
............................
Specif ications .305
Bed Lights .......................................
Indicator .69
...................................
Operation .122
..............................
Bef ore Driving .179 ....................................
Belts,Seat .8,18
.........................
Beverage Holders .116
..................................
Booster Seats .50
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .213
.............
Break-in, New Linings .180
...........................................
Fluid .255
............
Bulb Replacement .259,260
.......................................
Parking .111
.................
System Indicator .63,292
........................
Wear Indicators .212
.............................
Braking System .212
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .180
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .78
........................
Brights, Headlights .76
...
Accessories and Modif ications .188
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .82
............
Accessory Power Sockets .118
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .249
........
Adjusting the Steering wheel .79
...........................
Advanced Airbags .25
.....................................
Airbag (SRS) .9
..............
Air Conditioning System .124
.........................................
Usage .128
...............
Air Outlets (Vents) .126,131
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .268
......................................
Antif reeze .251
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .63,213
...................................
Operation .213
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .166
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .82
........................................
Armrests .102
................
Audio System .135,144,150
.....
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .84
Automatic Heated Wiper
......................................
Zone .76,129
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .19 .............
Automatic Speed Control .169
..............
Automatic Transmission .201
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .304
...............
Checking Fluid Level .253
.......................................
Shif ting .201
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .201
................
Shif t Lever Positions .202
....................
Shif t Lock Release .205
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .165
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
——y
y
(yy
2008 Ridgeline

CONT INUED
.................
High-Low Beam Switch .75
HomeLink Universal
................................
Transceiver .175
.......................
Hood, Opening the .183
..................................................
Horn .74
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .302
Ignition
..............................................
Keys .80
...........................................
Switch .82
............
Timing Control System .313
........................
Immobilizer System .81
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
...................................
In-Bed Trunk .96
....................
Emergency Opener .97
............................
Open Indicator .69
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel .59
...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) .63
.......................
A/T Temperature .66
....................
Back Window Open .69
.............................
Bed Lights On .69
Brake (Parking and Brake
....................................
System) .63
........................
Charging System .62 .............................
Cruise Control .65
...................................
Door Open .64
DRL (Daytime Running
......................................
Lights) .65
...................................
High Beam .65
....................
In-Bed Trunk Open .69
........
Key (Immobilizer System) .63
.....................................
Lights On .66
......................................
Low Fuel .65
........................
Low Oil Pressure .62
......................
Low Tire Pressure .68
..................
Maintenance Minder .67
Malf unction Indicator Lamp
.......................................
(MIL) .62
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .62
.......................................
Seat Belt .61
...............................................
SRS .62
..............................
Tailgate Open .64
...............
Tire Pressure Monitor .68
.............................
TPMS System .68
Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning .64
............................
VSA Activation .67
.................................
VSA System .67
..........................................
VTM-4 .66
..............................
Washer Level .65 ..................
Individual Map Lights .121
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .37
......................................
Inf ant Seats .37
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .267
........................
Inf ormation Display .70
.........
Engine Oil Lif e Indicator .239
...........
Maintenance Items .242,246
.................................
Inside Mirror .112
.............................
Inspection, Tire .268
........................
Instrument Panel .3,58
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .78
...............................
Interior Lights .120
........................................
Introduction .i
..................................................
Keys .80 ................
Jacking Up the Vehicle .279
.......................................
Jack, Tire .279
................................
Jump Starting .286
Index
J
K
I
INDEX
V
——y
y
(yy
2008 Ridgeline

.......................
Label, Certif ication .302
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .76
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .14,19
...........................
Light Control Dial .76
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .257
.......................................
Indicator .66
.......................................
Interior .120
.........................................
Parking .76
..................................
Turn Signal .76
............................
Load Limits .191,217
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .82
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .82
............................
Fuel Fill Door .181
..................................
Glove Box .117
...............................
In-Bed Trunk .96
....................
Lockout Prevention .83
.................................
Power Door .83
........................
Low Coolant Level .184
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .65
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .62,290
Lubricant Specif ications
..................................
Chart .304,305 ...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) .190
..................................
Maintenance .237
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .245
................................
Minder .239-246
.........................
Minder Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .238
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .62,291
..............
Manual Seat Adjustments .99
...............................
Meters, Gauges .70
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .113
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .189
.......................................
Moonroof .110
...................
Neutral Gear Position .203
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .180
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .302 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .180
.........................................
Odometer .70
....................
Of f -Highway Driving .232
...................
Of f -Road Precautions .233
Oil
........................
Change, How to .249
......................
Change, When to .239
......................
Checking Engine .184
...........................................
Filter .250
..............
Pressure Indicator .62,290
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .248
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .82
............................
Outside Mirrors .113
....................
Overheating, Engine .288
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .245
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .180
..............
Panel Brightness Control .78
........................
Park Gear Position .202
...........................................
Parking .211
...............................
Parking Brake .111
Index
N O
P
M
L
VI
——y
y
(yy
2008 Ridgeline

Î
Î
CONT INUED
.................................
Parking Lights .76
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .315
.............................
PGM-FI System .313
Pickup Bed
.........................
Carrying Cargo .190
.........................................
Lights .122
..............
Power Seat Adjustments .101
...............
Power Socket Locations .118
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .16
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .11
...
Additional Safety Precautions .17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .16
........................
Protecting Children .32
.....................
General Guidelines .32
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .37
.......
Protecting Larger Children .49
.........
Protecting Small Children .38
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers .46
.............................
Using LATCH .41
...................
Radiator Overheating .288
Radio/CD Sound
.......................
System .135,144,150 .................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid .254
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement .259
..........................
Rear View Mirror .112
Rear View Mirror with
.....................................
Compass .172
....................
Rear (Back) Window .108
.......
Reclining the Seat-Backs .99,101
................
Remote Audio Controls .165
.......................
Remote Transmitter .90
Replacement Inf ormation
................
Engine Oil and Filter .249
..........................................
Fuses .293
................................
Light Bulbs .257
........................................
Minder .246
................................
Timing Belt .256
...........................................
Tires .277
.............................
Wiper Blades .264
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .20
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant .184
..................
Reverse Gear Position .202
................................
Rotation, Tire .269
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8,19 .........
Safety Defects, Reporting .320
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .13
.................................
Seat Belts .8,18
...........
Seats and Seat-Backs .11,12
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .54
..............................
Saf ety Messages .iii
.....................
Satellite Radio, XM .144
.....................................
Seat Belts .8,18
...............
Additional Information .18
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .19
.....................................
Cleaning .263
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .19
................................
Maintenance .20
Reminder Light and
................................
Beeper .18,61
...................
System Components .18
...............
Use During Pregnancy .16
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt .14
.........................
Seating Capacities .304
Index
INDEX
S
R
VII
——y
y
(yy
2008 Ridgeline