Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on the valve cover. Pour in
the oil slowly and caref ully so you do
not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Reinstall the engine
oil f ill cap, and tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes, and recheck the
oil level on the engine oil dipstick.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine. Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
248
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
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2008 Ridgeline
Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API certif ication seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the information
display.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the odometer
and trip meter display. The oil and
f ilter collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Engine Oil and
Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
249
WASHER
DRAIN BOLT
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If your seat belts get dirty, use a sof t
brush with a mixture of mild soap
and warm water to clean them. Do
not use bleach, dye, or cleaning
solvents. Let the belts air-dry bef ore
you use the vehicle.
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.The floor mats that came with your
vehicle hook over the f loor mat
anchors. This keeps the f loor mats
f rom sliding f orward, possibly
interf ering with the pedals, or
backwards, making the f ront
passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective.
If you remove a f loor mat, make sure
tore-anchoritwhenyouputitback
in your vehicle.A non-Honda f loor mat may not f it
your vehicle properly. This could
prevent the proper operation of the
f olding rear seats and the passenger’s
seat weight sensors. We recommend
using genuine Honda f loor mats. Do
not put additional f loor mats on top
of the anchored mats.
Cleaning the Seat Belts Floor Mats
Cleaning the Seat Belts, Floor Mats
Maint enance
263
LOOP
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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.
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2008 Ridgeline
If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with all f our wheels on the
ground, do the f ollowing:Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shif t to D f or several seconds,
then to N.
Turn of f the engine. With all f our wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
Emergency Towing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
298
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the all f our wheels of f
the ground. The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.
Towing your vehicle with two tires on
the ground will damage parts of the
4WD system. It should be transported
on a f lat-bed truck or trailer. Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.
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ÎÎ
Î Î
Î
µµ
Î
Î
Î
Î
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Specif ications
304
Dimensions
Weights Air Conditioning
Seating Capacities Capacities
206.7 in (5,250 mm)
78.0 in (1,980 mm)
70.3 in (1,785 mm)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
122.0 in (3,100 mm)
67.1 in (1,705 mm)
66.9 in (1,700 mm)
See the tire information label
attached to the driver’s doorjamb.
Gross vehicle weight rating
Gross combined weight
rating (GCWR)
Maximum load limit
(Payload)
The GCWR must be reduced 2 percent for every 1,000 feet (305
meters) of elevation. 1,530 lbs (690 kg)
1,480 lbs (670 kg)
10,088 lbs (4,575 kg)
8.5 US qt (8.0
)
3.3 US qt (3.1)
5.3 US qt (5.0)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
2.14 US gal (8.1
)
1.64 US gal (6.2)
22.01 US gal (83.3)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine
Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.6
)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type
HFC-134a (R-134a)
21.2 22.9 oz (600 650 g) ND-OIL8
Total
Front
Rear 5
2
3Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:
1:
2:
3:
On vehicles without moonroof or navigation system
On vehicles with moonroof and navigation system Change
Total
Change
Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
1
2
3 1
2
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.....................................
Floor Mats .263
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .253
..........................................
Brake .255
..........................
Power Steering .256
.......................
Rear Differential .254
...................
Transf er Assembly .255
..................
Windshield Washer .252
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .142
.................
Folding the Rear Seats .104
..........................
Four-way Flashers .79
................................
Front Seat .99,101
..............................
Adjusting .99,101
.....................................
Airbags .9,23
.......................................
Heaters .105
.................................................
Fuel .180
......................
Fill Door and Cap .181
...........................................
Gauge .71
................
Octane Requirement .180
...............................
Oxygenated .180
........................
Reserve Indicator .65
........................
Tank, Filling the .181 ...............................
Fuel Economy .185
Actual Mileage and EPA FuelEconomy Estimates
.......................
Comparison .185
......
Calculating Fuel Economy .187
.............
Fuel Economy Factors .186
........
Improving Fuel Economy .186
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .293
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .185
Gasoline
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .65
...........................................
Gauge .71
................
Octane Requirement .180
........................
Tank, Filling the .181
................
Gas Station Procedures .181
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .72
...............................................
Fuel .71
...............................
Speedometer .70
.................................
Tachometer .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .218 GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
.......................................
Rating) .218
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .202
......................................
Glove Box .117
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .218
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .257
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers .79
.................................
Headlights .75,76
........................................
Aiming .257
..............
Automatic Lighting Off .77
.................................
Control Dial .76
............
Daytime Running Lights .78
..................
High Beam Indicator .65
.....
High Beams, Turning on .75,76
............
Low Beams, Turning on .76
.........................
Reminder Chime .77
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs .257
..................................
Turning On .76
............................
Head Restraints .102
.............................
Heated Mirrors .113
...............................
Heaters, Seats .105
.....................
Heating and Cooling .125
Index
G H
IV
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ÎÎÎ
CONT INUED
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .314
....................................
Timing Belt .256
....................................
Tire Chains .271
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .277
.................................
Tire Labeling .308
Tire Pressure Monitoring
....................
System (TPMS) .208
Low Tire Pressure
...........................
Indicator .68,208
Required Federal ............................
Explanation .310
.......
Tire Pressure Monitor .68,209
..................
TPMS Indicator .68,209
...............................................
Tires .267
..............................
Air Pressure .268
.........................
Checking Wear .268
..........................
Compact Spare .276
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .306
......................................
Inf lation .267
..................................
Inspection .268
..............................
Maintenance .269
...................................
Replacing .270
......................................
Rotating .269
...........................................
Snow .271
....................
Specif ications .271,305
................................
Tire Chains .271 ...................
Tools, Tire Changing .277
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .220
................
Emergency Wrecker .298
.................................
Equipment .225
....
Equipment and Accessories .221
.............................
Weight Limit .217
.........................
Trailer Loading .219
.................
Trailer Towing Tips .229
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid .255
Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level .253
...........................
Fluid Selection .254
..............
Identif ication Number .303
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .201
.....................................
Treadwear .306
.......................................
Trip Meter .71
..................................
Trunk, In-Bed .96
....................................
Turn Signals .76
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .275
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .306
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .180 .......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .250
............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .54
..................
Warranty Coverages .319 ................................
Vanity Mirror .119
.........
Vehicle Capacity Load .191,304
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .304
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .302
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .215
........
VSA System Indicator .67,215
...
VSA Activation Indicator .67,215
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .216
.............................
Vehicle Storage .274
.....................................
Ventilation .127
.................................................
VIN .302
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .248
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .206
Index
W
V
U
INDEX
IX
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2008 Ridgeline