2008 HONDA RIDGELINE ECU

The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated.
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Towing perf ormance can be
af f ected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Theref ore, premium
f uel (premium unleaded gasoline
with pump octane number of 91 or
higher) is recommended when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590
kg).
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
CONT INUED
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Break-In Period
Towing a Trailer
Driving
229
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2008 Ridgeline

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

CONT INUED
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Windshield Washers, A utomatic T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
253
DIPSTICKDIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
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2008 Ridgeline

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items on the
pickup bed or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied mechanic.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way, and remove the bulb.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.Install the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber weather seal
over the back of the headlight
assembly.Makesureitisright
side up.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
257
WEATHER SEAL
CONNECTOR HOLD-DOWN WIRE
BULB
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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2008 Ridgeline

Drop open the tailgate.
Remove the two bolts, and remove
the rear light assembly f rom the
rear pillar.
Determine which of the three
bulbs is burned out: brake/
taillight, turn signal/hazard light,
or back-up light.Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the burned-out bulb by
pulling it straight out of the socket.Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Push the socket into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise
until it locks.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Install the rear light assembly in
the rear pillar. Tighten the two
bolts securely.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Maint enance
259
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2008 Ridgeline

Place a cloth on the edge of the
lens segment. Remove each lens
segment by caref ully prying on its
edge with a small f lat-tipped
screwdriver.
Remove the screw under each lens.
Pull the high-mount brake light
assembly out of the vehicle.Remove the three mounting
screws f rom the light assembly.
Remove the lens f rom the light
assembly.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the lens back on the light
assembly, and tighten the
mounting bolts securely.
Put the light assembly back into
the vehicle. Install the screws and
tighten them securely.
Reinstall the lens segments.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.7.
8.
9.
6.
Lights
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
260
LENS SEGMENT
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2008 Ridgeline

Remove the mounting screw f rom
the bed light assembly.
Pull out the light assembly.
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Push the socket into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise
until it locks.Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Reinstall the light assembly.
Reinstall the mounting screw, and
tighten it securely.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.6.
7.
8.
Lights
Replacing a Bed L ight Bulb
262
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2008 Ridgeline

Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
If you tow a trailer f requently, we
recommend that you use a regular
tire as a spare. You can store the
regular size spare tire on the tire tray,
but store the tool kit at the side of
the In-Bed Trunk (see page ),
and secure it.
2.
1.
283
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
277
TOOL BOX SPARE TIRE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
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2008 Ridgeline