2008 HONDA RIDGELINE ABS

Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
U.S. models
59
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATORLOW FUEL INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
BACK WINDOW OPEN
INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
INDICATOR
BED LIGHTS ON INDICATOR (P.67)
(P.66)
(P.66)
(P.68)
(P.62)
(P.63) (P.62)
(P.69) (P.62)
(P.61)
(P.65)
(P.65)
(P.63)
(P.69)
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR
(P.68)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
TPMS INDICATOR LIGHTS ON INDICATOR A/T TEMPERATURE INDICATOR HIGH BEAM INDICATOR VTM-4 INDICATOR VSA ACTIVATION INDICATOR
(P.69) (P.65)
(P.66)
(P.67) VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR(P.68) (P.62)
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
WASHER LEVEL
INDICATOR (P.65)
(P.67)
(P.63)
IN-BED TRUNK OPEN
INDICATOR
(P.291) DOOR AND TAILGATE
MONITOR
(P.64)
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2008 Ridgeline

Instrument Panel
Canadian models
60
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATORLOW FUEL INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
BACK WINDOW OPEN
INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
INDICATOR
BED LIGHTS ON INDICATOR IN-BED TRUNK OPEN
INDICATOR (P.69)
(P.62)
(P.63) (P.62)
(P.69) (P.69)(P.68)
(P.62)
(P.61)
(P.65)
(P.65)
(P.63)
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR
(P.68)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
(P.68)
VSA ACTIVATION INDICATOR
TPMS INDICATOR LIGHTS ON INDICATOR
DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS
INDICATOR A/T TEMPERATURE INDICATOR HIGH BEAM INDICATOR VTM-4 INDICATOR
(P.66)
(P.65) (P.66)(P.67)
(P.66) (P.65) LOW TIRE PRESSURE
INDICATOR VEHICLE STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.67)
(P.62)
(P.65)
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATORIMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
WASHER LEVEL
INDICATOR
(P.67)
(P.63)
(P.291) DOOR AND TAILGATE
MONITOR
(P.64)
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2008 Ridgeline

This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom the ON (II) position to
the ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
position.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, and when the ignition
switch is turned to the START (III)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem with the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked at a dealer. With the
indicator on, your vehicle still has
normal braking ability but no anti-
lock brakes. For more inf ormation,
see page .
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. It will
gooffifyouhaveinserteda
properly-coded ignition key. If it is
not a properly-coded key, the
indicator will blink and the engine
will not start (see page ).
This indicator has two f unctions:
Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. A beeper
sounds if you drive with the
parking brake not f ully released.
Driving with the parking brake not
fully released can damage the
brakes and tires.
If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the brake
system. For more inf ormation, see
page .
1.
2.
81
213
292 Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
63
U.S. Canada
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Avoid dropping or throwing the
transmitter.
Protect the transmitter from
extreme temperature.
Do not immerse the transmitter in
any liquid.
If you lose a transmitter, the
replacement needs to be
reprogrammed by your dealer.Remove the screw at the base of
the transmitter with a small
Phillips-head screwdriver.
To replace the battery:
Battery type: CR1616
If it takes several pushes on the
button to lock or unlock the doors,
replace the battery as soon as
possible.
Inside the transmitter, separate
the inner cover f rom the keypad
by releasing the two tabs on the
cover.
Separate the transmitter by prying
its middle seam with your
f ingernail.
1. 2.
3.
CONT INUED
Remote Transmitter Care Replacing the Transmitter
Battery
Remote Transmitter
Inst rument s and Cont rols
91
SCREWBATTERY
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2008 Ridgeline

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the VTM-4 system, the VSA
system, the tire pressure monitoring
system, and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.........................
Driving Guidelines .198
........................
Preparing to Drive .199
.......................
Starting the Engine .200
..............
Automatic Transmission .201
Variable Torque Management
.............
4WD (VTM-4) System .206
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .208
...........................................
Parking .211
.............................
Braking System .212
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .213
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .215
.................
Towing Weight Limits .217
..........
Towing Weight Guidelines .219
...........................
Towing a Trailer .220
Of f -Highway Driving
..................................
Guidelines .232
Driving
Driving
197
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2008 Ridgeline

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, conf using
drivers behind you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
212
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2008 Ridgeline

The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page .
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’ 292
You should never pump the brake pedal.
CONT INUED
ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
213
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2008 Ridgeline

Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down, and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator. 292
Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly, A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
214
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2008 Ridgeline