2008 HONDA RIDGELINE automatic transmission fluid

This indicator monitors the
temperature of the automatic
transmission f luid. It should come on
f or a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it means the transmission f luid
temperature is too high. Pull to the
side of the road when it is saf e, shif t
to Park, and let the engine idle until
the indicator goes out.This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem in the 4WD
system. Take the vehicle to your
dealer to have it checked.
If the indicator blinks while driving,
the VTM-4 fluid temperature is too
high. Pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e, shif t to Park, and let
the engine idle until the indicator
goes out.
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when you turn the headlight control
dial to either the or
position.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
position without turning of f the
headlight control dial, this indicator
remains on. A reminder chime will
also sound when you open the driver’s
door. Lights On Indicator A/T Temperature
IndicatorVTM-4 Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
66
Continuing to drive with the A/T
temperature indicator on may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
Continuing to drive with the VTM-4
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.
\f—\f—y
y
(\fy\f\f
y
2008 Ridgeline

If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and use D3. Do not
‘‘ride’’ the brakes.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
When towing a f ixed-sided trailer
(e.g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
When towing a trailer on level roads
under normal driving conditions, do
not use D3. This will increase the
automatic transmission fluid
temperature and may cause
overheating. Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses.
Allow more time and distance f or
braking. Do not brake or turn
suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
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. Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.T owing Speeds and Gears
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
230
\f—\f—y


y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .238
....................
Maintenance Minder .239
..............................
Fluid Locations .247
........................
Adding Engine Oil .248
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .249
..............................
Engine Coolant .251
....................
Windshield Washers .252
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .253
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid .254
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid .255
....................................
Brake Fluid .255
....................
Power Steering Fluid .256
....................................
Timing Belt .256
.............................................
Lights .257
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .263
.....................................
Floor Mats .263
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .264
.................................
Wiper Blades .264
...........................................
Wheels .266
...............................................
Tires .266
...................
Checking the Battery .272
.............................
Vehicle Storage .274
321
Maintenance
Maint enance
237
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

Î
Î
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
247
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
: Under the gray cover RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
\f—\f—y

\fy
(\fy\fy
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.
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

The rear dif f erential should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
inf ormation display. This service
may be needed more of ten under
certain driving conditions (see page).
Always use Honda VTM-4
Dif f erential Fluid, and have your
dealer replace the rear differential
f luid.
If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the f ill plug, then
add the f luid into the f ill hole to
bring it to the level between the
upper and lower marks on the
dipstick.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid).
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
6.
5.
246
Automatic transmission Fluid, Rear Dif f erential Fluid
Rear Dif f erential Fluid
254
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
new vehicle warranty.
Using transmission f luid other than
genuine Honda ATF-Z1 may cause
operation and durability, and could
result in damage to the transmission.
Use only genuine Honda ATF-Z1
\f—\f—y

\fy
(\fy\fy
(AutomaticTransmissionFluid).Do not
deterioration in transmission mix with other transmission fluids.
ATF-Z1isnotcoveredbytheHonda
2008 Ridgeline

ÎÎ
Î Î
Î
µµ
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
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
\f—\f—y


y
(\fy\f\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