2008 HONDA RIDGELINE check transmission fluid

2008 Ridgeline Online Reference Owner's Manual
Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety .............................................................................................................................. iii Important Handling Information .................................................................................................................... iv
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) .................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) .................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls
(indicators, gauges, dashboard, and steering column)
............................................ 57
Features (climate control
, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control and Homelink)
...................................... 123
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break- in, and cargo loading) ..................................................................... 179
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ................................................................................................ 197
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 237
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, fuses) ...................................... 275
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 301
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 317
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ......................................................................................... 321
Index ............................................................................................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)
1 00X31-SJC-6202

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.
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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
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Ì
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Maintenance Minder
246
: Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km). Maintenance Sub Items
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
2
3
4
5
Symbol
A
B
Symbol 1
2 Symbol
6
1
1
If the message ‘‘SERVICE dUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
NOTE: 1:
244
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-
powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Driving in mountainous terrain at very low vehicle speeds,
towing a trailer, or driving when fully loaded results in higher
transmission and transfer temperatures. This requires
transmission and transfer fluid changes more frequently
than recommended by the Maintenance Minder.
If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have
the transmission and transfer fluid changed every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F,
43°C), in very low temperatures (under-20°F, -29°C), or towing a
trailer, replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada)
Driving in mountainous terrain at very low vehicle speeds,
towing a trailer, or driving when fully loaded causes more
mechanical (shear) stress and fluid deterioration. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than recommended
by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle
under these conditions, have the differential fluid changed at
7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
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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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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
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CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .185
..................................
Emergencies .275
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .286
...........
Brake System Indicator .292
................
Changing a Flat Tire .277
.....
Charging System Indicator .290
..................
Checking the Fuses .293
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .79
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .290
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .291
..................
Overheated Engine .288
............................
Stuck Vehicle .299
.......................................
Towing .298
.........................
Emergency Brake .111
.......................
Emissions Controls .312
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .72
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,291
.........................
Oil Lif e Display .239
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,290 ..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .248
...............................
Overheating .288
............................
Specif ications .305
............................
Speed Limiter .205
.......................................
Starting .200
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .285
Evaporative Emissions Control
........................................
System .312
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .313
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .16
................
Daytime Running Lights .78
.................................
Dead Battery .286
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .320
..............
Def rosting the Windows .129
................
Dif f erential Fluid, Rear .254
....................................
Dimensions .304
...............
Dimming the Headlights .76
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .253
..................................
Engine Oil .184
..........................
Directional Signals .76
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .212
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .250
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor .64
Doors
..
Locking and Unlocking .83,84,87
....................
Lockout Prevention .83
......................
Power Door Locks .83
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .306
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .197
....................................
Economy .185
...................................................
D3 .203
Dual-Action Tailgate
.................................
Indicator .64,95
.....................................
Operation .93 ..........
Dual Temperature Control .132
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .264
...................................
Fan, Interior .125
.........................................
Features .123
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .182
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .264
...............................................
Oil .250
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .79
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .277
Index
E
F
INDEX
III
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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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