2008 HONDA RIDGELINE coolant level

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .180
.................
Fuel Recommendation .180
.........
Service Station Procedures .181
....................................
Ref ueling .181
Opening and Closing the
.......................................
Hood .183
...................................
Oil Check .184
.............
Engine Coolant Check .184
...............................
Fuel Economy .185
...
Accessories and Modif ications .188
.............................
Carrying Cargo .190
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
179
\f—\f—y
\fy
(\fy\f
y
2008 Ridgeline

Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
1.
2.
3. 4.
248 251
245
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil Engine Coolant Check
Oil Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
184
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANK
\f—\f—y
\f
y
(\fy\f
y
2008 Ridgeline

µµµ
µ
µ µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
257
184
253 184
255
267
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maint enance
245
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\f\fy
2008 Ridgeline

Î
Î
Ì Ì
Ì
Î
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
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\f
y
2008 Ridgeline

If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks. Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
251
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
The washer level indicator will come
on when the level is low (see page
).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2. 65
Windshield Washers
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
252
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (seeon page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
4.
5.
6.
7. 8.9.
10.
11.
298
298
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
289
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
\f—\f—y

y
(\fy\fy
2008 Ridgeline

.......................
Label, Certif ication .302
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .76
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .14,19
...........................
Light Control Dial .76
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .257
.......................................
Indicator .66
.......................................
Interior .120
.........................................
Parking .76
..................................
Turn Signal .76
............................
Load Limits .191,217
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .82
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .82
............................
Fuel Fill Door .181
..................................
Glove Box .117
...............................
In-Bed Trunk .96
....................
Lockout Prevention .83
.................................
Power Door .83
........................
Low Coolant Level .184
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .65
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .62,290
Lubricant Specif ications
..................................
Chart .304,305 ...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) .190
..................................
Maintenance .237
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .245
................................
Minder .239-246
.........................
Minder Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .238
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .62,291
..............
Manual Seat Adjustments .99
...............................
Meters, Gauges .70
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .113
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .189
.......................................
Moonroof .110
...................
Neutral Gear Position .203
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .180
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .302 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .180
.........................................
Odometer .70
....................
Of f -Highway Driving .232
...................
Of f -Road Precautions .233
Oil
........................
Change, How to .249
......................
Change, When to .239
......................
Checking Engine .184
...........................................
Filter .250
..............
Pressure Indicator .62,290
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .248
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .82
............................
Outside Mirrors .113
....................
Overheating, Engine .288
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .245
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .180
..............
Panel Brightness Control .78
........................
Park Gear Position .202
...........................................
Parking .211
...............................
Parking Brake .111
Index
N O
P
M
L
VI
——y
y
(yy
2008 Ridgeline