This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your vehicle. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .58
............................
Instrument Panel .59
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .61
.............................................
Gauges .70
Controls Near the Steering
...........................................
Wheel .74
........................
Multi-Control Lever .75
...................
Headlight Control Dial .76
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .78
.................
Hazard Warning Button .79
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment .79
..................................................
Keys .80
........................
Immobilizer System .81
................................
Ignition Switch .82
......................................
Door Locks .83
..............
Childproof Door Locks .84
.
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .84
.......................
Remote Transmitter .90
.......................
Dual-Action Tailgate .93
...............................
In-Bed Trunk .96
.................................................
Seats .99
..................................
Seat Heaters .105
............................
Power Windows .107
.......................................
Moonroof .110
...............................
Parking Brake .111
...........................................
Mirrors .112 .........
Interior Convenience Items .114
.........................
Center Console .115
.......
Console Compartments .115
.........................
Cargo Hooks .116
.....................
Beverage Holders .116
..................................
Glove Box .117
................................
Coat Hooks .117
....................
Sunglasses Holder .117
........
Accessory Power Sockets .118
...................................
Sun Visor .119
............................
Vanity Mirror .119
...............................
Interior Lights .120
.....................................
Bed Lights .122
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols
57
TM
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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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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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These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
immobilizer system. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle. The valet key works
only in the ignition and the driver’s
door lock. You can keep the glove
boxlockedwhenyouleaveyour
vehicle and the valet key at a parking
f acility.
You can also keep the In-Bed Trunk
locked by using the main switch in
theglovebox(seepage ). Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your keys. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Use
only Honda-approved key blanks.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
The valet key does not contain a
battery. Do not try to take it apart.
98
Keys
80
VALET KEY
(LIGHT GRAY)
MASTER KEY
WITH REMOTE
TRANSMITTER
KEY
NUMBER
TAG
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When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the immobilizer
system indicator should come on f or
a f ew seconds, then go of f . If the
indicator starts to blink, it means the
system does not recognize the
coding of the key. Turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK (0) position,
remove the key, reinsert it, and turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position again.The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undrivable.
If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your dealer.
The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly-coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled.
If you have lost your key and cannot
start the engine, contact your dealer.
As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Immobilizer System
Inst rument s and Cont rols
81
Always take the ignition key with you
whenever you leave the vehicle alone.
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Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position f or more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds bef ore trying again.If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
down, and hold it there while
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.
5.
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Starting the Engine
200
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page .
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
81
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Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page . If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page
).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run. Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See
on page .
Check these things:
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all. You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
81
286
298 272
286
CONT INUED
Jump Starting T he Starter Operates Normally
Emergency T owing
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
285
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