2009 HONDA RIDGELINE tailgate

Your vehicle can carry a large
amount of cargo in the pickup bed.
However, the pickup bed is not
intended f or carrying passengers.
Peoplewhorideinthepickupbed
can be very seriously injured or
killed in a crash (see page ).
Make sure your cargo is properly
loaded and all items are secured so
they will not shif t or f all out while
driving.
When loading and unloading cargo,
make sure all passengers or any
objects are clear of the tailgate
bef ore opening or closing it. The
tailgate should be closed securely
bef ore driving when it is not used
as the extended pickup bed.
The maximum allowable loading
weight on the pickup bed is 1,100
lbs (500 kg). Do not exceed the
load limit (see page ).
Distribute cargo evenly on the
pickup bed. Place the heaviest
items on the bottom and as f ar
f orward as possible of the rear
axle. Tie down and secure all
items that could be thrown out of
the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If you stack items higher than the
bed sides, tailgate, or back window,
secure them with a net or cover.
This will reduce the risk of items
beingthrownoutof thepickup
bed during a crash or sudden stop.
When the tailgate is dropped open,
itcanbeusedasanextended
pickup bed. The maximum
allowable weight on the tailgate
while driving is 300 lbs (136 kg).
Exceeding this limit could damage
the tailgate.
Carrying heavy cargo in the
pickup bed will raise your vehicle’s
center of gravity. This can affect
handling and perf ormance. Drive
more slowly and cautiously, and
allow extra time and distance f or
braking.
8
260
CONT INUED
Carrying Cargo in the Pickup Bed
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
263
Allowing passengers to ride in
the pickup bed or on the tailgate
can result in death or serious
injury in a crash.
Make sure all passengers ride
in a seat and wear a seat belt
properly.
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2009 Ridgeline

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the tailgate is f ully
closed when it is not used as an
extended pickup bed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and In-Bed
Trunk are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
pages and ). When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the inf ormation
display or multi-inf ormation
display (depending on models)
(seepages,,,and
).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. 8. 7.
9.
10.
11.
121 133
99
16
61 76 77
90
119
Preparing to Drive
Driving
269
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2009 Ridgeline

Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the burned-out bulb by
pulling it straight out of the socket.
Drop open the tailgate.
Remove the two bolts, and remove
the rear light assembly f rom the
rear pillar.
Determine which of the three
bulbs is burned out: brake/
taillight, turn signal/hazard light,
or back-up light.
Install the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the lights to test the new
bulb.
Reinstall the inner f ender. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the f ront bumper.
Reinstall the holding clip, and push
in its head, then install the bolts
and tighten them securely.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
340
BULB
SOCKET
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2009 Ridgeline

Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door,
In-Bed Trunk lid, and tailgate seals.
Also, apply a vehicle body wax to
the painted surfaces that mate
with the door, In-Bed Trunk lid
and tailgate seals.
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting may be lost. To reset the time,
see page .
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradioyouwill
see ‘‘CODE’’ in the f requency display.
Use the preset bars to enter the code
(see page ).
The navigation system will also
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN
bef ore it can be used. Ref er to the
navigation system manual.
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Fill the f uel tank.
205
204
CONT INUED
On models without navigation system
On models with navigation systemVehicle Storage
Checking the Battery, Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
357
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2009 Ridgeline

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .254
..................................
Emergencies .359
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .370
...........
Brake System Indicator .376
................
Changing a Flat Tire .361
.....
Charging System Indicator .374
..................
Checking the Fuses .378
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .99
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .374
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .375
..................
Overheated Engine .372
............................
Stuck Vehicle .383
.......................................
Towing .383
.........................
Emergency Brake .132
.......................
Emissions Controls .397
........................
Emissions Testing .400Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .76
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .63,375
.................
Oil Lif e Display .313,317
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .63,374
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .326
...............................
Overheating .372
............................
Specif ications .389
............................
Speed Limiter .275
.......................................
Starting .270
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .369
Evaporative Emissions Control
........................................
System .397
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .55
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .398
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..........................
Fan, Interior .147,154
.........................................
Features .145
...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .3,60
................
Daytime Running Lights .97
.................................
Dead Battery .370
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .406
......
Def rosting the Windows .150,155
................
Dif f erential Fluid, Rear .333
....................................
Dimensions .388
...............
Dimming the Headlights .95
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .331
..................................
Engine Oil .253
..........................
Directional Signals .95
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .288
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .328
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor .11
Doors
Locking and ..............
Unlocking .103,104,107
..................
Lockout Prevention .103
....................
Power Door Locks .103
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .390
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5 ...........................................
Driving .267
....................................
Economy .254
...................................................
D3 .273
Dual-Action Tailgate ...............................
Indicator .11,115
...................................
Operation .113
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .345
Index
E
F
D
INDEX
III
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CONT INUED
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .386 Ignition
............................................
Keys .100
.........................................
Switch .102
............
Timing Control System .398
......................
Immobilizer System .101
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
.................................
In-Bed Trunk .116
..................
Emergency Opener .117
............................
Open Indicator .75
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel .61
...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) .66
.......................
A/T Temperature .69
....................
Back Window Open .75
.............................
Bed Lights On .74
Brake (Parking and Brake ....................................
System) .65
........................
Charging System .63
.............................
Cruise Control .67
.................................
Cruise Main .67
...................................
Door Open .75
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .67
...................................
High Beam .67
....................
In-Bed Trunk Open .75
........
Key (Immobilizer System) .66
.....................................
Lights On .69......................................
Low Fuel .68
........................
Low Oil Pressure .63
......................
Low Tire Pressure .72
..................
Maintenance Minder .71
Malf unction Indicator Lamp
.......................................
(MIL) .63
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .64
.......................................
Seat Belt .62
..........................
Security System .68
...............................................
SRS .64
..............................
Tailgate Open .75
.......................
TPMS System .72,73
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .66
............................
VSA Activation .71
.................................
VSA System .70
..........................................
VTM-4 .70
..............................
Washer Level .67
..................
Individual Map Lights .143
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .39
......................................
Inf ant Seats .39
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .349
.................................
Headlights .94,95
........................................
Aiming .336
..............
Automatic Lighting Off .96
.................................
Control Dial .95
............
Daytime Running Lights .97
..................
High Beam Indicator .67
.....
High Beams, Turning on .94,95
............
Low Beams, Turning on .95
.........................
Reminder Chime .96
Replacing Halogen ..............................
Bulbs .336,339
..................................
Turning On .95
............................
Head Restraints .122
.............................
Heated Mirrors .134
...............................
Heaters, Seats .126
.............
Heating and Cooling .147,153
.................
High-Low Beam Switch .94
HomeLink
Universal
................................
Transceiver .213
.......................
Hood, Opening the .252
..............................................
Horn .4,93
Index
INDEXI
V
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2009 Ridgeline

Î
Î
Î
CONT INUED
........................................
Sun Visor .140
........................
Sunglasses Holder .138
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ......................................
Servicing .32
.........................
SRS Indicator .30,64
...................
System Components .23
..................................
Synthetic Oil .327
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .359
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .390
.....................................
Tachometer .76
Tailgate, Dual-Action ...............................
Indicator .11,115
...................................
Operation .113
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .340
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .359
Technical Descriptions
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .390
.....
Emissions Control Systems .397
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .399
.......................
Temperature Gauge .76
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts .21
............................
Thef t Protection .204
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .399 ....................................
Timing Belt .336
....................................
Tire Chains .354
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .361
.................................
Tire Labeling .392
Tire Pressure Monitoring ....................
System (TPMS) .278
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .72,278
Required Federal ............................
Explanation .394
.............
Tire Pressure Monitor .279
....
TPMS Indicator .72,73,279,281
...............................................
Tires .348
..............................
Air Pressure .350
.........................
Checking Wear .350
..........................
Compact Spare .360
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading .390
......................................
Inf lation .349
..................................
Inspection .350
..............................
Maintenance .351
...................................
Replacing .352
......................................
Rotating .351
...........................................
Snow .353
....................
Specif ications .353,389
................................
Tire Chains .354
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .361 Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .296
................
Emergency Wrecker .383
.................................
Equipment .301
....
Equipment and Accessories .297
.............................
Weight Limit .293
.........................
Trailer Loading .295
.................
Trailer Towing Tips .303
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid .333
Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level .331
...........................
Fluid Selection .332
..............
Identif ication Number .387
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .271
.....................................
Treadwear .390
.................................
Trip Meter .79,84
................................
Trunk, In-Bed .116
....................................
Turn Signals .95
Index
U
T
INDEX
IX
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