2010 HONDA RIDGELINE tailgate

To swing open the tailgate, f irst
make sure it is f ully closed, then pull
up the right lower handle, and swing
the tailgate to the lef t.
To close, swing the tailgate back,
and push it f irmly until it is latched.
The dropped open tailgate can be
used as an extended pickup bed.
Make sure to secure the items in the
pickup bed, and do not exceed the
maximum allowable weight on the
tailgate(seepage ).
To turn the bed lights on or off, use
the bed light switch on the
dashboard (see page ).
Bef ore opening or closing the
tailgate, check that passengers,
especially children, are not in the
tailgate’s path.
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144 T o Swing Open the T ailgate
Dual-Action Tailgate
114
HANDLESwinging the tailgate open or
closed while anyone is in its
path can cause serious injury.
Make sure all passengers are
clear of the tailgate’s path
before opening or closing it.
Do not drive with the tailgate swung
open. This could damage the tailgate.
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See page for information on
cargo loading and weight limits.
You can also store and lock items in
the In-Bed Trunk (see page ).
If you do not f asten the seat belt, you
f irst hear the seat belt reminder
alarm, then the tailgate reminder
beeper sounds.
The indicator does not monitor the
tailgate when it is dropped open.
Do not allow anyone to hang on the
swung open tailgate. This could
damage the tailgate.
Do not leave the tailgate swung open.
The tailgate may swing and shut
accidentally. This could cause
serious injuries.
Thebedlightscomeonwhenyou
swing open the tailgate. You can also
turn the bed lights on or off by
pushing the bed light switch on the
dashboard (see page ).
If the tailgate is swung open or not
closed tightly when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position, you
will hear six beeps and see the
indicator blinking. The indicator
stays on until you close the tailgate.
The beeper also sounds and the
indicator blinks when you move the
shif t lever out of the Park or neutral
position.
This indicator is in the door and
tailgate open monitor on the
instrument panel. It comes on when
the tailgate is swung open or it is not
completely closed. This indicator
worksevenif thekeyisnotinthe
ignition switch.
The tailgate open indicator appears
on the multi-information display (see
page ).
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259
116
On models without navigation system
On models with navigation system
L oading Cargo
T ailgat e Open Indicat or
Dual-Action Tailgate
Inst rument s and Cont rols
115
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To avoid damaging the key and key
cylinder of the In-Bed Trunk lid, do
notclosethetailgatewhenthekeyis
in the lid.As a saf ety f eature, your vehicle has
a release lever on the latch of the
In-Bed Trunk lid so it can be opened
f rom the inside. To open the In-Bed
Trunk, push the release lever in the
direction of the arrow.
Parents should decide if their
children should be shown how to use
this f eature. For more inf ormation
about child saf ety, see page .
To avoid damaging the seal on the
In-Bed Trunk lid, remove any debris
from the lid’s mating surface before
you close it.
To avoid damaging the bottom of the
In-Bed Trunk, do not drive over large
obstacles, and do not use it as a
jacking point to raise the vehicle. This indicator on the instrument
panel reminds you that the In-Bed
Trunk is open (see page ).
To avoid damaging the In-Bed Trunk
lid, and to prevent items f rom being
thrown about the vehicle and
possibly hurting someone in a crash
or sudden stop, be sure the In-Bed
Trunk lid is securely closed bef ore
driving away.
7538
Emergency Opener
In-Bed T runk Open
Indicator
In-Bed Trunk
Inst rument s and Cont rols
117
RELEASE LEVER
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If you turn the ignition switch to
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
without turning of f the bed lights,
the lights and the indicator will
remain on, then go of f af ter 20
minutes (see page ).
Your vehicle has bed lights in the
pickup bed: a light on each f ront
upper and rear bottom side. With the
shif t lever in the Park position, the
bed lights come on when you push
the bed light switch on the
dashboard, swing open the tailgate,
or open the In-Bed Trunk. The
indicator on the instrument panel
alsocomesontoremindyouthatthe
bed lights are on. To turn of f the lights, push the light
switch again, or close the tailgate
and the In-Bed Trunk.
When you move the shif t lever out of
the Park position, the bed lights go
of f and cannot be used. 74
Bed L ights
144
BED LIGHT SWITCH
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The security system will not set if
the hood, In-Bed Trunk, or any door
is not f ully closed. If the system will
not set, check the door and tailgate
open monitor and In-Bed Trunk open
indicator on the instrument panel
(see pages and ) to see if the
doors and In-Bed Trunk are f ully
closed. Since it is not part of the
monitor display, manually check thehood.Use the remote transmitter
to quickly check that the hood,
In-Bed Trunk, and all doors are
closed. Push the lock button twice
within 5 seconds. There should be an
audible conf irmation beep.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
11 75
Security System
Features
209
NOTE:
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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.
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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 beltproperly.
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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)(
s e e pag es,,, an d
).
1. 2. 3. 4.5.6. 8.
7. 9.
10. 11.
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61 76 77
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Preparing to Drive
Driving
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