2011 HONDA RIDGELINE emergency towing

If the vehicle’s tires slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shif t to f irst gear, and turn on VTM-4
lock (see page ). Disengage
VTM-4 lock as soon as the boat is
out of the water to prevent damage
to the VTM-4 system.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
Do not park on an incline unless it is
unavoidable. If you must park on an
incline, f ollow the steps below to
help prevent the vehicle and trailer
f rom rolling and possibly injuring
someone.
Turn the f ront wheels toward the
curb on a downhill, and away f rom
the curb on an uphill.
With the f oot brake f ully pressed,
have someone place wheel chocks
on the downhill side of the vehicle
and trailer wheels.
Firmly apply the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
putting pressure on the parking
mechanism in the transmission. It
also makes it easier to move the
shif t lever out of Park when you
want to drive away.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
When parking on level ground,
f ollow all normal precautions (see
page ) including putting the
transmission in Park, and f irmly
setting the parking brake.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.
1. 2. 3. 276
383
286
bottom Ret rieving a Boat
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Parking
Backing Up
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle
Driving
305
Main MenuTable of Contents

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire . 360
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 361
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 369
................................
Jump Starting . 370
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 372
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 374
..........
Charging System Indicator . 374
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 375
...............
Brake System Indicator . 376
..............................................
Fuses . 378
..............................
Fuse Locations . 381
......................
Emergency Towing . 383
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 383
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
359
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Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er toon page .
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page . Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it.
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
Turn of f all electrical accessories:
heater, A/C, climate control, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in Park, and set the
parking brake.
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
1. 2.
270
378 383 Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
370
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyonenearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
Main MenuTable of Contents

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.
383
383
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
373
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.
Main MenuTable of Contents

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
You will also see a ‘‘BRAKE FLUID
LOW’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
90
90383On models with navigation system
On models with navigation system
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
377
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CONT INUED
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required. If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see the previous
column).
For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
tie down hooks on the lower of the
f ront and rear bumpers.
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
383
FRONT
REAR
TIE DOWN
HOOK TIE DOWN
HOOK
‘‘Rocking’’ your vehicle between
f orward and reverse gear or revving up
the engine and allowing the wheels to
spin f reely at high speeds can damage
the automatic transmission. Use a tow
service to prevent transmission damage.
Towing your vehicle with two tires on
the ground will damage parts of the
4WD system. It should be transported
on a f lat-bed truck or trailer.
Main MenuTable of Contents

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 . 400 Engine
....
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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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 . 206
..
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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