2011 HONDA RIDGELINE towing

Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
When towing a f ixed-sided trailer
(e.g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling.
When towing a trailer on level roads
under normal driving conditions, do
not use D3. This will increase the
automatic transmission fluid
temperature and may cause
overheating.With heavy cargo on the pickup bed,
your vehicle has a higher center of
gravity. Drive slowly and cautiously,
and allow more time and distance f or
braking. Loading heavy cargo could
af f ect your vehicle’s handling and
perf ormance.
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses.
Allow more time and distance f or
braking. Do not brake or turn
suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and use D3. Do not
‘‘ride’’ the brakes.
If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission f luid
temperature increases and exceeds
the specif ied limit, the A/T
temperature indicator comes on (see
page ).
You will also see an ‘‘A/T TEMP
HIGH’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ). 69
91
On models with navigation system
T owing Speeds and Gears
Making T urns and BrakingDriving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
304
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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
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Use a nylon strap to attach your
vehicle to the recovery vehicle, and
caref ully take out the slack in the
strap. Once the strap is tight, the
recovery vehicle should apply f orce.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoid
becoming stuck, too.
You should never use a jack to try to
get unstuck. Your vehicle could
easily slip of f the jack and hurt you
or someone else.You may saf ely tow a trailer of f -road
if you f ollow these guidelines:
Do not exceed the trailer weight
or tongue limits (see page ).
Stay on smooth, level dirt roads,
and avoid driving in hilly terrain.
Allow extra room f or starting,
stopping, and turning.
Slow down if you encounter bumps
or other obstacles. 295
Towing a Trailer Off-Road
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
310
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Î ÎÌ Ì
µµ
Î Ì
Maintenance Minder
324
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/VSA)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
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
Symbol
Symbol
A
B 12 3 4 5 6
TM
If the message, ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ or ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more
than 12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
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 if they are noisy.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
NOTE : : :
323
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
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).
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 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).
Driving in mountainous terrain at very low 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
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µµTheheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items on the
pickup bed or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied technician.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance minder schedule.
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicleinanyof thefollowing
conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently towing a trailer. Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Timing Belt
Timing Belt, Lights
336
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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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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Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
If you tow a trailer f requently, we
recommend that you use a regular
tire as a spare. You can store the
regular size spare tire on the tire tray,
but store the tool kit at the side of
the In-Bed Trunk (see page ),
and secure it.
2.
1.
367
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
361
TOOL BOX SPARE TIRE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by thejack.
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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.
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