2012 HONDA RIDGELINE tailgate

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

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
Main MenuTable of Contents

The security system does 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 f ive 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:
Main MenuTable of Contents

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

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 the model)(
s e e pag es,,, an d
).
1. 2. 3. 4.5. 6. 8.
7. 9.
10. 11.
121 133
99
16
61 76 77
119 89
Preparing to Drive
Driving
271
Main MenuTable of Contents

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.
CONT INUED
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance
341
BULB
SOCKET
Main MenuTable of Contents

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 off 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

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
..........................
Fan, Interior . 147, 154
.........................................
Features . 145
...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iv
...................................
Dashboard . 3, 60
................
Daytime Running Lights . 97
.................................
Dead Battery . 372
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 408
......
Def rosting the Windows . 148, 155
................
Dif f erential Fluid, Rear . 390
....................................
Dimensions . 390
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 95
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 333
..................................
Engine Oil . 255
..........................
Directional Signals . 95
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 290
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 330
.
Door and Tailgate Open Monitor . 11
Doors
Locking and ..............
Unlocking . 103, 104, 107
..................
Lockout Prevention . 103
....................
Power Door Locks . 103
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 392
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5 ...........................................
Driving . 269
....................................
Economy . 256
...................................................
D3 . 275
Dual-Action Tailgate
...............................
Indicator . 11, 115
...................................
Operation . 113
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 346
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 256
..................................
Emergencies . 361
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 372
...........
Brake System Indicator . 378
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 363
.....
Charging System Indicator . 376
..................
Checking the Fuses . 380
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 99
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 376
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 377
..................
Overheated Engine . 374
............................
Stuck Vehicle . 385
.......................................
Towing . 385
.........................
Emergency Brake . 132
.......................
Emissions Controls . 399
........................
Emissions Testing . 402 Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 76
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 63, 377
.................
Oil Lif e Display . 315, 319
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 63, 376
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 328
...............................
Overheating . 374
............................
Specif ications . 391
............................
Speed Limiter . 277
.......................................
Starting . 272
.................
Engine, if it won