2013 HONDA RIDGELINE brakes

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them. Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
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The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’ If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page . You will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
91
374
You should never pump the brake pedal. On models with navigation system
CONT INUED
ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
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Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a
sudden lane change. Always drive
at a safe speed for the
road and weather conditions. It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page
.If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss If this happens, you will also see
the ‘‘CHECK ABS SYSTEM’’ and
‘‘CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM’’
messages on the multi-information
display.
on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel
or snow, than a vehicle without
anti-lock. When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise from the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA system indicator blink. The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surf aces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
374
On models with navigation system
Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly, A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
A nti-lock Brakes (A BS), Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
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of control.

There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.A f actory installed, 4-pin gray
connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the
parking brake pedal. This connector
has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake
controllers. A jumper harness to
adapt your electric trailer brake
controller to the vehicle is included
with the optional Genuine Honda
trailer hitch kit. To obtain a trailer
hitch kit, see your dealer.
Have a qualif ied mechanic install
your trailer brake controller
f ollowing the trailer brake controller
manuf acturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake
controller may increase the distance
it takes f or you to stop your vehicle
when towing a trailer.Use this illustration to identif y each
terminal in the trailer brake
controller connector.
Honda recommends that any trailer
with a total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more has its own brakes.
Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Trailer Brakes
Towing a Trailer
296
BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
GROUND
(BLACK) STOP
(SKY BLUE)
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´
Ref er to the above illustrations f or
wiring information.The trailer jumper harness is used to
install the controller f or the electric
trailer brakes. For more inf ormation,
see
on page . Insert the trailer brake f use into the
secondary under-hood f use box (see
page ).
296 379
Except RT and U.S. Sport models Except RT and U.S. Sport models
T railer Connect or Socket s
T railer Jumper Harness
Trailer Brakes T railer Brake Fuse
Towing a Trailer
300
7-PIN TRAILER SOCKET
SMALL
LIGHT
(GREEN)
BACK LIGHT
(YELLOW)
GROUND
(WHITE) GROUND
(BLACK)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
LEFT
TURN/
STOP
(RED) BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE)
B
CHARGE
(BLACK)
RIGHT
TURN/
STOP
(BROWN)
ELECTRIC
BRAKE
(BLUE) BRAKE LIGHTS
(SKY BLUE)
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The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle’s handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills
and techniques.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system,
and lights are in good
operating condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are
within limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
When preparing to tow, and
before driving away, be sure to
check the following:
Towing performance can be
affected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Therefore,
premium fuel (premium
unleaded gasoline
with pump octane number
of 91 or higher)
is recommended when
towing more than
3,500 lbs (1,590 kg). The trailer tires and spare are
in good condition and
inflated as recommended by
the trailer maker. Your vehicle tires and spare
are in good condition and
properly inflated. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are
working properly.Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
on thef ollowing page.
CONT INUED
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
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Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
When towing a fixed-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 for braking. Loading
heavy cargo could affect your
vehicle’s handling and performance.
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.
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Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway, and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second (2) gear will
help you have a smoother start on
snow or ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not ‘‘pump’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.Your vehicle is not equipped with
undercarriage guards to protect key
components, so take care to avoid
rocks, tree stumps, and other
obstacles in your path.
Because your vehicle has a higher
center of gravity than a conventional
passenger vehicle, driving a wheel
over a tall object, or allowing a wheel
to drop into a deep hole, can cause
your vehicle to tip or roll over.
If you can’t clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
do not try to
turn around
A ccelerating and Braking A voiding ObstaclesDriving on Slopes
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
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