2013 HONDA RIDGELINE ECU

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 information
display or multi-information
display (depending on the model)
(see pages , ,
,
).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. 8. 7.
9.
10.
11.
121 133
99
16
61 76 77
119
Preparing to Drive
Driving
267
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and 89

Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area in your vehicle or
the In-Bed Trunk, or take them
with you.
Lock the doors.
Check the indicator on the driver’s
door to verify that the security
system is set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.If the vehicle is facing uphill,
turn the front wheels away
from the curb.
If the vehicle is facing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward
the curb.
On vehicles with security system
Parking
Parking T ips
285
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Driving

Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. See page f or proper
tire size, page f or how to store a
full size wheel and tire, and page
f or inf ormation on changing a
flat tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
before changing a flat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency
where and how to store the
trailer’s spare tire.
This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
dealer or rental agency can tell you
what kind of sway control you need
and how to install it.
Many states and provinces require
special exterior mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don’t, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot. 350
364
359
Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rol Spare Tires
Trailer Mirrors
Towing a Trailer
297
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Driving

CONT INUED
Insert the connector securely into
the socket.
Hook the retaining tab on the
inner side of the lid against the
retaining tab of the connector to
prevent disconnection during
operation.
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer
hitch as standard equipment. Make sure the connector and the
socketarefreeof dirt,moisture,
or other f oreign material.
Open the socket lid by pulling it up.
Also see page f or trailer-related
inf ormation.
The 7-pin trailer connector is needed
f or the trailer lights. To connect the
connector:
1.
2.3.
4.
295
Except RT and U.S. Sport models
Towing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Connect ing t he T railer Connect ors
299
TRAILER HITCH
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTORLID
RETAINING
TAB
SOCKET RETAINING TAB
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Driving

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
301
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Driving

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on the valve cover. Pour in
the oil slowly and caref ully so you do
not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Reinstall the engine
oil f ill cap, and tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes, and recheck the
oil level on the engine oil dipstick.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine.Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 0W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
0W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
0W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
324
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
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Maint enance

Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the fill plug, then
add the fluid into the fill hole to
bring it to the level between the
upper and lower marks on
the
dipstick.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the
engine compartment.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick
and check the fluid level. It
should be between the upper
and lower marks. Always use Honda ATF DW-1
(automatic transmission f luid).
6.
5.
3.
4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
330
DIPSTICK UPPER MARKLOWER MARK
Use only Honda ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission f luid). Do not mix with
other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Honda ATF DW-1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
ATF DW-1 is not covered by the Honda
new vehicle warranty.
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Maint enance

Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way, and remove the bulb.Install the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber weather seal
over the back of the headlight
assembly. Make sure it is right
side up.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
Lights
334
WEATHER SEALCONNECTOR HOLD-DOWN WIRE
BULB
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Maint enance