2014 HONDA RIDGELINE engine

Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would
VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you
turned it off the last time you drove
the vehicle.
This switch is above the parking
brake release handle. To turn the
VSA system on and of f , press and
hold it until you hear a beep.
When VSA is off, the VSA OFF
indicator comes on as a reminder.
Press and hold the switch again. It
turns the system back on. In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or f resh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched of f . When the VSA system
is of f , the traction control system is
alsooff.Youshouldonlyattemptto
f ree your vehicle with the VSA of f if
you are not able to f ree it when the
VSA is on.
Immediately af ter f reeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.
350
VSA OFF Switch
VSA and Tire Sizes
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
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Driving
with VSA. if your vehicle was not equipped

Your vehicle has been designed to
tow a trailer, as well as carrying
passengers and their cargo. To
saf ely tow a trailer, you should
caref ully observe the load limits (see
page ), use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.The maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
depends on the number of occupants
in your vehicle and the type of trailer
being towed (see page ).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).
Be sure to read the
section on
258
244
293
CONT INUED
Towing Weight Limits
Load Limits
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
T ot al T railer Weight
Break-In Period
291
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
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Driving
page 304
if you plan to tow off
paved surfaces.

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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Driving

The banks and surf ace under the
water provide good traction. The
water may hide hazards such as
rocks, holes, or mud.
Before driving through water, stop,
get out if necessary, and make
sure that:
If you decide it is saf e to drive
through water, choose a suitable
speed, and proceed without shif ting,
changing speeds, stopping, or
shutting of f the engine.
Do not try to cross water at high
speeds, as this may cause severe
damage to the cooling system or
result in loss of control.
After driving through water, test
your brakes. If they got wet, gently
‘‘pump’’ them while driving slowly
until they operate normally.
If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may
be required. This service is not
covered by your warranties.
The water is not f lowing too f ast.
Deep rushing water can sweep you
downstream. Even very shallow
rushingwatercanwashthe
ground f rom under your tires and
cause you to lose traction and
possibly roll over. The banks are sloped so you can
drive out. The water is not deep enough to
cover your wheel hubs, axles, or
exhaust pipe. You could stall and
not be able to restart your engine.
The water can also damage
important vehicle components. If you get stuck, and cannot get
unstuck with the VTM-4 system,
engage the VTM-4
Lock (see page
), and carefully try to go in the
direction (f orward or reverse) that
you think will get you unstuck. Do
notspinthetiresathighspeeds.It
will not help you get out and may
cause damage to the transmission or
VTM-4 system.
If you are still unable to f ree yourself ,
your vehicle is equipped with f ront
and rear tow hooks designed f or this
purpose (see page ). 274
381
CONT INUED
If You Get Stuck
Crossing a Stream
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
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Driving

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
the model), and instructions for
simple maintenance tasks you may
want to take care of yourself.U.S. Vehicles:
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .310
.................
Maintenance Minder . 311
..............................
Fluid Locations .323
........................
Adding Engine Oil .324
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .325
..............................
Engine Coolant .327
....................
Windshield Washers .328
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 329
....................................
Brake Fluid .331
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 332
....................................
Timing Belt .333
.............................................
Lights .333
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 341
.....................................
Floor Mats .342
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 342
.................................
Wiper Blades .343
...........................................
Wheels .345
...............................................
Tires .345
...................
Checking the Battery . 353
.............................
Vehicle Storage .354
..................................
Interior Care .355
405
Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may
be done by any automotive
repair establishment or
individual using parts that are
‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA standards.
309
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To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required. All service items not detailed in this
section should be performed by a
certified technician or other
qualified mechanic.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine. Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards Injury f rom moving parts.
Burns f rom hot parts.
310
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual. Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
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Maint enance

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µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
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Your vehicle displays engine oil lif e
and maintenance service items on
the inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
the model) to show you when you
should have your dealer perf orm
engine oil replacement and indicated
maintenance services.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer
in your vehicle calculates the
remaining engine oil life and
displays it as a percentage. The remaining engine oil lif e is
shownonthedisplayaccordingto
this table:
To see the current engine oil lif e,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and press the SELECT
button repeatedly until the engine oil
life display appears (see page ).78
CONT INUED
Calculated Engine
Oil Lif e (%)100% 91% 90% 81%
80% 71%
70% 61%
60% 51%
50% 41%
40% 31%
30% 21%
20% 16%
15% 11%10% 6% 5% 1% 0% Displayed
Engine Oil Lif e (%) 100%90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
15%
10%5%
0%
On models without navigation system
Engine Oil L if e Display
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
311
SELECT BUTTON
ENGINE OIL LIFE DISPLAY
U.S. model is shown.
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The 15 and 10 percent oil lif e
indicator reminds you that the time
is coming soon to take your vehicle
in f or the required maintenance.
If the remaining engine oil lif e is 15
to 6 percent, you will see the engine
oil lif e indicator every time you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. The Maintenance Minder
indicator will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
near the ‘‘OIL LIFE’’ message. When the remaining engine oil lif e is
5 to 1 percent, you will see a
‘‘SERVICE’’ message along with the
same maintenance item code(s),
everytimeyouturntheignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
Maintenance Minder
312
‘‘SERVICE’’ MESSAGE
ENGINE OIL LIFE INDICATOR
U.S. model is shown. MAINTENANCE ITEM CODE(S)
MAINTENANCE MINDER INDICATOR
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Maint enance