2017 HONDA RIDGELINE Owners Manual

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
408
Driving
Towing generally requires a variety of supplemental equipment.
To ensure the best quality, we recommend that you purchase Honda equipment
whenever possible.
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer hitch as standard equipment. The jumper harness
and trailer brake fuse are stored in the glove box.
2 Trailer brakes P. 409
Open the lid of the socket (located next to the
trailer hitch) to expose the 7-pin trailer
connector.
■Hitches
Read the trailer manufacturer’s instructions , and select the appropriate draw bar for
the height of the trailer you will be towing.
■Towing Equipment and Accessories
Models with AWD1 Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and lo cal regulations.
Consult your trai ler maker for prope r installation and
setup of the equipment.
Improper installation and setup can affect the
handling, stability, and br aking performance of your
vehicle.
Consult your traile r sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of tra ilers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qua lified technician.
Trailer packages and products:
•Ball mount, hitch plug, hitch pin etc.•Wiring harness kit
•Trailer hitch kit (jum per harness included)
Are available at a dealer.
7-Pin trailer connector
Lid Trailer hitch

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Weight distribution hitches
Your vehicle is designed to tow without the need for a load distributing hitch. If you
wish to use one, please c onsult your trailer maker for proper installation and set-up.
Improper set-up could degrade the handling, stability, and braking performance of
your vehicle.
■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer bra kes: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure th ey are electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to attach trailer brakes to your ve hicle’s hydraulic system, as it will lower
braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.
The 4-pin gray connector instal led in your vehicle has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake controllers.1 Trailer brakes
The 4-pin gray connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the parking brake
pedal.

410
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
Have a qualified mechanic install your trailer
brake controller followi ng the trailer brake
controller manufacturer’ s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake controller
may increase the distance it takes for you to
stop your vehicle when towing a trailer.
The trailer hitch harness is used to install the
controller for the electric trailer brakes.
Insert the trailer brake fuse into the engine
compartment sub fuse box.
2 Engine Compartment Fuse Box Type B
P. 577
Electric Brake
(Brown) (20A)
Ground
(Black) Brake (Light
Green)
Stop
(Violet)
Trailer brake controller
connector’s terminals:
Electric Brake
(Brown)
Brake (20A)
(Blue)
Ground
(Black)
Brake Lights
(Sky Blue)

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
We recommend that you have a dealer install a Honda wiring harness and converter.
They are designed for your vehicle.1 Trailer light
The trailer lighting connect or is located behind the
trailer hitch.
Even if you are planning to use the non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converte r, ask a dealer for the
correct connector and pins.
Left turn signal and
brake lights (White)
Electric brake (Brown) Right turn signal and
brake lights (Red)
Back-up lights (Blue) Ground (Black)
Tail lights (Black)
+B Charge (Green)
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes:
(For 2WD Vehicles Only):

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
The 7-pin trailer connector is needed for your trailer lights. When inserting the
connector to the socket, ch eck if the connector and the socket are free of dirt,
moisture, or other foreign material.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type and brand. If a connector is
required, it should only be installed by a qualified technician.
■Sway control
This device can be used if your trailer te nds to sway. Your trailer maker can tell you
what kind of sway control you need and how to install it. Improper installation could
degrade the handling and stability of your vehicle.
■Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and te rritories require special exterior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes:
Tail lights
(Black)
Left turn
signal and
brake lights
(White)
Ground (Black) +B Charge
(Green)
Right turn
signal and
brake lights
(Red)
Electric brake
(Brown)
Back-up lights (Blue) 1. Pull the socket lid to open.
2. Insert the 7-pin trailer
connector into the socket. 3. Hook the lid
retaining tab onto the
socket retaining tab.
Socket
(For Vehicles Equipped with Trailer Hitch Harness Only):

413
uuTowing a Trailer uTrailer Stability Assist
Driving
Trailer Stability Assist
Helps to stabilize the vehicle and tra iler when the trailer severely sways.
■How trailer stability assist works
When the vehicle and trailer become unstable while driving, trailer stability assist
determines the cause. If the trailer oscilla tion is detected as the cause, and the
swaying increases, the system applies the br akes or controls engine output to reduce
vehicle speed.
Both the vehicle and trailer brake lights co me on automatically if you brake to
reduce vehicle speed.
1 Trailer Stability Assist
Trailer stability assist is not a function that prevents
the vehicle and trailer from swaying. Avoid high
speeds, abrupt steering, improper trailer load, and
sudden braking to keep the trailer from swaying.
When swayed too severely, the system becomes
ineffective, and you may lose control of your vehicle,
causing the trailer to roll over or get damaged. 2 Driving Safely with a Trailer P. 414
Trailer towing sway is caused by:
•Crosswinds
•Improper towbar down load
•Excessive Speed
The VSA ® system indicator blinks during the trailer
stability assist operation. 2 VSA ® Operation P. 462

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uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
• Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 404
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the tr ailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the traile r tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
(D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
• Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Operating speed when towing a trailer must not
exceed 62 mph (100 km/h).
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.
When towing a trailer, we recommend that you carry
a full-size spare wheel and tire for both your vehicle
and trailer. If you use the compact spare tire that
came with your vehicle, it could adversely affect
vehicle handling.
Remember to unhitch the tra iler before changing a
flat tire. Ask the trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare tire.
1 Towing Speeds and Gears
When towing a fixed-sided trailer (e.g., camper), do
not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h).
At higher speeds, the trai ler may sway or affect
vehicle handling.

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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the mark, turn off the heating
and cooling system*/climate control system* and reduce speed. Pull to the side of
the road safely to cool down the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the position if the transmission shifts frequently.
If the vehicle tires slip when retrieving a boat from the water, keep the transmission
in
(D. This prevents damage to the transmission.
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motorhome. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 580
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
■Retrieving a Boat
H
D4
* Not available on all models