2018 HONDA RIDGELINE traction control

476
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA ® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine output and select ively applying the brakes.
When VSA ® activates, you may notice that the
engine does not respond to the accelerator.
You may also notice some noise from the
hydraulic system. You will also see the
indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
The VSA ® may not function properl y if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehi cle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA® System
Indicator

477
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To partially disable VSA ® functionality/
features, press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
The traction control stop s fully functioning,
allowing the wheels to spin more freely at low
speed. The VSA ® OFF indicator will also come
on and a message on the multi-information
display informs you that the mode is changed.
Traction control mode can not be changed
during Mud
* or Sand* modes. If you are
driving on mud or sand, Mud* or Sand*
Intelligent Traction Management modes can
also be used to free a stuck vehicle. On other
road surfaces, change to Normal or Snow
mode, then press and hold the (VSA ® OFF)
button.
To restore VSA ® functionality/features, press
the (VSA ® OFF) button until you hear a
beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® On and Off1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
With the button pressed, your vehicle will have
normal braking and corn ering ability, but VSA®
traction and stability enhancement becomes less
effective.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fr esh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the button is pressed, the traction control
function becomes less effective. This allows for the
wheels to spin more freely at low speed. You should
only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA ® off if
you are not able to free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® system switched off.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF Indicator
When the button is pressed
* Not available on all models

548
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Maintenance
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety
Requirements. All tires are also graded for treadwear, traction,
and temperature performance a ccording to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these
gradings.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder an d maximum section width.
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested un der controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
■Uniform Tire Quality Grading
■Treadwear
1 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
For example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.

549
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Maintenance
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asph alt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when te sted under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and ex cessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
■Traction
■Temperature
1 Traction
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
1Temperature
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is establishe d for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.

615
Index
Heating and Cooling System................... 195
Cooling................................................... 197
Defrosting the Windshield and Windows .............................................. 198
Heating................................................... 196
HFL (HandsFreeLink ®) ...................... 351, 376
High Beam Indicator .................................. 80
Hill Start Assist System ............................. 437
HomeLink ® Universal Transceiver ........... 348
Honda App License Agreement .............. 302
Honda Sensing
TM........................................ 22
HondaLink® .............................................. 278
I
Identification Numbers ............................ 602
Engine and Transmission ......................... 602
Vehicle Identification............................... 602
Illumination Control ................................ 157
Button .................................................... 157
Immobilizer System .................................. 133
Indicator ................................................... 81
In-Bed Box ................................................ 184
Indicators .................................................... 74
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).................. 85
All-wheel drive (AWD)............................... 83
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .................... 77
Auto high-beam ....................................... 81
Bed Lights On ........................................... 90
Blind spot information (BSI) ............... 87, 485
Brake System (Amber) ............................... 74 Charging System ............................... 75, 585
Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM
(CMBSTM) ........................................... 88, 89
CRUISE CONTROL .............................. 82, 446
CRUISE MAIN .................................... 82, 445
ECON Mode .............................................. 87
Electric Power Steering (EPS) System............................................. 80, 587
Fog Lights .................................................. 81
High Beam ................................................ 80
Immobilizer System .................................... 81
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) .... 86, 470
Lights On ................................................... 81
Low Fuel .................................................... 77
Low Oil Pressure ................................ 75, 585
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS ..................... 80, 588
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ............... 75, 586
Parking Brake and Brake System (Red)................................................ 74, 587
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) .............. 84
Seat Belt Reminder .............................. 36, 76
Security System Alarm ............................... 82
Shift Lever Position .................................... 76
Smart Entry System .................................... 83
Supplemental Restraint System ............ 52, 77
System Message ........................................ 82
Transmission .............................................. 76
Turn Signal and Haza rd Warning ............... 80
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®) OFF ............ 477
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®)
System............................................. 78, 476 Information
.............................................. 599
Information Button .................................. 104
Instant Fuel Economy ............................... 107
Instrument Panel ........................................ 73
Brightness Control................................... 157
Intelligent Traction Management System ..................................................... 443
Intelligent VTM4 (i-VTM4) ....................... 479
Interior Lights ........................................... 171
Interior Rearview Mirror .......................... 161
iPhone ....................................................... 301
iPod ........................................... 215, 264, 301
J
Jack (Wheel Nut Wrench) ........................ 571
Jump Starting ........................................... 579
K
Key Number Tag ....................................... 112
Keyless Lockout Prevention ..................... 120
Keys ........................................................... 111
Lockout Prevention.................................. 120
Number Tag ............................................ 112
Rear Door Won’t Open............................ 123
Remote Transmitter ................................. 119
Types and Functions ................................ 111
Kickdown (Automatic Transmission) ....... 439