2018 HONDA RIDGELINE towing

427
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. 428
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. 476

428
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. 418
•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.

429
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. 594
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
■Retrieving a Boat
H
D4
* Not available on all models

440
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift positi on in accordance with your driving needs.
■Shift lever positions
1Shifting
You cannot change the pow er mode from ON to
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) unless the shift lever is in
( P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
(N while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pe dal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
When shifting gears in extremely low temperatures
(-22°F/-30°C), there may be a short delay before the
shift indicated in the display. Always confirm you are
in the correct gear before driving.Park
Used when parking or starting
the engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used:
●For normal driving (gears change
between 1st and 6th
automatically)
Low●Strong engine power when
climbing and strong engine
braking when going down steep
hills.
Drive (D4)
Press the button while the shift
lever is in
( D.
Used when:
●Going up or down hills●Towing a trailer in hilly terrain
D4
Release Button
Button
D4

485
uuWhen Driving uBlind spot information (BSI) System*
Driving
■When the system detects a vehicle1Blind spot inform ation (BSI) System*
You can change the setting for BSI.
2 Customized Features P. 317
Turn the system off when towing a trailer.
The system may not work properly for the following
reasons:
•The added mass tilts the vehicle and changes the
radar coverage.
•The trailer itself can be detected by the radar
sensors, causing the BSI al ert indicators to come on.
BSI may be adversel y affected when:
•Objects (guard rails, poles, trees, etc,.) are
detected.
•An object that does not re flect radio waves well,
such as a motorcycle, is in the alert zone.
•Driving on a curved road.
•A vehicle is moving from a far lane to the adjacent
lane.
•The system picks up external electrical interference.•The rear bumper or the sens ors have been improperly
repaired or the rear bu mper has been deformed.
•The orientation of the sensors has been changed.•In bad weather (Heavy rain, snow, and fog).
For proper BSI use:
•Always keep the rear bumper corner area clean.
•Do not cover the rear bumper corner area with
labels or sticke rs of any kind.
•Take your vehicle to a dealer if you need the rear
bumper corner area or the radar sensors to be repaired,
or the rear bumper corner area is strongly impacted.
■Comes on when●A vehicle enters the ale rt zone from behind
to overtake you with a speed difference of
no more than 31 mph (50 km/h) from your
vehicle.
●You pass a vehicle with a speed difference
of no more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
BSI Alert Indicator: Located near the outside
rearview mirror on both sides.
■Blinks and the beeper sounds when
You move the turn signal lever in the direction
of the detected vehicle. The beeper sounds
three times. Comes On
Blinks
* Not available on all models

523
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the maintenance message in the
multi-information display, replace the brake fluid
every 3 years.
•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder MessageSystem Message
Indicator
Sub Items
Main
Item
*1: If the message
Maintenance Due Now does not appear more than 12 months after the display
is reset, change the engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column on page 607.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and li nes (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under
-20°F, -29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.) / 100,000 km (Canada).
*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (Shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3
●Replace transmission fluid and transfer fluid*
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*, *5
* Not available on all models

565
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
ToolsTypes of Tools .................................. 566
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 567
Engine Does Not Start Checking the Engine ........................ 576
If the Smart Entry Remote Battery is Weak .......................................... 577
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 578
Jump Starting .................................... 579
Shift Lever Does Not Move .............. 582Overheating
How to Handle Overheating............. 583
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On ............................................. 585
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 585
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 586
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On .................................................... 587
If the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System
Indicator Comes On ........................... 587 If the Low Tire Pressure/Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) Indicator Comes
On or Blinks........................................ 588
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 589
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 593
Emergency Towing ........................... 594
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door ................................................. 595
Refueling
Refueling From a Portable Fuel Container ................................... 596

uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire
568
Handling the Unexpected
1. Open the trunk.
2. Remove the two tire tray holding bolts.
3. Pull out the tire tray with the handles, and
hook the rear of the ti re tray to the guides
on the back edge of the trunk.
4. Loosen the strap, then take the jack out.
■Getting Ready to Replace the Flat Tire1Changing a Flat Tire
NOTICE
Do not use the jack if it doesn’t work properly. Call
your dealer or a prof essional towing service.
Tire Tray
Tire Tray Holding Bolts
Handles
StrapJack