2018 HONDA RIDGELINE steering

351Continued
Features
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ®
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ® (HFL) allows you to place and receive phone calls using
your vehicle’s audio system, without handling your cell phone.
Using HFL
(Pick-up) button: Press to go directly to the Phone screen or to answer an
incoming call. (Hang-up/Back) button: Press to end a call or to cancel a command.
(Talk) button: Press to call a number with a stored voice tag.
(Phone) button: Press to go directly to the Phone screen.
Selector knob: Rotate to select an item on the screen, then press .
■HFL Buttons
1Using HFL
Place your phone where y ou can get good reception.
To use HFL, you need a Bluetooth-compatible cell
phone. For a list of compatible phones, pairing
procedures, and special feature capabilities:
•U.S.: Visit automobiles.honda.com /handsfreelink/,
or call 1-888-528-7876.
•Canada: Visit www.handsfreelink.ca , or call 1-888-
528-7876.
Voice control tips
•Aim the vents away from the ceiling and close the
windows, as noise coming fr om them may interfere
with the microphone.
•Press and release the button when you want to
call a number using a st ored voice tag. Speak
clearly and naturally after a beep.
•If the microphone picks up vo ices other than yours,
the command may be misinterpreted.
•To change the volume level, use the audio system’s
volume knob or the remote audio controls on the
steering wheel.
State or local laws may pr ohibit the operation of
handheld electronic devi ces while operating a
vehicle.
Models with color audio system
Microphone
(Talk) Button
(Hang-up/Back) Button
(Pick-up) Button
Selector Knob (Phone) Button
Volume up
Volume down

376
Features
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ®
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ® (HFL) allows you to place and receive phone calls using
your vehicle’s audio system, without handling your cell phone.
Using HFL
■HFL Buttons
1 Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ®
Place your phone where y ou can get good reception.
To use HFL, you need a Bluetooth-compatible cell
phone. For a list of compatible phones, pairing
procedures, and special fe ature capabilities, ask a
dealer or your Honda dealer.
To use the system, the Bluetooth On/Off Status
setting must be On.
2 How to customize P. 323
Voice control tips
•Aim the vents away from the ceiling and close the
windows, as noise coming fr om them may interfere
with the microphones.
•Press the button when you want to call a
number using a stored voic e tag. Speak clearly and
naturally after a beep.
•If the microphones pick up vo ices other than yours,
the command may be misinterpreted.
•To change the volume level, select the audio
system’s VOL (Volume) or use the remote audio
controls on the steering wheel.
Up to five speed dial entries can be displayed among
a total of 20 that can be en tered. If there is no entry
in the system, Speed Dial is disabled.
2 Speed Dial P. 390
Up to five call historie s can be displayed among a
total of 20 that can be entered. If there is no call
history, Call History is disabled.
Models with Display Audio
(Talk) Button
Volume up
Microphone
(Hang-up/Back) Button
(Pick-up) Button
Volume down
SOURCE Button
(Menu) Button
Button

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uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Store or secure all items on board properly.
u Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, sto pping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 413
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
u They can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
• Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mat.
u An object or unsecured floor mat can in terfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
• If you have any animals on board, do no t let them move around in the vehicle.
u They may interfere with driv ing and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock all doors.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 121
•Adjust your seating position properly.
u Adjust the head restraint, too.
2Adjusting the Seats P. 163
2 Adjusting the front head restraint positions P. 168
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wh eel properly for your driving.
u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 160
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 161
■Interior Checks1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. Howeve r, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo area or tow a trailer, have
the aiming readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified
technician.

420
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■To estimate the tongue load
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
You can estimate the tongue load by meas uring the trailer hitch height from the
ground in the following steps:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch.
3. Connect the fully loaded trailer to the hitch.
4. Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch
again.
5. Subtract the second measurement from th e first measurement, then refer to the
following table.
If the difference becomes more than indicated in the table, distribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
If the difference isAWD models2WD models
1 inches (2.5 cm)150 lbs (68 kg)
1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm)250 lbs (114 kg)
2 inches (5.1 cm)350 lbs (159 kg)
2 3/8 inches (6.0 cm)450 lbs (205 kg)—
2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm)500 lbs (227 kg)—

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

uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
436
Driving
■To stop the engine1Remote Engine Start*
While the engine is running, the vehicle will
automatically preconditi on inside the vehicle.
When it is warm outside:
•The heating and cooling system*/climate control
system* is activated in recirculation mode.
•The seat ventilation* is activated.
When it is cold outside:
•The defroster is activated at a moderately warm
temperature.
•The rear defogger and door mirror heaters* are
activated.
•The seat heaters* and heated steering wheel* are
activated. 2Heated Steering Wheel
* P. 180
2 Front Seat Heaters and Seat
Ventilation
* P. 182, 183
Press and hold the
button for one second.Go within the range, and try again.
Some exterior lights will not flash when the remote is out of
the keyless access system range.
The engine will not stop.
Some exterior lights flash once if the engine stops
successfully.
* Not available on all models

438
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher ro llover rate than other types of vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than yo u would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any way that you would raise the center of gravity.
• Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of cargo on the roof rack (Honda accessory).
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something un der the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1 Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not change the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
NOTICE
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel in
the full left or right position for a while, the system
heats up. The system goes into a protective mode,
and limits its performa nce. The steering wheel
becomes harder and harder to operate. Once the
system cools down, the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can
eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY while
driving, the engine will shut down and all steering
and brake power assist functi ons will stop, making it
difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
( N, as you will lose
engine braking (and acce leration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.

445
uuWhen Driving uCruise Control*
Continued
Driving
Cruise Control*
Maintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the
accelerator. Use cruise control on freeways or open road s where you can travel at a
constant speed with little ac celeration or deceleration.1Cruise Control*
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed
when driving uphill or downhill.
When not using cruise control:
Turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE
button.
While in the ECON mode, it may take relatively more
time to accelerate to maintain the set speed.
Cruise control is not available when the Intelligent
Traction Management Snow, Mud
* or Sand* modes
are in operation.
3WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead
to a crash.
Use the cruise control only when traveling
on open highways in good weather.
■Shift positions for cruise control:
In ( D
When to use
Always keep sufficient distance
between you and the vehicle in
front of you.■Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above
roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~
How to use
CRUISE MAIN is on in the
instrument panel.
Cruise control is ready to use.
■Press the CRUISE
button on the
steering wheel.
* Not available on all models