2018 HONDA RIDGELINE towing

Contents
This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of your vehicle. You may find
descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s manual (including the front cover)
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but
not all, models. Your particular mo del may not have some of these
features.
This owner’s manual is for vehicles sold in the United States and
Canada.
The information and specifications in cluded in this publication were
in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any
obligation.2 Safe Driving P. 29
For Safe Driving P. 30 Seat Belts P. 35 Airbags P. 42
2Instrument Panel P. 73
Indicators P. 74 Gauges and Multi-Information Display P. 103
2Controls P. 109
Clock P. 110 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 111
Security System P. 133 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 136
Adjusting the Mirrors P. 161 Adjusting the Seats P. 163
Heating and Cooling System
* P. 195
2 Features P. 199
Audio System P. 200
General Information on the Audio System P. 298
HomeLink ® Universal Transceiver
* P. 348 Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ® P. 351, 376
2 Driving P. 409
Before Driving P. 410 Towing a Trailer P. 418
Parking Your Vehicle P. 501Multi-View Rear Camera P. 510
2Maintenance P. 517
Before Performing Maintenance P. 518 Maintenance MinderTM P. 521
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 543
Heating and Cooling System
*/Climate Control System* Maintenance P. 556
2 Handling the Unexpected P. 565
Tools P. 566 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 567
Overheating P. 583 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 585
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 595
2 Information P. 599
Specifications P. 600 Identification Numbers P. 602
Emissions Testing P. 605 Warranty Coverages P. 607

Contents
Child Safety P. 55Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 70Safety Labels P. 71
Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 128 Opening and Closing the Trunk P. 130
Opening and Closing the Moonroof* P. 140 Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 142
Interior Lights/Convenience It ems P. 171Climate Control System* P. 188
Audio System Basic Operation P. 206, 224 Audio Error Messages P. 294
Customized Features P. 317
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 430 When Driving P. 432 Braking P. 488
Refueling P. 512 Fuel Economy and CO
2 Emissions P. 515
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 525 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 537
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 545 Battery P. 554 Remote Transmitter Care P. 555
Cleaning P. 557 Accessories and Modifications P. 563
Engine Does Not Start P. 576Jump Starting P. 579 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 582
Fuses P. 589 Emergency Towing P. 594
Refueling P. 596
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 603 Reporting Safety Defects P. 604
Authorized Manuals P. 609 Customer Service Information P. 610
Quick Reference GuideP. 4
Safe DrivingP. 29
Instrument PanelP. 73
ControlsP. 109
FeaturesP. 199
DrivingP. 409
MaintenanceP. 517
Handling the UnexpectedP. 565
InformationP. 599
IndexP. 611

20
Quick Reference Guide
Driving (P409)
Release Button
Depress the brake pedal and press the
release button to move out of
( P.
Move the shift lever without pressing
the release button.
Press the release button to move the
shift lever.
Automatic Transmission (P440)
● Shift to
(P and depress the brake pedal when starting the engine.
● Shifting
Park
Turn off or start the engine.
Transmission is locked.
Reverse
Used when reversing.
Neutral
Transmission is not locked.
Drive
Normal driving.
Shift Lever
Intelligent Traction
Management ButtonLow●Strong engine power wh en 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
ButtonD4

24
Quick Reference Guide
Handling the Unexpected (P565)
Flat Tire (P567)
● Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire
located in the trunk.
Indicators Come On (P585)
● Identify the indicator and consult the
owner’s manual.
Engine Won’t Start (P576)
● If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse (P589)
● Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating (P583)
● Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing (P594)
● Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

409
Driving
This chapter discusses driving and refueling.
Before Driving................................... 410
Towing a Trailer ................................ 418
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines ..... 430
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 432
Precautions While Driving................. 438
Automatic Transmission ................... 439
Shifting ............................................ 440
ECON Button ................................... 442
Intelligent Traction Management...... 443
Cruise Control
*................................ 445
Front Sensor Camera*...................... 448Road Departure Mi tigation (RDM)
System*...................................... 450
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*....... 455
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)*.... 468Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System ............. 476
Agile Handling Assist ....................... 478
i-VTM4 (Intelligent Variable Torque
Management)-4 ® System
*.............. 479
TPMS with Tire Fill Assist .................. 480
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 482
Blind spot inform ation (BSI) System
*.... 484
LaneWatchTM*.................................. 486 Braking
Brake System ................................... 488
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 490
Brake Assist System ......................... 491
Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM
(CMBSTM)*..................................... 492
Parking Your Vehicle When Stopped ................................ 501
Parking Sensor System
*................... 502
Cross Traffic Monitor*..................... 506
Multi-View Rear Camera .................. 510
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 512
How to Refuel ................................. 513
Fuel Economy and CO
2 Emissions .... 515
* Not available on all models

413
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load Limit
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 1,444 lbs (655 kg).
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 1,543 lbs (700 kg).
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 1,477 lbs (670 kg).
See the Tire and Loading Informatio n label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weig ht of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -
(1) Locate the statement “The comb ined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your
vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
1Maximum Load Limit
3WARNING
Overloading or improper loading
can affect handling and stability
and cause a crash in which you
can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this manual.
2WD models
AWD without Moonroof models
AWD with Moonroof models
Label Example

uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
414
Driving
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of av ailable cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs. (1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That we ight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tra iler, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicl e. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces th e available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.1 Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all a ccessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load. 2 Specifications P. 600
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle. 2 Specifications P. 600
3WARNING
Never let passengers ride in the
pickup bed, in the trunk space, or
on the bed rails. This could cause
very serious injuries or death. No
one should ride in any position on
your vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and seat belts.
Exceeding load limits or
improperly loading cargo on the
vehicle can cause a crash in which
you can be seriously injured or
killed.
Load the cargo carefully before
starting to drive.

418
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the to wing guidelines. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
weight of the trailer, cargo, and everything in
or on it shown in the table.
Towing loads in excess of this can seriously
affect vehicle handling and performance and
can damage the engine and drivetrain.
Each weight limit is calculated based on the following conditions:
• Occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back
• Each occupant weights 150 lbs (68 kg)
• Each occupant has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area
Any additional weight, cargo or accessori es reduce the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load.
■Towing Load Limits1 Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and then
measure the tongue load with an appropriate scale or
tongue gauge or estima te it based on cargo
distribution.
Refer to the trailer owner’s manual for additional
information.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer duri ng your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information 2 Vehicle Specifications P. 600
3WARNING
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 before starting to drive.
Total Load
Number of
occupantsAWD models2WD models
25,000 lbs (2,268 kg)3,500 lbs (1,587 kg)
44,750 lbs (2,154 kg)3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)
54,500 lbs (2,041 kg)3,000 lbs (1,360 kg)