2020 HONDA RIDGELINE brake fluid

23
Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance (P481)
Under the Hood (P489)
●Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
●Check brake fluid.●Check the battery condition monthly.
aPull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
bLocate the hood latch lever, pull it up, and then raise the
hood. Once you have raised the hood slightly, you can
release the lever.
cWhen finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights (P501)
●Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades (P507)
●Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires (P509)
●Inspect tires and wheels regularly.●Check tire pressures regularly.●Install snow tires for winter
driving.

74
Instrument Panel
Indicators
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator (Red)
●Comes on for a few seconds
when you set the power mode to
ON, then goes off if the parking
brake has been released.
●Comes on when the parking
brake is applied, and goes off
when it is released.
●Comes on when the brake fluid
level is low.
●Comes on if there is a problem
with the brake system.
●The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive
with the parking brake not fully
released.
●Comes on while driving - Make sure the
parking brake is released. Check the brake
fluid level.
2 What to do when the indicator comes
on while driving P. 553
●Comes on along with the ABS indicator
- Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
2 If the Brake System Indicator (Red)
Comes On P. 553
Brake System
Indicator (Amber)
●Comes on for a few seconds
when you set the power mode to
ON, then goes off.
●Comes on if there is a problem
with a system related to braking
other than the conventional
brake system.
●Comes on while driving - Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer.
●With this indicator on, your vehicle still has
normal braking ability.
U.S.
Canada
(Red)
U.S.
Canada
(Amber)
U.S.
Canada

385
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Continued
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover 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 th at 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 or
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 select a shift button 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 electric
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system
goes into a protective mode, and limits its
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder
and harder to operate. Once the system cools down,
the EPS system is restor ed. 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 press the
( N button, as you will lose engine
braking (and accelera tion) 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.

uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop
400
Driving
To turn the Auto Idle Stop system off, press
this button. The Auto Idle Stop system stops.
u Auto Idle Stop system will stop and the
indicator (Amber) will come on.
The Auto Idle Stop system is turned on every
time you start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the vehicle.
The vehicle stops with the transmission in
(D and the brake pedal depressed.
When you put the transmission into
(P, the Auto Idle Stop continues to operate,
even if the brake pedal is released. u If you depress the brake pedal, the engine may automatically restart.
■Auto Idle Stop does not activate when:
• The Auto Idle Stop OFF button is pressed.
• The driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
• The engine coolant temperature is low or high.
• The transmission fluid temperature is low or high.
• The vehicle comes to a stop again befo re the vehicle speed reaches 3 mph (5
km/h) after the engine starts.
■Auto Idle Stop System ON/OFF1 Auto Idle Stop System ON/OFF
If you turn off the Auto Id le Stop system while it is
activated, the engine will restart.
Auto Idle Stop
System Indicator
(Amber)
■Auto Idle Stop Activates When:
1 Auto Idle Stop Activates When:
Do not open the hood while the Auto Idle Stop
function is activated. If the hood is opened, the
engine will not re start automatically.
In this case, restart the engine with the ENGINE
START/STOP button.
2 Starting the Engine P. 379
Pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button causes
the engine to no longer restart automatically.
Follow the standard proce dure to start the engine.
2 Starting the Engine P. 379

481
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 482
Safety When Performing Maintenance ... 483
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 484
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 485
Maintenance Under the Hood Maintenance Items Under the Hood .... 489
Opening the Hood ........................... 490
Engine Compartment Cover ............. 491
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 492
Oil Check ......................................... 493
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 494
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ...495 Engine Coolant ................................ 497
Transmission Fluid ............................ 499
Brake Fluid ....................................... 500
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 500
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 501Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 507
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 509
Tire and Loading Information Label ... 510
Tire Labeling .................................... 510
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) .... 512Wear Indicators................................ 514 Tire Service Life ................................ 514
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 515
Tire Rotation .................................... 516
Winter Tires ..................................... 517
Battery ............................................... 518
Remote Transmitter Care Replacing the Button Battery ........... 520
Climate Control System Maintenance.......521CleaningInterior Care .................................... 522
Exterior Care.................................... 524
Accessories and Modifications ........ 528

482
Maintenance
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance
For your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of an y abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.)
■Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.
■Periodic inspections
• Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2 Checking the Brake Fluid P. 500
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examin e the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 509
•Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2Replacing Light Bulbs P. 501
•Check the condition of the wiper bl ades at least every six months.
2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 507
■Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are “certified” to
EPA standards.
According to state and fede ral regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all ma intenance services should
be performed in accordan ce with the intervals
indicated by the mult i-information display.
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 487
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills a nd tools, you can purchase a
subscription to the Service Express website at
www.techinfo.honda.com .
2 Authorized Manuals P. 577
If you want to perform ma intenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing maintenanc e, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models

487
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 575.
*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: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmission
temperatures. This requires transmission fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder
TM. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
fluid changed at every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
*5: 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).
*6: 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
TM. 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
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*5
●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*, *6
* Not available on all models

489
Maintenance
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood
Brake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Washer Fluid
Radiator Cap
Engine Coolant
Reserve Tank Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange) Engine Oil Fill Cap
Battery