2021 HONDA RIDGELINE Owner's Manual (in English)

400
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
■Restrictions on selecting a shift position
You cannot select a shift position under certain circumstances that may lead to a crash.
When the
transmission is in:1. Under these circumstances2. If you try to change to the
following:3. The shif t position
remains in/changes to:How to change the
shift position
(P
The brake pedal is not
depressed.
Other shift position
(P
Release the accelerator
pedal and depress the
brake pedal.
The accelerator pedal is
depressed.
(N
The vehicle is moving at low
speed without the brake pedal
depressed.
(N
The vehicle is moving at low
speed with the accelerator
pedal depressed.
(N, (D or (SThe vehicle is moving forward.(RStop your vehicle in a
safe place, keep the
brake pedal pressed,
and select the
appropriate shift
position.
(R or (NThe vehicle is moving backward.(D, (S
(R, (N, (D or (SThe vehicle is moving.(P

401
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
Use the paddle shifters to change betwee n 1st and 9th gears without removing your
hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential mode.
■When the transmi ssion is in (D:
The vehicle will go into th e sequential mode momentarily, and the sequential mode
gear selection indicator will come on.
Once you start traveling at a constant speed , the sequential mode will automatically
switch off, and the sequential mode gear selection indicator will go off.
Hold the
(+ paddle shifter for two seconds or push button to return to normal
drive.
■When the transmi ssion is in (S:
The vehicle will go into th e sequential mode, and the M (sequential mode) indicator
and sequential mode gear selection indicator will come on.
If the vehicle speed increases and the engi ne speed reaches near the tachometer’s
red zone, the transmission automatically shifts up to the next gear.
You can cancel this mode by holding the
(+ paddle shifter for two seconds or push
button. When the sequenti al mode is canceled, the M (sequential mode)
indicator and sequential mode gear selection indicator go off.
■Sequential Mode
D/S
D/S

uuWhen Driving uShifting
402
Driving
■Sequential Mode Operation1Sequential Mode Operation
Each paddle shift operation makes a single gear
change.
To change gears continuously, release the paddle
shifter before pulling it again for the next gear.
If the sequential mode gear selection indicator blinks
when you try to shift up or down, this means your
vehicle speed is not in its allowable gear range or the
protection of transmissi on system is necessary.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift
down while the indi cator is blinking.
Sequential
Mode Gear
Selection
Indicator
Downshifting when pulling
the paddle shifter.
(Changes to a lower gear)Upshifting when pulling
the paddle shifter.
(Changes to a higher gear)
Paddle Shifter
(Shift down) Paddle Shifter
(Shift up)

403
uuWhen Driving uECON Mode
Driving
ECON Mode
The ECON button turns the ECON mode on
and off.
The ECON mode helps you improve your fuel
economy by adjusting the performance of the
engine and climate control system.1 ECON Mode
While in ECON mode, the climate control system has
greater temperature fluctuation.
If the Snow , Mud
* or Sand* mode is turned ON
while the ECON mode is ON , the ECON mode will be
turned off.
* Not available on all models

404
uuWhen Driving uIntelligent Traction Management
Driving
Intelligent Traction Management
The Intelligent Traction Management opti mizes vehicle performance to help you
drive on various surfaces. The system has available modes to select from: Normal,
Snow , Mud
*, and Sand*.
Press the mode button to select the appropr iate mode. The mode you select appears
on the multi-information display. When the vehicle is turned off and restarted,
Intelligent Traction Management mode will revert to Normal.
1Intelligent Traction Management
Refer to the Off-Highway Dr iving section for driving
tips and safety precautions.
2 Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 383
Mud
Use when driving on
muddy road or off-
road surfaces.
Sand
Use when driving on
soft, sandy road or
off-road surfaces. Normal
Provides balanced
driving performance
on most road surfaces.
Mode Button
Snow
Use when driving on
snowy road surfaces.
AWD models
* Not available on all models

405
uuWhen Driving uIntelligent Traction Management
Driving
Normal
Provides balanced
driving performance
on most road surfaces.
SNOW Button
Snow
Use when driving on
snowy road surfaces.
2WD models

406
uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop
Driving
Auto Idle Stop
To help maximize fuel econ omy, the engine automatica lly stops when the vehicle
comes to a stop, depending on environmen tal and vehicle operating conditions. The
indicator (green) comes on at this time.
The environmental and vehicle conditions that
impact Auto Idle Stop system operation are
varied.
2Auto Idle Stop Activates When: P. 408,
409
The engine then restarts once the vehicle is
about to move again, and the indicator
(green) goes off.
2 The Engine Automatically Restarts When:
P. 410
If the driver’s door is opened while the
indicator (green) comes on, a buzzer sounds
to notify you that the Auto Idle Stop function
is in operation.
A message associated with Auto Idle Stop
appears on the multi-information display.
2 Indicators P. 78
2 Customized Features P. 298
1Auto Idle Stop
The 12-volt battery insta lled in this vehicle is
specifically designed for a m odel with Auto Idle Stop.
Using a 12-volt battery other than this specified type
may shorten the 12-volt ba ttery life, and prevent
Auto Idle Stop from activati ng. If you need to replace
the 12-volt battery, make sure to select the specified
type. Ask a dealer for more details.
The duration of the Au to Idle Stop operation:
•Increase in the ECON mode, compared to when the
ECON mode is off, with climate control in use.
2 ECON Mode P. 403

Continued407
uuWhen Driving uAuto Idle Stop
Driving
To turn the Auto Idle Stop system off, press
this button. The Auto Id le Stop system stops.
u Auto Idle Stop system will stop and the
indicator (Amber) will come on.
The Auto Idle Stop syst em is turned on every
time you start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the vehicle.
■Auto Idle Stop System ON/OFF1 Auto Idle Stop System ON/OFF
If you turn off the Auto Idle Stop system while it is
activated, the engine will restart.
Auto Idle Stop
System Indicator
(Amber)