2021 HONDA RIDGELINE Owner's Manual (in English)

552
Handling the Unexpected
If the Battery Is Dead
Turn off the power to electric devices, such as audio and lights. Turn off the engine,
then open the hood. 1.Pull up on the engine cover, remove it from
the pins.
u Start on the passenger side and lift the
outermost edge of the cover.
u Move towards the driver side while
applying uniform upward pressure.
2. Connect the first jump er cable to your
vehicle’s battery + terminal.
3. Connect the other end of the first jumper
cable to the booster battery + terminal.
u Use a 12-volt booster battery only.
u When using an automotive battery
charger to boost your 12-volt battery,
select a lower charging voltage than
15-volt. Check the charger manual for
the proper setting.
4. Connect the second jumper cable to the
booster battery - terminal.
■Jump Starting Procedure1If the Battery Is Dead
Securely attach the jumper cables clips so that they
do not come off when the e ngine vibrates. Also be
careful not to tangle the ju mper cables or allow the
cable ends to touch each other while attaching or
detaching the jumper cables.
Battery performance degrades in cold conditions and
may prevent the engi ne from starting.
3WARNING
A battery can explode if you do not follow
the correct procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames, and smoking
materials away from the battery.
Pins
Engine Cover
Booster Battery

553
uuIf the Battery Is Dead u
Continued
Handling the Unexpected
5.Connect the other end of the second
jumper cable to the engine hanger as
shown. Do not connect this jumper cable to
any other part.
6. If your vehicle is connected to another
vehicle, start the assisting vehicle’s engine
and increase its rpm slightly.
7. Attempt to start your ve hicle’s engine. If it
turns over slowly, check that the jumper
cables have good metal-to-metal contact.

554
uuIf the Battery Is Dead u
Handling the Unexpected
Once your vehicle’s engine has started, re move the jumper cables in the following
order.
1. Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle’s ground.
2. Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the booster battery -
terminal.
3. Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle’s battery + terminal.
4. Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the booster battery +
terminal.
Have your vehicle inspected by a n earby service station or a dealer.
■What to Do After the Engine Starts

555Continued
Handling the Unexpected
Overheating
How to Handle Overheating
Overheating symptoms are as follows:
•The temperature gauge needle is at the mark or the engine suddenly loses
power.
• The Engine Temperature Too Hot message appears on the multi-information
display.
• Steam or spray comes out of the engine compartment.
■First thing to do
1. Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place.
2. Turn off all accessories and turn on the hazard warning lights.
u No steam or spray present: Keep the engine running and open the hood.
u Steam or spray is present: Turn off the engine and wait until it subsides.
Then open the hood.
1 How to Handle Overheating
NOTICE
Continuing to drive with the temperature gauge
needle at the mark may damage the engine.
Continuing to drive with the Engine Temperature
Too Hot message on the multi- information display
may damage the engine.
3WARNING
Steam and spray from an overheated
engine can seri ously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is coming
out.
H
H

uuOverheating uHow to Handle Overheating
556
Handling the Unexpected
■Next thing to do
1.Check that the cooling fan is operating and
stop the engine once the temperature
gauge needle goes down.
u If the cooling fan is not operating,
immediately stop the engine.
2. Once the engine has cooled down, inspect
the coolant level an d check the cooling
system components for leaks.
u If the coolant level in the reserve tank is
low, remove the engine compartment
cover then add coolant until it reaches
the MAX mark.
2Engine Compartment Cover P. 498
uIf there is no coolan t in the reserve tank,
check that the radiator is cool. Cover the
radiator cap with a heavy cloth and open
the cap. If necessary, add coolant up to
the base of the filler neck, and put the
cap back on.
■Last thing to do
Once the engine has cooled sufficiently, re start it and check the temperature gauge.
If the temperature gauge needle has gone do wn, resume driving. If it has not gone
down, contact a dealer for repairs.
1 How to Handle Overheating
If the coolant is leaking, contact a dealer for repairs.
Use water as an emergency/temporary measure only.
Have a dealer flush the system with proper antifreeze
as soon as possible.
3WARNING
Removing the radiator cap while the
engine is hot can cause the coolant to spray
out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool
down before removing the radiator cap.
Reserve Tank
MAX
MIN

557
Handling the Unexpected
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On
■Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the engine oil pressure is low.
■What to do as soon as the indicator comes on
1. Immediately park the vehicle on level ground in a safe place.
2. If necessary, turn the hazard warning lights on.
■What to do after parking the vehicle
1. Stop the engine and let it sit for approximately three minutes.
2. Open the hood and check the oil level.
2 Oil Check P. 500
3.Start the engine and check th e low oil pressure indicator.
u The indicator goes off: Start driving again.
u The indicator does not go off within 10 seconds: Immediately stop
the engine and contact a dealer for repairs.
If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
■Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when there is a prob lem with the charging system.
■What to do when the indicator comes on
Turn off the climate control system, rear defogger, and other electrical
systems, and immediately co ntact a dealer for repairs.
1If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On
NOTICE
Running the engine with low oil pressure can cause
serious mechanical damage almost immediately.
1If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
If you need to stop temporarily, do not turn off the
engine. Restarting the engi ne may rapidly discharge
the battery.

558
uuIndicator, Coming On/Blinking uIf the Malfunction Indicato r Lamp Comes On or Blinks
Handling the Unexpected
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or
Blinks
■Reasons for the indicator la mp to come on or blink
• Comes on when there is a problem with the engine emissions control
system.
• Blinks when engine misfiring is detected.
■What to do when the indicator lamp comes on
Avoid high speeds and immediately get your vehicle inspected at a
dealer.
■What to do when the indicator lamp blinks
Park the vehicle in a safe place with no flammable items and wait at least
10 minutes or more with the engine stopped until it cools.
1 If the Malfunction Indicato r Lamp Comes On or Blinks
NOTICE
If you drive with the malf unction indicator lamp on,
the emissions control system and the engine could be
damaged.
If the malfunction indicator lamp blinks again when
restarting the engine, drive to the nearest dealer at
31 mph (50 km/h) or less. Have your vehicle
inspected.

559
uuIndicator, Comin g On/BlinkinguIf the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On
Handling the Unexpected
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On
■Reasons for the indicator to come on
• The brake fluid is low.
• There is a malfunction in the brake system.
■What to do when the indicator comes on while driving
Depress the brake pedal lightly to check pedal pressure.
• If normal, check the brake fluid level the next time you stop.
• If abnormal, take immediate acti on. If necessary, downshift the
transmission to slow the vehicle using engine braking.
If the Electric Power Steeri ng (EPS) System Indicator
Comes On
■Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when there is a pr oblem with the EPS system.
■What to do when the indicator comes on
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and restart the engine.
If the indicator comes on and stays on, immediately have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer.
1 If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On
Have your vehicle re paired immediately.
It is dangerous to drive with low brake fluid. If there
is no resistance from the brake pedal, stop
immediately in a safe plac e. If necessary downshift
the gears.
If the brake system indicator (red) and ABS indicator
come on simultaneously , the electronic brake
distribution system is not wo rking. This can result in
vehicle instability under sudden braking.
Have your vehicle inspecte d by a dealer immediately.
If both red and amber brake system indicators come
on, stop the vehicle in a safe place and have it
inspected by a dealer immediately.U.S.
Canada