2021 HONDA RIDGELINE maintenance

Continued533
uuCleaning uExterior Care
Maintenance
If you get gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery fluid on resi n coated parts, they
may be stained or the coating may peel. Prom ptly wipe it away using a soft cloth and
clean water.
Wipe using a glass cleaner.
Aluminum is susceptible to deterioration caused by salt and other road
contaminants. When necessary, as early as possible use a sponge and mild detergent
to wipe away these contaminants. Do no t use a stiff brush or harsh chemicals
(including some commercial wheel cleaners).
These can damage the protective finish on aluminum alloy wheels, resulting in
corrosion. Depending on the type of finish, the wheels also may lose their luster or
appear burnished. To avoid water stains, wi pe the wheels dry with a cloth while they
are still wet.
■Maintaining the Bumpers and Other Resin Coated Parts
■Cleaning the Window
■Maintaining Aluminum Wheels
1 Maintaining the Bumpers an d Other Resin Coated Parts
Ask a dealer about the corr ect coating material when
you want to repair the painted surface of the parts
made of resin.

534
uuCleaning uExterior Care
Maintenance
The inside lenses of exterior lights (headli ghts, brake lights, etc.) may fog temporarily
if you have driven in the rain, or after the vehicle has been run through a car wash.
Dew condensation also may build up inside the lenses when there is a significant
enough difference between the ambient and inside lens temperatures (similar to
vehicle windows fogging up in rainy conditions). These conditions are natural
processes, not structural design problems in the exterior lights.
Lens design characteristics may result in mo isture developing on the light lens frame
surfaces. This also is not a malfunction.
However, if you see large amounts of wa ter accumulation, or large water drops
building up inside the lenses, have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
■Fogged Exterior Light Lenses

535
Maintenance
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories
When installing accessories, check the following:
• Do not install accessories on the windsh ield. They can obstruct your view and
delay your reaction to driving conditions.
• Do not install any accessories over areas marked SRS AIRBAG, on the sides or
backs of the front seats, on front or si de pillars, or near the side windows.
Accessories installed in these areas may interfere with proper operation of the
vehicle’s airbags or may be propelled into you or another occupant if the airbags
deploy.
• Be sure electronic accessories do not overload electrical circuits or interfere with
proper operation of your vehicle.
2 Fuses P. 562
•Before installing any electro nic accessory, have the installer contact a dealer for
assistance. If possible, have a deal er inspect the final installation.
• Your vehicle should not be used to carry a slide-in camper. If you install a truck
cap, be sure it is properly installed an d does not exceed your vehicle’s load limits.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 367
1Accessories and Modifications
Honda Genuine accessor ies are recommended to
ensure proper operati on on your vehicle.
3WARNING
Improper accessories or modifications can
affect your vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a crash in which
you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instruction s in this owner’s
manual regarding accessories and
modifications.

536
uuAccessories and Modifications uModifications
Maintenance
Modifications
Do not modify your vehicle in a manner that may affect its handling, stability, or
reliability, or install non-genuine Honda parts or accessories that may have a similar
effect.
Even minor modifications to vehicle systems can affect overall vehicle performance.
Always make sure all equipment is prop erly installed and maintained, and do not
make any modification to your vehicle or its systems that might cause your vehicle
to no longer meet federal, state, province, territory, and local regulations.
The on-board diagnostic port (OBD-II/SAE J1962 connector) installed on this vehicle
is intended to be used with automobile system diagnostic devices or with other
devices that Honda has approved. Use of any other type of device may adversely
affect the vehicle’s electronic systems or allow them to be compromised, possibly
resulting in a system malfunction, draine d battery, or other unexpected problems.
Do not modify or attempt to repair any of the electrical components.

588
Index
Average Fuel Economy............................. 113
B
Battery....................................................... 525
Charging System Indicator ................. 79, 557
If the Battery Is Dead ............................... 552
Maintenance (Checking the Battery) ........ 525
Bed Lights .................................................. 193
Indicator .................................................... 95
Belts (Seat) .................................................. 37
Beverage Holders ...................................... 179
Blind spot information System ................ 420
Indicator .................................................... 92
Bluetooth ® Audio ..................................... 259
Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ®................... 329
Booster Seats (For Children) ....................... 73
Brake System ............................................. 468
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ................... 470
Brake Assist System ................................. 471
Brake System Indicator............................... 78
Fluid ........................................................ 507
Foot Brake ............................................... 469
Indicator ............................................ 78, 559
Parking Brake .......................................... 468
Brake System Indicator (Amber) ................ 78
Brake System Indicator (Red) ............. 78, 559
Brightness Control (Instrument Panel) .... 160
Bulb Replacement ..................................... 508
Brake/Taillight and Rear Side Marker
Light ...................................................... 512 Daytime Running Light
and Parking
Light...................................................... 510
Front Side Marker Light ........................... 510
Front Turn Signal/Parking Light ................ 511
Headlights ............................................... 508
High-Mount Brake Light .......................... 513
Rear License Plate Light ........................... 513
Rear Turn Signal and Back-Up Light ......... 512
Side Turn Signal/Emergency Indicator Light...................................................... 511
Bulb Specifications ................................... 574
C
Car Wash Mode........................................ 399
Carbon Monoxide Gas ............................... 74
Cargo Hooks ............................................. 194
Carrying Cargo ......................... 365, 367, 370
Certification Label .................................... 576
Changing Bulbs ........................................ 508
Charging System Indicator ................. 79, 557
Child Safety ................................................. 59
Childproof Door Locks............................. 129
Emergency Trunk Opener ........................ 135
Child Seat .................................................... 59
Booster Seats ............................................ 73
Child Seat for Infants................................. 61
Child Seat for Small Children ..................... 62
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt ......................................................... 67 Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child
Seat ........................................................ 64
Larger Children ......................................... 72
Rear-facing Child Seat............................... 61
Selecting a Child Seat ............................... 63
Using a Tether .......................................... 69
Childproof Door Locks ............................. 129
Cleaning the Exterior ............................... 531
Cleaning the Interior ............................... 529
Climate Control System ........................... 195
Changing the Mode................................ 195
Defrosting the Windshield and Windows .............................................. 196
Dust and Pollen Filter .............................. 528
Recirculation and Fresh Air Mode ............ 196
Sensors ................................................... 201
Synchronized Mode ................................ 198
Using Automatic Climate Control............ 195
Clock ......................................................... 116
Coat Hook ................................................ 180
Collision Mitigation Braking System
TM
(CMBSTM) ................................................. 426
Indicator ............................................. 93, 94
Compact Spare Tire .......................... 539, 575
Console Compartment ............................. 178
Controls .................................................... 115
Conversation Mirror ................................ 181
Coolant (Engine) ...................................... 504
Adding to the Radiator ........................... 505
Adding to the Reserve Tank .................... 504
Overheating ............................................ 555

592
Index
Turn Signals ............................................. 148
Load Limits ................................................ 367
Locking/Unlocking .................................... 117
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .................. 130
Childproof Door Locks ............................. 129
From Inside .............................................. 127
From Outside ........................................... 120
Key .......................................................... 117
Using a Key ............................................. 126
Lockout Prevention System ...................... 126
Low Battery Charge .................................. 557
Low Fuel Indicator ...................................... 82
Low Oil Pressure Indicator ................. 79, 557
Low Tire Pressure Indicator ........................ 85
Lower Anchors ............................................ 64
Lubricant Specifications Chart ................. 575
Luggage (Maximum Load Limit) .............. 367
Lumbar Support ........................................ 166
M
M (sequential mode) Indicator/Sequential
Mode Gear Selection Indicator ................ 80
Maintenance ............................................. 487
Battery..................................................... 525
Brake Fluid............................................... 507
Cleaning .................................................. 529
Climate Control System ........................... 528
Coolant ................................................... 504
Maintenance Minder
TM............................ 491
Oil ........................................................... 500 Precautions ............................................. 488
Radiator .................................................. 505
Remote Transmitter ................................. 527
Replacing Light Bulbs .............................. 508
Safety...................................................... 489
Service Items ........................................... 494
Tires ........................................................ 516
Transmission Fluid ................................... 506
Under the Hood ...................................... 496
Wiper Blades ........................................... 514
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .............. 79, 558
Map Lights ................................................ 176
Maximum Load Limit ............................... 367
Meters, Gauges ......................................... 110
Mirrors ...................................................... 164
Adjusting ................................................ 164
Door ....................................................... 165
Exterior ................................................... 165
Interior Rearview ..................................... 164
Modifications (and Accessories) .............. 535
Moonroof ................................................. 143
MP3 ........................................................... 256
MP3/WMA/AAC ........................................ 256
Multi-Information Display ....................... 111
Multi-View Rear Camera .......................... 481
N
Numbers (Identification).......................... 576
O
Odometer................................................. 112
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines ............. 383
Oil (Engine) .............................................. 499
Adding ................................................... 501
Checking ................................................ 500
Displaying Oil Life ................................... 491
Low Oil Pressure Indicator ................. 79, 557
Recommended Engine Oil ....................... 499
Viscosity.................................................. 499
Open Source Licenses .............................. 297
Opening/Closing Hood ...................................................... 497
Moonroof ............................................... 143
Power Windows...................................... 139
Tailgate................................................... 132
Trunk ...................................................... 133
Outside Temperature Display ................. 113
Overheating ............................................. 555
P
Paddle Shifters (Sequential Mode) ... 22, 402
Pandora® ................................................. 254
Panic Mode ............................................... 138
Parking ..................................................... 472
Parking Brake ........................................... 468
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator ........................................... 78, 559
Parking Sensor System ............................. 473
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator ................. 56