2021 HONDA RIDGELINE emergency towing

Contents
Child Safety P. 59Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 74Safety Labels P. 75
Tailgate P. 131 Opening and Closing the Trunk P. 133
Moonroof* P. 143 Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 145
Interior/Exterior Convenience Items P. 175Climate Control System P. 195
Audio System Basic Operation P. 211 Audio Error Messages P. 278
Customized Features P. 298
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 383 When Driving P. 385 Honda Sensing® P. 423
Multi-View Rear Camera P. 481 Refueling P. 483 Fuel Economy and CO
2 Emissions P. 486
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 496 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 508
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 516 Battery P. 525 Remote Transmitter Care P. 527
Cleaning P. 529 Accessories and Modifications P. 535
Engine Does Not Start P. 549If the Battery Is Dead P. 552
Fuses P. 562 Emergency Towing P. 568
If You Cannot Unlock the Tailgate P. 570 Refueling P. 571
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 577 Reporting Safety Defects P. 578
Authorized Manuals P. 584 Customer Service Information P. 585
Quick Reference GuideP. 6
Safe DrivingP. 31
Instrument PanelP. 77
ControlsP. 115
FeaturesP. 203
DrivingP. 363
MaintenanceP. 487
Handling the UnexpectedP. 537
InformationP. 573
IndexP. 587

26
Quick Reference Guide
Handling the Unexpected (P537)
Flat Tire (P539)
●Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire
located in the trunk.
Indicators Come On (P557)
●Identify the indicator and consult the
owner’s manual.
Engine Won’t Start (P549)
●If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse (P562)
●Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating (P555)
●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 (P568)
●Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

81
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Transmission
System
Indicator
●The current shift position or all the
shift positions blink if there is a
problem with the transmission system
and the vehicle will no longer move.●Immediately stop in a safe place.
2Emergency Towing P. 568●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
●The current shift position or all the
shift positions blink if you cannot
select
(P due to the transmission
system failure.
●The engine can be activated as a
temporary measure.
2 If the Transmission System Indicator
Blinks along with the Warning
Message P. 561
●Set the parking brake when parking.●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicator
●Blinks and the beeper sounds for a
few seconds if you are not wearing a
seat belt when you set the power
mode to ON, then the indicator
comes on.
●If the front passenger is not wearing a
seat belt, the indicator comes on a
few seconds later.
●Blinks while driving if you and/or the
front passenger has not fastened a
seat belt. The beeper sounds and the
indicator blinks at regular intervals.
●The beeper stops and the indicator goes
off when you and the front passenger
fasten their seat belts.
●Stays on after you and/or the front
passenger has fastened the seat
belt(s) - A detection error may have
occurred in the sensor. Have your vehicle
checked by a dealer.
2 Seat Belt Reminder P. 38

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Behind a Motorhome
382
Driving
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the mark, turn off the climate
control system and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool down
the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the
(S position if the transmission shifts frequently.
When retrieving a boat from the water, we recommend using the sequential mode
(S to utilize the transmissions lower gears.
Towing Behind a Motorhome
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refe r to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 568
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
■Retrieving a Boat
1Driving in Hilly Terrain
If the automatic transmission fluid temperature
exceeds the specified limit, the transmission will also
automatically up shift, even in the sequential mode.
H

537
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
ToolsTypes of Tools .................................. 538
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 539
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 549
If the Smart Entry Remote Battery is Weak .......................................... 550
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 551
If the Battery Is Dead ....................... 552
Overheating How to Handle Overheating ............. 555 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 557
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 557
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 558
If the Brake System I ndicator (Red) Comes
On .................................................559
If the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System
Indicator Comes On ....................... 559
If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator Comes On or Blinks........................ 560 If the Transmission System Indicator Blinks
along with the Warning Message... 561
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 562
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 567
Emergency Towing ........................... 568
If You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door....569
If You Cannot Unlock the Tailgate ... 570
Refueling
Refueling From a Portable Fuel Container ................................... 571

549
Handling the Unexpected
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine
If the engine does not start, check the starter.
Starter conditionChecklist
Starter doesn’t turn or turns
over slowly.
The battery may be dead. Check
each of the items on the right and
respond accordingly.Check for a message on the multi-information display.
●If the To Start, Hold Remote Near Start Button message appears
2If the Smart Entry Remote Battery is Weak P. 550
uMake sure the smart entry remote is in its operating range.
2 ENGINE START/STOP Button Operating Range P. 145
Check the brightness of the interior lights.
Turn on the interior lights and check the brightness.
●If the interior lights are dim or do not come on at all
2Battery P. 525●If the interior lights come on normally 2 Fuses P. 562
The starter turns over normally
but the engine doesn’t start.
There may be a problem with a
fuse. Check each of the items on
the right and respond accordingly. Review the engine start procedure.
Follow its instructions, and try
to start the engine again.
2 Starting the Engine P. 385
Check the immobilize r system indicator.
When the immobilizer system indicator is blinking, the engine cannot be started.
2 Immobilizer System P. 136
Check the fuel level.
There should be enough fuel in the tank.
2 Fuel Gauge P. 110
Check the fuses.
Check all fuses, or have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
2 Inspecting and Changing Fuses P. 567
If the problem continues:
2Emergency Towing P. 568
1Checking the Engine
If you must start the vehi cle immediately, use an
assisting vehicle or booster battery to jump start it.
2 If the Battery Is Dead P. 552

561
uuIndicator, Coming On/Blinking uIf the Transmission System Indicator Blinks along with the Warning Message
Handling the Unexpected
If the Transmission System Indicator Blinks along
with the Warning Message
■Reasons for the indicator to blink
The transmission is malfunctioning.
■What to do when the indicator blinks
• Immediately have your vehicle inspected by
a dealer.
• Put the transmission into
(N after starting
the engine.
u Check if the
(N position in the
instrument panel and the indicator on
the
(N button light/blink.
2 Starting the Engine P. 385
1If the Transmission System In dicator Blinks along with the
Warning Message
You may not be able to start the engine.
Make sure to set the pa rking brake when parking
your vehicle.
Call a professional towing service if you need to tow
your vehicle. 2 Emergency Towing P. 568

568
Handling the Unexpected
Emergency Towing
Call a professional towing service if you need to tow your vehicle.
■Flat bed equipment
The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a truck.
This is the best way to transport your vehicle.
■Wheel lift equipment
The tow truck uses two pivoti ng arms that go under the front tires and lift them off
the ground. The rear tires remain on the ground. This is an acceptable way to
tow your vehicle.
1 Emergency Towing
NOTICE
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will
cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed
to support the vehicle’s weight.
NOTICE
Improper towing such as towing behind a
motorhome or other motor vehicle can damage the
transmission.
Never tow your vehicle with just a rope or chain.
It is very dangerous since ropes or chains may shift
from side to side or break.
All models
2WD models