2021 HONDA RIDGELINE maintenance

The data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by
anyone else except as legally required or with the permission of the
vehicle owner.
Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with se rvice-related devices that record
information about powertrain perfo rmance. The data can be used
to verify emissions law requirem ents and/or help technicians
diagnose and solve service problems . It may also be combined with
data from other sources for research purposes, but it remains
confidential. Some diagnostic and maintenance information is
uploaded to Honda upon vehicle start up.
California Perchlorate Conta mination Prevention Act
The airbags, seat belt tensioners , and CR type batteries in this
vehicle may contain perchlorate materials - special handling may
apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate/
As you read this manual, you will find information that is preceded
by a symbol. This information is intended to help you avoid
damage to your vehicle, othe r property, or the environment.
Software End User License Agreement
Your vehicle comes equipped with software, which is governed by
the End User License Agreement in Owner’s Manual, and which
contains a binding arbitration clau se. Please refer to the End User
License Agreement for the terms and conditions governing your
use of the installed software, as we ll as the applications, services,
functions, and content provided through the software. Your use of
the installed software wi ll serve as your consent to the terms and
conditions of the End User License Agreement.
NOTICE
You may opt out within 30 days of your initial use of the Software
by sending a signed, written noti ce to HONDA at American Honda
Motor Co., Inc., Honda Automobile Customer Service, Mail Stop
CHI-5, 1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501-2746.
Privacy Notice
This vehicle may share location and usage information. To manage
this setting, visit www.hondalink.com/vehicle-data-choices .
To learn more about how we collect and use Personal
Information, please read our Privacy Policy, accessible
at www.honda.com .

Contents
This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
The Navigation Manual is available online at owners.honda.com
(U.S.) or honda.ca (Canada). If you are the first registered owner
of your vehicle, you may request a complimentary printed
copy of the Navigation Manual within the first six months of
vehicle purchase. To request a copy, visit owners.honda.com. In
Canada, please request a copy from your Honda dealer.
This owner’s manual covers all models of your vehicle. You may find
descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s ma nual (including the front cover)
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but
not all, models. Your particular mo del may not have some of these
features.
This owner’s manual is for vehicles sold in the United States and
Canada.
The information and specifications in cluded in this publication were
in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any
obligation.2 Safe Driving P. 31
For Safe Driving P. 32 Seat Belts P. 37 Airbags P. 44
2Instrument Panel P. 77
Indicators P. 78 Gauges and Multi-Information Display P. 110
2Controls P. 115
Clock P. 116 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 117
Security System P. 136 Windows P. 139
Mirrors P. 164 Seats P. 166
2Features P. 203
Audio System P. 204
General Information on the Audio System P. 281
HomeLink ® Universal Transceiver P. 323 Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink ® P. 329
2 Driving P. 363
Before Driving P. 364 Towing a Trailer P. 372
Braking P. 468Parking Your Vehicle P. 472
2Maintenance P. 487
Before Performing Maintenance P. 488 Maintenance MinderTM P. 491
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 514
Climate Control System Maintenance P. 528
2Handling the Unexpected P. 537
Tools P. 538 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 539
Overheating P. 555 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 557
If You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 569
2 Information P. 573
Specifications P. 574 Identification Numbers P. 576
Emissions Testing P. 579 Warranty Coverages P. 581

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

Visual Index
10
Quick Reference Guide❚Maintenance Under the Hood (P496)
❚Windshield Wipers (P157, 514)
❚Power Door Mirrors (P165)
❚Headlights (P149, 508)
❚Front Side Marker Lights (P149, 510)
❚Side Turn Signal Lights* (P148, 511)
❚How to Refuel (P484)
❚Rear Turn Signal and Back-Up Lights (P148, 512)
❚Tires (P516, 539)
❚Front Turn Signal/Parking* Lights (P148, 511)
❚Brake/Taillight and Rear Side Marker Lights (P512)
❚Rear License Plate Light (P513)
❚Multi-View Rear Camera (P481)
❚Drop Opening the Tailgate (P132)
❚Swing Opening the Tailgate (P132)
❚Opening and Closing the Trunk (P133)
❚AC Power Outlet* (P191)
❚High-Mount Brake Light (P513)
❚Fog Lights (P152, 510)
❚Daytime Running Lights /Parking Lights* (P153, 510)
❚Door Lock/Unlock Control (P120)
❚Rear License Plate Light (P513)
❚Bed Lights (P193)

25
Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance (P487)
Under the Hood (P496)
●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, push it to the side, 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 (P508)
●Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades (P514)
●Replace blades if they leave streaks across
the windshield or become noisy.
Tires (P516)
●Inspect tires and wheels regularly.●Check tire pressures regularly.●Install snow tires for winter
driving.

33
uuFor Safe Driving uImportant Safety Precautions
Safe Driving
■Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely
Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying
close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash.
Remember, situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe to
divert some attention away from driving.
■Control your speed
Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher
the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds.
Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum
speed posted.
■Keep your vehicle in safe condition
Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous.
To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition
frequently, and perform all regul arly scheduled maintenance.
■Never let passengers ride in the pickup bed or inside a truck cap (shell).
They could be killed or injured in a crash, or become ill or even die from carbon
monoxide poisoning if engine exhaust enters the cap.
■Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle
Children, pets and people needing assistan ce left unattended in the vehicle may be
injured if they activate one or more of the vehicle controls. They may also cause the
vehicle to move, resulting in a crash in wh ich they and/or another person(s) can be
injured or killed. Also, depending on the am bient temperature, the temperature of
the interior may reach extreme levels, which can result in harm or death.
Even if the climate control system is on, never leave them in the vehicle unattended
as the climate control system can shut off at any time.

58
uuAirbags uAirbag Care
Safe Driving
Airbag Care
You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any
airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations:
■When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, th e control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt te nsioner has been activated, it must be
replaced.
■When the vehicl e has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s
seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt
tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash.
■Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer
This would likely disable or affect the prop er operation of the driver’s seat position
sensor or the weight sensors in the passenger ’s seat. If it is necessary to remove or
modify a front seat to accommodate a pe rson with disabilities, contact a Honda
dealer, or for U.S. vehicles, American Honda Automobile Customer Service at
1-800-999-1009 and for Canadian vehicles , Honda Canada Customer Relations at
1-888-9-HONDA-9.
1 Airbag Care
We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag
system components, includi ng the airbag, tensioners,
sensors, and control unit.

96
uuIndicators uMulti-Information Display Warn ing and Information Messages
Instrument Panel
Multi-Information Display Warn ing and Information Messages
The following messages appear only on the mu lti-information display. Press the (information) button to see the message again
with the system me ssage indicator on.
*1:When the tailgate is dropped open, the message does not appear.
MessageConditionExplanation
●Appears if any door, th e trunk or the tailgate*1 is not
completely closed.
●Appears if any door, th e trunk or the tailgate*1 is
opened while driving. The beeper sounds.
●Disappears when all the doors, the trunk and the
tailgate are closed.
●Appears when there is a problem with the battery
charging system.●Have your vehicle ch ecked by a dealer.
●Appears when the scheduled maintenance is due soon.●Consequently, Maintenance Due Now and
Maintenance Past Due follow.2Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-
Information Display P. 492
●Appears when the engine coolant temperature gets
abnormally high.
2Overheating P. 555