2021 HONDA RIDGELINE service indicator

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.

483
Driving
Refueling
Fuel Information
■Fuel recommendation
Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent, heavy metallic knocking noise
that can lead to engine damage.
■Top tier detergent gasoline
Because the level of detergency and additive s in gasoline vary in the market, Honda
endorses the use of “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” where available to help
maintain the performance and reliability of your vehicle. TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline meets a new gasoline standard jointly established by leading automotive
manufacturers to meet the needs of today’s advanced engines.
Qualifying gasoline retailers will, in most cases, identify their gasoline as having met
“TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” standards at the retail location. This fuel is
guaranteed to contain the proper level of de tergent additives and be free of metallic
additives. The proper level of detergent additives, and absence of harmful metallic
additives in gasoline, help avoid build-up of deposits in your engine and emission
control system.
For further important fuel-related informati on for your vehicle, or on information on
gasoline that does not contain MMT, vi sit www.hondacars.com. In Canada, visit
www.honda.ca for additional information on gasoline. For more information on top
tier gasoline, visit www.toptiergas.com .
■Fuel tank capacity: 19.5 US gal (73.8 L)
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane number 87 or higher
1Fuel Information
NOTICE
We recommend quality ga soline containing
detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and
engine deposits. In addition, in order to maintain
good performance, fuel economy, and emissions
control, we strongly reco mmend the use of gasoline
that does NOT contain harmful manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT, if such gasoline is
available.
Use of gasoline with these additives may adversely
affect performance, a nd cause the malfunction
indicator lamp on your inst rument panel to come on.
If this happens, contact a dealer for service. Some
gasoline today is blended with oxygenates such as
ethanol. Your vehicle is designed to operate on
oxygenated gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol
by volume. Do not use ga soline containing methanol.
If you notice any undesira ble operating symptoms, try
another service station or sw itch to another brand of
gasoline.

487
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 488
Safety When Performing Maintenance ... 489
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 490
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 491
Maintenance Under the Hood Maintenance Items Under the Hood .... 496
Opening the Hood ........................... 497
Engine Compartment Cover ............. 498
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 499
Oil Check ......................................... 500
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 501
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ...502 Engine Coolant ................................ 504
Transmission Fluid ............................ 506
Brake Fluid ....................................... 507
Refilling Window Wa
sher Fluid......... 507
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 508Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 514
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 516
Tire and Loading Information Label ... 517
Tire Labeling .................................... 517
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) .... 519Wear Indicators................................ 521 Tire Service Life ................................ 521
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 522
Tire Rotation .................................... 523
Winter Tires ..................................... 524
Battery ............................................... 525
Remote Transmitter Care Replacing the Button Battery ........... 527
Climate Control System Maintenance.......528CleaningInterior Care .................................... 529
Exterior Care.................................... 531
Accessories and Modifications ........ 535

493
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
MaintenanceThe system message indicator ( ) comes on along with the Maintenance Minder message.
Maintenance MessageOil Life DisplayExplanationInformation
Maintenance Due Now5%The remaining engine oil life is 5 to 1
percent. Pressing the
(Information) button to switch to
another display.The engine oil has almost reached the
end of its service life, and the
maintenance items should be inspected
and serviced as soon as possible.
Maintenance Past DueNegative DistanceThe remaining engine oil life has
passed its service life, and a negative
distance appears after driving over
10 miles (U.S. models) or 10 km
(Canadian models). Pressing the
(Information) button to
switch to another display.The engine oil life has passed.
The maintenance items must be
inspected and serviced immediately.
U.S.Canada

494
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the maintenance message in the
multi-information display, replace the brake fluid
every 3 years.
•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder MessageSystem Message
Indicator
Sub Items
Main
Item
*1: If the message Maintenance Due Now does not appear more than 12 months after the display
is reset, change the engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column on page 581.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA ®)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmission
temperatures. This requires transmission fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder
TM. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
fluid changed at every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
*5: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under
-20°F, -29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.) / 100,000 km (Canada).
*6: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (Shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder
TM. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3
●Replace transmission fluid and transfer fluid*, *4
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*5
●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*, *6
* Not available on all models

521
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uWear Indicators
Maintenance
Wear Indicators
The groove where the wear indicator is
located is about 1/16 inch (about 1.6 mm)
shallower than elsewher e on the tire. If the
tread has worn so th at the indicator is
exposed, replace the tire. Worn out tires
have poor traction on wet roads.
Tire Service Life
The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even wh en the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and in flation pressure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach five
years old. All tires, including the spare, should be removed from service after 10
years from the date of manufacture, regardle ss of their condition or state of wear.
Example of a Wear
Indicator mark

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

589
Index
Creeping (Automatic Transmission)........ 394
Cross Traffic Monitor ............................... 477
Cup Holders .............................................. 179
Customer Service Information ................ 585
Customized Features ............................... 298
D
Daytime Running Lights .......................... 153
Dead Battery ............................................ 552
Defaulting All the Settings ...................... 322
Defogger/Heated Door Mirror ................ 159
Defrosting the Windshield and
Windows ................................................. 196
Devices that Emit Radio Waves ............... 577
Dimming
Headlights .............................................. 149
Rearview Mirror ...................................... 164
Dipstick (Engine Oil) ................................ 500
Directional Signals (Turn Signal) ............. 148
Display Button .......................................... 212
Door Mirrors ............................................. 165
Doors ........................................................ 117
Auto Door Locking.................................. 130
Auto Door Unlocking .............................. 130
Door Open Message ........................... 36, 96
Key ......................................................... 117
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside................................ 16, 127
Locking/Unlocking the Doors
from the Outside................................... 120 Lockout Prevention System ...................... 126
DOT Tire Quality Grading ........................ 519
Driving ....................................................... 363
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) ................ 438
Automatic Transmission ........................... 394
Braking .................................................... 468
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines ............... 383
Shifting ................................................... 395
Starting the Engine .................................. 385
Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle ..................................................... 392
Driving Position Memory System ............. 161
Dust and Pollen Filter ............................... 528
E
Eco Assist® System ...................................... 12
ECON Button ............................................. 403
ECON Mode Indicator ................................ 92
Electric Power Steering (EPS) System Indicator ............................................ 85, 559
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 412
Emergency ................................................ 568
Emergency Trunk Opener ........................ 135
Emissions Testing (Readiness Codes) ....... 579
Engine Coolant ................................................... 504
If the Battery Is Dead ............................... 552
Oil ........................................................... 499
Remote Engine Start ................................ 387
Starting ................................................... 385 Engine Compartment Cover
.................... 498
Engine Coolant ......................................... 504
Adding to the Radiator ............................ 505
Adding to the Reserve Tank..................... 504
Overheating ............................................ 555
Temperature Gauge ................................ 110
Engine Oil ................................................. 499
Adding .................................................... 501
Checking................................................. 500
Displaying Oil Life .................................... 491
Low Oil Pressure Indicator ................. 79, 557
Recommended Engine Oil ....................... 499
ENGINE START/STOP Button .................... 145
EPS (Electric Power Steering) System
Indicator............................................ 85, 559
Exhaust Gas Hazard (Carbon Monoxide) .................................. 74
Exterior Care (Cleaning) ........................... 531
Exterior Mirrors ........................................ 165
F
Features.................................................... 203
Filters
Dust and Pollen ....................................... 528
Oil ........................................................... 502
Flat Tire ..................................................... 539
Floor Mats ................................................. 530
Fluids Automatic Transmission .......................... 506
Brake ...................................................... 507