2023 HONDA RIDGELINE Owners Manual

519
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Continued
Maintenance
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
The tires on your vehicle m eet all U.S. Federal Safety
Requirements. All tires are also graded for treadwear, traction,
and temperature performance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these
gradings.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on th e tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and maximum section width.
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested un der controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practi ces and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
■Uniform Tire Quality Grading
■Treadwear
1 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
For example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.

uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
520
Maintenance
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate h eat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temp erature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
■Traction
■Temperature
1 Traction
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
1Temperature
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is establishe d for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.

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

522
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire and Wheel Replacement
Maintenance
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Replace your tires with radials of the sa me size, load range, speed rating, and
maximum cold tire pressure ra ting (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using tires of a
different size or construction can cause ce rtain vehicle systems such as the ABS and
Vehicle Stability Assist
TM (VSA ®) system to work incorrectly.
It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. If that isn’t possible, replace the
front or rear tires in pairs.
Whenever you have a tire replaced or reset, make sure that the rubber valve stem is
replaced and that the TPMS sensor is trans ferred from the old valve stem to the new
one.
If you replace a wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifications match those of the
original wheels.
1 Tire and Wheel Replacement
3WARNING
Installing improper tires on your vehicle can
affect handling and stability. This can cause
a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Always use the size and type of tires
recommended in this owner’s manual.

523
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire Rotation
Maintenance
Tire Rotation
Rotating tires according to the maintena nce messages on the multi-information
display helps to distribute wear more evenly and increase tire life.
■Tires without rotation marks
Rotate the tires as shown here.
■Tires with rotation marksRotate the tires as shown here.
1Tire Rotation
Tires with directional trea d patterns should only be
rotated front to back (not fr om one side to the other).
Directional tires should be mounted with the rotation
indication mark facing forward, as shown below.
Front
Rotation MarkFront
Front

524
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uWinter Tires
Maintenance
Winter Tires
If driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season marked “M+S” tires, snow
tires, or tire chains; reduce speed; and ma intain sufficient distance between vehicles
when driving.
Be particularly careful when operating the steering wheel or brakes to prevent
skidding.
Use tire chains, snow tires, or all season ti res when necessary or according to the law.
When mounting, refer to the following points.
For winter tires:
• Select the size and load ranges that are the same as the original tires.
• Mount the tires to all four wheels.
For tire chains:
• Install them on the front tires only.
• Because your vehicle has limited tire cl earance, we strongly recommend using the
chains listed below:
• Follow the chain manufacturer’s instruction when installing. Mount them as
tightly as you can.
• Check that the chains do not to uch the brake lines or suspension.
• Drive slowly.
Cable-type: SCC Super Z LT-ZT735
1Winter Tires
NOTICE
Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly
installed can damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are
hitting any part of the vehicle.
When tire chains are mounted, follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructi ons regarding vehicle
operational limits.
If your vehicle is equipp ed with summer tires, be
aware that these tires are not designed for winter
driving conditions. For more information, contact a
dealer.
3WARNING
Using the wrong chains, or not properly
installing chains, can damage the brake
lines and cause a crash in which you can be
seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instruction s in this owner’s
manual regarding the selection and use of
tire chains.

525
Maintenance
Battery
Checking the Battery
The condition of the battery is monitored by a
sensor located on the negative terminal of the
battery. If there is a problem with this sensor,
the multi-information display will display a
warning message. If this happens, have your
vehicle inspected by a dealer.
Check the battery termi nals for corrosion
monthly.
To access the battery terminals:
1. Remove the engine compartment cover.
2 Engine Compartment Cover P. 498
2.Remove the clips using a phillips-head scre wdriver, then remove the air intake
duct.
2 High Beam Headlights P. 508
If your vehicle’s battery is disconnected or goes dead:
•The audio system is disabled.
2 Audio System Theft Protection P. 208
•The clock resets.
2 Clock P. 116
1Battery
WARNING: Battery post, terminals,
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
When you find corrosion, cl ean the battery terminals
by applying a baking powder and water solution.
Clean the terminals with a damp towel. Cloth/towel
dry the battery. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion.
When replacing the battery, the replacement must be
of the same specifications.
Consult a dealer for more information.
3WARNING
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen
gas during normal operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to
explode with enough force to kill or
seriously hurt you.
When conducting any battery
maintenance, wear prot ective clothing and
a face shield, or have a skilled technician do
it.
Models without navigation system

526
uuBattery uCharging the AGM Battery
Maintenance
Charging the AGM Battery
AGM labeled batteries like those installe d in your vehicle require a compatible
charger to be properly charged. Damage to the battery can result if the battery is
charged improperly or with the wrong equipment. For more information on how to
charge your vehicle’s AGM battery, consult a dealer.1Battery
The battery installed in this vehicle is specifically
designed for a model wi th Auto Idle Stop.
Using a battery other than this specified type may
shorten the battery life, a nd prevent Auto Idle Stop
from activating. If you need to replace the battery,
make sure to select the specified type and size. Ask a
dealer for more details.