Honda Ridgeline (2023 year). Manual in english - page 25

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When Driving

u

Shifting

398

Driving

In freezing or sub-freezing conditions, the shift selection response may be slow.
Always depress the brake pedal before putting the transmission into 

(

P

, and 

confirm that 

(

P

 is shown on the shift position indicator before releasing the brake.

■

When opening the driver’s door

If you open the driver’s door under the following conditions, the transmission 
automatically changes to 

(

P

.

•

The vehicle is stationary with the engine running, or moving at 1 mph (2 km/h) or 
slower.

•

The transmission is in other than 

(

P

.

•

You have unfastened the driver side seat belt.

u

If you manually put the transmission into any other position from 

(

P

 with the 

brake pedal depressed, the transmission will automatically return to 

(

P

 once 

you release the brake pedal.

■

When turning off the power mode

If you turn the engine off while the vehicle is stationary, and the transmission is in 
other than 

(

P

, the transmission automatically changes to 

(

P

.

1

Shift Operation

The beeper sounds once when you change to 

(

R

.

2

Customized Features

 P. 299

1

When opening the driver’s door

While the system is designed to automatically change 
the transmission to 

(

P

 under the described 

conditions, in the interest of safety you should always 
select 

(

P

 before opening the driver’s door.

Make sure to park the vehicle in a safe place.

2

When Stopped

 P. 472

If you want to drive the vehicle after the transmission 
has automatically changed to 

(

P

 under the described 

conditions, close the door, fasten the seat belt, 
depress the brake pedal, then change the shift 
position.

If you leave the vehicle, turn off the engine and lock 
the doors.

Continued

399

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When Driving

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Shifting

Driving

■

If you want to keep the transmission in 

(

N

 position [car wash mode]

With the engine running:

1.

Press and hold the brake pedal.

2.

Select 

(

N

, then release the button to display (Neutral) 

(

N

 hold mode on the 

multi-information display.

3.

Press and hold 

(

N

 again for two seconds.

u

This puts the vehicle in car wash mode which must be used when your vehicle 
is pulled through a conveyor type automatic car wash where you or an 
attendant do not remain in the vehicle.

If the 

ENGINE STOP/START

 button is pressed 

after car wash mode has been activated, the 
power mode will change to ACCESSORY and a 
message will be displayed on the multi-
information display.

u

For 15 minutes the transmission remains 
in 

(

N

 with the power mode in 

ACCESSORY. After that, the 
transmission automatically changes to 

(

P

 and the power mode changes to OFF.

u

Manually changing to 

(

P

 cancels 

ACCESSORY mode. The 

(

P

 indicator 

comes on and the power mode changes 
to OFF. You must always put the 
transmission into 

(

P

 when car wash 

mode is no longer needed.

1

If you want to keep the transmission in 

(

N

 position [car wash mode]

Note that the transmission may not stay in 

(

N

 

position while any of the following indicators is on:

•

Transmission system indicator.

•

Malfunction indicator lamp.

•

Charging system indicator.

400

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When Driving

u

Shifting

Driving

■

Restrictions on selecting a shift position

You cannot select a shift position under certain circumstances that may lead to a crash.

When the 
transmission is in:

1. Under these circumstances

2. If you try to change to the 
following:

3. The shift position 
remains in/changes to:

How to change the 
shift position

(

P

The brake pedal is not 
depressed.

Other shift position

(

P

Release the accelerator 
pedal and depress the 
brake pedal.

The accelerator pedal is 
depressed.

(

N

The vehicle is moving at low 
speed without the brake pedal 
depressed.

(

N

The vehicle is moving at low 
speed with the accelerator 
pedal depressed.

(

N

, 

(

D

 or 

(

S

The vehicle is moving forward.

(

R

Stop your vehicle in a 
safe place, keep the 
brake pedal pressed, 
and select the 
appropriate shift 
position.

(

R

 or 

(

N

The vehicle is moving backward.

(

D

, 

(

S

(

R

, 

(

N

, 

(

D

 or 

(

S

The vehicle is moving.

(

P

401

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When Driving

u

Shifting

Continued

Driving

Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 9th gears without removing your 
hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential mode.

■

When the transmission is in 

(

D

:

The vehicle will go into the sequential mode momentarily, and the sequential mode 
gear selection indicator will come on.
Once you start traveling at a constant speed, the sequential mode will automatically 
switch off, and the sequential mode gear selection indicator will go off.

Hold the 

(

+

 paddle shifter for two seconds or push 

 button to return to normal 

drive.

■

When the transmission is in 

(

S

:

The vehicle will go into the sequential mode, and the 

M

 (sequential mode) indicator 

and sequential mode gear selection indicator will come on.
If the vehicle speed increases and the engine speed reaches near the tachometer’s 
red zone, the transmission automatically shifts up to the next gear.
You can cancel this mode by holding the 

(

+

 paddle shifter for two seconds or push 

 button. When the sequential mode is canceled, the 

M

 (sequential mode) 

indicator and sequential mode gear selection indicator go off.

■

Sequential Mode

D/S

D/S

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When Driving

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Shifting

402

Driving

■

Sequential Mode Operation

1

Sequential Mode Operation

Each paddle shift operation makes a single gear 
change.
To change gears continuously, release the paddle 
shifter before pulling it again for the next gear.

If the sequential mode gear selection indicator blinks 
when you try to shift up or down, this means your 
vehicle speed is not in its allowable gear range or the 
protection of transmission system is necessary.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift 
down while the indicator is blinking.

Sequential 
Mode Gear 
Selection 
Indicator

Downshifting when pulling 
the 

 paddle shifter.

(Changes to a lower gear)

Upshifting when pulling 
the 

 paddle shifter.

(Changes to a higher gear)

Paddle Shifter 
(Shift down)

Paddle Shifter 
(Shift up)

403

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When Driving

u

ECON Mode

Driving

ECON Mode

The 

ECON

 button turns the ECON mode on 

and off.
The ECON mode helps you improve your fuel 
economy by adjusting the performance of the 
engine and climate control system.

1

ECON Mode

While in ECON mode, the climate control system has 
greater temperature fluctuation.

If the 

Snow

, 

Mud

*

 or 

Sand

*

 mode is turned ON 

while the ECON mode is ON, the ECON mode will be 
turned off.

* Not available on all models

404

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When Driving

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Intelligent Traction Management

Driving

Intelligent Traction Management

The Intelligent Traction Management optimizes vehicle performance to help you 
drive on various surfaces. The system has available modes to select from: 

Normal

, 

Snow

, 

Mud

*

, and 

Sand

*

.

Press the mode button to select the appropriate mode. The mode you select appears 
on the multi-information display. When the vehicle is turned off and restarted, 
Intelligent Traction Management mode will revert to Normal.

1

Intelligent Traction Management

Refer to the Off-Highway Driving section for driving 
tips and safety precautions.

2

Off-Highway Driving Guidelines

 P. 383

Mud

Use when driving on 
muddy road or off-
road surfaces.

Sand

Use when driving on 
soft, sandy road or 
off-road surfaces.

Normal

Provides balanced 
driving performance 
on most road surfaces.

Mode Button

Snow

Use when driving on 
snowy road surfaces.

AWD models

* Not available on all models

405

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When Driving

u

Intelligent Traction Management

Driving

Normal

Provides balanced 
driving performance 
on most road surfaces.

SNOW

 Button

Snow

Use when driving on 
snowy road surfaces. 

2WD models

406

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When Driving

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Auto Idle Stop

Driving

Auto Idle Stop

To help maximize fuel economy, the engine automatically stops when the vehicle 
comes to a stop, depending on environmental and vehicle operating conditions. The 
indicator (green) comes on at this time.

The environmental and vehicle conditions that 
impact Auto Idle Stop system operation are 
varied.

2

Auto Idle Stop Activates When:

 P. 408, 

409

The engine then restarts once the vehicle is 
about to move again, and the indicator 
(green) goes off.

2

The Engine Automatically Restarts When:

 

P. 410

If the driver’s door is opened while the 
indicator (green) comes on, a buzzer sounds 
to notify you that the Auto Idle Stop function 
is in operation.

A message associated with Auto Idle Stop 
appears on the multi-information display.

2

Indicators

 P. 78

2

Customized Features

 P. 299

1

Auto Idle Stop

The 12-volt battery installed in this vehicle is 
specifically designed for a model with Auto Idle Stop. 
Using a 12-volt battery other than this specified type 
may shorten the 12-volt battery life, and prevent 
Auto Idle Stop from activating. If you need to replace 
the 12-volt battery, make sure to select the specified 
type. Ask a dealer for more details.

The duration of the Auto Idle Stop operation:

•

Increase in the ECON mode, compared to when the 
ECON mode is off, with climate control in use.

2

ECON Mode

 P. 403

Auto Idle Stop 
Indicator (Green)

Continued

407

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When Driving

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Auto Idle Stop

Driving

To turn the Auto Idle Stop system off, press 
this button. The Auto Idle Stop system stops.

u

Auto Idle Stop system will stop and the 
indicator (Amber) will come on.

The Auto Idle Stop system is turned on every 
time you start the engine, even if you turned it 
off the last time you drove the vehicle.

■

Auto Idle Stop System ON/OFF

1

Auto Idle Stop System ON/OFF

If you turn off the Auto Idle Stop system while it is 
activated, the engine will restart.

Auto Idle Stop 
System Indicator 
(Amber)

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When Driving

u

Auto Idle Stop

408

Driving

The vehicle stops with the transmission in 

(

D

 and the brake pedal depressed.

When you put the transmission into 

(

P

, the Auto Idle Stop continues to operate, 

even if the brake pedal is released.

u

If you depress the brake pedal, the engine may automatically restart.

■

Auto Idle Stop does not activate when:

•

The Auto Idle Stop 

OFF

 button is pressed.

•

The driver’s seat belt is not fastened.

•

The engine is not adequately warmed up or coolant temperature is high.

•

The transmission fluid temperature is low or high.

•

The vehicle comes to a stop again before the vehicle speed reaches 3 mph (5 
km/h) after the engine starts.

•

The vehicle is stopped on a steep incline.

•

The transmission is in a position other than 

(

D

.

•

The engine is started with the hood open.

u

Turn off the engine. Close the hood before you restart the engine to activate 
Auto Idle Stop.

•

The battery charge is low.

•

The internal temperature of the battery is 14°F (−10°C) or less.

•

The climate control system is in use, and the outside temperature is below −4°F 
(−20°C) or over 104°F (40°C).

•

The climate control system is in use, and the temperature is set to 

Hi

 or 

Lo

.

•

 is ON (indicator on).

•

The Intelligent Traction Management is set to Snow, Mud

*

, or Sand

*

.

•

The AC power outlet is used.

■

Auto Idle Stop Activates When:

1

Auto Idle Stop Activates When:

Do not open the hood while the Auto Idle Stop 
function is activated. If the hood is opened, the 
engine will not restart automatically.

In this case, restart the engine with the 

ENGINE 

START/STOP

 button.

2

Starting the Engine

 P. 385

Pressing the 

ENGINE START/STOP

 button causes 

the engine to no longer restart automatically.
Follow the standard procedure to start the engine.

2

Starting the Engine

 P. 385

Models with AC Power Outlet

* Not available on all models

409

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When Driving

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Auto Idle Stop

Continued

Driving

■

Auto Idle Stop may not activate when:

•

The vehicle is stopped by braking suddenly.

•

The steering wheel is operated.

•

The fan speed is high.

•

Altitude is high.

•

The climate control system is in use, and there is a significant difference between 
the set temperature and the actual interior temperature.

•

The climate control system is in use, and humidity in the interior is high.

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When Driving

u

Auto Idle Stop

410

Driving

The brake pedal is released.

■

The engine restarts even if the brake pedal is depressed when:

•

The Auto Idle Stop 

OFF

 button is pressed.

•

The steering wheel is operated.

•

The transmission is put into 

(

R

 or 

(

S

, or when it is set from 

(

N

 to 

(

D

.

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If you put the transmission into 

(

P

 after the Auto Idle Stop activates, the Auto 

Idle Stop continues to operate. In this case, the engine restarts when you 
depress the brake pedal.

•

The pressure on the brake pedal is reduced and the vehicle starts moving while 
stopped on an incline.

•

The pressure on the brake pedal is repeatedly applied and released slightly during 
a stop.

•

The battery charge becomes low.

•

The accelerator pedal is depressed.

•

The driver’s seat belt is unlatched.

•

 is ON (indicator on).

•

The climate control system is in use, and the difference between the set 
temperature and actual interior temperature becomes significant.

•

The climate control system is being used to dehumidify the interior.

•

The Intelligent Traction Management is set to Snow, Mud

*

, or Sand

*

.

•

The AC power outlet is used.

■

The Engine Automatically Restarts When:

1

The Engine Automatically Restarts When:

If you are using an electronic device during Auto Idle 
Stop, the device may temporarily be turned off when 
the engine restarts.

Models with AC Power Outlet

* Not available on all models

412

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When Driving

u

Vehicle Stability Assist

TM

 (VSA

®

), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System

Driving

Vehicle Stability Assist

TM

 (VSA

®

), aka Electronic 

Stability Control (ESC), System

VSA

®

 helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less 

than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces. 
It does so by regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.

When VSA

®

 activates, you may notice that the 

engine does not respond to the accelerator. 
You may also notice some noise from the 
hydraulic brake system. You will also see the 
indicator blink.

■

VSA

®

 Operation

1

Vehicle Stability Assist

TM

 (VSA

®

), aka Electronic Stability Control 

(ESC), System

The VSA

®

 may not function properly if tire type and 

size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and 
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.

When the VSA

®

 system indicator comes on and stays 

on while driving, there may be a problem with the 
system. While this may not interfere with normal 
driving, have your vehicle checked by a dealer 
immediately.

VSA

®

 cannot enhance stability in all driving situations 

and does not control the entire braking system. You 
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate 
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient 
margin of safety.

The main function of the VSA

®

 system is generally 

known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The 
system also includes a traction control function.

VSA

®

 System 

Indicator

413

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When Driving

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Vehicle Stability Assist

TM

 (VSA

®

), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System

Driving

This button is on the driver side control panel. 
To partially disable VSA

®

 functionality/

features, press and hold it until you hear a 
beep.

The traction control stops fully functioning, 
allowing the wheels to spin more freely at low 
speed. The VSA

®

 

OFF

 indicator will also come 

on and a message on the multi-information 
display informs you that the mode is changed.

Traction control mode cannot be changed 
during Mud or Sand modes. If you are driving 
on mud or sand, Mud or Sand Intelligent 
Traction Management modes can also be 
used to free a stuck vehicle. On other road 
surfaces, change to Normal or Snow mode, 
then press and hold the 

 (VSA

®

 

OFF

) 

button.

To restore VSA

®

 functionality/features, press 

the  

(VSA

®

 

OFF

) button until you hear a 

beep. 

VSA

®

 is turned on every time you start the 

engine, even if you turned it off the last time 
you drove the vehicle.

■

VSA

®

 On and Off

1

Vehicle Stability Assist

TM

 (VSA

®

), aka Electronic Stability Control 

(ESC), System

In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets 
stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier 
to free it with the VSA

®

 temporarily switched off.

When the 

 button is pressed, the traction control 

function becomes less effective. This allows for the 
wheels to spin more freely at low speed. You should 
only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA

®

 off if 

you are not able to free it when the VSA

®

 is on.

Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to 
switch VSA

®

 on again. We do not recommend driving 

your vehicle with the VSA

®

 system switched off.

You may hear a motor sound coming from the 
engine compartment while system checks are being 
performed immediately after starting the engine or 
while driving. This is normal.

VSA

®

 

OFF

 Indicator

When the 

 button is pressed

AWD models

414

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When Driving

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Agile Handling Assist

Driving

Agile Handling Assist

Lightly brakes each of the front and rear wheels, as needed, when you turn the 
steering wheel, and helps support the vehicle’s stability and performance during 
cornering.

1

Agile Handling Assist

The agile handling assist cannot enhance stability in 
all driving situations. You still need to drive and 
corner at speeds appropriate for the conditions and 
always leave a sufficient margin of safety.

When the VSA

®

 system indicator comes on and stays 

on while driving, the agile handling assist does not 
activate.

You may hear a sound coming from the engine 
compartment while the agile handling assist is 
activated. This is normal.