2009 Changes

If I was a betting man, I would say the 2009 Ridge would have the cylider deactivation added on as option on the RTS and up like found on the Odyssey van. i bet it would push the highway EPA rating up to 22/23 MPG if they did.

Oh yeah, and Daytime running lights too.

Anyone care to think otherwise?

I would hope that Honda wakes up and realizes they need a TRUNK LOCK. Ford pickups have had this for years, and I've always been amazed that Honda ...with all the innovative things they've done with the Ridgeline...hasn't included a trunk lock. For those of us with bed covers, this is a major issue. Hopefully, Honda will listen to owners who think this is a necessity.

With the Accord, and I believe the Civic, Honda changes body styles every 4 years. So I don't expect many structural changes in the '09 Ridgeline until 2010. But hopefully, they'll make some functional changes to the '09 Ridgeline. A trunk lock would be a good choice. And oh yeah, the cylinder deactivation would be a wonderful addition. If they did this, should I buy a "crate motor"...'09 model... and put it in my '08??? :D
Tom

I would hope that Honda wakes up and realizes they need a TRUNK LOCK. Ford pickups have had this for years, and I've always been amazed that Honda ...with all the innovative things they've done with the Ridgeline...hasn't included a trunk lock. For those of us with bed covers, this is a major issue. Hopefully, Honda will listen to owners who think this is a necessity...

First, I am confused; The Honda Ridgeline's trunk does have a lock. The Ford pickups do not have trunks to put locks on :confused:

This leads me to beleive that you are asking for Honda to put a tailgate lock on the tailgate. If this is the case, I agree with you :)

Just curious - how many people on this forum have reported having their tailgates stolen?

Just curious - how many people on this forum have reported having their tailgates stolen?

I think folks would like to have some more security when they have a cap or some type of bed cover. I don't believe they are concerned about their tailgates being stolen. :o

I don't believe they are concerned about their tailgates being stolen. :o
I am! My tailgate has been stolen seven times now!

It's really a PITA...

I am! My tailgate has been stolen seven times now!



Are you serious?:eek:

Are you serious?:eek:
Yes, of course!

Three more times since I posted last!

Dangit!

Yes, of course!

Three more times since I posted last!

Dangit!

Don't feel bad! They keep taking my front passenger door! :eek:
If I'd noticed that there wasn't a keyhole in it before I bought it, I'd have gone with a Ford or Chevy instead!

Maybe the 2009's will have them.

I think someone's in my driveway RIGHT NOW!:eek: ... gotta go

Don't feel bad! They keep taking my front passenger door! :eek:
If I'd noticed that there wasn't a keyhole in it before I bought it, I'd have gone with a Ford or Chevy instead!

Maybe the 2009's will have them.

I think someone's in my driveway RIGHT NOW!:eek: ... gotta go

HOLY CAPE, BATMAN!

I think someone stole my Ridgeline and replaced it with a Honda CR-V! The Joker must've done it!

...

No, wait, that was just me.

Honda didn't put cylinder deactivation on the RL because they said it wasn't effective on a heavy vehicle with AWD. In 2006 the 2wd Pilot had cylinder deactivation but the AWD did not.

I don't think it will be offered on the RL unless the engine gets more torque - so that the engine actually can haul the RL around on 3 or 4 cylinders.

harmonic drone from cylinder deactivation FTL

I don't think it will be offered on the RL unless the engine gets more torque - so that the engine actually can haul the RL around on 3 or 4 cylinders.

Which could happen if it gets a detuned 3.7L. Fighting the 47mph lock is one of the most frustrating things about driving this truck every day.

shovelhead: by "47mph lock" do you mean the point at which it uses the overdrive gears?

Yes. It does more than shift into 5th, it locks the converter, increasing gas mileage.

Yes. It does more than shift into 5th, it locks the converter, increasing gas mileage.

According to the service manual, torque converter clutch engages on the RL not only in 5th, but 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, as well. Most transmissions made in the last decade can modulate pressure to the TCC instead of just being 100% on or 100% off. The ability to modulate the TCC allows for far smooth engagement/disengagement and also allows the engineers to take advantage of the TCC lockup in more gears and slower speeds. Theoretically, the TCC could remain 100% locked at any speed above idle, but different shift algorithms would have to be implemented which may result in faster wear on other clutches (and bands for non-Honda automatics).

A telescoping steering wheel, better daytime lighting for the instrumentation and one-touch sun roof control would be nice.

Is a Margarita machine too much to ask for?

According to the service manual, torque converter clutch engages on the RL not only in 5th, but 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, as well. Most transmissions made in the last decade can modulate pressure to the TCC instead of just being 100% on or 100% off. The ability to modulate the TCC allows for far smooth engagement/disengagement and also allows the engineers to take advantage of the TCC lockup in more gears and slower speeds. Theoretically, the TCC could remain 100% locked at any speed above idle, but different shift algorithms would have to be implemented which may result in faster wear on other clutches (and bands for non-Honda automatics).

Then it modulates it very differently in 5th than in any other gear. If it's not a mechanical lock, it sure feels like it. Keeping the revs as low as possible saves gas. That means getting into 5th as soon as possible and keeping it there as long as possible. In contrast to every automatic trans truck I've owned in the past, the Ridgeline is the hardest to keep in high gear on secondary roads.

On the subject of torque converter lockup in 2nd gear, i have noticed my ridge locking very suddenly on the higher rpm range in 2nd gear when you get the throttle after you are already rolling. The momentary rpm flare is kind of annoying.

My Subaru Forester does the same thing. Only on the subaru the tcc lock is so noticable it creates a 100 rpm drop during the middle of acceleration in 2nd gear. Very Very annoying, but hey it save gas i guess.

Auto head light would be a big plus as mention in the OP. I was used to that in my last truck and now I alwasys forget to turn my lights on at night. lol.... still not used to all the cool features in my truck either, but huge +1 on the idea of auto head lights...

Auto head light would be a big plus as mention in the OP. I was used to that in my last truck and now I alwasys forget to turn my lights on at night. lol.... still not used to all the cool features in my truck either, but huge +1 on the idea of auto head lights...


Just leave your headlights on all the time. Problem solved.

Just leave your headlights on all the time. Problem solved.

Maybe for some, but I got spoiled with REAL (wait, there's that "real" word again) automatic headlights that turned on and off automatically based on ambient lighting conditions and would stay on longer than 15 seconds when you exited the vehicle. By the time I exit my truck, walk to the front door, and find the key, the lights turn off in the RL so I can't see the key hole. Automatic-off headlights with only a 15-second delay are practically a sick, useless joke. Come on, Honda - at LEAST give us a fixed or programmable delay longer than 15 seconds! An extra 15 or 45 seconds is NOT going to depleat the battery. Or, maybe it will considering how small it is.

Then it modulates it very differently in 5th than in any other gear. If it's not a mechanical lock, it sure feels like it. Keeping the revs as low as possible saves gas. That means getting into 5th as soon as possible and keeping it there as long as possible. In contrast to every automatic trans truck I've owned in the past, the Ridgeline is the hardest to keep in high gear on secondary roads.

Although I can't recall the specific source right off hand, even "full" TCC engagement does not provide a 100% solid mechanical lockup. I remember reading about a slight amount of slippage (tens to maybe a hundred RPM) being allowed. It seems like it had to do with improving the accuracy of the misfire monitor on rough terrain. At least that's the way GM does it. I'm still learning from my Honda bible.

One thing I've noticed about Honda's service manuals is that they barely touch on theory of operation. Personally, I like to know HOW and WHY things work - not just how to fix them based on a diagnostic flow chart that any uneducated "technician" can follow. GMs service manuals were good about going "under the hood" and explaing exactly what conditions would set a DTC - not just what to check and replace if a particular DTC popped up. For example, my Regal's service manual explained in some detail about things like sunload sensors and air delivery logic. Honda seems to tell you "if you get code XXX, check and replace that sensor. Don't worry about what it is or what it does. If we told you, we'd have to kill you".

One of the biggest compliants about the company I now work for relates to an explanation of why things are done the way they are. The reason I ask questions is to learn more about the product's purpose and operation so that I (as an engineer hired to make things cheaper/safer/more efficient/more reliable) can do just that. I HATE being told, "Oh, well, that's the way we've done it for 50 years and that's they way we're gonna keep doin' it for another 50 years". Well, not with that attitude you won't! Not in today's world!

*sigh* Alas, I digress. I'm a 35 year-old asking "why" like a 3 year-old. I wanna know, dangit!

"I like to know HOW and WHY things work"

me too, maybe we can get the ridgelines drivetrain featured on that discovery channel show....how its made :) i love that show

Maybe for some, but I got spoiled with REAL (wait, there's that "real" word again) automatic headlights that turned on and off automatically based on ambient lighting conditions and would stay on longer than 15 seconds when you exited the vehicle. ... Come on, Honda - at LEAST give us a fixed or programmable delay longer than 15 seconds! An extra 15 or 45 seconds is NOT going to depleat the battery. Or, maybe it will considering how small it is.

double zing

the "z" in zroger now officially stands for "zinger"

bah zing

I would like to see Honda add a Slow dropping tailgate like the new Toyota tundra has. I think it is nice to be able to unlatch the tailgate without it dropping fast. Instead have it come down slow and gentle.

Tailgate lock would be great and a must for those with a cap or hard cover.

A better surface in the bed that douse not fade or discolor. Like some of the spray on types.

How about an inverter in the bed or cab.

Roof racks that are quieter or a factory deflector added to the existing one.

I kept praying they could make it look more like a fullsize GM truck

My prayers were answered!

http://autoworld.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/honda-ridgline-2009-img_1.jpg

http://media.canada.com/b17a5268-e809-4db2-a84b-06fc4c00d03e/m1x00078_2008chevysilverado.jpg

OK, so they put a new plastic grill and wheels on it, Whoop Te Do!:confused:

Do I see some of those Hawaiian moon roofs on it? The Leaky Leaky ones?

I saw a 09 driving around Parry Sound Ontario last weekend. All the symbols, wheels and lights where blacked out and covered up, it was a weird beige color. It looked the same as far as I could tell.

I saw a 09 driving around Parry Sound Ontario last weekend. All the symbols, wheels and lights where blacked out and covered up, it was a weird beige color. It looked the same as far as I could tell.

you should have followed it.............. those camera phone pictures would have been worth boku duckets!!!

you should have followed it.............. those camera phone pictures would have been worth boku duckets!!!

Not on this website---everybody wants lots of pictures----for free!!!:D

Not on this website---everybody wants lots of pictures----for free!!!:D

damn right says in the constitution were entitled to them, plus I would have given 5 bux just for the hell of it to know

I just wanna know if we can get one of those new MP3 compatible decks on ebay when someone decided to get rig of theirs and drop them in an 06-08 model. I would trade my 6-disc changer for a single mp3 disc anyday.

Diesel power and better styling.