Edmunds: Long-Term Test: 2006 Honda Ridgeline [9.1.5]

Long-Term Test: 2006 Honda Ridgeline (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=105797)

I wondered when someone was going to bring this up. I sure as heck didn't want to do it. Didn't want to be branded as a troll.

But when the owner/founder does it ......

We report the facts and opinions that are out there - you decide. We're your fair and balanced owners club. ;)

Ok..I gave my 2 cents worth. :p
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?14@272.iVzQdBjj88k.2@.ef24140/1544

I don't question Edmunds report on the struts but I would like to know what kind of load they had in the truck. I hope that Honda checked the struts and determined why they failed.

After today I'll have over 22,000 miles on my Ridgeline and I use mine as a work truck. I go over rudded roads, fields, ditches and regular roads. I have not experenced any strut failure. My truck has not been overloaded when driving on these rough roads and fields.

I would like to know if any owners on the forum have had simular troubles with their struts.

Tiger

Interesting review. I think the bottom line is exactly how I feel about this truck when I bought it. I didn't buy it for " Off Road use" I bought it for 90% work and family time and trips up to the snow.

On the flip side, if your going to do some off roading, IMHO a stock vehicle is NOT the way to go. One has to modify to meet the demands of the road.

One thing you have to wonder: was this a brand new truck or was it a press vehical? If it was a press vehical with miles already on there, I could see that the wear was accelerated. On the other hand, if it was new, then... :(

Oh to to drive the balls off a truck that belongs to the company, then realize you messed it up big time............ so what to you do to save your skin "it was just a pleasant Sunday drive.......honest" Give me a break! A little lack of integrity here. Edmunds managers would be wiser to follow the science instead of fairy tales.

Oh to to drive the balls off a truck that belongs to the company, then realize you messed it up big time............ so what to you do to save your skin "it was just a pleasant Sunday drive.......honest" Give me a break! A little lack of integrity here. Edmunds managers would be wiser to follow the science instead of fairy tales.
AMEN GaryP. AMEN!!!

I have to agree, something does not quite sound right. I doubt that any of the members of this site have had a strut failure, including those that do test the limits with reasonable off road use. If that is the case and this group has not damaged one of more than 4000 struts but their driver lost all four, something is not right with their test or tester. It would be very interesting to know if anyone has lost a strut, so please post your experience if you have.

I have to agree, something does not quite sound right. I doubt that any of the members of this site have had a strut failure, including those that do test the limits with reasonable off road use. If that is the case and this group has not damaged one of more than 4000 struts but their driver lost all four, something is not right with their test or tester. It would be very interesting to know if anyone has lost a strut, so please post your experience if you have.
Hey U-H..I'm still "strutin" in style. :D

Yes, lets blindly assume that the editors did something wrong, to think otherwise would be to admit that the Ridgeline is not perfect.


Lets look in detail on how they drove the washboard. They drove at the smoothest speed which would mean the maximum cycle length for the shock absorber. Shocks work by damping movement, they do that by converting an up-down motion to heat.

Long shock (strut) cycles coupled with a lengthy test coupled with (assumed) high air temps and the result is that the shocks were creating more heat than they could dissapate.

This will happen with any car or truck at some point.

The question is if this point occurs within the coarse of normal driving which Edmunds is saying it does.

There are several options to Honda
1) ignore and blame driver error
2) redesign the struts to handle increased temps
3) redesign the struts to dissapate heat better

Nope, all four struts are still there!!! :)

There are several options to Honda
1) ignore and blame driver error
2) redesign the struts to handle increased temps
3) redesign the struts to dissapate heat better


This assumes that there IS something wrong with the struts.
Like I said earlier in my post, an important aspect might be missing here. Was the truck new? Was the truck a press fleet vehical, etc. That too could be impacted. Everyone knows that press vehicals are beating to heck.

Now if something IS wrong, I would fully expect that honda need to fix the issue.

It would be very interesting to know if anyone has lost a strut, so please post your experience if you have.

I had one replaced for making an intermittent noise, see post

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1444

I have to admit that when I was looking at the replacement parts sitting on the service bay counter, I was a bit surprised at their lack of "size". I was expecting something a bit more substantial. Perhaps this is a weakness that needs to be beefed up?

I've had my Ridgeline in for service work on the struts because the lubrication wasn't properly applied. I started having problems after 4-5 thousand miles. I don't think the struts had to be replaced.

This is a very bad report from Edmonds.

If their driver is lying and truly did abuse the vehicle which is what the service department believed ... Honda should sue him AND Edmonds.

If I was Honda I would immediately take a Ridgeline out into bad washboard and drive the bejeepers out of it and see if they could MAKE the struts fail.

If they cannot they should publicly challenge Edmonds and threaten legal action.

If the struts did indeed fail under normal washboard situtations akin to the Edmond's report then I may have to wait awhile on this purchase. Perhaps when Honda beefs up the struts.

Honda needs to address this ASAP.

PS: I found this report before it was posted here in a very casual search for RidgelinE information.

Oh this gets me, a quote from their review:

"With that mind we headed out to the same road with our long-term Toyota Tacoma crew cab. It's equipped with the TRD Sport package designed to give it improved performance"

How is that a fair test, we compared the Ridgeline to a Tacoma with a suspension that was modified for "improved performance"? How about trying that same rutted road/trail with a non-TRD/non improved performance Taco. Maybe it would pass just fine too but at least compare stock truck to stock tuck and not stock to modified package.

Though they really hit the nail on the head when Road Test Editor Brian Moody said:

"Its usefulness, flexibility and comfort have made me think this might be the perfect vehicle for a middle-class homeowner. I can easily use it every day and pretend it's a nice big sedan. But on those rare occasions I need a truck, it works for that, too."

It's a good all around vehicle, period.

something doesn't seem right about this failure. I think we would have heard about someone here with this problem by now if it was a wide spread problem.

I've been on wash board roads and my struts are fine.
I've been on rough BLM trails and my struts are fine.

Until I see more reports outside of this one incident, I think someone is embarrassed at Edmunds about a very stuipid thing they are responsible for and won't fess up.

So, if it turns out that the stock struts aren't very strong, are there aftermarket parts available that solve the problem? I've never priced struts before. Would this be an expensive upgrade?

I live and drive in a rural area with many washboard type dirt roads....one good thing about our independant rear suspension is how this truck shines compared to trucks with live axles in these conditions.......safer by far.

Question: I have no signs of bad handling or problems so far (20K) but I'm wondering how we might inspect for something like this...??

Will we see an oil leak....?? Maybe just lose of dampening...ie bouncy etc...??

Just curious, wait and see I guess...........I do find it a bit fishy that all 4 struts had to replaced and tester said "Normal" driving style and speeds.

ps...the Honda / Showa suspension factory is about 3 miles from my home near the plant in Alliston. Wish I knew someone who worked there...!!

I live and drive in a rural area with many washboard type dirt roads....one good thing about our independant rear suspension is how this truck shines compared to trucks with live axles in these conditions.......safer by far.

Question: I have no signs of bad handling or problems so far (20K) but I'm wondering how we might inspect for something like this...??

Will we see an oil leak....?? Maybe just lose of dampening...ie bouncy etc...??

Just curious, wait and see I guess...........I do find it a bit fishy that all 4 struts had to replaced and tester said "Normal" driving style and speeds.

ps...the Honda / Showa suspension factory is about 3 miles from my home near the plant in Alliston. Wish I knew someone who worked there...!!

Start hanging around the employee parking lot :D

Just curious, do you drive on bad wash board roads regularly? How many miles would you say you put on your RL in these conditions?

Reference the MPG, what the hell was this guy towing? I have averaged between 16 and 22 in all types of conditions.

Honda has one of the toughest shock durability requirements in the industry as noted in the quote. Ask several of the damper suppliers if you would like to verify that information. Edmunds has a tack record of not evaluating vehicles in a engineering manner (ie duplicate conditions – same temperature – same speed - etc).

Given the road they drove on, it is widely know this is a severe surface and road that must be treated with respect. They also failed to mention they failed two tires in this run due to the sharp shale on the surface. Due to the ride damping qualities of the Ridgeline, I suspect the vehicle was driven very fast over this surface at a high ambient temperature. Based on the description, the seals failed in the struts as well as the dust shield. The temperature extreme that was required to trigger this failure is so severe, there must have been an extreme input (temps greater than 300F).

I doubt that a Tacoma could be driven controllably on that surface at the same speed/duration as the R-L. With the live rear axle, there would be so much axle hop it would be impossible to replicate the speed that is possible in a Ridgeline. During a recent trip an acquaintance made on that same road on a rental SV, they experienced 2 flat tires that had to be replaced and saw numerous other vehicles broken down along the route. Edmund’s conveniently left the detailed facts describing the route.

I am confident when the rest of the FACTS are available and collaborated by an engineering team, the truth will be told.

Thanks Kodiak. Where did you get that information?

Oh to to drive the balls off a truck that belongs to the company, then realize you messed it up big time............ so what to you do to save your skin "it was just a pleasant Sunday drive.......honest" Give me a break! A little lack of integrity here. Edmunds managers would be wiser to follow the science instead of fairy tales.


W00T nice One Gary. Was thinking that as well.

Honda has one of the toughest shock durability requirements in the industry as noted in the quote. Ask several of the damper suppliers if you would like to verify that information. Edmunds has a tack record of not evaluating vehicles in a engineering manner (ie duplicate conditions – same temperature – same speed - etc).

Given the road they drove on, it is widely know this is a severe surface and road that must be treated with respect. They also failed to mention they failed two tires in this run due to the sharp shale on the surface. Due to the ride damping qualities of the Ridgeline, I suspect the vehicle was driven very fast over this surface at a high ambient temperature. Based on the description, the seals failed in the struts as well as the dust shield. The temperature extreme that was required to trigger this failure is so severe, there must have been an extreme input (temps greater than 300F).

I doubt that a Tacoma could be driven controllably on that surface at the same speed/duration as the R-L. With the live rear axle, there would be so much axle hop it would be impossible to replicate the speed that is possible in a Ridgeline. During a recent trip an acquaintance made on that same road on a rental SV, they experienced 2 flat tires that had to be replaced and saw numerous other vehicles broken down along the route. Edmund’s conveniently left the detailed facts describing the route.

I am confident when the rest of the FACTS are available and collaborated by an engineering team, the truth will be told.

.........and the truth finally comes out. Thanks for posting that Kodiak.

I am tired of people who can not drive the Ridgeline without driving people off the road due to the blind spots. I have been driving cars, SUVs and trucks with blind spots much worse for years without running people off the road. I think the managers @ Edmunds should learn to drive trucks before someone gives them the keys.

I am tired of people who can not drive the Ridgeline without driving people off the road due to the blind spots. I have been driving cars, SUVs and trucks with blind spots much worse for years without running people off the road. I think the managers @ Edmunds should learn to drive trucks before someone gives them the keys.

heh heh heh

I really want Honda to go after this as I mentioned in my previous post on this thread. Is Edmonds run by immature people ... or what? I'm not inclined to the 'or what' option. They posted the results of this 'test' (yeah right) with absolutely no scientific method ... no corroboratory witnesses but the drivers pals ... Honda should shove this where the sun doesn't shine for Edmonds ... and break it off.

OK I would like to know if anyone has pulled a small camper (4000lb). This is why I bought the RL in first place. Will I have to worry about the struts going out in the middle of nowwhere? Please any help would be useful. I leaving next month.

Thanks,
Kamaaina :D

OK I would like to know if anyone has pulled a small camper (4000lb). This is why I bought the RL in first place. Will I have to worry about the struts going out in the middle of nowwhere? Please any help would be useful. I leaving next month.

Thanks,
Kamaaina :D

Plenty of people. Do a search on towing and you should find examples of people pulling campers.

Don't worry about the review regarding struts.

Does anyone know where Kodiak found his information about the test?

OK I would like to know if anyone has pulled a small camper (4000lb). This is why I bought the RL in first place. Will I have to worry about the struts going out in the middle of nowwhere? Please any help would be useful. I leaving next month.


I towed 5000lbs in the worst conditions possible. I also drove it a few miles on dirt roads with wash boards while towing and my struts are fine. See my post here for full details:
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1771

The whole strut thing is either a fluke or a serious case of abuse, most likely the later. I've read just about every post from every ridgeline forum on the net and I've never heard of anyone else's struts failing. Honda should really stop giving Edmunds loaner cars, maybe Edmunds bought it, I don't know, but all their reviews so far have left out alot facts. I don't trust a thing they say as they don't give the whole story.

OK I would like to know if anyone has pulled a small camper (4000lb). This is why I bought the RL in first place. Will I have to worry about the struts going out in the middle of nowwhere? Please any help would be useful. I leaving next month.

Thanks,
Kamaaina :D
I have no trouble towing with Ridgena. She faithfully pulls my 6x12 foot single axel trailer with the following inside:
A mid size fridge, a two drawer filing cabinet, 4 floor kitchen cupboards, supplies for the business, a cash register, two printers, 3 tool boxes LOADED with a 14 year olds tools and JUNK!! A wooden floor chest for 2 race uniforms, helmut, gloves, shoes, neck brace, a 2 hundred pound kart, 10 spare tires on the wall, an American flag ( yup....being hauled by a Honda :D ) 10 gallons of gas, 2 gallons of oil, an extra Briggs and Statton Animal III motor, a kart stand, 2 EZ ups, 2 4 foot tables, 2 lap tops and accessories, a button making machine and die cutter mounted to the counter that stretches from one side of the cabinets to the other, a chair on wheels, 6 fold up chairs and a 400 pound Honda generator on the tongue of a trailer. ( wow...didn't know I had so much stuff until I started accounting for it here ) :p
I live in NE Ohio and it's very "hilly" where we race which is almost to the PA line. We drive there and back 4 to 6 times a month from Brecksville where we live which is 1.4 hours away. We also haul 2 adults, 1 brittany Spaniel, and 2 poodles.
Never had an issue and Ridgena and I have even put some of those other trucks to shame climbing/towing those hills and I have had a cloud-rider grille on for almost 2 months now.
I don't think you have anything to worry about.
These should give you an idea. Not everything was set up that day!!

I have no trouble towing with Ridgena. She faithfully pulls my 6x12 foot single axel trailer with the following inside:
A mid size fridge, a two drawer filing cabinet, 4 floor kitchen cupboards, supplies for the business, a cash register, two printers, 3 tool boxes LOADED with a 14 year olds tools and JUNK!! A wooden floor chest for 2 race uniforms, helmut, gloves, shoes, neck brace, a 2 hundred pound kart, 10 spare tires on the wall, an American flag ( yup....being hauled by a Honda :D ) 10 gallons of gas, 2 gallons of oil, an extra Briggs and Statton Animal III motor, a kart stand, 2 EZ ups, 2 4 foot tables, 2 lap tops and accessories, a button making machine and die cutter mounted to the counter that stretches from one side of the cabinets to the other, a chair on wheels, 6 fold up chairs and a 400 pound Honda generator on the tongue of a trailer. ( wow...didn't know I had so much stuff until I started accounting for it here ) :p
I live in NE Ohio and it's very "hilly" where we race which is almost to the PA line. We drive there and back 4 to 6 times a month from Brecksville where we live which is 1.4 hours away. We also haul 2 adults, 1 brittany Spaniel, and 2 poodles.
Never had an issue and Ridgena and I have even put some of those other trucks to shame climbing/towing those hills and I have had a cloud-rider grille on for almost 2 months now.
I don't think you have anything to worry about.
These should give you an idea. Not everything was set up that day!!
Wow LR, you definitely are every son's dream of a supportive mom....you are such a wonderfull person. I for one, am glad for Drew.

Thanks Tex. I feel the more I give in positive things, the more I get back. It's working like a charm so far. ;)
:p

Thanks Tex. I feel the more I give in positive things, the more I get back. It's working like a charm so far. ;)
:p
You're very welcome Sister. How'd Drew do at the track? Did he race?

You're very welcome Sister. How'd Drew do at the track? Did he race?
He raced his new 2 cycle with a Yamaha engine for the first time yesterday and came in 3rd out of 7 experienced in 2 cycle drivers. He did great. He even stopped for an accident and got out of his kart and lost his position in the 2nd heat to help fellow drivers. That's my boy!!! :D :p
Thanks Tex. How are you feeling today!!?? Better I hope.

Let me put you all at ease about towing and struts etc etc... I went to pick up my daughter the other day. My ex- wife asked if I could give her a ride to my sons football game. I reluctantly did. The RL did great. full power, great handling and the struts were fine. By the way.. she is a big fat cow! :eek: :D

Let me put you all at ease about towing and struts etc etc... I went to pick up my daughter the other day. My ex- wife asked if I could give her a ride to my sons football game. I reluctantly did. The RL did great. full power, great handling and the struts were fine. By the way.. she is a big fat cow! :eek: :D
Doesn't sound very scientific to me and I'm not sure where the humor is in that experience.
:(

Doesn't sound very scientific to me and I'm not sure where the humor is in that experience.
:(

Made ME laugh. Really.

Made ME laugh. Really.
Hmmm. Sad. Really.

Ladyridge -

Hey gal, that is quite a rig you have. NICE!

By the way.. she is a big fat cow! :eek: :D
Before or after she became your "Ex"?

Ladyridge -

Hey gal, that is quite a rig you have. NICE!
Thanks Z!!!! :)

Before or after she became your "Ex"?
STEVE!!!! Now, is that nice?? :eek:

Let me put you all at ease about towing and struts etc etc... I went to pick up my daughter the other day. My ex- wife asked if I could give her a ride to my sons football game. I reluctantly did. The RL did great. full power, great handling and the struts were fine. By the way.. she is a big fat cow! :eek: :D
I'm picturing the Falcon in "Gilbert Grape". :eek:

Had to look this up to see what you meant arteegee! Sorry Ladyridge. It's not nice, but it would test the struts.

Sorry Lady Ridge – You live in Ohio where the grades combined with the temperatures in a towing mode are very dangerous with your grille “plugs” installed. The cooling for this vehicle was deigned to provide adequate protection with the original grille. From your experience working at a dealer, you should realize your warranty is voided with this grille installed. If you insist in pursuing with your lunacy, watch the air conditioning – if you feel it cutout (by blowing warm air) you are entering the protection mode of the system and your are approaching an over temperature situation. Next watch your ATF light. If that comes on, stop towing immediately and let the rig cool down. Next change your transmission oil because you probably toasted that too.

Finally, remove those things and let the radiator and fans do the job they were intended to perform.

Sorry Lady Ridge – You live in Ohio where the grades combined with the temperatures in a towing mode are very dangerous with your grille “plugs” installed. The cooling for this vehicle was deigned to provide adequate protection with the original grille. From your experience working at a dealer, you should realize your warranty is voided with this grille installed. If you insist in pursuing with your lunacy, watch the air conditioning – if you feel it cutout (by blowing warm air) you are entering the protection mode of the system and your are approaching an over temperature situation. Next watch your ATF light. If that comes on, stop towing immediately and let the rig cool down. Next change your transmission oil because you probably toasted that too.

Finally, remove those things and let the radiator and fans do the job they were intended to perform.

I wonder why folks like you focus on making everything personal. Is it because LR is a lady? Does she make you uncomfortable and insecure? I bet you she is twice the person you are. There is no lunacy in pampering something you love. Besides, there is a post from Cloud Rider testifying to the fact that the grill does not affect the cooling performance of the RL. So, lay off. Did she ever mention any problems towing with the Cloud Rider installed? Jeeez!

I wonder why folks like you focus on making everything personal. Is it because LR is a lady? Does she make you uncomfortable and insecure? I bet you she is twice the person you are. There is no lunacy in pampering something you love. Besides, there is a post from Cloud Rider testifying to the fact that the grill does not affect the cooling performance of the RL. So, lay off. Did she ever mention any problems towing with the Cloud Rider installed? Jeeez!


Did I miss something? Where was Kodiaks response "personal"? :confused:

Did I miss something? Where was Kodiaks response "personal"? :confused:

Calling someone a lunatic is not personal? Hello...:rolleyes:

"If you insist in pursuing with your lunacy, watch the air conditioning –"

Hardly the same as calling someone a lunatic. :rolleyes:


Have you ever done something that you later said, "Man, that was dumb"? Does that mean you consider yourself to be a dumb person? I'm guessing not.


Oh well, just my .02, I now return you to your regularly scheduled internet chest thumping. ;)

I have sent a letter to cloud-rider.com for them to post an explanation to clear this up. I am certain that they would not sell a product that would damage your vehicle especially knowing it's a vehicle you would tow with. They also know that the grille is not a easily removable accessory and I am sure they took that into account as well.
As I posted, I have NOT had any issues. I have had the grille on for quite sometime and have put many miles with my trailer on it since. I watch the temp gauge religiously anyway. No problems.
( just a side note ) I appreciate the advice from kodiak but I didn't exactly like being called a lunatic. I realize it's hard to understand what people write when you can't hear their voice or see their face. That's what makes forums so challenging. I take that into account all the time.
ALSO.. I am not only a women but I drove 18 Wheels OTR for 5 years and I am pretty confident in what I am doing. But Kodiak would not have known that. It could have been worded differently but it wasn't. I got over it.
All is good in the hood!!
Thanks Bro. ;)
J.C. :)

Good solution!

And since you took the comment as if you were called a lunatic, I stand corrected.

I never should have gotten involved... Boy was that dumb! ;)

Good solution!

And since you took the comment as if you were called a lunatic, I stand corrected.

I never should have gotten involved... Boy was that dumb! ;)
No problem. Life is way too short to cry over spilled milk. :)

Sorry Lady Ridge – You live in Ohio where the grades combined with the temperatures in a towing mode are very dangerous with your grille “plugs” installed. The cooling for this vehicle was deigned to provide adequate protection with the original grille. From your experience working at a dealer, you should realize your warranty is voided with this grille installed. If you insist in pursuing with your lunacy, watch the air conditioning – if you feel it cutout (by blowing warm air) you are entering the protection mode of the system and your are approaching an over temperature situation. Next watch your ATF light. If that comes on, stop towing immediately and let the rig cool down. Next change your transmission oil because you probably toasted that too.

Finally, remove those things and let the radiator and fans do the job they were intended to perform.

Ladyridge,
I learned a long time ago that you can't control another person, that only they are responsible for their actions and their tongue.

I am a little surprised at the 'attack' on yourself and Cloud-Rider. What does this gentleman think we do, cut our grille inserts out with tin snips in the garage, in our spare time? Sheesh! Also, I've read his other posts and thought he really was a gentleman.

I have no problem satisfying a person's curiousity or fears with facts (as I have done in the past) because you have the right to know. However, I'm having a hard time dealing with such blatant false statements as "you should realize your warranty is voided with this grille installed" Says who? Honda? I don't thinks so! Honda and all the manufacturers are aware of Cloud-Rider and call us direct to request some of the models we produce.

That was an uncalled for statement which makes me reaaaally suspicious of who this gentleman works for, because, I gotta tell you, I smell a hidden motive!

Ladyridge, sounds to me that you have, by nature of just who you are, gather a lot of friends and admirers (I'm one of them). Don't take stuff like this personally. I don't, because I know that facts. I see no need to call my lawyer just because someone "let it fly!"

...I have no problem satisfying a person's curiousity or fears with facts (as I have done in the past) because you have the right to know. However, I'm having a hard time dealing with such blatant false statements as "you should realize your warranty is voided with this grille installed" Says who? Honda? I don't thinks so! Honda and all the manufacturers are aware of Cloud-Rider and call us direct to request some of the models we produce...

No offensive Karen but since after market grills have the 'potential' to cause damage and void warranties I think full disclosure is morely responsible if not legally although I don't know the laws in Canada from which you are based.

1. From youre site FAQ, depending on grill model, they can reduce air flow from 38% to 65% (converted from your stats of 35-62% of steel removed from base grill). Your site also mentions air can come in thru the bottom of the engine bay but the RidgeLine has an air damn on the bottom so the only relevant air for cooling is coming in thru the grills. I can't imagine you'd recommend to a customer who tows heavy loads this would be ok.
http://www.cloud-rider.com/faq.php#27

2. Your site does not mention manufacture's warranties and the effect your grills have on them. What is Cloud-Rider's official position on this, specifically Honda in this case?

3. I'm not trying to cause trouble and I think they are probably fine for folks who don't tow but for those who do tow should be fully aware of the effects and consequences.

I would really suggest you respect Kodiaks opinion on this. If he says you voided your warranty, you did. He is extremly respected on other forums and is the one of the most valued posters here regarding all things Ridgeline. I hope he continues to post. Whether you drove eighteen wheels or not LR, you are still severely restricting the air flow around your beloved Ridgeline's engine.

Ladyridge,
. However, I'm having a hard time dealing with such blatant false statements as "you should realize your warranty is voided with this grille installed" Says who? Honda? I don't thinks so! !"

Yep, I think so. Please produce a statement by Honda that this grill insert (that you make for the Ridgeline) does not void my warranty.

Thanks in advance karen.

I consider it major violation of protocol to reveal anyone's real identity on this forum or the Internet in general. Many know of my background in the auto industry and I don't go to much length to hide my identity, but in the same breath I wouldn't want my real name posted.

I know who Kodiak is, and I can assure you that Kodiak is well respected in the industry. We may differ on matters of opinion, but I believe we agree on matters of fact (science, engineering, etc.).

I don't know that Kodiak intended any personal attack with the comments about the aftermarket grill, and probably some frustration came thru, but we should all view Kodiak's comments as educational.

I have worked on projects in "the business" that took a lot of time and testing to get "just right". It can be very frustrating to see how the end users make minor changes that can make major problems occur.

Aftermarket products are a major headache for an auto manufacturer. Most aftermarket products undergo little or no testing. They are not bound by the same rules as the manufacturer. I'll use the example of a bull bar, or brush guard. Many of these items bolt directly to the frame and effectively eliminate much or most of the crashworthiness of the vehicle. Air bags may not work as a result. Crumple zones intended to absorb huge amounts of energy are rendered ineffective. A frontal impact that may have resulted in little or no injury to the driver and passengers is suddenly a fatal collision. All the work the designers and engineers put into the crash worthiness of the vehicle was nullified by a $150 piece of bolt on steel that was probably never tested in any way, and the only qualifications were that it looked hot. Some aftermarket companies even claim that their product doesn't change the crashworthiness of the vehicle... do you think they actually did a crash test of a Ridgeline? Not a chance.


I personally don't like the way the front end of the Ridgeline was designed leaving huge areas of the air conditioning condenser exposed to road debris, but I'm not willing to change it at this time. I believe there will be many cases of condenser damage due to road debris and if I'm one of those unlucky folks while under warranty I will argue that Honda designed it that way and is responsible (I'm sure the dealer and Honda would disagree). I could be 100% wrong on this issue, but time will tell.

-Joe

OK – This is getting out of hand. I have a great deal of interest in the Ridgeline and maintaining accuracy in the portrayal of information. I only see fit to intervene when I observe either significant miss-information, inaccuracies or risky behavior that may result in severe or dangerous consequences.

I am operating under the assumption that the average customer is very passionate about his or her vehicle purchase. I believe they would like to be informed of a practice that could potentially cause severe consequences. I have not seen any indication “cloud rider” is willing to warrant the potential replacement of a transmission or engine that can cost in excess of $6-7000. Do you have such a legal binding agreement in writing?

I can assure you that the Ridgeline will not adequately operate in all expected environmental conditions and under load with a loss of 30-40% in cooling area. This is true of any engineering package. The manufacturer simply does not account for the buyer significantly restricting the air flow.

By the way, I did not call you a lunatic. I suggested that your actions represented a an unreasonable assumption that you except to tow a trailer up a grade with the radiator air flow restricted and not expect a significant increase in transmission drain temperature or coolant temperature. Encouraging others to follow your lead is also not responsible behavior. The production system is designed to operate in extreme heat and grade conditions and keep the vehicle at a safe operating temperature with the air conditioning on. If you operate the vehicle in a moderate climate under little or no load, you MAY be OK in restricting the air flow.

If you consider someone correcting your assumptions or information a personal attack – I am sorry. Best of Luck – I hope you don’t have any problems. Simply put – you were warned and the risk is all yours.

Kodiak and Csimo thanks for your input and please continue to contribute your knowledge to these boards.

I will second that Zero.

OK, I believe I derailed this discussion by being passionate about personal feelings. Certainly, I have no friggin technical leg to stand on when it comes to the power train of any vehicle. I have adopted LR as my Sister on the web (my very first and last), (four blood sisters and four blood daughters already in the pocket). Being in the Air Force for 22 years as an E8 and five years with the SR71, I very much respect the tech guys. Csimo and Kodiak has my respect. Be a little carefull in your choice of words is all I ask. I know how you high tech guys can be carried away like that, believe you me, been there done that. :) Thanks.

Hey Tex, I understand your feelings of protection. Imagine the feelings of protection some feel about the Ridgeline. If it were to fail under a towing load and have a transmisssion burn up not because of any design error, but because of an after market product that prohibited proper air flow, it would make an already revolutionary, radical design in trucks (to some) even harder to accept in the truck market. The RL would be touted as a failure. Believe me, the fact that it had an improper after market grill wouldn't even get heard. Anyway, have a good one everyone :)

Hmmmm ....

Concerning that Edmund long term test I think the article says a lot about what is good with the Ridgeline:

Long-Term Test: 2006 Honda Ridgeline
article link (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=105797)

Executive Editor Scott Oldham is a member of the Ridgeline's fan club and used it to pick up a Christmas tree over the holidays. The Honda "hauled the family 75 miles to the tree farm in comfort, and then hauled the tree home like a real pickup. The more I drive it, the more I like it," Scott said.

The Ridgeline continues to be very popular with our photo staff as well. It often plays support vehicle while we photograph other test vehicles on location. The truck's versatility and available interior space seem to make it the hands-down choice to transport the cameras, sandbags and tripods necessary to keep up with our ever increasing photography demands.

Current Odometer: 18,807
Best Fuel Economy: 21.5 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 12.3 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 16.8 mpg

It still find it funny/interesting....when you go check out other boards/forums.....they point at the Edmunds report (All 4 struts blowing out) as proof that the RL isn't a "real truck" and should never be advertised as one. I find it funny they will latch onto 1 bad review while there tons are outstanding RL review out there. Of course, brand loyalty has a very strong grip on some people.

Has anybody esle heard of anything like this happening to a RL?