Trip Computer Possible

UPDATE: sign the petition here:
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4810&page=1&pp=40


Ok, I found out the Trip Computer sensors are in place but they have disabled it from displaying on the Nav screen. It can be re-enabled with a simple software update but Honda will not do this unless enough people complain and put pressure on them to do so. The Ridgeline is the first model (w/ Navi) that Honda decided to disable the Trip Computer on.

I strongly encourage everyone to call American Honda and complain we were jipped out of a Trip Computer. They even show a screenshot of it on the last page in the QuickStart guide.

If you're not familiar with it it will display your MPG average and instant, Miles to go until empty and so forth. It's a great feature and we should demand to have it back.

As always there has to be enough demand before any change will be made. I encourage everyone to call American Honda and complain.

Please call Honda customer support at: (800) 999-1009

You'll get a tier one phone rep who doesn't know the situation. You just need to lodge your complaint and will get forwarded up the chain of command. Once enough complaints get registered they'll start to do something about it.

Also mention this to your service manager, more the better, but the number above is the most important.

You are right! I had a trip computer long ago on a Ford minivan. It was terrific
Can't wait for my RTL to get here

That's annoying. What possible reason could they have for disabling it?
Maybe it didn't work right - inaccurate perhaps?

That's annoying. What possible reason could they have for disabling it?
Maybe it didn't work right - inaccurate perhaps?

Hey Maine, how did you get a pic of your truck in the upper left corner like that? WHOOPS! Figured it out myself, thanks anyway.

That's annoying. What possible reason could they have for disabling it?
Maybe it didn't work right - inaccurate perhaps?

Nope, not inaccurate, but because they fielded alot of phone calls from people who complained about low mpg. These people would typically reset it and watch the mpg for a mile or two and then bitch. You really have to let it run over time a bit to get an accurate result. Unfortunataly the only the people who call are those having trouble so Honda gets a skewed representation of the public opinion. Therefore we have to call and bitch to get it back.

I am curious, before I call which I will, how you found this out?

I am curious, before I call which I will, how you found this out?

I can't spill the beans but I'll say I talked to someone very high up at Honda.

Okay, I just don't want to call and have them say...no that is not true, etc. Should we talk to anyone specifically there?

Okay, I just don't want to call and have them say...no that is not true, etc. Should we talk to anyone specifically there?

You'll get a tier one phone rep who doesn't know anything. You just need to lodge your complaint about having no Trip Computer while all other navi models do and the complaint will get forwarded up the chain of command. Once enough complaints get registered they'll start to do something about it.

It may be that Honda doesn't care for us to see the trip average. I know that I average about 21+ MPG with my CR-V and drive 40,000 miles a year. Every 2 mpg cost about $444 a year. If I'm looking at 18 mpg it might be upsetting at my fuel cost.

Just a thought. Of course If I were driving a pick-up that gets only 12 mpg then I might be happy. Sure hope that you all with Nav get Honda to provide the software to add the trip average. I'll just do my average each fill up and put it in my Excel spread sheet.

I'll admit this fuel cost is sure making me think. I may just drive my CR-V anouther 2 years.

Tiger
2003 CR-V 21+ mpg
2000 Odyssey 22 mpg
90 OBM
Forman 450 4X4
21 in Honda Lawn Mower
Honda Mini Tiller

Honestly it is just plain rediculous to switch off a feature that is already built in and adds value and features that many will use. If you do measure you MPG then it is useful, if you don't then it won't matter.

It really only looks like Honda is trying to hide something, when really there is nothing to hide. The numbers are published and people are checking them by hand as we speak.

It is simple. Enable this feature set.

I called and lodged an issue in regards to this and it is being forwarded up another level which I should get a call within two business days on.

Vertrkr, if you are feeling adventurous you could swap out your Oddy DVD with your Ridge DVD and see if it will load the trip computer into the Ridge. Load the DVD and start the vehicle, the DVD will update and then shut of the vehicle and put the Ridge DVD back in. Worth a shot.

Vertrkr, if you are feeling adventurous you could swap out your Oddy DVD with your Ridge DVD and see if it will load the trip computer into the Ridge. Load the DVD and start the vehicle, the DVD will update and then shut of the vehicle and put the Ridge DVD back in. Worth a shot.

Interesting thought but I really don't think it would work. It would not update the firmware code unless it sensed a newer version available from the DVD. Since the Ody DVD is older and I know these things won't downgrade firmware I'm pretty sure we are out of luck unless Honda feels the pressure to send out a new DVD or make it available at the dealer to do an update.

RidgeinMaine,

Lawyers, just think about it, I am out here driving across the desert, I see a sign that says next service are 120 miles, but the computer says I have enough fuel to go 125 miles. Knowing the gas will be cheaper at the service area 120 miles away, I opt to wait instead of paying a couple of cents mor for the gas that is 5 miles away, half way to the new next service area, the road changes, instead flat open desert, you are now climbing thousand of feet in altitude, and in the end run out of gas 5 miles before the service area.

I bet
A - this happened more than once
B - some lawyer has gotten thier client a good payout, because the computer said they could make it, and they didn't.

It sad but almost certainly true, that that is why these computers are getting less popular rather than more popular.


That's annoying. What possible reason could they have for disabling it?
Maybe it didn't work right - inaccurate perhaps?

yeah.....stinking lawyers....I only know a few good ones.

In fact, they are very similar to car salesman :) sorry guys....

I just saw a lawyer yesterday, with his hands in his own pocket!!

It was really cold outside.

Goodness, how far fetched...trip computers have been in cars for years and years with no issues. This is most certainly not the reason, LOL.

Let's keep calling in and see what moutains we can move. I have lodged my complaint and am waiting to hear back. Who else is on board?

I haven't taken delivery of my truck yet but as soon as I do I will give them a call and have my voice heard.

I too am waiting until I get my truck to make this call, but I was talking to my salesman today and asked him to talk to the factory rep about this issue. It makes no sense at all to disable this very useful feature.

It may be that Honda doesn't care for us to see the trip average. I know that I average about 21+ MPG with my CR-V and drive 40,000 miles a year. Every 2 mpg cost about $444 a year. If I'm looking at 18 mpg it might be upsetting at my fuel cost.

Just a thought. Of course If I were driving a pick-up that gets only 12 mpg then I might be happy. Sure hope that you all with Nav get Honda to provide the software to add the trip average. I'll just do my average each fill up and put it in my Excel spread sheet.

I'll admit this fuel cost is sure making me think. I may just drive my CR-V anouther 2 years.

Tiger
2003 CR-V 21+ mpg
2000 Odyssey 22 mpg
90 OBM
Forman 450 4X4
21 in Honda Lawn Mower
Honda Mini Tiller
Its still very handy to see how many miles till empty - rather than just say 1/18 tank, etc...

I will be sure to make the phone call on Monday. I am rather close to Honda and maybe I can make my voice stretch a bit.
I'll keep you updated on my progress.
LadyRidge

I will be sure to make the phone call on Monday. I am rather close to Honda and maybe I can make my voice stretch a bit.
I'll keep you updated on my progress.
LadyRidge

Fantastic! really appreciate everyone's support. It really helps for the good of us all.

as soon as I get mine I will call....any new updates on this?

as soon as I get mine I will call....any new updates on this?

These things take time with big coorperations. Months of data must be accumulated and then meetings are held to decide what to do. Everyone's input is crucial, nothing will be changed unless they know there's a strong demand for it.

I called Honda to report the following issues:

No Trip Computer (it's in the manual, I want it, I paid for it, give it back! :D )
(Also, "Roadside Assistance", AC Controls, temperatures, etc.-as shown on 2nd to last page of quick start guide)
***The man I spoke to finally admitted, "I know they took it off, I can't make any guarantees, I know they are talking about it".



Steering Wheel Creeks
Windshield Noise
All door unlock procedure (the manual says "doorS")
Updates for manual, DVD??? (towing specs, etc)
Voice Recognition is not so good.

A "Case Mgr." is supposed to call me Mon/Tue

Even if I can get a few of these fixed at the dealer, I wanted to report everything anyhow.

Of course I still LOVE MY RIDGELINE!!!

I just saw a lawyer yesterday, with his hands in his own pocket!!

It was really cold outside.


How can you tell a Lawyer is lying...Their lips are moving. :D

Nice job Blue!! Once you talk to your case worker, give us his name and we'll have our little chat with him too!!
Keep us posted on your progress!!!!

Does anyone have any idea how imvolved this is....?? If its not mega $$ I would be willing to pay to have it enabled even if its not done by Honda.

Is this something one of the aftermarket companies may offer. I really dont understand why it installed but not operational....?? Does it come on any Honda products or is it just Acura only....??

I have had a trip computer in my Dodge and Jeep for years - I want a trip computer and I don't have the Ridgeline yet - are you listening Honda?!

PS: Add all the other stuff too, like they said

Just got off the Phone with Honda USA support. They are now claiming that the manual is just a "mis-print" they say "THE FEATURE DOES NOT EXIST ON THE RIDGELINE" ... I'd love to know who is telling the truth here. I trust the memebers here a lot more than the tech rep....

Anyone else have any better luck?

I mentioned it when I got my call from Honda too, I had an Acura and used to use it all the time, it was a very nice feature and I dont understand why they did not just put a setting to disable it if wanted. Oh well, I still love the navigation. :)

Hello everyone, I called to lodge my complaint regarding this feature being disabled and was told it was a printing mistake and that the feature did not exist. Of course the person I spoke with did not know what a trip computer was and had to ask someone.

Is it just me, or when you hit the Nav and door unlock petition link, it takes you back to Vertrkr first message about it other than taking you to an actual page where users sign a petition? :confused:

If somone has a valid customer service email address I will create an online petition that you can fill out and be sent via email to Honda. I may also print out a copy and send via snail mail, but I will not keep personal information on file, use the information for any other purpose, or disclose any personal information unless required by law.

BTW, I just got an email back from a local dealer who has accepted my purchase offer ($500 over invoice) for RTL w/ nav. The vehicle is due to the dealership on or before the 20th so I'll be joining the ranks with a valid beef on this subject.

-Joe

How's this for a sample petition?

2006 Honda Ridgeline RTL w/ Navigation Petition

To:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Customer Service
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Mail Stop: 500 - 2N - 7D
Torrance, CA 90501-2746

From:
Owner's Name
Address 1
Address 2
City, ST ZIP

Dear American Honda Motor Co, Inc.,

I recently purchased a new Honda Ridgeline RTL equipped with the navigation system. My VIN is (VIN inserted here). I was very unhappy to discover that the trip computer and climate control system features of the navigation system have been disabled by Honda. Many of these features are described in the Quick Start Guide, but are not functional on the actual navigation system.

It's my understanding that these features could easily be enabled with a software update to the navigation system.

I hope that you will take my complaint seriously and issue the software update that will enable the features that I want, deserve, and paid for.

Sincerely,

Owner's Name

Ooops, forgot the unlock part of the petition. Will amend it later.

Hope some will offer better wording.

I have an old (1997) Grand Cherokee and it has a trip meter with Distance to empty, average milage, current average mileage. The Distance to empty is a joke. The average mileage however is totally cool. I reset it after every tankful. The average current is fun to play with. I set it when I am on the highway and then I draft another vehicle. It works really well.

It is a shame that I am buying a vehicle that is 9 model years newer and it doesn't have this. Oh well, at least it is not a complaint about the reliability!

As a mobile electronics installer, I have had the opportunity to program a few factory Honda keyless remotes. One was on a 1997 Honda Civic EX and the other was a 1996 Honda Accord. The programming manuals showed how to enable/disable certain features like priority doorlocks which would only unlock the driver's door unless u pressed the button a second time when enabled. I know this is a different problem, but there may be a chance that it is just a programming issue. The remotes that I programmed were done through a series of button presses from the remote and switching on the ignition. May check the dealer for a programming manual, maybe. Happy hunting! Sorry I didn't spring for the NAVI, so I don't share your woes. But, good luck with everything!

12volt

Just got off the Phone with Honda USA support. They are now claiming that the manual is just a "mis-print" they say "THE FEATURE DOES NOT EXIST ON THE RIDGELINE" ... I'd love to know who is telling the truth here. I trust the memebers here a lot more than the tech rep....

Anyone else have any better luck?


Doesn't exist huh?

Take a look for yourself dude:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1003&page=5&pp=10

Honda ... Please Note Well ... :D

If Honda had originally offered this feature in the RL Navi I would have purchased the Navi option.
I like having and monitoring this kind of information while driving.

I specifically selected the models with the "trip computer" in my last 2 vehicles ... the VW GTI and Toyota Highlander Limited.

From the threads on this subject it appears this feature will be available in the future on RL models with Navi.

Just read about Trip Meter being disconnected. I paid a good anount of money for my Navigation system in my RTL and I want all the features to WORK!

Calling and lodging a complaint also.


P.S. RE: Lawyers. Whats the difference between a dead Lawyer and a dead skunk lying in
the road?




Answer: There are skid marks in front of the skunk!

I strongly encourage everyone to call American Honda and complain we were jipped out of a Trip Computer. They even show a screenshot of it on the last page in the QuickStart guide.


This might be an update, or I am lame. The last page of my Quick Start Guide does not show any screenshot of a Trip Computer. I have a fairly recently build Ridgeline #H5289xx, so maybe they reprinted the Quick Start Manual to ease off the public pressure on this matter. My Manual# 16840 2005.04.6
Can someone else confirm the manual number or verify the manual has changed. Or tell me where to see this screenshot. :confused:
Inquiring minds want to know.

Same here. When I read vertrkr's report of a snapshot of Trip Computer on last page of the Quick Start Guide I hurried out to my RTL to get the Giude book.
Last two pages show Nav. info.
But I dont see anything regarding the Trip Computer either.

My guide book is 2006, # on back is 11000.2005.02.6
My owners manual is 2006, # on back is 16000.2005.03.6
My RL s/n is 517127

They must have updated the manuals and deleted the items.

If the Trip Computer is still resident in the Nav. system and has been diabled but was included in the Quick Guide as a feature, I'm wondering if there could be legal ramifications for Honda.

Dam...t, I want my feature back.
We paid for it!

Would like to see pictures of feature in Quick Start Guide to take to my Honda dealer.

Joe

I called today and logged a complaint on the trip computer. The call center explanation was that most likely it was disabled or not considered since it is a truck and most truck owners are not concerned with gas mileage.:) I asked to be called back.

I called today and logged a complaint on the trip computer. The call center explanation was that most likely it was disabled or not considered since it is a truck and most truck owners are not concerned with gas mileage.:) I asked to be called back.

I cannot stand when people make a response to you with absolutely nothing to back it up. Yeah right, no one is concerned about gas mileage because its a truck. I hope they call back.

I also called today and opened a case Re; Trip Computer, all doors unlock and out dated nav disk.

I bought my Ridge 3 months ago with a 5 y/o disk. It shows Texaco gas station that have been out of business in So Cal for 5 years or more.

I contacted Weselow Honda in San Juan Capistrano and they were as useless as T@#$ on a bull.

The call talked at Honda Service Center was almost as useless.

Lots of luck to all trying to get what we thought we had.

Happy Holidays to all.

Tom

I called today and logged a complaint on the trip computer. The call center explanation was that most likely it was disabled or not considered since it is a truck and most truck owners are not concerned with gas mileage.:) I asked to be called back.

I'd like to call on this too, and file the same complaint. What's the phone number? The procedure?

fins

I'd like to call on this too, and file the same complaint. What's the phone number? The procedure?

fins

Call Honda Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009 and open up a case #.

Good Luck

Tom

My dealership rocks. They gave me the new DVD for free. Graphics are a little nicer too

My dealership rock also, they gave me one also!!!!!

Is there any way to tell what version Navi DVD you have installed in your RL? Hope somebody is still viewing this thread.

Dan

The easy way is simply to pop the DVD out of the player (under the drivers seat) and take a look. It is marked on the face of the DVD.

Sign the Trip Computer petition here:
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4810

Does anyone know what the latest version of the Navi DVD should be? Had ours for two weeks now, dosn't seem to be as up to date as it should be. Doesn't know roads that been built for several years. We are in the North Dallas area of Texas.

4.31 (not 4.13)

I have an 07. It is 4.55
files in it say 07touch.bin etc.
Also changed the way you can hack the startup screen. It's harder.

Well I see that it has been almost 2 years and nothing has changed..... I guess not enough people bitched?

FYI, my 06 Civic Si with NAV does not have a trip computer either.

Well I see that it has been almost 2 years and nothing has changed..... I guess not enough people bitched?

I think a lot of people complained, but the bottom line is that Honda made the decision to ignore what the customer wants.

Honda/Acura has had a huge lead in the navigation system field for a few years, but others are getting better and Honda/Acura is getting worse. Take a look at the new Acura MDX to see the future of our system. It's basically the same system as the Ridgeline but has the XM traffic integrated... but for 2007 they chose to eliminate the touch screen functions and substituted a clumsy joystick. It's pretty bad.

It's my understanding that this is all based on the opinion of a single person at Honda that doesn't even like navigation systems to start with.

I think the direction Honda is headed in the navigation field is wrong. I've let them know that, as have many others. Honda has made the choice to ignore the wants and needs of the customer in this case.

shame on Honda

:(

I have been reading a wide variety of threads...
Several long threads with owners complaining about mpg.
A reoccuring theme... many believe there odometers are off by as much as 12%. Some owners have even verified... 1.2 miles on odometer is 1.6 on a GPS.

Now jump to this thread.... Owners talking about Navi trip computer disabled.
I'm guessing here but...
If you have an odometer that is off, and a Navi trip computer... they would both very quickly contradict each other... ie - your odometer would say you went 20 miles and the trip computer would say you went 16 miles. So to prevent this from happening... disable the Navi trip computer. Hmmmm
Sounds plausible... Of course, I'm just speculating.
Any comments?

I don't know if anyone has seen already but apparently the acura guys have got their trip computers working. Here is the thread.
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150840 (http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150840)

Does/could this help us in getting the Ridgeline trip computer working? Using same methods and what not.

And Fastang you might be right seeing as there is now a class action going on due to the odometer problems.

Class Action you say?
WOW !
My 07 RTX doesn't have either... No Navi, and my odometer is dead on.
I find it hard to believe...
but "interestingly plausable" - (taken from "Mythbusters".)
For sure... a topic that can be debated.
I have yet to experience any problems or issues with my RL.
Even owners who have experienced problems still would not be willing to get rid of their beloved Ridgelines... maybe a few.
Issues like these are to be expected from new model releases.
Remember we are only in the second model year.

The class action was resolved a few months ago. You should have got a letter showing that your warranty has been extended.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11359

I don't know if anyone has seen already but apparently the acura guys have got their trip computers working. Here is the thread.
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150840 (http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150840)

Does/could this help us in getting the Ridgeline trip computer working? Using same methods and what not.

And Fastang you might be right seeing as there is now a class action going on due to the odometer problems.

Most of their work is on an older version of the navigation system than we have in the Ridgeline.

You can change the splash screen on our version, but that's about all that's been made public anyway.