Honda Ridgeline Stuck on Hill

[Webwader]

After about 15,000 miles, I had the transmission fluid replaced because it was brown instead of the healthy red color it is supposed to be. At 22,000 miles, it was brown again. I am now concerned about the longevity of the drive train.

It looks to me like we might be missing an important clue here. Why was the fluid brown after 15,000 miles and why is it brown now? I have over 18,000 miles on my RL, half of which were spent towing in excess of 3,000 lb. in mountainous country. My transmission fluid is nice and red and smells like new. I think the reasons behind the burnt fluid are found are the solution to the problem. I can believe the scenario speed_racer is presenting if the transmission is slipping badly.

[speed_racer]

I cannot confirm that the vehicle's transmission fluid was clean when I purchased the truck. However, I presume that it was because I have a copy of the "Pre-Delivery Inspection" checklist in the front of the "Honda Service History" booklet that came with the truck. Under the section entitled "Check Fluid Levels", the box in front of "transmission" is checked off (along with all the other listed fluids).

I believe that flooring the truck's accelerator, in an effort to go up a hill, in reverse, when none of the wheels are turning caused the fluid to go bad. Therefore, I am going to suggest that being stuck on a hill caused the fluid to go bad. As opposed to the reverse, that is, that the bad fluid caused the truck to be stuck on the hill.

The vehicle has been in for service at the dealer for this issue on several occasions. End result? They offered to change the transmission and torque converter or trade me out for a new one at a reasonable cost to me.

Finally, after 10 months, and with no guarantee that the problem would be fixed, I traded the "old" 2006 for a new one. Crazy, huh?

I am now driving a 2007 RTLNAV in the new Dark Cherry color (beautiful). Why? Because, other than this climbing issue, I love the truck. Furthermore, the dealer guaranteed my satisfaction on my next trip to Colorado (later this month) or they would refund my money in full!

The dealer has been trying to remedy the situation as best they can (I wish I could say the same for Honda Corp.) and I feel like kind-of a Judas going on and complaining here. Nevertheless, unless I/we figure out what is happening, I am certain that I will be stuck in the same places as before and again ruin the transmission.

[Chefelvis]

you guys need the tranny upgrade software, thats all.

[WVRIDGELINE]

Let us know what happens on your next trip to Colorado speed_racer. Out of all this trouble at least you finally got the right color. Dark cherry won't get stuck on you!!!

[RidgeDOC]

Originally Posted by WVRIDGELINE

Let us know what happens on your next trip to Colorado speed_racer. Out of all this trouble at least you finally got the right color. Dark cherry won't get stuck on you!!!

Silver would have never had these problems. LOL speed racer I am glad you got a new one. Sounds like your tranny was fried for whatever reason. Just be sure to do the hill in forward and reverse in 1st gear with VSA off and VTM-4 locked and I believe your 07 should already have the new tranny software. I have a late 06 and never had anything near steep enough to test on yet, but I am glad for the shared experience and knowledge gained. Please do report back about next colorado trip.

[speed_racer]

Thank you for your reply. In all my trips to the dealership I have not heard about a software update for the transmission. Could you tell me where you heard about this?. I hope to make it out to Colorado in the next couple of weeks. I'll keep you guys posted. By the way, today I get my new ARE topper installed. I'll post a picture later. Be Well. -SR

[tlaudio]

Originally Posted by speed_racer

Thank you for your reply. In all my trips to the dealership I have not heard about a software update for the transmission. Could you tell me where you heard about this?. I hope to make it out to Colorado in the next couple of weeks. I'll keep you guys posted. By the way, today I get my new ARE topper installed. I'll post a picture later. Be Well. -SR

Download the tsp.zip file and look for the Transmission TSB

http://www.navhelp.com/tsb.zip

[lowrider90]

Originally Posted by speed_racer

I cannot confirm that the vehicle's transmission fluid was clean when I purchased the truck. However, I presume that it was because I have a copy of the "Pre-Delivery Inspection" checklist in the front of the "Honda Service History" booklet that came with the truck. Under the section entitled "Check Fluid Levels", the box in front of "transmission" is checked off (along with all the other listed fluids).

I believe that flooring the truck's accelerator, in an effort to go up a hill, in reverse, when none of the wheels are turning caused the fluid to go bad. Therefore, I am going to suggest that being stuck on a hill caused the fluid to go bad. As opposed to the reverse, that is, that the bad fluid caused the truck to be stuck on the hill.

The vehicle has been in for service at the dealer for this issue on several occasions. End result? They offered to change the transmission and torque converter or trade me out for a new one at a reasonable cost to me.

Finally, after 10 months, and with no guarantee that the problem would be fixed, I traded the "old" 2006 for a new one. Crazy, huh?

I am now driving a 2007 RTLNAV in the new Dark Cherry color (beautiful). Why? Because, other than this climbing issue, I love the truck. Furthermore, the dealer guaranteed my satisfaction on my next trip to Colorado (later this month) or they would refund my money in full!

The dealer has been trying to remedy the situation as best they can (I wish I could say the same for Honda Corp.) and I feel like kind-of a Judas going on and complaining here. Nevertheless, unless I/we figure out what is happening, I am certain that I will be stuck in the same places as before and again ruin the transmission.

Thought I would chime in on this one. Many here know already but i traded in my ridgeline 7/1/06. after many months of trying to turn the ridgeline into something it wasn't, more of an off road vehicle.

I think the ridgeline is an absolutely perfectly built pickup for what it was intended. I found the right formula (of switches for vsa/vtm/fuses) for beach driving which is about 50% of my off road driving.

but couldn't get it right for regular off road driving. it was fine on solid packed non graded dirt roads, but it has its limitiations as does anything.

Here is where i settle in.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lowrider...94452881981458

I miss my red ridgeline, my wife cried when i told her what i did. but now my only sadness is that i don't drive in luxury like i did with the red ridge. but that is my only complaint for now. i wish i could have both.

Goos luck, i'll be watching for your update after colorado, J

Oh buy the way, i still get to drive a honda on the highway as we kept the pilot. I couldn't get out of the pilot lease or i would still have the ridgeline. neve will i lease again!

[LadyRidge]

Originally Posted by lowrider90

Many here know already but i traded in my ridgeline 7/1/06.

I didn't know.

[JerseyRidge]

Plenty of helpful and useful information. I just love it here !!! ROC ON !!!