Honda Tech and Ridge owner here to help.

[Cajun]

Welcome to the ROC HondaTech and congrats on your new RL. It is my opinion that you will make "Senior" status very quickly.

[geotech]

Here to help?
You're not with the federal government are you?

Seriously, thanks for being here and offering to help! I look forward to your posts!

[Tihstae]

Welcome to the forums. Have fun learning more about your Ridgeline than you ever thought you would know.

[xridgelinex]

Welcome....

Is it true the addition of a grill guard or bull bar cause a decreased effectiveness to the RL "safety" and structural integrity?

Thanks for your help....

[HondaTech]

Originally Posted by hiPSI

Why will you change the oil every 3000-3500 miles? Are you doing it because it "looks" dirty or do you have some history that will cause you to do this? Will you sample your used oil and have it analyzed and make changes as needed? Many of us on this board have (and still do) send our used oil samples in to different labs around the country and so far I have gotten only normal reports with no major particle counts or anything unusual in my oil and I just have my dealer change it with the MM, which has averaged 6200 miles per change over 50,000 miles so far. So, why will you change it so often?

Why change it every 3000? Because it has been routine for me to do so on all my previous cars, and it's free for me. All it takes is 10 minutes or so.
It is most likely unnecessary, but there are people out there that change it every 2000. If it's free why not.

[HondaTech]

Originally Posted by xridgelinex

Welcome....

Is it true the addition of a grill guard or bull bar cause a decreased effectiveness to the RL "safety" and structural integrity?

Thanks for your help....

I am not aware of anything specific about this issue, but common sense would seem to provide the answer. The RL was designed to "crash" with the factory subframes, beams, etc. The force of the impact is distributed through them in a manner that was engineered to provide maximum impact absorbtion and provide the best saftey. I can see how adding a great big piece of steel that bolts to the frame could change the dynamic of an impact. The question is, is it dangerous to mount it? Probably not. Honda won't recommend it, as it will certainly change the way the energy from a crash is absorbed... may not "crumple" like it was designed. I doubt however that there is anything too serious to be concerned with. If you smash into something hard enough to need crumple zones.... The trucked is going to be f'd anyway.

[Pug]

Originally Posted by HondaTech

Hello everyone. I am brand new to this forum, but used to be active on some other Honda forums. I work for a large Honda dealer in the Milwaukee area. I am highly trained and have access to all the factory information and publications. I have been an ASE certified master level tech for about 8 yrs now. I am offering my advice to fellow Ridgeline owners. Please feel free to post your questions here. I am a dealer tech, however, so I will generally advise anything that Honda has not designed, i.e. aftermarket modifications.

I am also the proud new owner of a 2007 Ridgeline RTL with Navi. I love the truck and got an amazing deal on it. One of the fringe benefits of working at a dealer.

I look forward to helping you all in your Ridgeline, or any Honda, problems and concerns.

Other than "the deal" and your affiliation with Honda, what were YOUR reasons for deciding on a Ridgeline?
I'm sure you did your homework when researching the available trucks, and we'd all like to know...

Welcome to the ROC!

Pug

[amp5516]

Welcome, I am new to website myself. I have a week old RTL, and I topped of the gas tank twice this week, today I noticed that the fuel gauge has a 1/8th of a tank reading swing, is this normal for Honda gauges?. This is My first Honda product I hope I will be happy with this truck. Thanks.

[HondaTech]

Originally Posted by amp5516

Welcome, I am new to website myself. I have a week old RTL, and I topped of the gas tank twice this week, today I noticed that the fuel gauge has a 1/8th of a tank reading swing, is this normal for Honda gauges?. This is My first Honda product I hope I will be happy with this truck. Thanks.

I'm not really sure what you mean by reading swing.... In general, the tank will stay on or near the "F" for a while... then drop at a consistant rate until empty. Gauges are estimates though, and should not be taken as gospel. If your gauge says it is half full (its a 22 gal tank), don't be surprised or think there is a problem if you can only get 9 or 10 gallons in. Its just not that exact.

[Always a Honda Guy]

Welcome to the ROC! I too worked as a Honda tech from 1977 thru 1987. It's more than just turning wrenches these days. Thanks for your valuable input, & you're gonna love your Ridge!