Honda Tech and Ridge owner here to help.

[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 against 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.

[Andy-Montreal]

Welcome to the ROC HondaTech! It's nice to know that we have another knowledgeable person to help out with the technical aspects of the Ridgeline.

[fearless]

I love my 07 EXL-NAVI. I am looking at adding some extra HP. I was considering installing a performance intake and exhaust. Any recomendations? Do these mods adversly effect the engine?

[HondaTech]

Fearless - The installation of a "performance" intake system.... something like a cold air intake with a high flow air filter, will only be harmful to the engine if you drive in deep water and manage to suck water into the engine. Otherwise, it is basically harmless. However going along with being harmless, it probably won't make any significant difference in HP... maybe 5 at best. IMO its a waste of money.... but to each their own.

As for the exhaust... I wouldn't recommend changing any portion of that. You cannot, by law, alter or remove the catalytic converters. Also, the cat back muffler system is designed to provide adequate backpressure and flow, as well as quiet exhaust noise. I have no idea if there are bolt-on aftermarket exhaust systems available for the RL. In general though, if it bolts on from the cat back, it won't hurt anything, but again will likely just make more noise and not really help performance.

[fredridge]

Hondatech, welcome and enjoy the forum. There are a lot of people here with experience and willingness to help and I am sure you level of knowledge will be greatly appreciated.

[shortspark]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you'll keep busy here!!!

[Oznative]

A big New England welcome to you. I'm sure your knowledge and experience will be greatly appreciated by all. Lots of good people and information to be had here.

[shovelhd]

Welcome, HondaTech. I've got one for you.

I've basically been maintaining my Ridgeline by the maintenance minder. You're an owner and a tech. How will you maintain your vehicle, by HAL or on your own schedule?

[HondaTech]

Maintenence Minder (HAL)

First of all, I would say that following the MM is what Honda recommends. If you documented every maintence you did, or had done, and you had an unusual failure.... something like an engine knock or oil consumption, Honda would have a hard time NOT covering it. That being said, there is no harm in changing the oil and fluids more frequently than recommended. Honda views used fluids as pollution or emissions. Something the vehicle created, and in the intrest of creating a more "green" car company, wants to reduce this.

Now for my own vehicle.....
Keep in mind that I get parts and fluids at cost and usually free.

I'll plan on changing the oil and filter every 3000-3500 miles. I'll probably use conventional oil rather than synthetic.(you change oil because it gets dirty - not because it wears out)

ATF will probably be every 30,000 - more often if I start towing with it.

VTM-4 fluid every 15k

Rotate tires every other oil change

Coolant really doesn't need to be changed untill around 100k

Filters and bulbs, wipers, etc as needed.

One suggestion to all.... every once in a while, maybe once a year.... Pay a quality shop the money to perform a 4 wheel alignment. Everyone drives on poor roads and hits potholes.... sometimes curbs here and there. Aligning the car every now and again corrects the impacts from these. It will increase the life of the tirs and provide a better overall ride. Plus, normally parts are not required, so the cost is reasonable.

[hiPSI]

Originally Posted by HondaTech

Maintenence Minder (HAL)

First of all, I would say that following the MM is what Honda recommends. If you documented every maintence you did, or had done, and you had an unusual failure.... something like an engine knock or oil consumption, Honda would have a hard time NOT covering it. That being said, there is no harm in changing the oil and fluids more frequently than recommended. Honda views used fluids as pollution or emissions. Something the vehicle created, and in the intrest of creating a more "green" car company, wants to reduce this.

Now for my own vehicle.....
Keep in mind that I get parts and fluids at cost and usually free.

I'll plan on changing the oil and filter every 3000-3500 miles. I'll probably use conventional oil rather than synthetic.(you change oil because it gets dirty - not because it wears out)

ATF will probably be every 30,000 - more often if I start towing with it.

VTM-4 fluid every 15k

Rotate tires every other oil change

Coolant really doesn't need to be changed untill around 100k

Filters and bulbs, wipers, etc as needed.

One suggestion to all.... every once in a while, maybe once a year.... Pay a quality shop the money to perform a 4 wheel alignment. Everyone drives on poor roads and hits potholes.... sometimes curbs here and there. Aligning the car every now and again corrects the impacts from these. It will increase the life of the tirs and provide a better overall ride. Plus, normally parts are not required, so the cost is reasonable.

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?