Maintneance questions????

[conour24v]

OK I received an 06 ridgeline with 34k on it it has 36 now drove it around for a month after drivng it from florida to ny. so heres my questions
i want to bring the truck up to date i have no idea of older maintence honda was not very helpfull. at 36k what do i need to do?
how does that whole maintence minder thing work?
the blower makes a funny noise when its on.
when makeing tight turns backing up slippery conditions i seem to get a noise from the rear of the truck brakes look decent all the way around.
im a decent DIY but this honda stuff is a bit different for me.

[tpevehouse]

If you have no baseline then do everything fluid related.

[henni]

perhaps this will help.

[speedlever]

Welcome to the ROC conour24v.

In normal service, at 36k you should have had the rear differential serviced by 15k miles, and routine oil changes when the MM calls for it, probably every 6 to 7k miles or so.

I would have already done a tranny fluid change, but the MM won't call for it until in the 40-45k mile range. With a 2006 model, you should replace the brake fluid every 3 years and I also suggest doing the power steering fluid and coolant too with a 6 year old vehicle. Replace the engine air filter and the cabin air filter if they don't look fresh.

All these things are pretty simple DIY-type jobs if you're so inclined. You'll pay about 1/4 as a DIYer vs taking it to the dealer.

Here's a link that provides a nice overview of the MM system:
http://www.rbhonda.com/maintenance-minder-system.htm

Basically, the MM groups maintenance around oil change intervals (OCIs) so you don't have to make repeated trips to the shop. Always let the MM run until at least the 15% alert so you can see what other maintenance is associated with that particular OCI.

Note that when you reset the MM/oil life indicator, it assumes you've done all the associated maintenance and will not remind you of it again until the next time it's due. Also, the MM does not know if you use synthetic or dino oil. I use syn oil and still change per the MM schedule when it gets close to the 0% alert.

The noise you're hearing from the rear when turning suggests the rear diff has not been serviced or needs servicing. You can buy a gallon of VTM-4 fluid (no substitutes) for about $25, a gallon hand pump (keep this dedicated to VTM-4 fluid only) and it will take about 3 quarts to service the rear diff.

I recommend Honda fluids for everything except the engine oil (any 5w-20 that meets the spec) and the transfer assembly (which uses 80w-90 hypoid gear oil).

Here's the normal service schedule which approximates the MM. This schedule calls for some maintenance sooner than the MM (like the rear diff at 15k and again at 30k miles). But the MM will call for the rear diff at the oil change just prior to 15k miles and the next callout will be 30k miles later.


There are plenty of links here for the DIY procedures for everything. Just search. And ask if you have any questions.

[breye]

Originally Posted by conour24v

im a decent DIY but this honda stuff is a bit different for me.

Here's some links for you to help with the fluid changes.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/f...intenance+A136


http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/f...intenance+A136

[conour24v]

Thank you guys will do all if that stuff and for a last question would a new blower motor Howell also?

[Rib]

There was a recall a couple of years ago on the blower motor or wiring, search for it on this board. Might be worth having a dealer check to see if that was taken care of, I think they mark the VIN tag or something.

[conour24v]

Ill check at honda in the am when I pick up the fluids.

[IanRTL]

Rear diff (VTM-4) for SURE if you're getting the noise when turning. Also, do a 3x drain and fill of the transmission using the DW-1 fluid and driving about 50-100 miles in between each change ensuring to engage each gear including reverse. Also, you really need to do a complete brake fluid change as it should be done every 3 years regardless of miles. Can't hurt to do a power steering fluid swap and maybe a coolant change, too.

[HondaE]

Replace your radiator..... It will fail eventually. The trans and Coolant will mix potentially taking out your trans. Happened to me