Excerpt from Gary Flint Interview

[DoctorJ]

Originally Posted by ROColorado

I've been following the wheel discussions to see if anyone runs into any problems. Not that I was planning to buy different wheels but I changed the wheel size on my Dodge Ram a few years ago because the wheel well openings are huge compared to the OEM tire and I thought it would look so much better with bigger tires. Then I found out why you don't do that. I ended up with warped rotors which I replaced with slotted rotors for higher temps and then got the brake drums out of round next. Fixed that and the rotors warped again. I went back to the specified wheel size and all these problems stopped occuring. It could be a coincidence but I'm not changing the tire size on my Ridgeline. Getting it wrong is way too expensive. Your milage may vary. Good luck.

Depending on the wheel size you used the brake problems may have been caused by the increase in wheel and tire weight. Larger diameter wheels and tires can weigh much more than stock causing all kinds of havoc.

[DWdrums]

Originally Posted by NotaChevy

I was seriously considering aftermarket wheels and tires until I saw this, yesterday....
"The Ridgeline’s tires and wheels were specifically designed to meet the load rating, handling, and crash performance of this vehicle. Any aftermarket wheel will not meet the strength requirements these wheels have been subjected to. Therefore it is an exceedingly bad idea to replace them with ANYTHING other than the Honda accessory wheel. Additionally, you should be aware making this type of modification voids any warranty claim relating to the suspension, brakes or drivetrain. "

Brutha, this guy is a Honda Pitch man, what do you think he's gonna say? HA HAHHAHAHHA HA

[jeffiam]

Originally Posted by swampler

Yes, and as I already posted, my interpretation was different. I meant some other, clearer, documentation.

ok..........sorry.

re: wheels

so, i suspect this vehicle is built to certain specs and of course no no one involved with honda would recommend anything except those parts that have been specified for the ridgeline, including wheels. As for me, i think i ll listen to them on this one since some failures, if they coincendently occured, could in turn be blamed on the modification, where true or not.

[milehigh]

Brutha, this guy is a Honda Pitch man, what do you think he's gonna say? HA HAHHAHAHHA HA

IMHO even though Mr. Flint works for Honda, he's an engineer and quite passionate about this truck. If you met him like I did, you'd probably have the opinion of him as I do that he's genuinely interested in what's best for the RL and the owner. I deal with pitch-men all the time and this guy never struck me as such. He certainly didn't seem to mind the aftermarket catback system another owner put on his RL. Gary's only concern was whether there was enough clearance between the larger tailpipe and the bumper so it wouldn't melt (he got down and looked at it closely and told the owner it would probably be OK).

[NotaChevy]

Originally Posted by DWdrums

Brutha, this guy is a Honda Pitch man, what do you think he's gonna say? HA HAHHAHAHHA HA

"Additionally, you should be aware making this type of modification voids any warranty claim relating to the suspension, brakes or drivetrain. "
I guess it just bothers me that this does not say...
MAY void
COULD void
MIGHT void or
SOME warranty claims
It seems quite specific that it "VOIDS ANY........ "

[Kodiak]

Tire Clarification:

A 255 tire can be installed on the Ridgeline on the stock wheel and maintain clearance to the surrounding components. Again - keep in mind you need to be careful about the load rating (105 min).

Once you install the 255 tire, there is no longer clearance to accommodate tire chains which are still required in some regions.

Any larger tire WILL NOT provide clearance to the underbody components under full suspension travel at full turn.

The wheel also plays a role in your crash performance in a head-on collision. A larger wheel may alter the lower cash mode and affect your ability to survive a severe head-on crash. As stated in the owner’s manual "you may be severely injured or killed". I don't believe this could stated any stronger.

The risk is yours. If the dealer has installed the wheels, you claim for labiality or compensation is between you and the dealer. Not Honda.

Proceed with caution....
K

[jeffiam]

Originally Posted by Kodiak

Tire Clarification:

The wheel also plays a role in your crash performance in a head-on collision. A larger wheel may alter the lower cash mode and affect your ability to survive a severe head-on crash. As stated in the owner’s manual "you may be severely injured or killed". I don't believe this could stated any stronger.

The risk is yours. If the dealer has installed the wheels, you claim for labiality or compensation is between you and the dealer. Not Honda.

Proceed with caution....
K

well put.

[maybearidge]

yup.....10 years ago that stuff would fly right over my head. Now that I'm caring my family, vanity is low on the list of wants...but it is still there

safety is still number UNO