I have had FAR too many vehicles over half a century. On Friday I traded my CR-V for a 2024 RL RT-L. I've had various cars including several Hondas. I wish my RL had a better center display, 11-12 inch with higher resolution. The screen in both my Hondas is definitely lacking. My RL needs brake hold like my CR-V had. My 2024 came with Firestone Destination LE2 which is not even the current top Firestone tire much less the top tire in that tire class. Those are what come immediately to mind. Others I'm sure to follow.
A more ideal Ridgeline
LDB415
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I have had FAR too many vehicles over half a century. On Friday I traded my CR-V for a 2024 RL RT-L. I've had various cars including several Hondas. I wish my RL had a better center display, 11-12 inch with higher resolution. The screen in both my Hondas is definitely lacking. My RL needs brake hold like my CR-V had. My 2024 came with Firestone Destination LE2 which is not even the current top Firestone tire much less the top tire in that tire class. Those are what come immediately to mind. Others I'm sure to follow.
Very few auto vendors put top grade tires in their vehicles. The Firestones in our 2024 Ridges are probably a bit above average, but I am already counting the miles before I can justify replacing them with Michelins.
I absolutely love the Ridge but I do have a list of improvements I would like for some future Ridgeline. Three biggies are a front center distance sensor [duh!], front tow hooks [or at least easy frame access tow points] and low speed ACC. And good marked frame bolt access points around the perimeter sides of the bed are another no-brainer currently missing.
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6,475 Posts
My ideal Ridgeline WAS the 2019 AWD Sport model, where there never will be a new Ridgeline with this minimum number of nanny controls/luxury accessories and the corresponding inexpensive price. That would have been our choice if the sales rep had not offered us an RTL, (still without the unwanted Nannie’s), for less than a Sport. Consequently our current Ridgeline will more than likely be our first, and last, NEW Ridgeline we will ever purchase.
(Added note where 2019 was also the last year a Ridgeline could be had for under $30,000!)
Bill
(Added note where 2019 was also the last year a Ridgeline could be had for under $30,000!)
Bill
OEM Firestone tires are decent enough. Do you have a specific complaint?
Oh, they're better than the Bridgestone Ecopia on my CR-V. My "complaint" is wanting the best "quiet" available and the Firestone Destination LE3 scores better in all categories than the LE2 that came on my truck while sticking with Firestone they apparently want on the RL line. And others score better still.
Comparing provided Firestone Destination LE2, Destination LE3 & Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive using Tire Rack ratings they get:
Wet 8.3, 8.9, 9.4
Dry 8.7, 9.3, 9.5
Comfort 8.6, 9.0, 9.1
Noise 8.5, 8.9, 9.0
Ride Quality 8.7, 9.1, 9.2
Would recommend 6.9, 8.6, 8.9
And the three rank 20/55, 5/55 and 1/55. So I'd rather be running the first place Pirelli than the 20th place Firestone. Or even the current Firestone LE3 that takes 5th place instead of 20th.
Oh, the Bridgestone Ecopia they put on the CR-V is 44th of 55. So at least the LE2 aren't that junky, even with a supposedly good name on the side.
Comparing provided Firestone Destination LE2, Destination LE3 & Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive using Tire Rack ratings they get:
Wet 8.3, 8.9, 9.4
Dry 8.7, 9.3, 9.5
Comfort 8.6, 9.0, 9.1
Noise 8.5, 8.9, 9.0
Ride Quality 8.7, 9.1, 9.2
Would recommend 6.9, 8.6, 8.9
And the three rank 20/55, 5/55 and 1/55. So I'd rather be running the first place Pirelli than the 20th place Firestone. Or even the current Firestone LE3 that takes 5th place instead of 20th.
Oh, the Bridgestone Ecopia they put on the CR-V is 44th of 55. So at least the LE2 aren't that junky, even with a supposedly good name on the side.
I never thought about that. Something for next time.
Driving on paved roads 99.9% of times, the tires are fine from my perspective. Especially, when 99% of the times it is driven in city traffic.
The things where I'd like to see changes is the tranny, the valve adjustment and the electronic gadgets.
The way the tranny shifts, especially down-shifting, is unexpected initially. One can get used of it and adjust, but it should be better. The other issue is that when the engine started, it may move forward about a half an inch or so. Once started it up standing between the front of it and the building scared the hell out of me, when it moved. Also getting tired of it moving, when the engine stopped, emergency brake applied and let go the brake pedal.
The manual valve lash adjustment not my favored, that requires periodic, manual adjustment that might come too late when the MM calls for it. Nowadays, this type of valve adjustment started to look ancient, auto adjusting lifters sound like a better option.
I don't need new electronic gadget, but it would be nice, if the ones that came with work consistently, like ACC, auto-light, auto start/stop, etc. That's evidently too much to ask for....
Other than that, I like My'24 and in my view, there's no other truck/SUV in this price range.that as good...
The things where I'd like to see changes is the tranny, the valve adjustment and the electronic gadgets.
The way the tranny shifts, especially down-shifting, is unexpected initially. One can get used of it and adjust, but it should be better. The other issue is that when the engine started, it may move forward about a half an inch or so. Once started it up standing between the front of it and the building scared the hell out of me, when it moved. Also getting tired of it moving, when the engine stopped, emergency brake applied and let go the brake pedal.
The manual valve lash adjustment not my favored, that requires periodic, manual adjustment that might come too late when the MM calls for it. Nowadays, this type of valve adjustment started to look ancient, auto adjusting lifters sound like a better option.
I don't need new electronic gadget, but it would be nice, if the ones that came with work consistently, like ACC, auto-light, auto start/stop, etc. That's evidently too much to ask for....
Other than that, I like My'24 and in my view, there's no other truck/SUV in this price range.that as good...
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805 Posts
If Honda made all the changes that various people ask for here a Ridgeline would cost $70K and look and lose many of the attributes that make is so good at its mission. Probably headed that direction anyway.
Amen
You mean, that things are installed in the RL, that barely or not working would cost that much to fix? Gotcha.... 😏
Engine hood struts and PLEASE mount the spare tire with the valve up. Having to take the tire out to check and fill air? What the hell?
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5,609 Posts
This works for me:
Amazon.com: Hotop 4 Pieces Valve Stem Extension Stainless Steel Braided Extenders, 6 Pieces 45 90 135 Degree Brass Extenders for Cars Trucks Motorhome Trailer Rv Trailer Vehicle(12 Inch,Silver)
Amazon.com: Hotop 4 Pieces Valve Stem Extension Stainless Steel Braided Extenders, 6 Pieces 45 90 135 Degree Brass Extenders for Cars Trucks Motorhome Trailer Rv Trailer Vehicle(12 Inch,Silver)
www.amazon.com
Thanks, but I did the extenders.....stainless braided......many of them leak and then you have to take the extender off to use the tire, losing 5 lbs as you unscrew them. The engineering of the spare tire orientation is flawed and I remain shocked that HONDA has yet to correct it. I am on my 2nd Ridgeline. I remain sceptical that Honda reads this forum.This works for me:
Amazon.com: Hotop 4 Pieces Valve Stem Extension Stainless Steel Braided Extenders, 6 Pieces 45 90 135 Degree Brass Extenders for Cars Trucks Motorhome Trailer Rv Trailer Vehicle(12 Inch,Silver)
Amazon.com: Hotop 4 Pieces Valve Stem Extension Stainless Steel Braided Extenders, 6 Pieces 45 90 135 Degree Brass Extenders for Cars Trucks Motorhome Trailer Rv Trailer Vehicle(12 Inch,Silver)www.amazon.com
Congrats on the new Ridgeline! I get what you mean about the center display—Honda really needs to step up their infotainment screens. Brake Hold is also something I’d miss; it’s super convenient in traffic. As for the tires, it’s surprising they didn’t go with a higher-end option. Are you considering swapping them out, or will you wait and see how they perform ?
The center display on my 2025 BE RL is pretty nice in my opinion. Good resolution, smooth motion, and gets the job done. I also like the Firestone LE2’s. They are very good in the rain and on dry pavement.
I agree that the ACC sucks, the lack of a front center parking sensor sucks, the auto braking is too sensitive. The downshifts of the transmission could be better as well. All minor things though.
I have installed an idle stopper to address that annoying system. I also never wanted to use the automatic high beams and disabled that day one.
I agree that the ACC sucks, the lack of a front center parking sensor sucks, the auto braking is too sensitive. The downshifts of the transmission could be better as well. All minor things though.
I have installed an idle stopper to address that annoying system. I also never wanted to use the automatic high beams and disabled that day one.
The center display is MEH. Go check out the deluxe Ford Escape 12.3" center display. EXPONENTIALLY better than this sad excuse offered by Honda. Yes, brake hold is missed. Not sure why they leave it out. And LE2 is a good tire, way better than the Ecopia they put on CR-V and whatever. Not the best, but maybe a 7 on the 10 scale compared to the 4 the Ecopia rates.
Well, for the record, only a standard push rod engine uses hydraulic lifters, but a lot of people don't realize that and will refer to any of the hydraulic setups as lifters. Lifters move, the hydraulic fulcrum adjuster is stationary.
Honda's new dual overhead cam engine, I believe, is using a hydraulic adjusting fulcrum at one end of the rocker, the center is the pad that the cam lobe runs on and the other end pushes the rod down when opening the valve. No more valve adjustments.
The thing is Honda has had this setup for years, they were introduced in motorcycles in 1983 with then Nighthawk 550 and 650, then in the Nighthawk S 700. I forget if they were in the 1984 Honda Gold Wing but definitely in the 1500 flat six Wing. They came back in the standard bikes with the 90s Nighthawk 750.
I'm sure if there were hydraulic adjusters on other overhead cam engines someone will say so here.
I can tell you from experience the shim and bucket setup is best for weight and wear well, but require a lengthy recording of clearances to figure shim sizes along with taking the cams out to swap out shims on the shim-under-bucket valves. The screw type adjusters are fast and easy with some shim stock to do adjustments. Old, but reliable and fast work
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