If you have you winter tire/rims and no TPMS, then you probably have the TPMS light on all the time, right? For fun in the snow in that scenario, pull the 20A fuse in the secondary fuse box under the hood near the brake fluid reservoir. (but don't forget to put it back when you're done playing with VSA disabled).

 

Though I understand if you do that, every warning light related to handling is going to come on and stay on. If you can live with that, you'll have a whole different experience.

 

Great and honest review, Paul!

I had the same reaction as you to the fuel economy (my '09 Civic was a hybrid, which spoiled me just a little more) and the sound system. I was disappointed that the best Honda could do here was an Aux Input on their top-of-the-line Ridgeline, while they managed to find the technical chops to get a USB plug into the center console of the Civic. Same with the radio: why no speed-sensitive volume adjustment?

Your main point really resonates. The ROC is larded with threads where members debate what could be improved with the Ridgeline. Some of the suggestions seem in consonance with the RL's general "persona," but many others have an underlying nag: "I want what I had on the [insert name of high-end vehicle here]."

It's all about expectations—the Ridgeline is a fantastic vehicle for the needs you mention. It's not a plaything for sliding around in the snow, but you wouldn't really want to risk your 7-year-old's future on that kind of horseplay anyway, right?

Instead, it offers a sure-footed, boring, predictable transit through the snow. And since I read today that we're getting a more brutal winter south of the Arctic Circle and may have more of that in our future, that makes the RL a great vehicle for me.

 

thanks wingnut for the fuse info... might install a switch of just pull out the wallet for another set of sensors.

matt, i miss a small tail "wiggleness" from the subaru times; i like to be able to steer with throttle.

even my children keep telling asking about "derapages" (small sliding) they also told me sunday that the truck is much slower than our last cars!!!

mind you with the si or wrx engined forester, we use to accelerated "briskly" while getting on the highway.

i keep my real spirited driving for the summer with the miata on the track.

 

matt, i miss a small tail "wiggleness" from the subaru times; i like to be able to steer with throttle.

even my children keep asking about "derapages" (small sliding) they also told me sunday that the truck is much slower than our last cars!!!

mind you with the si or wrx engined forester, we use to accelerated "briskly" while getting on the highway.

i keep my real spirited driving for the summer with the miata on the track.

I wonder how much of that is their perception. The Ridgeline feels "slower" to me than the Civic, yet if I keep an eye on the gauges it is actually doing everything with a little more zing.

The difference, I think, is that I'm higher up from the ground, with more space around me.

It's all tradeoffs, of course! Thanks again for the review, Paul.

 

I don't really read everyone's posts when I enter thread due to some of them being very lengthy but for some reason I read your intro completely and I enjoyed. Thank you for your honest and descriptive post. I love reading reviews like this, it seemed real, not too technical or too in depth into miniscule pet peeves.

Sent from my iPhone using Autoguide

 

I enjoyed the review too. It came from a different perspecitve than what I am used to reading about (including my own experiences) which is to say it was refreshing!
I think it is an honest truck for honest people and for the majority who purchase a Ridgeline there are many positives that compensate for less than ideal mpg, even if not completely.
It serves many people for many different reasons which I think goes beyond 'just needing a truck'.

 

Paul,
Your post struck a cord with me because I am nearing two months of ownership and my reasons for buying a RL are very similiar to yours. Love cars, racing, etc, including watching hours upon hours of Barett Jackson this past week. I have 3 kids and love biking. My RL will allow me to travel with 5 bikes and gear. I had a 4cyl. Accord (RIP due to accident)so the gas mileage situation is the same as yours but I knew that going into the RL.
The RL simply fits what I use a truck for. I echo your statement about this being a great forum. I squatted here for a long time before being in the market. The info is invaluable as a potential owner and now an owner.
How do you like the elemat? I was thinking of adding it to my short list of add ons.

 

Paul,

How do you like the elemat? I was thinking of adding it to my short list of add ons.

forgot to answer you...

really like the elemat, well build, well cut; even a not so heavy cardboard box has to be lifted in order to be moved around on the mat good buy especially with the club discount code

 

indeed, the "sensation" is really different in the ridge for acceleration in speed

i used to pull gears up to the redlines in the civic and subarus while getting on the highway... i really miss the small engine whine while approaching cut-off, lol. i am much much leisure in acceleration with the truck also in the curves!

i also drive slower with the truck for the sake of economy... a first for me!!! i used to drive 120kph on the highway (about the treshold for speeding ticket here) not, i am more around 110kph. and am starting to not feel too slow about it.

thanks for the appreciation on the post, it was fairly easy to write

i'm off reading the post about bypassing the stability system....

 

Like the OP, I am coming up on 3 months of my new 2010 RTL. I really do like it. No regret in buying it. The only other vehicles that tempt me are the Subaru Outback or Forester due to their similar versatility but better gas mileage and better ground clearance. The only other difference of course is the truck bed which Subaru does not match.

I think once I get my bike rack up and installed in the bed I will be ready to use it like it is supposed to be. Only a little under 3000 miles and although my MPGs seem low, according to the trip B calculator I am just over 16 mpg overall.

 

I was closing in on the Subie OB myself. Very nice vehicle. But the Rigdline can carry things they can't (or would need to load on the roof or tow). No doubt the mpgs even with the 6 would be better with the OB. Most anything is a trade-off.

 

tried the truck with the fuse pulled today

we were at a friend's cottage with a "track" cleared on the lake

LOTS of FUN!!!!

my wife enjoyed it as well so she asked me:"why don't we leave it out all the time"

we won't be doing that, but a switch is coming on soon

 

Take a pic of your instrument panel when you have the fuse pulled and post it here please.