Hmmm, after 200,000 miles, some of it on dirt and gravel roads here in the NW I can tell you I have NEVER experienced the problem you experienced. It's pretty simple, I roll down the driver's window whenever I stop at an ATM. That's the only time the windows open. They might as well be fixed. I figure that is why every Ridgeline has A/C. I use it and the heater in colder weather. Not a problem for this Ridgeline daily driver.
Recently became former Ridgeline owner
A little over two years ago I bought a used 2010 Ridgeline. Two weeks ago I got rid of it with a smile on my face. Before buying the vehicle I did a lot of research including using this excellent forum (a truly valuable resource for owners and prospective owners).
The good, the bad, and the ugly of my experience with this vehicle.
The good - there were a lot of things that I loved about this vehicle. I found the ride to be excellent. I got pretty reasonable fuel economy for a vehicle of this size and capabilities. It handled well on roads covered in snow and ice. I loved the 16000 km between oil changes.
The bad - I had to have the A/C repaired twice in 27 months of ownership which totalled about $1500. I had a few small complaints about the vehicle that I hope Honda has addressed with the redesign. Specific problems included poor visibility because of the A pillar, and poor rearward visibility with the mirrors. I hated the windshield wiper controls - I have driven a couple of vehicles that have one switch that you rotate in one direction to increase the amount of wiping and this is easy to use and very intuitive. The Ridgeline's two knob system is horrible, and the labelling would leave a reasonable person assuming that as you turn the knob toward the larger lines you would increase the frequency of wipes, when in actuality, the larger lines indicate larger intervals between wipes. I can only assume that this was designed by someone who doesn't drive. Another small complaint is about the light that indicates that you are low on fuel. It is inconspicuous, and it is near the gas gauge. If I was looking there I would know what the gas situation is. I want a light that is central and bright - something that can't be overlooked (maybe even use part of the airbag to inflate into a fist and punch me in the face while the radio yells "hey, idiot, look at your gas gauge").
The ugly - by far the worst problem with the Ridgeline (at least mine anyway) was the dust, and this is ultimately the reason that I am no longer a Ridgeline owner. I have looked at many other people's posts about the dust issues in their vehicles and am at least consoled by the fact that I am not the only one who has experienced this problem. I understand that Honda feels that the HVAC system works correctly as it was designed to be used with the windows rolled up - this is a horrible excuse for poor design. I hope prospective buyers of the Ridgeline will find the following video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2jpWKO6cJs
Thanks,
Wireless
I don't think I have posted on this site in a year or possibly two, so I must apologize if I have broken any of the rules of the forum in this post.
The good, the bad, and the ugly of my experience with this vehicle.
The good - there were a lot of things that I loved about this vehicle. I found the ride to be excellent. I got pretty reasonable fuel economy for a vehicle of this size and capabilities. It handled well on roads covered in snow and ice. I loved the 16000 km between oil changes.
The bad - I had to have the A/C repaired twice in 27 months of ownership which totalled about $1500. I had a few small complaints about the vehicle that I hope Honda has addressed with the redesign. Specific problems included poor visibility because of the A pillar, and poor rearward visibility with the mirrors. I hated the windshield wiper controls - I have driven a couple of vehicles that have one switch that you rotate in one direction to increase the amount of wiping and this is easy to use and very intuitive. The Ridgeline's two knob system is horrible, and the labelling would leave a reasonable person assuming that as you turn the knob toward the larger lines you would increase the frequency of wipes, when in actuality, the larger lines indicate larger intervals between wipes. I can only assume that this was designed by someone who doesn't drive. Another small complaint is about the light that indicates that you are low on fuel. It is inconspicuous, and it is near the gas gauge. If I was looking there I would know what the gas situation is. I want a light that is central and bright - something that can't be overlooked (maybe even use part of the airbag to inflate into a fist and punch me in the face while the radio yells "hey, idiot, look at your gas gauge").
The ugly - by far the worst problem with the Ridgeline (at least mine anyway) was the dust, and this is ultimately the reason that I am no longer a Ridgeline owner. I have looked at many other people's posts about the dust issues in their vehicles and am at least consoled by the fact that I am not the only one who has experienced this problem. I understand that Honda feels that the HVAC system works correctly as it was designed to be used with the windows rolled up - this is a horrible excuse for poor design. I hope prospective buyers of the Ridgeline will find the following video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2jpWKO6cJs
Thanks,
Wireless
I don't think I have posted on this site in a year or possibly two, so I must apologize if I have broken any of the rules of the forum in this post.
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
Wow, I've never seen dust like that coming inside the vehicle. If mine did that it'd been gone a long time ago. I don't blame you for selling it.
I hear you. I think that this is likely a fine vehicle for a person who never leaves pavement, or never rolls down the window, but ultimately that is not my lifestyle, so I either had to change my vehicle or change my lifestyle.
'Grew up on a large farm. You want to see dust. Just leave the windows rolled down on any of those 50's and 60's trucks and pickups on those private farm roads.
I believe I could see a lot more dust than your video shows with any new vehicle on a dirt farm road today.
I believe I could see a lot more dust than your video shows with any new vehicle on a dirt farm road today.
I wonder if the shipping plugs on the frame where ever installed once received at the dealership?
Jeeesus...I would have kept the truck 15 minutes. I agree with the above post...probably a shipping plug problem. There's a thread or 2 around here about it... Might have even been an easy fix...FWIW
I guess I'd like to know where this is and what vehicle wouldn't look like this in these circumstances. I live in the Desert, and I get "Dust Storms" and I've been in them where they were comparable to "FOG" or "White Out Conditions" and I've never, I mean NEVER, seen anything comparable to that. I wonder what the CAF looks like.
Yes the shipping plugs were in place. I found that tip on this site and checked on them in the first couple of months of ownership.
The way dust pours through his vents is unforgivable.
As a driver for more decades than I care to admit, I don't need a warning light for low fuel. I'm cognizant of such things. Even if I were slacking in the fuel level awareness department, the presence of an unusual light, regardless of it's location, is more than sufficient warning when glancing at gauges. Which a conscientious driver does with regularity. How's this for logic? The low fuel warning light is located by the fuel gauge. What a concept!The way dust pours through his vents is unforgivable.
Every single product available for purchase requires at least some level of acclimation. Complaints about functions like markings, switch direction, ETC are gratuitous in my mind, not everything can fit the expectations of every user, fer chissake.
Perhaps leaving out more frivolous complaints and focusing on the dust issue with relevant information would have been helpful. Simple details like dust in or out of HVAC recirculation mode would be a HUGE differentiator.
Given the OP comments about what he considers counter intuitive design on the wiper stalk, the placement of a low fuel warning light and lack of information about the issue of "dust penetration", its hard to discern pettiness from seriousness.
As always, just my opinion.
^^^^^^^^^^ agree 100%
Now with respect to the dust.... the only times I had "issues" with dust, had to do with how it absolutely INVADES the bed if you have a closed tonneau cover, but never installed any dust seals around the tailgate. I couldn't believe how much difference it made when I finally put some dust seals back there.
I do know that there are cabin vents behind the rear seat (right?), and I'm guessing that's probably where any dust entering the cabin would be coming from, but only if you don't have positive pressure in the cabin (as in a/c, heat, or vent fan on??).
If the implication I picked up was that you want to be able to drive with the windows down & not get any dust in the cabin while driving on dusty roads (????), all I can suggest is some good hallucinogens..... cause that's the only way that's going to happen. :act024:
Now with respect to the dust.... the only times I had "issues" with dust, had to do with how it absolutely INVADES the bed if you have a closed tonneau cover, but never installed any dust seals around the tailgate. I couldn't believe how much difference it made when I finally put some dust seals back there.
I do know that there are cabin vents behind the rear seat (right?), and I'm guessing that's probably where any dust entering the cabin would be coming from, but only if you don't have positive pressure in the cabin (as in a/c, heat, or vent fan on??).
If the implication I picked up was that you want to be able to drive with the windows down & not get any dust in the cabin while driving on dusty roads (????), all I can suggest is some good hallucinogens..... cause that's the only way that's going to happen. :act024:
Correct you are Mr. Nick. The equalization vents you mentioned are located on the R & L sides of the rear cabin wall. Little plastic inserts with flaps they rest in closed position until motion of the vehicle or air pressure inside the cabin causes their position to change. Unless those pressure conditions get in a wonky state, they shouldn't allow dust to back flow into the cabin, and even if that happens, the dust would have to travel a circuitous route to cause the issue in the OP video.^^^^^^^^^^ agree 100%
Now with respect to the dust.... the only times I had "issues" with dust, had to do with how it absolutely INVADES the bed if you have a closed tonneau cover, but never installed any dust seals around the tailgate. I couldn't believe how much difference it made when I finally put some dust seals back there.
I do know that there are cabin vents behind the rear seat (right?), and I'm guessing that's probably where any dust entering the cabin would be coming from, but only if you don't have positive pressure in the cabin (as in a/c, heat, or vent fan on??).
If the implication I picked up was that you want to be able to drive with the windows down & not get any dust in the cabin while driving on dusty roads (????), all I can suggest is some good hallucinogens..... cause that's the only way that's going to happen. :act024:
It "seems to me", the issue pointed out can only be related to air entering the cowl pathway and some unknown route around the cabin filter, which is highly unlikely due to factory assembly. After being the victim of previous "service work" done by wrench monkeys of questionable talent, one has to wonder if somewhere in the history of the OP RL, someone left a part out during reassembly.
Having spewed that, the OP combines unrelated criticism of design with an issue serious enough to force the sale of an otherwise excellent rolling assembly. *If it were me*, I'd have broken out the tools and gotten to the bottom of the issue under my well proven theory that "no one cares for your vehicle like you do". Back that up with "you can't pay someone to care about what they do for a living" and DIY becomes the solution to lots of issues.
^^^I think you may be onto something, I wonder if the truck has a cabin filter installed? No cabin filter and/or malfunctioning, missing equalization vents would make a mess like that. Didn't a few owners have problems with those vents getting chewed by critters?
I think these will be my final comments on this as I have nothing to gain by remaining involved.
The cabin air filter was in place. I replaced it several times, trying different brands in hopes of fixing the problem.
I spent a considerable amount of time searching for the issue over my 27 months of ownership - that makes so much sense that I felt it didn't need to be said.
I have driven many other vehicles in these same conditions. None of them shot dust through the vents like the Ridgeline.
I have spoken with a few people in Honda service centres. Without fail, when I told them I was trying to fix the dust issue in my Ridgeline, they didn't ask "what issue", they KNEW what I was talking about, and served up the party line each time.
I have spoken with other owners, and seen a few comments on this forum regarding this issue, but I have yet to hear from someone who drives with the window cracked open in dusty conditions who doesn't have this issue.
The cabin air filter was in place. I replaced it several times, trying different brands in hopes of fixing the problem.
I spent a considerable amount of time searching for the issue over my 27 months of ownership - that makes so much sense that I felt it didn't need to be said.
I have driven many other vehicles in these same conditions. None of them shot dust through the vents like the Ridgeline.
I have spoken with a few people in Honda service centres. Without fail, when I told them I was trying to fix the dust issue in my Ridgeline, they didn't ask "what issue", they KNEW what I was talking about, and served up the party line each time.
I have spoken with other owners, and seen a few comments on this forum regarding this issue, but I have yet to hear from someone who drives with the window cracked open in dusty conditions who doesn't have this issue.
Wireless,I think these will be my final comments on this as I have nothing to gain by remaining involved.
The cabin air filter was in place. I replaced it several times, trying different brands in hopes of fixing the problem.
I spent a considerable amount of time searching for the issue over my 27 months of ownership - that makes so much sense that I felt it didn't need to be said.
I have driven many other vehicles in these same conditions. None of them shot dust through the vents like the Ridgeline.
I have spoken with a few people in Honda service centres. Without fail, when I told them I was trying to fix the dust issue in my Ridgeline, they didn't ask "what issue", they KNEW what I was talking about, and served up the party line each time.
I have spoken with other owners, and seen a few comments on this forum regarding this issue, but I have yet to hear from someone who drives with the window cracked open in dusty conditions who doesn't have this issue.
Honestly not trying to pick at you. But from an outside perspective your post ranked reasons for selling the RL. 2 of those reasons are a purely subjective interpretation of product design - and your individual expectation of what makes sense to you.
Opinions about how things should work are fine, but the 3rd - much more serious - although obscure issue of dust penetration "while window is cracked" offered little detail except for a brief expression of disappointment in Honda.
After spending time describing your expectations of the user interface attributes in an automobile, the issue you skimmed over deserved a deeper explanation of steps taken to locate and resolve the problem. Especially if someone else could benefit from your experience and might even be chasing a similar issue.
Now you are saying that after 27 months of ownership, it should be obvious to readers of your post that you put serious effort into locating the problem.
What we have here is a failure to communicate.
I drive a lot of gravel roads and have never seen this dust issue - windows open or closed. Not sure what caused the problem for the OP.
Distorts place on the planet dirt roads in UT.
Rented minivan was totally smothered within 10 miles. AC on full blast windows closed no problem.
Hertz didn't blink an eye when returned.
Rented minivan was totally smothered within 10 miles. AC on full blast windows closed no problem.
Hertz didn't blink an eye when returned.
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
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