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HOMESERVICE MANUALSHONDA2008RIDGELINE RTLREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISEXTERNAL PAGESDIFFERENT CARSECTION 7 (COOLING SYSTEM)COOLANT REPLACEMENT
2008 Honda Ridgeline RTL

Coolant Replacement

2008 Honda Ridgeline RTLSECTION Coolant Replacement
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Honda Pilot, 2007 Honda Pilot, and 2006 Honda Pilot. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Start the engine. Set the heater temprerature control dial to maximum heat, then turn off the ignition switch. Make sure the engine and radiator are cool to the touch.
  2. Remove the radiator cap.
  3. Loosen the drain plug (A), and drain the coolant.
    Fig 1: Draining Coolant
    G04245018Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  4. Install a rubber hose (A) on the drain bolt (B) located at the rear of the engine block, then loosen the drain bolt.
    Fig 2: Installing Rubber Hose On Drain Bolt With Torque Specifications
    G04245019Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  5. When the coolant stops draining, tighten the drain bolt.
  6. Tighten the radiator drain plug securely.
  7. Remove, drain, and reinstall the coolant reservoir.
  8. Pour Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 (P/N OL999-9001) into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck.
    NOTE:
    • Always use Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 (P/N OL999-9001). Using a non-Honda coolant can result in corrosion, causing the cooling system to malfunction or fail.
    • Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 is a mixture of 50% antifreeze and 50% water. Do not add water.

    Engine Coolant Refill Capacity (Including the reservoir capacity of 0.73 L (0.19 US gal)): 

    • After Coolant Change: 7.3 L (1.93 US gal) 
    • After Engine Overhaul: 9.2 L (2.43 US gal) 
    Fig 3: Pouring Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 Into Radiator
    G04245020Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  9. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 1,500 rpm until it warms up (the radiator fan comes on at least twice). Make sure the thermostat is open.
  10. Turn off the engine. Check the level in the radiator, and add Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, if needed.
  11. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum cool. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 1,500 rpm for 5 minutes, then turn off the engine.
  12. Check the level in the radiator, and add Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, if needed.
  13. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum heat. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 1,500 rpm for 5 minutes, then turn off the engine.
  14. Check the level in the radiator, and add Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, if needed.
  15. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum cool. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 1,500 rpm for 3 minutes, then turn off the engine.
  16. Check the level in the radiator, and add Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, if needed.
  17. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum heat. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 1,500 rpm for 3 minutes, then turn off the engine.
  18. Check the level in the radiator, and add Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, if needed.
  19. Repeat steps  15 through  18 until the coolant level does not change in the radiator, then install the radiator cap loosely.
  20. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum cool. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 2,500 rpm for 1 minute.
  21. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum heat, and select high speed heat mode on the rear control panel. Measure the temperature of the air from the rear floor vent for 2 or 3 minutes. Make sure the temperature is above the standard line of the graph as shown in Fig 4. If the temperature is below the standard line, repeat steps  15 through  18 several more times. Then loosely install the radiator cap and recheck.
    Fig 4: Making Sure Temperature Is Above Standard Line
    G04245021Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  22. With the engine idling, make sure you do not hear the sound of water flowing near the rear heater unit. If you hear water flowing, repeat steps 15 through 18 several more items.
  23. Install the radiator cap fully.
  24. Fill the reserve tank with Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 up to the MAX mark on the tank, then add an extra 0.4 L (0.11 US gal) coolant.
  25. Clean up any spilled engine coolant.
  26. If the maintenance minder required engine coolant replacement, reset the maintain minder (see GENERAL INFORMATION ) and this procedure is complete. If the maintenance minder did not require engine coolant replacement, go to step 27.
  27. Connect the Honda Diagnostic System (HDS) to the data link connector (DLC) (see step 2 under GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION ).
  28. Turn the ignition switch ON (II)
  29. Select BODY ELECTRICAL with the HDS.
  30. Select ADJUSTMENT in the GAUGE MENU with the HDS.
  31. Select RESET in the MAINTENANCE MINDER with the HDS.
  32. Select MAINTENANCE SUB ITEM 5 RESET with the HDS.
  33. Reset the maintenance information display (see RESETTING THE MAINTENANCE INFORMATION DISPLAY )
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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.