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Honda Ridgeline Maintenance and Repair

472 messages,  Last post on May 11, 2013 at 3:25 PM

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Messages Page 46 of 48

#448 of 472 Re: Ridgeline vs. Frontier vs. Tacoma [604doc] by rcummelin

Mar 19, 2011 (8:59 am)

Replying to: 604doc (Mar 15, 2011 10:39 am)
From what I've seen, Frontiers have consistently been cheaper than Ridgelines when new, by several thousand dollars, which was a major motivation for my Frontier purchase back in '06. At the same time, used Ridgelines hold their value much better than used Frontiers. There's a message in there somewhere.
 
Toyota is treating the Tacoma just like Ford has treated the Ranger for many years--basically making only minor trim changes every few years without really adding meaningful features, or making any major improvements--both the Tacoma & Ranger just keep soldiering along though. I'm sure some Tacoma owners will disagree, but that's how it looks to me.
 
IMHO, the two biggest differences between the Frontier & Ridgeline are comfort and gas mileage, where the Ridgeline totally whips the Frontier every time. Also, the drivetrain & suspension in the RL performs much better in snow and ice than the Frontier. You just can't beat Front-Wheel-Drive that automatically & seamlessly kicks in the All-Wheel-Drive when things get slippery.
 
On the flip side, the Frontier & the Tacoma are better for off-road use. Sounds like you use your truck for the same thing I do, and since I no longer have the desire for driving challenging off-road trails, I sure prefer the Ridgeline for my day-to-day chores, hauling and long road trips.
 
BTW- Rumors from Honda indicate that the 2012 RL will remain essentially the same as the 2009-2011 models. Maybe a new color or two, and maybe dual exhaust, but that's it. If Honda decides to keep the RL around, there might be a major re-design in 2013, or maybe not. It looks like Honda is trying to decide if a re-designed RL has a good ROI or not. I think it's primarily dependent on better gas mileage. If that can't be improved, Honda will likely kill the RL, just like they did the Element.
 
One last thing: Don't waste your money on Honda's NAV system. It's horrifically expensive, not too user-friendly and difficult to update. You can buy a top-of-the-line Garmin for just a few hundred dollars and not only save at least a thousand dollars, but have a NAV you can move from car to car.

#449 of 472 Re: Ridgeline vs. Frontier vs. Tacoma [rcummelin] by 604doc

Mar 19, 2011 (4:43 pm)

Replying to: rcummelin (Mar 19, 2011 8:59 am)
Thanks for the reply.
 
Regarding nav, I agree, it's way more expensive from the factory, and not as good as aftermarket units.
 
I have a Tom Tom 920, which I use when traveling, but I don't keep it in the car for day to day driving. Sometimes it's nice to have a nav system at your fingertips. I figured if I bought a year or two old RL, the extra cost is "sort of" offset by the depreciation of buying used.
 
The other issue, is that you can't get bluetooth without getting nav on the RL.
 
I haven't looked, but are there aftermarket nav systems with bluetooth, that can be installed for a factory-ish look and sound quality? I don't have a garage, so keeping the factory look would be helpful as far as break ins go.
 
Thanks again for your reply. I really like Bali Blue on the ridge!

#450 of 472 Re: Ridgeline vs. Frontier vs. Tacoma [604doc] by rcummelin

Mar 19, 2011 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: 604doc (Mar 19, 2011 4:43 pm)
Our Garmin spends most of its time in the trunk of one of our vehicles, as we live in a small town where everything is only 15 minutes away. We only use the Garmin on road trips to unfamiliar places & we take it on vacation if we're renting a car.
 
We have factory Bluetooth in our 2010 Accord, and once again, it is pretty user-unfriendly. It took over an hour for me to initially program it, and now it only recognises my voice. It ignores my wife entirely, which irritates the heck out of her . So ok, I don't even carry my cell phone with me too often, so I don't much need Bluetooth at all. It won't work with every cell phone and it won't download your phone list/book from your phone. It's one of those irritating/frustrating options where the best I say about it is: "Yeah, it works more-or-less as advertised, but I'm not likely to use it much, if at all."
 
Given all that, I'm not aware of any aftermarket NAV systems that include Bluetooth, but I do know there are numerous relatively inexpensive aftermarket Bluetooth systems that can be installed and remain invisible to the bad guys.
 
Google the Ridgeline Owners Club and visit their forums for more info on the RL. In the electronics section there are several Bluetooth threads. Use their search function to find them.
 
Bali Blue is a great color, but too dark for our dusty environment. Our 2010 is silver and our old 2008 was white. We like the gray interior color best.

#451 of 472 Re: Ridgeline vs. Frontier vs. Tacoma [rcummelin] by 604doc

Mar 20, 2011 (9:08 am)

Replying to: rcummelin (Mar 19, 2011 5:35 pm)
I actually signed up with the Ridgeline owners club a few months ago. Great site with excellent information.
 
After I replied yesterday, I poked around and found quite a few in dash nav systems available. You can get nav, bluetooth, sat radio, HD radio, ipod, and live traffic all in one unit. You can even install a module that allows your steering wheel contols to work.
 
It's actually changed my thinking completely regarding factory nav. I think I'll look for one without, and use the savings for an aftermarket all in one unit.
 
Thanks for your help and advice. My current lease runs out in December, so I'll start looking for a RL around November to purchase.

#452 of 472 Re: Ridgeline vs. Frontier vs. Tacoma [604doc] by dboe

Mar 20, 2011 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: 604doc (Mar 20, 2011 9:08 am)
Been a member of ROC for a while now.. probably the best 'virtual' friend a Ridgeline owner can have. Lots of great information and helpful folks.

#453 of 472 Weird creaking noise by jhnfrmr

Jul 10, 2012 (5:58 pm)

I just got a Honda ridge line my father had and gave to me iv always wanted that truck but for the last few years I noticed a creak when you turned and gave it some gas when it was his and asked his employee who had one also and worked on all my dads employee cars and he said he thought it may need some grease but couldn't find any fittings so they have been just going with but I have truck now and it seems to have gotten a little worse and wonder what it could be... My dad got his employees a total of 6 ridge lines 3 of 6 do it I am wondering if it's something I may have to remove and grease.... Any ideas?

#454 of 472 Re: Weird creaking noise [jhnfrmr] by chaddo_kailua

Jul 10, 2012 (8:23 pm)

Replying to: jhnfrmr (Jul 10, 2012 5:58 pm)
I had a strange honing noise in my front passenger wheel area since I bought the Ridgeline in 2005. Not really a creaking sound but more a unpredictable honing or almost grinding I could often feel, sometimes quite loud. Always at low speeds when turning on an incline. Very obvious in a parking structure. I took it in to Honda many times and asked them to look into it over the years but they could never find anything. Honda told me it was likely glazing on the rear brake rotor and I should cut them when I change the brakes. I knew the sound came from the front and did nothing. Just this past month Honda was changing the fluid in the transmission and did a full inspection at 65k miles. They found damage on the front passenger side CV boot with some leaking from the axle. I was a little inconvenienced having to wait a few hours for my Ridgeline but got it back after lunch with the repairs to the boot finished. I have been very happy ever since as the mystery hone is now gone, I have not heard the tiniest sound since. I hope that helps with your vehicles. Good luck! ALOHA

#455 of 472 Re: Weird creaking noise [jhnfrmr] by lem888

Jul 11, 2012 (12:08 am)

Replying to: jhnfrmr (Jul 10, 2012 5:58 pm)
I've had two creaking and/or grinding noise issues - one was a defective strut assembly, but in was in the rear (I believe there was a recall on that issue). The other was noise caused by the ABS system when going over a bump or turning while on a downward incline. Apparently, the stability control system can't handle that particular situation, so it applies the brakes. Honda had no solution for that other than "live with it".
 
Almost a great truck, but build quality is definitely questionable. Wait until your dash starts rattling.
 
Good luck.

#456 of 472 Re: Weird creaking noise [lem888] by bolivar

Jul 11, 2012 (12:25 am)

Replying to: lem888 (Jul 11, 2012 12:08 am)
If your dash rattles, it may be the speaker covers, at both top corners. Pry the cover off and put a little bit of padding in there, this stops the speaker rattle.

#457 of 472 Front end Creak by jhnfrmr

Jul 11, 2012 (4:50 am)

This is when I make a left or Right turn while rolling if stopped and cut wheels and give it a little gas it won't do it but if it goes over 5 mph it does but only then I'm a little concerned I'll take to dealer cause everyone else doesn't know I thought again it may need greasing but there's no fittings on the front to grease! I hope to hear more it's been doing since about 65000 I got 102000 I love the truck and plan on keeping to start my refrideration buisness but in school so I hope it's not an expensive fix!

Messages Page 46 of 48

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