Honda Ridgeline Parking Brake: Where It Is and How It Works

You climb into a Ridgeline, press a button to shift, and then wonder where the parking brake went. A teammate here at Valley Hi Honda had that exact moment on his first time in one, until he looked down and found a foot pedal. If you are shopping the Ridgeline around Victorville and the High Desert, here is a quick guide to how the parking brake works and why it can catch you off guard.

• 1 foot pedal sets the Ridgeline parking brake
• 2 steps to release it: press the brake pedal, then press the parking brake pedal
• Push-button shifting and a separate parking brake pedal, so the two controls are not combined

Table of Contents

• The Quick Answer
• Where to Find It
• How to Set and Release It
• Pedal vs. Electric Switch
• Push-Button Shifting
• Good Habits
• FAQ

The Quick Answer

The Honda Ridgeline has a foot-operated parking brake pedal. It is not an electric switch, and it is not built into the push-button shifter. You set it with your foot, much like the pedal-style parking brakes many drivers grew up with.

Where to Find It

Look down in the driver’s footwell. If you are used to a lever between the seats or a small switch near the shifter, a pedal is easy to miss the first time you get in. That is a normal reaction, especially because the Ridgeline’s shifting controls are buttons rather than a traditional lever.

How to Set and Release It

Based on Honda’s owner’s manual for the Ridgeline, the steps are short.

To set the parking brake

1. Press the parking brake pedal down with your foot.

To release the parking brake

1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Press the parking brake pedal.

Honda says to release the parking brake fully before driving. According to the manual, driving with it applied can damage the rear brakes and axle. If you start moving without fully releasing it, a buzzer sounds as a warning and a message appears on the multi-information display.

Steps are based on Honda owner’s manual information. Operation and display messages can vary by model year and trim. See your Owner’s Manual for complete instructions.

Pedal vs. Electric Switch

Many newer vehicles use an electric parking brake instead. Honda’s own CR-V is one example, so it helps to know how the two approaches differ if you are comparing models on our lot.

Ridgeline steps from Honda owner’s manual information. CR-V steps from the Honda Information Center feature guide. Operation can vary by model year and trim.

Push-Button Shifting

According to Honda, the Ridgeline’s shift-by-wire system lets you control the transmission with buttons, which opens up console space where a shift lever would normally sit. Honda also lists a 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on all Ridgeline trims. The parking brake is a separate control, which is why it is down by your foot instead of next to the shift buttons.

Good Habits

• Honda’s manual says to always apply the parking brake when parking.
• Release it all the way before you pull out, and watch for the warning buzzer or display message if you forget.
• If the pedal feels loose or the brake does not seem to hold the way you expect, have our service team take a look.

FAQ

Q: Does the Honda Ridgeline have an electric parking brake?

No. The Ridgeline uses a foot-operated parking brake pedal instead of an electric switch. Some other Honda models, such as the CR-V, use an electric parking brake switch.

Q: Where is the parking brake on a Honda Ridgeline?

Look down in the driver’s footwell. The Ridgeline parking brake is a pedal that you press with your foot, rather than a switch or button.

Q: How do I release the Ridgeline parking brake?

Press the brake pedal, then press the parking brake pedal. Honda’s owner’s manual describes this as the release procedure.

Q: What happens if I drive with the parking brake on?

Honda says to release the parking brake fully before driving, because the rear brakes and axle can be damaged if you drive with it applied. If you start driving without fully releasing it, a buzzer sounds as a warning and a message appears on the multi-information display.

Q: Does the Honda Ridgeline have a shift lever?

No. Honda describes a shift-by-wire system that lets drivers operate the transmission with push-button ease, which frees the console area of a shift lever. Honda also lists paddle shifters on all trims.

Want to see the pedal for yourself? Visit Valley Hi Honda at 15710 Valley Park Ln, Victorville, CA 92394, call us at (760) 962-9600, browse our new inventory, or find out what your current vehicle is worth with our trade value tool.

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