2021 Honda Ridgeline maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

3.5L V6 (J35Y6, 280 hp) + 9-speed automatic, i-VTM4 AWD (front-wheel drive available on Sport and RTL)SportRTLRTL-EMSRP $36,490

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
8k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic (Honda Genuine); interval governed by the Maintenance Minder System, which triggers service once calculated oil life drops to 15% — 7,500 mi is the typical ceiling under normal use Reset Maintenance Minder after service Check tire pressure and condition, adjust to door-placard spec Inspect all fluid levels: coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid Inspect windshield wipers
15k mi	Engine oil and filter change per Maintenance Minder (0W-20 full synthetic) Tire rotation Inspect front and rear brake pads, rotors, and calipers Inspect suspension components, steering linkage, and CV axle boots Inspect i-VTM4 rear differential (dual-pump unit) fluid level — Honda DPSF (Dual Pump System Fluid); check sooner if used for towing or off-pavement driving
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change per Maintenance Minder (0W-20 full synthetic) Tire rotation Replace engine air filter Replace cabin air filter Inspect 9-speed automatic transmission fluid (Honda ATF DW-1) Inspect serpentine drive belt Replace i-VTM4 rear differential fluid (Honda DPSF) — Honda's severe-service interval for towing, off-road, or heavy-load use is roughly every 15,000–30,000 mi; under normal use it can run longer, but 30k is a sound preventive point on an AWD truck	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change per Maintenance Minder (0W-20 full synthetic) Tire rotation Replace cabin and engine air filters Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 (every 3 years regardless of mileage per Honda) Inspect spark plugs — iridium tipped; factory replacement interval is 105,000 mi Inspect timing belt for cracking, glazing, or fraying — factory replacement interval is 105,000 mi / 7 years, whichever comes first Replace i-VTM4 rear differential fluid (Honda DPSF) under normal-service schedule	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change per Maintenance Minder (0W-20 full synthetic) Tire rotation Inspect serpentine drive belt Inspect all suspension bushings, ball joints, and tie rod ends Inspect 9-speed ATF (Honda ATF DW-1); replace now if used for regular towing Inspect i-VTM4 rear differential fluid; replace if towing-heavy use	View →
105k mi	Replace timing belt — Honda's factory interval for the 3.5L V6 (J35Y6) SOHC engine is 105,000 miles or 7 years, whichever comes first. The J35 is an interference engine: a broken belt causes valve-to-piston contact and severe internal damage. This is a real, non-optional major service item. Replace timing belt tensioner and idler pulley(s) — Honda recommends concurrent replacement with the belt Inspect (commonly replace) the water pump — shares access with the timing belt job on this engine Replace spark plugs — iridium, factory interval 105,000 mi; typically combined with the timing belt service Replace serpentine accessory drive belt if not already done Replace i-VTM4 rear differential fluid (Honda DPSF)
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change per Maintenance Minder (0W-20 full synthetic) Tire rotation Replace engine coolant — Honda Long Life Coolant Type 2 Replace 9-speed automatic transmission fluid (Honda ATF DW-1) under normal-service schedule Full brake inspection: pads, rotors, calipers, lines, master cylinder Inspect wheel bearings front and rear Inspect bed and tailgate hardware, trailer hitch wiring and receiver (if equipped)	View →

Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.