2007 HONDA FIT engine overheat

This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem with the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked at a dealer. With
this indicator on, your vehicle still
has normal braking ability but no
anti-lock f unction. For more
inf ormation, see page . This indicator normally comes on
when you turn the ignition to the ON
(II) position and goes of f af ter the
engine starts. If it comes on at any
other time, there is a problem in the
electric power steering system. If
this happens, stop the vehicle in a
saf e place and turn of f the engine.
Reset the system by restarting the
engine. The indicator will not turn
of f immediately. If it does not go of f
after driving a short distance, or
comes on again while driving, take
the vehicle to your dealer to have it
checked. With the indicator on, the
EPS may be turned of f , making the
vehicle harder to steer.
If the power steering system
overheats while driving, the assist is
reduced and steering may f eel
slightly harder.Driving with the power steering
system continuously overheating can
cause system damage.
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must ref uel soon.
When the indicator comes on, there
is about 1.7 US gal (6.3
)of fuel
remaining in the tank bef ore the
needle reaches E. There is a small
reserve of f uel remaining in the tank
when the needle does reach E.
This indicator comes on if any door
or the tailgate is not closed tightly.
162
Instrument Panel Indicators
Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
Electric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Door and Tailgate Open
Indicator
62

This indicator monitors the
temperature of the engine coolant. It
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and goes off after a few
seconds. In normal driving
conditions, this indicator should not
blink or stay on. In severe driving
conditions, such as very hot weather
or a long period of uphill driving, this
indicator may blink. This means the
engine coolant temperature is high.
If the indicator begins to blink while
you are driving, be sure to slow down
to prevent overheating. If the
indicator stays on, pull safely to the
side of the road and turn off the
engine. See page for instructions
and precautions on checking the
engine’s cooling system. This
indicator monitors the
temperature of the engine coolant. If
th ere is no problem, this indicator
comes on when the engine is cold. If
it comes on when the engine is warm
(normal operating temperature),
have the vehicle inspected by your
dealer as soon as possible.
Do not drive the vehicle while the
indicator is on or the engine may be
damaged. The
left or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If an indicator does not blink
or blinks rapidly, it usually means
one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see page ). Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle f lash. 188
216
Instrument Panel Indicators
High T emperature
Indicator Low Temperature
Indicator Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
63

Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into reverse, or shif t into one
of the f orward gears f or a moment.
This stops the gears so they won’t
‘‘grind.’’
The manual transmission is
synchronized in all f orward gears f or
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from fifth to
reverse. When shif ting up or down,
make sure you push the clutch pedal
down all the way, shift to the next
gear, and let the pedal up gradually.
When you are not shif ting, do not
rest your f oot on the clutch pedal.
This can cause the clutch to wear out
f aster. When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure the engine speed will not
go into the tachometer’s red zone in
the lower gear.
Manual T ransmission
Driving
149
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.

Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.To change the bulb on the driver’s
side, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, then turn off the engine. To
change the bulb on the passenger’s
side, turn the steering wheel to the
lef t.
Use a f lat-tip screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
inner f ender, then pull the inner
f ender cover back.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area, readjustment may be
required. Adjustments should be
done by your dealer or other
qualif ied mechanic.
1.
2.
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
186
HOLDING CLIP
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .206
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .207
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .212
................................
Jump Starting .214
..............
If the Engine Overheats .216
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .218
..........
Charging System Indicator .218
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .219
...............
Brake System Indicator .220
..............................................
Fuses .221
..............................
Fuse Locations .224
......................
Emergency Towing .226
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .227
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
205

If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
The high temperature indicator
should be of f under most conditions.
If the engine coolant temperature
gets higher than normal, the
indicator will blink. If it stays on, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the high
temperature indicator blinking or
remaining on. Or you may see steam
or spray coming f rom under the
hood.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral
(M/T) or Park (A/T), and set the
parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning indicators.If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
check the high temperature
indicator. If the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the high temperature indicator
goes of f , then continue driving.
If the high temperature indicator
stays on, turn of f the engine.
1.
2. 3.
4.
If theEngineOverheats
216
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the high temperature
indicator on can cause serious damage
to your engine.

Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
on page ).
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. Start
the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and refilled with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
If
you don’t find an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the high
temperature indicator goes off
befo re checking the radiato r. Put
the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the high temperature indicator. If
it begins to blink or comes on
again, the engine needs repair
(see on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
9.
8.
7. 6. 5.
10.
226
11.226
Emergency
Towing
Emergency T owing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
217
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Î
CONT INUED
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 234
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .149
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .145
....................................
Economy .137
........................
Driving Guidelines .146
Driving with the Paddle .......................................
Shif ters .156
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 194
..............................
Economy, Fuel .137
..................................
Emergencies .205
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 214
...........
Brake System Indicator . 220
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 207
.....
Charging System Indicator . 218
..................
Checking the Fuses . 221
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 73
............................
Jump Starting .214
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 218
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 219
..................
Overheated Engine . 216
.......................................
Towing .226 ...........................
Emergency Brake .95
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .226
.......................
Emissions Controls .237
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 240
Engine ............
Adding Engine Coolant . 180
Coolant Temperature ...................................
Indicator .63
.........................
If It Won’t Start .212
Malf unction Indicator ......................................
Lamp .219
...................................
Oil Lif e .167
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60, 218
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 177
...............................
Overheating .216
............................
Specif ications .232
....................
Speed Limiter . 150, 154
.......................................
Starting .148
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .132
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 237
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .16 ...................................
Fan, Interior .101
...........................................
Features .99
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 133
Filters .........................
Dust and Pollen .194
...............................................
Oil .178
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 207
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 183
..........................................
Brake .185
.........................................
Clutch .185
..............
Manual Transmission . 184
..................
Windshield Washer . 182
.........
Folding the Rear Seat Down . 90
...............
Folding the Rear Seat Up . 89
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..............................
Front Airbags . 9, 25
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .85
.....................................
Airbags . 9, 25
Index
E F
INDEX
III