2007 HONDA FIT wheel

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes. If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
On Sport model
Parking T ips
Parking
160

Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Your vehicle is equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the ef f ort needed on
the brake pedal. The anti-lock brake
system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear. Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
If the f ront brake pads need
replacing, you will hear a distinctive,
metallic screeching sound when you
apply the brake pedal. If you do not
have the brake pads replaced, they
will screech all the time. It is normal
f or the brakes to occasionally squeal
or squeak when you apply them.
Braking System
Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Driving
161

If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also be shut
down. It
only helps with the
steering control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corn er too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed for the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderate ly
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
220
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. Important Saf ety Reminders A vehicle with A BS may require a longer distance to stop
Driving
163

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .166
....................
Maintenance Minder .167
....................
Maintenance Record .174
..............................
Fluid Locations .176
........................
Adding Engine Oil .177
Changing the Engine Oil
....................................
and Filter .178
..............................
Engine Coolant .180
....................
Windshield Washers .182
.......................
Transmission Fluid .183
..........
Automatic Transmission .183
..............
Manual Transmission .184
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .185
.............................................
Lights .186
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .192
.....................................
Floor Mats .192
..............................
Audio Antenna .193
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .194
.................................
Wiper Blades .194
...........................................
Wheels .197
...............................................
Tires .197
...................
Checking the Battery .203
.............................
Vehicle Storage .204
245
Maintenance
Maint enance
165

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.

To change the bulb on the driver’s
side, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, then turn of f 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.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise. Reinstall the inner f ender cover.
Then reinstall the holding clip, and
lock it in place by pushing on its
center. Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
1. 2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
Lights
Replacing a Parking L ight/Front
Side Marker Bulb and a Turn
Signal Light Bulb
188
HOLDING CLIP
PARKING LIGHT/FRONT SIDE MARKER
BULB TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BULB

To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated.
The f ollowing pages give more
detailed inf ormation on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced.Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort.
Underinf lated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,are
more prone to damage f rom road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
Clean the wheels as you would the
rest of the exterior. Wash them with
thesamesolution,andrinsethem
thoroughly.
Aluminum alloy wheels have a
protective clear-coat that keeps
the aluminum f rom corroding and
tarnishing. Cleaning the wheels
with harsh chemicals (including
some commercial wheel cleaners)
or a stif f brush can damage the
clear-coat. To clean the wheels,
use a mild detergent and a sof t
brush or sponge.
CONT INUED
If equipped
T ires
Inf lation Guidelines
Wheels
Wheels, Tires
Maint enance
197
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.

Every time you check inf lation, you
should also examine the tires f or
damage, f oreign objects, and wear.
Youshouldlookfor:Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
youfindeitherof theseconditions.
Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see f abric or cord.
Excessive tread wear. In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
Your tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down, you will see a
band 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide band
across the tread. This shows there is
less than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread
lef t on the tire.
A tire this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see three
or more tread wear indicators.
Tire Inspection Tire Maintenance
Tires
Maint enance
199
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR
On vehicles with aluminum wheels,
improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s wheels. Use only Honda
wheel weights f or balancing.