Page 170 of 280

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.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. 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.
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.
Braking System
Braking System Design Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Driving
167
\f—\f—y\f\fy
(
\fy\f
y
2008 Fit
Page 180 of 280

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm 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, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .178
....................
Maintenance Minder .179
..............................
Fluid Locations .186
........................
Adding Engine Oil .187
Changing the Engine Oil
....................................
and Filter .188
..............................
Engine Coolant .190
....................
Windshield Washers .192
.......................
Transmission Fluid .193
Automatic Transmission .......................................
Fluid .193
....
Manual Transmission Fluid .194
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .195
.............................................
Lights .196
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .203
.....................................
Floor Mats .203
..............................
Audio Antenna .204
..................
DustandPollenFilter .205
.................................
Wiper Blades .205
...........................................
Wheels .208
...............................................
Tires .208
...................
Checking the Battery .214
.............................
Vehicle Storage .216
261
Maintenance
Maint enance
177
\f—\f—y\f\fy
(
\fy\f
y
2008 Fit
Page 187 of 280

µµµ
µ
µ
µ
Ì Engine oil level Check every
time you f ill the f uel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
inf ormation display.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service f acility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work f ill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability. 139
140
193
210 195
196
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA standards.
184
\f—\f—y\f\f\fy
(
\fy\f
y
2008 Fit
Page 199 of 280

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 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.
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
196
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.
\f—\f—y\f
\fy
(
\fy\f\f
y
2008 Fit
Page 200 of 280
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.Make sure that the hold-down
wire is installed properly and
securely. You can check its
installation f rom the inspection
window on the headlight assembly.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot the wire
out of the way, then remove the
bulb.
Install the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
5.
6.
3.
4. 7.
8.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
197
RUBBER WEATHER SEAL
HOLD-DOWN
WIRE BULB
ELECTRICAL
CONNECTOR HOLD-DOWN
WIRE
INSPECTION WINDOW
\f—\f—y\f
y
(
\fy\f\fy
2008 Fit
Page 201 of 280
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.
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.
Reinstall the inner f ender cover.
Then reinstall the holding clip, and
lock it in place by pushing on its
center.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb. 1.
2.
9.
10.
Lights
Replacing a Parking L ight/Front
Side Marker Bulb and a T urn
Signal Light Bulb
198
HOLDING CLIP
\f—\f—y\f
y
(
\fy\f\fy
2008 Fit
Page 202 of 280
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Reinstall the inner f ender cover.
Then reinstall the holding clip, and
lock it in place by pushing on its
center.The f og lights use halogen bulbs.
When replacing a bulb, handle it
carefully. See page for more
inf ormation.
3.
4.
5. 6.
7. 196
CONT INUED
On Sport model
ReplacingaFogLightBulb
Lights
Maint enance
199
PARKING LIGHT/FRONT SIDE MARKER
BULB
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BULB
\f—\f—y\f\fy
(
\fy\f\fy
2008 Fit
Page 203 of 280
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the f og lights to test the
new bulb.
Reinstall the f og light assembly,
then tighten the screw.
Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the screw.
To remove the f og light assembly,
slide it inward, then caref ully pull
it out of the bumper. Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by squeezing the
connector to unlock the tab, then
slide the connector of f the bulb.
Remove the bulb by turning it
about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
1.
2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
8.
Lights
200
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
SCREW
\f—\f—y\f
y
(
\fy\f\fy
2008 Fit