2008 HONDA FIT check engine

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
indicationmaybethehigh
temperature indicator blinking or
remaining on. Or you may see steam
or spray coming f rom under the
hood.
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.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning indicators.
1.
2. 3.
4.
If theEngineOverheats
228
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.
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Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter 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 f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
If you don’t f ind 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 of f
bef ore checking the radiator. 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.
11.
238
238
Emergency
Towing
Emergency T owing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
229
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.
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Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page).
1.
2.
4.
3.
139
187
238
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator Charging System Indicator
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
230
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the malf unction
indicator lamp may also come on
with the ‘‘D’’ indicator.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message on
the inf ormation display. Tighten the
cap until it clicks at least once.
Tightening the cap will not turn the
indicator of f immediately; it can take
several days of normal driving. If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may go of f as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer as soon as
possible.
If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make surethese codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
these codes are erased. It takes at
least three days of driving under
various conditions to set the codes
again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malf unction indicator lamp will
come on f or 20 seconds. If it then
goes of f , the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks f ive times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle f or an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to for
more information (see page ).
254
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Readiness Codes Emissions T esting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
231
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
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CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .144
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .78
...............
Accessory Power Socket .99
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .188
.......
Adjusting the Steering Wheel .75
...........................
Advanced Airbags .27
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,22
..............
Air Conditioning System .102
.........................................
Usage .103
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .210
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .136
......................................
Antif reeze .190
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .62,168
...................................
Operation .168
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .128
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .78
................................
Audio System .107
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .20
.............
Automatic Speed Control .131
..............
Automatic Transmission .157
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .244
...............
Checking Fluid Level .193 ..........................
Paddle Shif ters .162
.......................................
Shif ting .157
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .157
................
Shif t Lever Positions .158
....................
Shif t Lock Release .161
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .127
............................
Capacities Chart .244
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .53
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60,230
............................
Jump Starting .226
..............................
Maintenance .214
............................
Specif ications .245
..............................
Bef ore Driving .135
....................................
Belts,Seat.8,18
...........................
Beverage Holders .98
..................................
Booster Seats .50
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .168
.............
Break-in, New Linings .136
....................
Bulb Replacement .201
...........................................
Fluid .195
.........................................
Parking .96 .................
System Indicator .60,232
..........................
System Design .167
........................
Wear Indicators .167
.............................
Braking System .167
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .136
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .74
..................
Brights, Headlights .72,73
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights .201
..............................
Brake Lights .201
Front Parking Lights/
...
Front Side Marker Lights .198
.................................
Fog Lights .199
.................................
Headlights .196
.........
High-mount Brake Light .202
............................
Specif ications .245
....................................
Taillights .201
............
Turn Signal Lights .198,201
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .196
Index
A
B
C
INDEX
I
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ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ
..............................................
Cargo .146
....................
Cargo, How to Carry .146
.............................
Carrying Cargo .146
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
.........................................
CD Care .124
.....................
CD Error Messages .123
.......................................
CD Player .114
.................................
Center Pocket .97
........................
Certif ication Label .242
.................................
Chains, Tires .214
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
.................................
Changing Oil .188
........................................
How to .188
......................................
When to .179
...
Charging System Indicator .60,230
..............
Check Fuel Cap Indicator .68
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .153
.....................................
Child Saf ety .34
..............................
Booster Seats .50
.............................
Child Seats .34,41
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders .34
..........................................
Inf ants .39
............................
Large Children .49
.........................................
LATCH .43
......................
Risks with Airbags .35
.............................
Small Children .40 .........................................
Tethers .47
...........................
Warning Labels .36
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? .35
.................................
Child Seats .34,41
.........................................
LATCH .43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .47
..................
Childproof Door Locks .80
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .203
....................
Cleaning the Wheels .208
..............................................
Clock .129
...................................
Clutch Fluid .195
........................
CO in the Exhaust .251
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .154
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .258
.............
Controls, Instruments and .57
Coolant
........................................
Adding .190
....................................
Checking .140
.........................
Proper Solution .190
...............
Temperature Indicator .63
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .251
................
Cruise Control Indicator .65
............
Cruise Control Operation .131
.....................................
Cup Holders .98
.............
Customer Service Of f ice .258 ...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .3,58
............
Daytime Running Lights .73
Daytime Running Lights
...................................
Indicator .65
.................................
Dead Battery .226
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .260
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .74
..............
Def rosting the Windows .105
.........................
Detachable Anchor .93
....................................
Dimensions .244
.........
Dimming the Headlights .72,73
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .193
..................................
Engine Oil .139
..........................
Directional Signals .72
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .167
.......................................
Disc Care .124
.......
Disc Player Error Messages .123
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .189
Doors
..............
Childproof Door Locks .80
..............
Locking and Unlocking .79
......................
Power Door Locks .79
Index
D
II
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Î
CONT INUED
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .246
Downshif ting, Manual
.............................
Transmission .155
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .151
....................................
Economy .141
........................
Driving Guidelines .152
Driving with the Paddle
.......................................
Shif ters .162
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .205
..............................
Economy, Fuel .141
..................................
Emergencies .217
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .226
...........
Brake System Indicator .232
................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
.....
Charging System Indicator .230
..................
Checking the Fuses .234
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .74
............................
Jump Starting .226
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .230
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .231
..................
Overheated Engine .228
.......................................
Towing .238 ...........................
Emergency Brake .96
......................
Emergency Flashers .74
......................
Emergency Towing .238
.......................
Emissions Controls .251
........................
Emissions Testing .254
Engine
............
Adding Engine Coolant .190
Coolant Temperature
...................................
Indicator .63
.........................
If It Won’t Start .224
Malf unction Indicator
......................................
Lamp .231
.......................................
Oil Lif e .179
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .60,230
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .187
...............................
Overheating .228
............................
Specif ications .244
....................
Speed Limiter .156,160
.......................................
Starting .154
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .136
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .251
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .16 ...................................
Fan, Interior .103
.........................................
Features .101
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .137
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .205
...............................................
Oil .188
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .74
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .219
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .193
..........................................
Brake .195
.........................................
Clutch .195
..............
Manual Transmission .194
..................
Windshield Washer .192
.........
Folding the Rear Seat Down .91
...............
Folding the Rear Seat Up .90
..........................
Four-way Flashers .74
..............................
Front Airbags .9,25
Front Seat
......................................
Adjusting .86
.....................................
Airbags .9,25
Index
E F
INDEX
III
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...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .60,230
................................
Lower Anchors .43
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .244
...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) .146
...........
Luggage Net (Cargo Net) .150
..................................
Maintenance .177
......
Main Items and Sub Items .182
........................................
Minder .179
.........................
Minder Indicator .66
Owner’s Maintenance
...................................
Checks .184
..........................................
Saf ety .178
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .231
...................
Manual Transmission .155
...............
Checking Fluid Level .194
.......................................
Shif ting .155
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .194
.........................
Meters, Gauges .59,67
...................
Methanol in Gasoline .136
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .95
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .144 ...................
Neutral Gear Position .159
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .136
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .156
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .242
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .136
.........................................
Odometer .68
...............................
Odometer, Trip .67
Oil
........................
Change, How to .188
......................
Change, When to .179
......................
Checking Engine .139
..............
Pressure Indicator .60,230
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .187
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .78
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .251
..............................
Outside Mirrors .95
....................
Overheating, Engine .228
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .184 .........................
Oxygenated Fuels .136
..............................
Paddle Shif ters .162
..............
Panel Brightness Control .74
........................
Park Gear Position .158
...........................................
Parking .166
.................................
Parking Brake .96
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .60,232
.................................
Parking Lights .72
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .166
....
Passenger Airbag Of f Indicator .31
.............................
PGM-FI System .252
...................................
Pollen Filter .205
..........................
Power Door Locks .79
..................
Power Socket Location .99
..............................
Power Windows .94
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .16
........................
Preparing to Drive .153
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .11
...
Additional Safety Precautions .17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .16
Index
M N
P
O
VI
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