Page 217 of 280

Mount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Install them only on the
f ront tires.
Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices, with
rubber chain tensioners, on the f ront
tires. Use traction devices only when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Make sure they are the
correct size f or your tires. Metal link-
type ‘‘chains’’ should not be used. Check the condition of the batterymonthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors. The test indicator window’s
location dif f ers according to the
battery manuf acturer.
When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
Tires, Checking the Battery
Checking the BatteryT ire Chains
214
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.
\f—\f—y\f
y
(
\fy\f
y
2008 Fit
Page 219 of 280

Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
Fill the f uel tank.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic).
Block the rear wheels. If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
Vehicle Storage
216
\f—\f—y\fy
(
\fy\f
y
2008 Fit
Page 221 of 280

Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:Follow these precautions:
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving.
Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
samewheel.Thesparetireisnot
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Do not mount tire chains on the
compact spare tire.
On vehicles with the TPMS
system, the low tire pressure
indicator comes on and stays on
after you replace the flat tire with
the compact spare tire. Af ter
several miles (kilometers) driving
with the compact spare tire, the
TPMS indicator comes on and the
low tire pressure indicator goes of f .
Compact Spare Tire
218
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
\f—\f—y\f\fy
(
\fy\fy
2008 Fit
Page 223 of 280
Take the jack out of the cargo
area.
Turn the jack’s end bracket
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack by lif ting it straight
up. Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well. Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turn
with the wheel nut wrench.
On all models except Sport,
remove the wheel cover by
caref ully prying under its edge
with the flat tip of the extension.
5.
6. 7. 8.
Changing a Flat Tire
220
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
WHEEL NUT
WHEEL COVER EXTENSION
\f—\f—y\fy
(
\fy\fy
2008 Fit
Page 224 of 280
Ú
CONT INUED
Use the extension and the wheel
nut wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the f lat tire is of f the
ground.
Remove the wheel nuts, then
removetheflattire.Handlethe
wheel nuts caref ully; they may be
hot from driving. Place the flat tire
on the ground with the outside
surface facing up.Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving.
Place the jack under the jacking
point nearest the tire you need to
change. It is pointed to by a
mark molded into the underside of
the body (Sport model). Turn the
end bracket clockwise until the top
of the jack contacts the jacking
point. Make sure the jacking point
tab is resting in the jack notch.
9.
11. 12.
10.
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
221
WHEEL NUT WRENCH BRAKE HUB
JACKING POINT EXTENSION
\f—\f—y\f\fy
(
\fy\fy
2008 Fit
Page 225 of 280
Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel nut wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten the
wheel nuts f ully.
Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:Place the flat tire face down in the
sparetirewell.
Securetheflattirebyscrewing
the wing bolt back into its hole.
Remove the center cap before
storing the f lat tire.
13.
14.
15.
16.17.
18.
On Sport model:
Changing a Flat Tire
222
For
normal
tire
For
spare
tire
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)
\f—\f—y\f
\fy
(
\fy\fy
2008 Fit
Page 226 of 280
CONT INUED
Store the jack. Place the tool kit in
the center of the flat tire.
Store the wheel cover or center
cap in the cargo area. Make sure it
will not get scratched or damaged.
Remove the strap loop from the
leg of the head restraint, then
lower the f loor lid, and close the
tailgate.Align the valve mark on the wheel
cover to the tire valve on the
wheel, then install the wheel cover.
Make sure the wire support ring is
hooked into the clips around the
edge of the wheel cover.
1.
2.
19.
20.
21.
All models except Sport
Changing a Flat Tire
Inst alling a wheel cover
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
223
CLIPS
CLIPS
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
\f—\f—y\f
y
(
\fy\fy
2008 Fit
Page 235 of 280

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (seeon page ). If the ABS indicator comes on with
the brake system indicator, have
your vehicle inspected by your
dealer immediately.
The brake system indicator (red)
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, and as a reminder to check
the parking brake. It will stay on if
you do not f ully release the parking
brake.
If the brake system indicator (red)
comes on while driving, the brake
f luid level is probably low. Press
lightly on the brake pedal to see if it
f eels normal. If it does, check the
brake f luid level the next time you
stop at a service station (see page
).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads/shoes. 195238
Emergency
Towing
Brake System
Indicator (Red)
Brake System Indicator
232
U.S.
Canada
\f—\f—y\fy
(
\fy\fy
2008 Fit