Check the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use. This
reservoir supplies the windshield and
rear window washers.
On U.S. models:
To check the
windshield washer fluid level, open
the hood and look the windshield
washer reservoir located behind the
right headlight. You will see a ‘‘1/2 ’’
mark on the reservoir.
On Canadian models:
The low washer
level indicator comes on when the
level is low (see page65).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antifreeze
can damage your vehicle's paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer fluid.
WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR Fill up to here
Windshield Washers258
2009 Fit
If the pressure is lower than 32 psi
(220 kPa) and higher than 19 psi
(130 kPa), use the air pump to
bring air to the desired level as
described in step 11. Then drive to
the nearest service station at no
more than 50 mph (80 km/h).
If the pressure is below 19 psi, do
not continue. Have the vehicle
towed (see page311).
In any case, be sure to have the
damaged tire permanently repaired
as soon as possible.
Remember to return the tire sealant
bottle to your Honda service center
for proper disposal. If the Engine Won't Start
Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:
●You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.●You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
●Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the floor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or neutral.●Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting
on page299.
CONTINUED
Temporarily Repairing a Flat Tire, If the Engine Won't Start
297
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Fit
●Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. See
Emergency Towingon page311.
If the headlights dim noticeably or go
out when you try to start the engine,
either the battery is discharged or
the connections are corroded. Check
the condition of the battery and
terminal connections (see page 279).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 299). The Starter Operates Normally
In this case, the starter motor's speed
sounds normal, or even faster than
normal, when you turn the ignition
switch to the START (III) position,
but the engine does not run.
●Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page79).●Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to
Starting the
Engine on page216.
●Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the low fuel indicator may
not be working.●There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see
page306).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find the
problem. See Emergency Towing on
page311.
If the Engine Won't Start298
2009 Fit
The high temperature indicator
should be off 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 from under the
hood.Driving with the high temperature
indicator on can cause serious damage
to your engine.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road. Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake. Turn off all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood. 3. 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 off, then continue driving.
4. If the high temperature indicator stays on, turn off the engine.
CONTINUED
If the Engine Overheats
301
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Fit
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped. 1. Safely pull off the road, and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page201).An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page253).
4. Start the engine, and watch the oil pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving
(see Emergency Towing on page
311). Charging System Indicator
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn off 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.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
303
Taking Care of the Unexpected
2009 Fit
A
AAABBB ~CCC
.................................
3
Accessories and Modifications
..........................
206
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)
...................................
80
Accessory Power Socket
............
106
Additives, Engine Oil
.................
254
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
......
77
Advanced Airbags
........................
27
Airbag (SRS)
............................
9, 22
Air Conditioning System
............
110
Usage
......................................
111
Air Pressure, Tires
..............
273, 274
Alcohol in Gasoline
....................
198
Antifreeze
...................................
256
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light
..................
62, 231
Operation
................................
231
Anti-theft, Audio System
.............
191
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.........................................
80
Audio System
.............................
115 Auto Control Mode, Starting
Engine
....................................
216
Auto Door Locking
.......................
83
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking
....
83
Auto Door Unlocking
...................
85
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
...
20
Automatic Speed Control
...........
194
Automatic Transmission
............
219
Capacity, Fluid
........................
319
Checking Fluid Level
..............
259
Paddle Shifters
........................
224
Shifting
...................................
219
Shift Lever Position Indicators
............................
219
Shift Lever Positions
...............
220
Shift Lock Release
...................
223
Automatic Transmission Fluid
...
259
Auxiliary Input Jack
...................
190
Average Fuel Mileage
..................
70
B
Battery Charging System Indicator
........................
60, 303 Jump Starting
..........................
299
Maintenance
...........................
279
Specifications
..........................
320
Before Driving
...........................
197
Belts, Seat
................................
8, 18
Beverage Holders
......................
106
Booster Seats
...............................
50
Brakes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...........
231
Break-in, New Linings
.............
198
Bulb Replacement
...................
266
Fluid
.......................................
261
Parking
...................................
102
System Design
........................
230
System Indicator
...............
60, 305
Wear Indicators
.......................
230
Braking System
..........................
230
Break-in, New Vehicle
................
198
Brightness Control, Instruments
..............................
76
CONTINUED
Index
I
INDEX
2009 Fit
D
DANGER, Explanation of
.............
iii
Dashboard
...............................
3, 58
Daytime Running Lights (Canada only)
.........................................
75
Daytime Running Lights Indicator (Canada only)
...........................
65
Dead Battery
..............................
299
Defects, Reporting Safety
...........
334
Defogger, Rear Window
...............
76
Defrosting the Windows
............
113
Detachable Anchor
......................
99
Dimensions
................................
318
Dimming the Headlights
..............
74
Dipstick Automatic Transmission
.........
259
Engine Oil
...............................
201
Directional Signals
.......................
63
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
.......
230
Disc Care
...................................
186
Disc Player Error Messages
........................
128, 157
Disposal of Used Oil
...................
255 Doors
Childproof Door Locks
.............
82
Locking and Unlocking
............
81
Power Door Locks
...................
81
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
................................
321
Downshifting, Manual Transmission
..........................
217
Driver and Passenger Safety
..........
5
Driving
.......................................
213
Economy
.................................
203
Driving Guidelines
.....................
214
Driving with the Paddle Shifters (Sport only)
............................
224
Dust and Pollen Filter
................
268
E
Economy, Fuel
...........................
203
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Indicator
...................................
62
Emergencies on the Road
..........
283
Battery, Jump Starting
.............
299
Brake System Indicator
...........
305
Changing a Flat Tire
...............
285 Charging System Indicator
.....
303
Checking the Fuses
................
307
Driving with a Flat Tire
...........
284
Hazard Warning Flashers
........
76
Jump Starting
..........................
299
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
.....
303
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
....
304
Overheated Engine
.................
301
Towing
....................................
311
Emergency Brake
......................
102
Emergency Flashers
....................
76
Emergency Towing
....................
311
Emissions Controls
....................
326
Emissions Testing
......................
329
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
2009 Fit
N
Neutral Gear Position
.................
221
New Vehicle Break-in
.................
198
Normal Shift Speeds
..................
218
NOTICE, Explanation of
................
i
Numbers, Identification
.............
316
O
Odometer
.....................................
70
Odometer, Trip
............................
69
Oil Change, How to
......................
254
Change, When to
....................
245
Checking Engine
....................
201
Life, Engine
.............................
245
Pressure Indicator
.............
60, 303
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
...................................
253
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery
................................
326
ON (Ignition Key Position)
..........
80
Outside Mirrors
.........................
101
Overheating, Engine
..................
301 Owner's Maintenance Checks
....
250
Oxygenated Fuels
......................
198
P
Paddle Shifters
...........................
224
Panel Brightness Control
.............
76
Park Gear Position
.....................
220
Parking
......................................
229
Parking Brake
............................
102
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator
...........................
60, 305
Parking Lights
.............................
74
Parking Over Things that Burn
................................
229, 328
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
....
31
PGM-FI System
..........................
327
Playing a Disc
.....................
122, 149
Playing an iPod
®..................
129, 170
Playing a PC card
.......................
158
Playing a USB Flash Memory Device
.............................
136, 177
Playing the AM/FM Radio.........
143
Playing the FM/AM Radio
.........
115
Pollen Filter
...............................
268 Power Door Locks
.......................
81
Power Socket Locations
.............
106
Power Windows
.........................
100
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts
........
16
Preparing to Drive
......................
215
Protecting Adults and Teens
........
11
Additional Safety Precautions
...
17
Advice for Pregnant Women
....
16
Protecting Children
......................
34
General Guidelines
..................
34
Protecting Infants
.....................
39
Protecting Larger Children
......
49
Protecting Small Children
........
40
Using Child Seats with Tethers
.................................
47
Using LATCH
..........................
43
R
Radiator Overheating
.................
301
Radio/CD Sound System
...........
115
Radio Theft Protection
...............
191
Readiness Codes
........................
329
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement
...........................
266
CONTINUED
Index
VII
INDEX
2009 Fit