2009 HONDA FIT maintenance

ꭧ: If equippedSECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
ꭧ(P. 66, 193)
WASHER LEVEL
INDICATOR
ꭧ(P.65)
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP (P. 304)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 60,303)
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P. 60,303) IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.
66)
FOG LIGHT INDICATOR
ꭧ(P.
64) LIGHTS ON INDICATOR (P.
64)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 30,61)
MAINTENANCE MINDER
INDICATOR (P.
66) CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR
ꭧ(P.
65)
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
ꭧ(P. 65)
LOW TEMPERATURE INDICATOR (P. 63)
ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING (EPS)
INDICATOR (P.
62)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR (P.
65)
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
(P.62)
TPMS INDICATOR
ꭧ(P.
64)
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR (P. 60)
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 60, 305)
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS INDICATOR (P.
65)
HIGH TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR (P. 63)
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM INDICATOR
ꭧ(P.
67)
VSA OFF INDICATORꭧ
(P. 67) SIDE AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR (P.
31,61)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR
ꭧ(P. 64)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P. 62)
DOOR AND TAILGATE OPEN
INDICATOR (P.
62)
Instrument Panel
59
Instruments and Controls
2009 Fit

Maintenance Minder
Indicator
This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. It
reminds you that it is time to take
your vehicle in for scheduled
maintenance. The maintenance main
items and sub items will be displayed
in the information display. See page
245for more information on the
maintenance minder.
This indicator goes off when your
dealer resets it after completing the
required maintenance service.
Immobilizer System
Indicator
This indicator comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. It will go off if you
have inserted a properly coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly
coded key, the indicator will blink,
and the engine's fuel system will be
disabled (see page79). Security System Indicator
On Sport modelThis indicator comes on when the
security system is set. See page193
for more information on the security
system.
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
Instrument Panel Indicators66
2009 Fit

The information display consists of
two segments. The upper segment
displays current fuel mileage,
maintenance item code(s), and the
lower segment displays the trip
meter, odometer, average fuel
mileage, and engine oil life.To switch the display, press and
release the select/reset knob
repeatedly. When you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position the last selection is
displayed.Trip Meter
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
To reset a trip meter, display it, and
then press and hold the select/reset
knob until the number resets to
‘‘
0.0 ’’.
When you reset the trip meter,
average fuel mileage is reset
simultaneously.
ODOMETER TRIP METER
CURRENT FUEL
MILEAGE
AVERAGE FUEL
MILEAGEENGINE OIL LIFE
Gauges
69
Instruments and Controls
2009 Fit

If the system still detects a loose or
missing fuel fill cap, the malfunction
indicator lamp (MIL) comes on. Turn
the engine off, and check or
retighten the fuel fill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL goes
out after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If it does not go out, have
your dealer inspect the vehicle. For
more information, see page304.Maintenance Minder
The information display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil life and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
information helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs for continued trouble-
free driving. Refer to page245for
more information.
Gauges
71
Instruments and Controls
2009 Fit

Break-in Period
Help assure your vehicle's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:●Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.●Avoid hard braking for the first 200
miles (300 km).●Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Fuel Recommendation
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use of
a lower octane gasoline can cause a
persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
We recommend using quality
gasolines containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely affect performance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact your
authorized dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10% ethanol by
volume and up to 15% MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For further important fuel-related
information, please refer to your
Quick Start Guide.
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation198
2009 Fit

Engine Coolant CheckLook at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeAdding
Engine Coolant on page256for
information on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page250for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
Service Station Procedures202
2009 Fit

Fuel Economy Factors
The following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:●Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)●Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic●Cold engine operation (engines
are more efficient when warmed
up)●Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running●Improperly inflated tiresImproving Fuel Economy
Vehicle MaintenanceA properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
information display (see
Owner's
Maintenance Checks on page250).
For example:●Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page
253).●Maintain proper tire inflation －
An under-inflated tire increases
‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which
reduces fuel economy.●Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle －It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel
consumption.
●Keep your vehicle clean －In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle's underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
economy.
Drive Efficiently●Drive moderately －Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuel
consumption.●Observe the speed limit －
Aerodynamic drag has a big effect
on fuel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.●Always drive in the highest gear
possible －If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your fuel economy by up
shifting as early as possible.
Fuel Economy204
2009 Fit

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
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
page335for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.Maintenance Safety
.....................
244
Maintenance Minder
..................
245
Fluid Locations
...........................
252
Adding Engine Oil
......................
253
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
.......................................
254
Engine Coolant
...........................
256
Windshield Washers
...................
258
Transmission Fluid
.....................
259
Automatic Transmission Fluid
...................................
259
Manual Transmission Fluid
....
260
Brake and Clutch Fluid
...............
261
Lights
..........................................
262
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
267
Floor Mats
..................................
267
Audio Antenna
............................
268
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
268
Wiper Blades
..............................
269
Tires
...........................................
273
Checking the Battery
..................
279
Vehicle Storage
...........................
281
Maintenance
243
Maintenance
2009 Fit