2009 HONDA FIT Owners Manual

Modifying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make it unsafe. Before you make any
modifications or add any accessories,
be sure to read the following
information.
Accessories
Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have been
designed and approved for your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although non-Honda accessories
may fit on your vehicle, they may not
meet factory specifications, and could
adversely affect your vehicle's
handling and stability.
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle's handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your vehicle's
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
tire pressure monitoring system (if
equipped). Before installing any accessory:
●Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.●Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits (see
page307)or interfere with proper
operation of your vehicle.●Before installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the final installation.●Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. Accessories installed in
these areas may interfere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
Accessories and Modifications206
2009 Fit

Modifying Your Vehicle
Removing parts from your vehicle, or
replacing components with non-
Honda components could seriously
affect your vehicle's handling,
stability, and reliability.
Here are some examples:●Lowering your vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit that
significantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.●Raising your vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit can affect
the handling and stability.
●Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS)
ꭧ.
ꭧ : If equipped
●Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's anti-lock brakes and
other systems.●Modifying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle's
safety features can make the
systems ineffective.
If you plan to modify your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
CONTINUED
Accessories and Modifications
207
Before Driving
2009 Fit

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:●Upper glove box●Lower glove box●Front door pockets●Seat-back pocket (if equipped)●Center pocket●Cargo area side pocket●Cargo area, including the rear
seats when folded up or down.●Seat under box●Cargo floor box (all canadian
models with automatic
transmission)
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can affect
your vehicle's handling, stability,
stopping distance, tires, and make it
unsafe. Before carrying any type of
cargo, be sure to read the following
pages.
REAR SIDE POCKET
(RIGHT SIDE)
CARGO FLOOR BOX*
2
FRONT DOOR POCKETS
SEAT-BACK POCKET*
1
SEAT UNDER BOX CENTER POCKET
CARGO AREA
LOWER GLOVE BOX
ꭧ 1: If equipped
ꭧ 2: All Canadian models with automatic transmission UPPER GLOVE BOX
Carrying Cargo208
2009 Fit

Load Limits (Payload)
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg).
See Tire And Loading Information
label attached to the driver's
doorjamb.Label Example
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
－
(1) Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs. ’’on your vehicle's
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX
kg or XXX lbs.
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
209
Before Driving
2009 Fit

(4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example,
if the‘‘XXX ’’amount equals 1,400
lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400 －750 (5 ꭦ150) ＝650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle. Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on
a label on the driver's doorjamb.
Max Load (850 lbs) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs
ꭦ2＝ 300 lbs) Cargo Weight
(550 lbs)Max Load (850 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs
ꭦ4＝ 600 lbs) Cargo Weight
(250 lbs)Max Load (850 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs
ꭦ5＝ 750 lbs) Cargo Weight
(100 lbs)
Carrying Cargo210
2009 Fit

Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
Compartment●Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.●Be sure items placed on the floor
behind the front seats cannot roll
under the seats and interfere with
the driver's ability to operate the
pedals, the proper operation of the
seats, or proper operation of the
sensors under the seats.●Keep the upper and lower glove
boxes closed while driving. If it is
open, a passenger could injure
their knees during a crash or
sudden stop.
●If you fold the rear seats up or
down, tie down items that could be
thrown about the vehicle during a
crash or sudden stop. Also, keep
all cargo below the bottom of the
windows. If it is higher, it could
interfere with the proper operation
of the side curtain airbags.Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
●Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.●Do not stack items higher than the
back of the rear seats. They can
block your view and be thrown
around the vehicle during a crash.●If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
carbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions
on page53.
CONTINUED
Carrying Cargo
211
Before Driving
2009 Fit

Cargo HooksThe two or four hooks on the floor
can be used to install a net for
securing items.
Your vehicle also has cargo hooks on
side panel in the cargo area.
They are designed to hold light
items. Heavy objects may damage
the hook. Make sure any items put
on each hook weigh less than 2.2 lbs
(1 kg).
HOOK
ꭧ : If equipped HOOK
ꭧ
Carrying Cargo212
2009 Fit

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important information
on parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA
®), and the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS). Driving Guidelines
......................
214
Preparing to Drive
......................
215
Starting the Engine
.....................
216
Manual Transmission
.................
217
Automatic Transmission
.............
219
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
(Sport only)
.............................
224
Parking
.......................................
229
Braking System
..........................
230
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............
231
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
.....................
233
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
...................................
235
Towing a Trailer
..........................
238
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
Motorhome
.............................
238
Driving
213
Driving
2009 Fit