2009 HONDA FIT brakes

The instrument panel has many
indicators that give you important
information about your vehicle.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
See page304.Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator flashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more information, see page303.Charging System
Indicator
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more
information, see page303.
U.S. Canada
Parking Brake
and Brake
System Indicator
(Red)
This indicator has two functions:
1. It comes on when you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. A beeper
sounds if you drive with the
parking brake not fully released.
Driving with the parking brake not
fully released can damage the
brakes and tires.
2. If it remains on after you have fully released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the brake
system. For more information, see
page305.
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. It reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
fastened your seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position before fastening
your seat belts, the beeper sounds,
and the indicator flashes. If you do
not fasten your seat belts before the
beeper stops, the indicator stops
flashing but remains on.
Instrument Panel Indicators60
2009 Fit

Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes and axles. A beeper will sound if
the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake on.
Parking Brake
103
Instruments and Controls
2009 Fit

On Sport model and Canadian LX modelCruise control allows you to maintain
a set speed above 25 mph (40 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
for cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended for
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.Using the Cruise Control
1. Press the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel. The CRUISE
MAIN indicator on the instrument
panel comes on.
NOTE: The main switch can be left
on, even when the system is not in
use.
2. Accelerate to the desired cruising speed above 25 mph (40 km/h). 3. Press the SET/DECEL button on
the steering wheel. The CRUISE
CONTROL indicator on the
instrument panel comes on to
show the system is now activated.
Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to
slow down. This will cancel cruise
control. To resume the set speed,
press the RES/ACCEL button. The
indicator on the instrument panel will
come back on.
When climbing a steep hill, the
automatic transmission may
downshift to hold the set speed.CRUISE BUTTON
SET/DECEL BUTTON CANCEL
BUTTON
RES/ACCEL
BUTTON
Cruise Control194
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

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

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

The manual transmission is
synchronized in all forward gears for
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from fifth to
reverse. When shifting up or down,
make sure you push the clutch pedal
down all the way, shift to the next
gear, and let the pedal up gradually.
When you are not shifting, do not
rest your foot on the clutch pedal.
This can cause the clutch to wear out
faster.Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause for a few seconds before
shifting into reverse, or shift into one
of the forward gears for a moment.
This stops the gears so they won't
‘‘
grind. ’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking from the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes from
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Before downshifting, make
sure the engine speed will not go
into the tachometer's red zone in the
lower gear.
Rapid slowing or speeding up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
CONTINUED
Manual Transmission
217
Driving
2009 Fit