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
5. Release the parking brake.Manual transmission:1. Move the shifter into the Neutralposition.
2. Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock. Make
sure the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets are
turned off so you do not run down
the battery.
When you stop towing your vehicle
and shift out of the neutral position,
you may not be able to move the shift
lever from neutral to reverse or Park.
If this happens, press the brake pedal
and turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position, then shift out of
neutral.
Extended TowingIf you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours
(when you stop for fuel, etc.)Failure to follow the recommended
instructions exactly will result in severe
automatic transmission damage. If you
cannot shift the transmission or start
the engine, your vehicle must be
transported on a flat-bed truck or
trailer. When towing your vehicle for long
periods, remove the 20A Accessory
Socket and 30A Radio fuses to
reduce drain on battery. These fuses
are located in the interior fuse box
and are shown as number 13 and 61
below.
CONTINUED
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
239
Driving
2009 Fit
In freezing temperatures, turn the
engine on and leave it running
while the flat tire is being serviced.
Prolonged exposure to the cold
may cause the vehicle's battery to
weaken. Under cold conditions,
safely start the vehicle's engine and
keep the engine running at idle
when operating the air pump.Running the engine with the
vehicle in an enclosed or even
partly enclosed area can cause
a rapid build-up of toxic carbon
monoxide.
Breathing this colorless,
odorless gas can cause
unconsciousness and even
death. Only run the engine to
power the air pump with the
vehicle outdoors.
10. Turn the air pump on to inflate thetire. Do not run the air pump for
more than 15 minutes or it may
overheat. The air pressure gauge
will show about 40 to 60 psi (275 to
415 kPa) for the first few minutes
while the sealant is pumped into
the tire, and then the pressure will
go down to about 10 to 20 psi (70
to 140 kPa). 11. Inflate the tire to 33 psi (230 kPa),
then turn the air pump switch OFF
for an accurate pressure reading. If
the pressure fails to reach 33 psi
(230 kPa) within 15 minutes, do
not continue, and have the vehicle
towed. In Canada or the
continental U.S.A. simply call 1-
800-465-PLUS (7587) for Honda
Plus Roadside Assistance.
12. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK (0) position.
13. Remove the sealant bottle hose from the tire valve, then reinstall
the tire valve cap.
AIR PUMP SWITCH
OFF
ON
Temporarily Repairing a Flat Tire294
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
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
There are two ways to tow your
vehicle:Flat-bed Equipment
-The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. This is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
Wheel-lift Equipment
- The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the front tires and lift them off
the ground. The rear tires remain on
the ground. This is an acceptable
way to tow your vehicle. If, due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the front wheels on
the ground, do this:
Manual transmission:●Release the parking brake.●Shift the transmission to neutral.●Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Automatic transmission:●Release the parking brake.●Start the engine.●Shift to D position and hold for 5
seconds, then to N. Let the engine
run for 3 minutes, then turn it off.●Turn off the engine.●Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
vehicle must be transported with the
front wheels off the ground.
With the front wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speed below 35 mph (55 km/h).
CONTINUED
Emergency Towing
311
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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