2009 HONDA FIT tow

Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
U.S. models onlyThis indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on while driving,
it indicates that one or more of your
vehicle's tires are significantly low on
pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page284),and have the
flat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinflated,
call a professional towing service
(see page311).For more
information, see page235.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Indicator
U.S. models onlyThis indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
Lights On Indicator
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or
position. If you turn the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0) position without
turning off the light switch, this
indicator will stay on. A reminder
chime will also sound when you open
the driver's door.Fog Light Indicator
On Sport modelThis indicator comes on when you
turn on the fog lights. For more
information, see page75.
Instrument Panel Indicators64
2009 Fit

Windshield Wipers1. MIST
2. OFF
3. INT－Intermittent
4. LO －Low speed
5. HI －High speed
6. Windshield washers
Push the right lever up or down to
select a position.
MIST
－ The wipers run at high
speed until you release the lever.
OFF
－ The wipers are not activated.
INT
－ The wipers operate every
few seconds.
LO
－
The wipers run at low speed.
HI
－The wipers run at high speed.
Windshield
Washers
－ Pull the wiper control
lever toward you, and
hold it. The washers
spray until you release
the lever. The wipers
run at low speed, then
complete one more
sweep after you release
the lever. Rear Window Wiper and Washer
1. OFF
When you turn the wiper switch to
the ‘‘OFF ’’position, the wiper will
return to its parked position.
2. Rotate the switch clockwise to turn the rear window wiper ON.
3. Hold past ON to turn the rear window wiper on and to spray the
rear window washer.
CONTINUED
Windshield Wipers and Washers
73
Instruments and Controls
2009 Fit

Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility before
starting to drive.
The defogger wires on the inside of
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side-to-side.If equippedPushing this button also turns the
mirror heaters on or off. For more
information, see page102.Steering Wheel Adjustment
Make any steering wheel adjustment
before you start driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
in a crash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
1. Pull the lever under the steering column toward you until it stops.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down, and in or out, so it points
toward your chest, not toward your
face. Make sure you can see the
instrument panel gauges and
indicators.
3. Push the lever forward fully to lockthe steering wheel in position.
4. Make sure you have securely locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up, down, in,
and out.
Rear Window Defogger, Steering Wheel Adjustment
77
Instruments and Controls
2009 Fit

3. Holding the grip, pull the supportrod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the designated hole in the
hood.
To close the hood, lift it up slightly to
remove the support rod from the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a foot (30 cm) above the
fender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched. Oil Check
Wait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
2. Wipe off the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
3. Insert the dipstick all the way back into its hole.
4. Remove the dipstick again, andcheck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see Adding Engine Oil on page253.
SUPPORT ROD
GRIP CLIP
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
Service Station Procedures
201
Before Driving
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

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

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly, or your
vehicle may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
before you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle from
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Parking Tips
●Make sure the windows are
closed.●Turn off the lights.●Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them with
you.●Lock the doors and the tailgate.On Sport modelCheck the indicator on the
instrument panel to verify that the
security system is set.●Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
●If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in first gear
and set the parking brake.●If the vehicle is facing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear
and set the parking brake.●Make sure the parking brake is
fully released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking
229
Driving
2009 Fit