2009 HONDA FIT towing

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

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

Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
Motorhome
Your vehicle can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur.
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manufacturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer's attachment
instructions carefully.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns freely before you begin
towing.
Automatic transmission:Perform the following procedure
every day immediately before you
begin towing. Otherwise severe
automatic transmission damage will
occur.
1. Check the transmission fluid level
(see page259).
Do not overfill.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press on the brake pedal. Movethe shift lever through all its
positions.
4. Shift to the D position and hold for 5 seconds, then to N. Let the
engine run for 3 minutes, then turn
it off.Severe transmission damage will occur
if the vehicle is shifted from reverse to
neutral and then towed with the drive
wheels on the ground.
Towing a Trailer, Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome238
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

Only remove the fuses after you have
performed the transmission shifting
procedure, and the key is in the
ACCESSORY (I) position. Store the
fuses in an obvious location (center
pocket, etc) as a reminder to re-
install the fuses before driving the
vehicle.On vehicles without navigation systemIf the radio fuse is removed, the
audio system will disable itself. The
next time you turn on the radio you
will see‘‘ENTER CODE ’’in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see page
191).
When the audio system is disabled,
the clock setting in the audio system
will be canceled. You will need to
reset the clock (see page 192).
On vehicles with navigation systemThe navigation system will also
disable itself. The next time you turn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter‘‘ENTER
CODE ’’before it can be used. Refer
to the navigation system manual.
ACCESSORY SOCKET FUSE
RADIO FUSETowing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome240
2009 Fit

Automatic transmissionIf you tow a Fit behind a motorhome,
the transmission fluid must be
changed every 2 years or 30,000
miles (48,000 km), whichever comes
first.
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
241
Driving
2009 Fit