2010 HONDA FIT Owners Manual

Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeAdding
Engine Coolant on page 256 for
information on adding the propercoolant. Refer to
Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page 250 for information
about checking other items on yourvehicle.
RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
Service Station Procedures
202
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Actual Mileage and EPA Fuel
Economy Estimates Comparison.
Fuel economy is not a fixed number.
It varies based on driving conditions,
driving habits and vehicle condition.
Therefore, it is not possible for one
set of estimates to predict fuel
economy precisely for all drivers in
all environments.
The EPA fuel economy estimates
shown in the example to the right are
a useful tool for comparison when
buying a vehicle. EPA estimatesinclude:
City MPG－Represents urban
driving in a vehicle in light traffic. A
range of miles per gallon achieved is
also provided.
Highway MPG －Represents a
mixture of rural and interstate
driving, in a warmed-up vehicle,
typical of longer trips in free-flowing
traffic. A range of miles per gallon
achieved is also provided.
Combined Fuel Economy －
Represents a combination of city and
highway driving. The scale
represents the range of combined
fuel economy for other vehicles in
the class. Estimated Annual Fuel Cost
－
Provides an estimated annual fuel
cost, based on 15,000 miles (20,000
km) per year multiplied by the cost
per gallon (based on EPA fuel cost
data) divided by the combined fueleconomy.
For more information on fuel
economy ratings and factors that
affect fuel economy, visit
www.
fueleconomy.gov
(Canada: Visitwww.
vehicles.gc.ca
)
(Sample U.S. EPA label shown)
City MPG
Combined Fuel Economy Highway MPG
Estimated Annual
Fuel Cost
CONTINUED
Fuel Economy
203
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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 warmedup)
● Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running
● Improperly inflated tires Improving Fuel Economy
Vehicle Maintenance
A 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 page 250).
For example:
● Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page253).
● 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 fueleconomy.
Drive Efficiently● Drive moderately －Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuelconsumption.
● 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 gearpossible －If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your fuel economy by up
shifting as early as possible.
Fuel Economy
204
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●Avoid excessive idling －Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
● Minimize the use of the air
conditioning system －The A/C
puts an extra load on the engine
which makes it use more fuel. Use
the fresh-air ventilation whenpossible.
● Plan and combine trips －
Combine several short trips into
one. A warmed-up engine is more
fuel efficient than a cold one.
Calculating Fuel Economy
Measuring Techniques
Direct calculation is the
recommended source of information
about your actual fuel economy.
Using frequency of fill-ups or taking
fuel gauge readings are NOT
accurate measures of fuel economy.
Fuel economy may improve over the
first several thousand miles.
Checking Your Fuel Economy
1) Fill the fuel tank until the nozzle automatically clicks off.
2) Reset trip counter to zero.
3) Record the total gallons (liters) needed to refill.
4) Follow one of the simple calculations above.
Miles driven Gallons
of fuel Miles perGallon
100 Liter Kilometers L per
100 km
Fuel Economy
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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 followinginformation. 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 (ifequipped). 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
page 307) 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 Modifications
206
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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.
Accessories and Modifications
207
Before Driving
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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 followingpages.
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 Cargo
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Load Limits (Payload)
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg).
See Tire And Loading Information
label attached to the driver'sdoorjamb.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 thismanual.Steps for Determining Correct LoadLimit
－
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
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