2010 HONDA FIT transmission

All models except U.S. Sport
First (1)－To shift from second to
first, press the release button on the
front of the shift lever. This position
locks the transmission in first gear.
By upshifting and downshifting
through 1, 2, D 3, and D, you can
operate the transmission much like a
manual transmission without a clutchpedal.
U.S. Sport model
S position (S) －To shift into the S
position, press the release button on
the front of the shift lever, and move
the lever to S. This position is similar
to D, except only first to fourth gears
are selected and fifth gear is no
longer available. However, during
most driving conditions, only first
through third gears are used.
With the shift lever in D or S, you
can also use the paddle shifters to
shift the transmission up or down.
With the paddle shifters, you can
operate the transmission much like a
manual transmission without a clutch
pedal. For more information on
driving with the paddle shifters, see
page 224. Engine Speed Limiter
If you exceed the maximum speed
for the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the
tachometer's red zone. If this occurs,
you may feel the engine cut in and
out. This is caused by a limiter in the
engine's computer controls. The
engine will run normally when you
reduce the rpm below the red zone.
Automatic Transmission
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Shift Lock Release
This allows you to move the shift
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release button
does not work.
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignitionswitch.
3. Put a cloth on the notch of the shift lock release slot cover to prevent
scratches. Using a small flat-tip
screwdriver or a metal fingernail
file, carefully pry on the notch of
the cover to remove it.
4. Insert the key in the shift lockrelease slot.
5. Push down on the key while you press the release button on the
shift lever and move the shift lever
out of Park to neutral.6. Remove the key from the shift lockrelease slot, then reinstall the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the left side. Insert the
key back into the igniton switch,
press the brake pedal, and restart
the engine.
If you need to use the shift lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by your dealer.
NOTCH COVER
RELEASE BUTTON
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT
Automatic Transmission
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Using the Paddle Shifters in D
position (D-Paddle Shift Mode)
U.S. models only
When you are driving in D position,
you can shift the transmission up or
down manually with the paddleshifters.
To shift up or down, use the＋
(right) or －(left) paddle shifter on
each side of the steering wheel.Each time you pull the ＋(right)
paddle, the transmission shifts to a
higher gear. Pull the －(left) paddle
to downshift. You will see the
selected gear number on the
instrument panel.
When you pull either paddle shifter,
the gear position indicator shows you
the selected gear number.
When the transmission returns to
drive mode (D), the displayed gear
number disappears.
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
Driving with the Paddle Shifters (Sport only)
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Downshifting with the paddle shifter
allows you to increase the engine
braking when going down steep or
long hills, and provides more power
when climbing uphills. You can
upshift the transmission manually to
reduce the rpm. Driving in the
higher gear helps fuel economy.
The transmission control system
monitors the accelerator pedal use
and your driving conditions. When
you press the accelerator pedal as in
normal driving, the system judges
that you are driving at a constant
cruising speed without using the
paddle shifters. Under these
conditions, D-paddle shift mode is
canceled, and the transmission
automatically returns to drive mode(D).The transmission remains in the
selected gear if you do notaccelerate.
Each time you pull either paddle
shifter, the transmission shifts one
gear up or down. If you want to shift
up or down more than two gears, pull
the paddle shifter twice, pause, and
then pull it again.
The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shift up or down if:
● You downshift before the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear position
indicator will flash the number of the
lower gear several times, then return
to a higher gear. ●
You upshift before the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher gear.
● You pull both paddle shifters at the
same time.
The transmission downshifts to first
gear and returns to drive mode (D)
when the vehicle comes to a
complete stop or the vehicle speed is
about 6 mph (10 km/h).
CONTINUED
Driving with the Paddle Shifters (Sport only)
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When you pull and hold the＋
(right) paddle shifter, the
transmission automatically returns to
drive mode (D).
If there is a problem in the
transmission while you are driving
with the paddle shifters, the D
indicator flashes, the D-paddle shift
mode is canceled, and the
transmission returns to drive mode(D). Using the Paddle Shift in S
position (Sequential Shift Mode)
U.S. models only
With the shift lever in the S position,
you can manually shift up or down
with the paddle shifters. The
transmission goes into the sequential
shift mode and holds the selectedgear.
To enter the sequential shift mode,
press the release button on the front
of the shift lever, move the lever to
the S position, then pull either paddle
shifter. To return to drive mode (D),
move the shift lever to the D
position. While you are driving in the
sequential shift mode, the
transmission will not automatically
return to drive mode (D).
When you move the shift lever from ‘‘
D ’’to the ‘‘S ’’ position and pull either
paddle shifter, the gear position
indicator displays ‘‘M ’’along with the
selected gear number.
To upshift, pull the ＋(right) paddle
shifter. To downshift, pull the －
(left) paddle shifter.
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
‘‘ M ’’INDICATOR
Driving with the Paddle Shifters (Sport only)
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When you accelerate from a stop, the
transmission starts in first gear, and
you must manually upshift between
first and fifth gears. Make sure you
upshift before the engine speed
reaches the tachometer's red zone.
The transmission remains in the
selected gear (5, 4, 3, 2, or 1). There
is no automatic downshift when you
push the accelerator pedal to thefloor.
When you are driving in 4th or 5th
gear, the transmission downshifts to
the lower gear under the followingconditions:● The vehicle slows down to a
certain speed.
● You press the brake pedal. Downshifting with the paddle shifter
allows you to increase the engine
braking when going down steep or
long hills, and provides more power
when climbing uphills. You can
upshift the transmission manually to
reduce the rpm. Driving in the
higher gear helps fuel economy.
The transmission also shifts
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It downshifts to first
gear when the vehicle speed reaches
6 mph (10 km/h) or less.
The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shift up or down if:
● You downshift before the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear position
indicator will flash the number of the
lower gear several times, then return
to a higher gear.
CONTINUED
Driving with the Paddle Shifters (Sport only)
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If the vehicle speed decreases below
the redline of the selected lower gear
while the indicator is flashing, the
transmission downshifts, and the
indicator displays the selected gear.● You upshift before the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher gear.
● You pull both paddle shifters at the
same time.Starting in Second Gear
When you are in sequential shift
mode, and the vehicle is stopped,
pull the ＋(right) paddle shifter to
shift to second gear. You will see‘‘ M2 ’’in the display. Starting in
second gear helps to reduce
wheelspin in deep snow or on a
slippery surface. Recommended Shift Points
Drive in the highest gear that lets the
engine run and accelerate smoothly.
This will give you good fuel economy
and effective emissions control. The
following shift points are
recommended:
Shift up Normal acceleration
1st to 2nd 15 mph (24 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 25 mph (40 km/h)
3rd to 4th 40 mph (64 km/h)
4th to 5th 47 mph (76 km/h )
Driving with the Paddle Shifters (Sport only)
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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 anincline.
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 thetransmission.Parking Tips
● Make sure the windows areclosed.
● Turn off the lights.
● Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them withyou.
● Lock the doors and the tailgate.
On Sport model
Check 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
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