2011 HONDA FIT Overheat

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If
not, you will also find instructions on
getting your vehicle towed.Compact Spare Tire
....................286
Changing a Flat Tire ...................287
Temporarily Repairing a Flat Tire ......................................... 293
If the Engine Won't Start .............299
Jump Starting .............................. 301
If the Engine Overheats ..............303
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .........305
Charging System Indicator .........305
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........306
Brake System Indicator ...............307
Fuses .......................................... 308
Fuse Locations ............................ 311
Emergency Towing .....................313
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck ..........314
Taking Care of the Unexpected
285
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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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 carbonmonoxide.
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 Tire
296
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The high temperature indicator
should be off under most conditions.
If the engine coolant temperature
gets higher than normal, the
indicator will blink. If it stays on, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the high
temperature indicator blinking or
remaining on. Or you may see steam
or spray coming from under thehood.
Driving with the high temperature
indicator on can cause serious damage
to your engine.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road. Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake. Turn off all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood. 3. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
check the high temperature
indicator. If the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the high temperature indicator
goes off, then continue driving.
4. If the high temperature indicator stays on, turn off the engine.
CONTINUED
If the Engine Overheats
303
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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5. Look for any obvious coolantleaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see Emergency
Towing on page 313).
6. If you don't find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
7. If there was no coolant in the reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the high
temperature indicator goes off
before checking the radiator.
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
8. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comesoff. 9. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. If you do not have the proper
coolant mixture available, you can
add plain water. Remember to
have the cooling system drained
and refilled with the proper
mixture as soon as you can.
10. Put the radiator cap back on tightly. Run the engine, and check
the high temperature indicator. If
it begins to blink or comes on
again, the engine needs repair (see
Emergency Towing on page 313).
11. If the temperature stays normal, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has gone
down, add coolant to the MAX
mark. Put the cap back on tightly.
If the Engine Overheats
304
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Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is provided by
a separate telltale, which displays thesymbol
‘‘TPMS ’’when illuminated.
When the malfunction indicator isilluminated,
the system may not be able to detect
or signal low tire pressure asintended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a
variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to functionproperly.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Required Federal Explanation
327
Technical Information
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D
DANGER, Explanation of.............iii
Dashboard ............................... 3, 58
Daytime Running Lights ..............75
Daytime Running Lights Indicator ................................... 65
Dead Battery .............................. 301
Defects, Reporting Safety ...........336
Defogger, Rear Window ...............76
Defrosting the Windows ............113
Detachable Anchor ......................99
Dimensions ................................ 320
Dimming the Headlights ..............74
Dipstick Automatic Transmission .........261
Engine Oil ............................... 204
Directional Signals .................63, 74
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .......232
Disc Care ................................... 187
Disc Player .......................... 122, 149
Disc Player Error
Messages ........................ 128, 157
Disposal of Used Oil ...................257Doors
Auto Door Locking/ Unlocking .............................
83
Childproof Door Locks .............83
Locking and Unlocking ............81
Power Door Locks ...................82
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ................................ 323
Downshifting, Manual
Transmission .......................... 219
Driver and Passenger Safety ..........5
Driving ....................................... 215
Economy ................................. 205
Driving Guidelines .....................216
Driving with the Paddle Shifters
(Sport only) ............................ 226
Dust and Pollen Filter ................270
E
Economy, Fuel ........................... 205
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Indicator ................................... 62
Emergencies on the Road ..........285
Battery, Jump Starting .............301 Brake System Indicator
.....
60, 307
Changing a Flat Tire ...............287
Charging System Indicator ........................ 60, 305
Checking the Fuses ................309
Driving with a Flat Tire ...........287
Hazard Warning Flashers ........76
Jump Starting .......................... 301
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator ........................ 60, 305
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp ............................. 60, 306
Overheated Engine .................303
Towing .................................... 313
Emergency Brake ......................103
Emergency Flashers ....................76
Emergency Towing ....................313
Emissions Controls ....................328
Emissions Testing ......................331
CONTINUED
Index
III
INDEX
Main Menu

EngineAdding Engine Coolant ...........258
Coolant Temperature Indicator ............................... 63
If it Won't Start ........................299
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ............................. 60, 306
Oil Life Indicator .....................247
Oil Pressure Indicator .......60, 305
Oil, What Kind to Use .............255
Overheating ............................ 303
Specifications .......................... 320
Speed Limiter ..................220, 224
Starting ................................... 218
Engine Coolant .......................... 258
Engine Number .........................319
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................200
Evaporative Emissions Controls .................................. 328
Exhaust Emissions Controls ......329
Exhaust Fumes ............................ 53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by .................................... 16F
Fan, Interior
............................... 111
Features ..................................... 109
Filters
Dust and Pollen .......................270
Oil ........................................... 256
Flashers, Hazard Warning ...........76
Flat Tire, Changing a .................287
Floor Mats ................................. 269
Fluids Automatic Transmission .........261
Brake ...................................... 263
Clutch ..................................... 263
Location .................................. 254
Manual Transmission ..............262
Windshield Washer .................260
FM/AM Radio Reception ...........185
Fog Lights .................................... 75
Four-way Flashers ........................76
Front Airbags ........................... 9, 24
Front Seat
Adjusting .................................. 93
Fuel ............................................ 200
Check Fuel Cap Indicator .........70 Economy
.................................
205
Fill Door and Cap ....................201
Gauge ...................................... 70
Low Fuel Indicator ...................62
Octane Requirement ...............200
Reserve Indicator .....................62
Tank, Filling the ......................201
Fuel Economy ............................ 205
Fuses, Checking the ..................309
G
Gas Mileage, Improving .............206
Gasoline ..................................... 200
Low Fuel Indicator ...................62
Octane Requirement ...............200
Tank, Refueling .......................201
Gas Station Procedures ..............201
Gauges Fuel .......................................... 70
Odometer ................................. 70
Speedometer ............................ 68
Tachometer .............................. 68
Index
IV
Main Menu

Shifting................................... 219
Manual Transmission Fluid .......262
Meters, Gauges ............................ 68
Methanol in Gasoline .................200
Mirrors, Adjusting ......................102
Modifications ............................. 209
Modifying Your Vehicle .............209
N
Neutral Gear Position .................223
New Vehicle Break-in .................200
Normal Shift Speeds ...........220, 230
NOTICE, Explanation of ................i
Numbers, Identification .............318
O
Octane Requirement, Gasoline ................................. 200
Odometer ..................................... 70
Odometer, Trip ............................ 69
Oil Change, How to ......................256
Change, When to ....................247Checking Engine
....................
204
Life, Engine ............................. 247
Pressure Indicator .............60, 305
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart ................................... 255
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery ................................ 328
ON (Ignition Key Position) ..........80
Outside Mirrors .........................101
Overheating, Engine ..................303
Owner's Maintenance Checks ....252
Oxygenated Fuels ......................200
P
Paddle Shifters ........................... 226
Panel Brightness Control .............76
Park Gear Position .....................222
Parking ...................................... 231
Parking Brake ............................ 103
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator ........................... 60, 307
Parking Lights ............................. 74
Parking Over Things that
Burn ................................ 231, 330Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
....
31
PGM-FI System .......................... 329
Playing a Disc .....................122, 149
Playing an iPod