2011 HONDA FIT brake

Check the brake fluid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
There are up to two reservoirs,
depending on the model. They are: Brake fluid reservoir (all models)
Clutch fluid reservoir
(manual transmission modelsonly)
Independent of the Maintenance
Minder information, replace the
brake fluid every 3 years.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 fluid, from a sealed
container, as a temporaryreplacement.
Using any non-Honda brake fluid can
cause corrosion and decrease the life
of the system. Have the brake
system flushed and refilled with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible. Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle's
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Brake Fluid
The fluid level should be between
the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads/shoes.
MAX MIN
CONTINUED
Brake and Clutch Fluid
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Clutch Fluid
Manual Transmission only
The fluid level should be between
the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If it is not, add brake
fluid to bring it up to that level. Use
the same fluid specified for the brakesystem.
A low fluid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area, readjustment may be
required. Adjustments should be
done by your dealer or another
qualified mechanic.
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
from contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a cleancloth.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
3. Remove the rubber weather seal by pulling on the tab.
MAX
MIN
BULB
ELECTRICAL
CONNECTOR
RUBBER WEATHER SEAL HOLD-DOWN WIRE
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Lights
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Replacing Rear Bulbs
1. Open the tailgate. Place a cloth onthe edge of the light assembly
cover to prevent scratches.
Remove the cover by carefully
prying in the notch on its middle
edge with a flat-tip screwdriver.
2. Determine which of the threebulbs is burned out: stop/taillight,
back-up light, or turn signal light.
3. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise. 4. Remove the burned out bulb from
the socket by pulling it straight out
of its socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the socket.
6. Turn on the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
7. Reinstall the socket into the light assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
8. Reinstall the light assembly cover.
High-mount Brake Light
The high-mount brake light should
be replaced by your dealer.LIGHT ASSEMBLY COVER
Lights
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Winter Driving
Tires marked‘‘M ＋ S’’ or ‘‘All
Season ’’on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best performance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
Snow Tires
If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may be lower than your original tires.
Check with the tire dealer for
maximum speed recommendations.
Tire Chains
Mount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Install them only on the
front tires.
Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, Honda strongly
recommends using the chains listed
below, made by Security Chain
Company (SCC).
All models except Sport
SC1026
Sport model
SC1030
When installing cables, follow the
manufacturer's instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
Traction devices that are the wrong size
or improperly installed can damage
your vehicle's brake lines, suspension,
body, and wheels. Stop driving if they
are hitting any part of the vehicle.
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains.
Tires
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If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors. Fill the fuel tank.
Wash and dry the exteriorcompletely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic).
Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being storedindoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch thewindshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
Cover the vehicle with a‘‘breathable ’’cover, one made from
a porous material such as cotton.
Non-porous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches full
operating temperature (the cooling
fans cycle on and off twice).
Preferably, do this once a month.
Vehicle Storage
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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
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Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Except all Canadian models withautomatic transmission
If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by thejack.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights, and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
3. Lift the rear center head restraint.
4. Open the tailgate. Raise the cargo area floor lid by lifting it up with
the back of the strap. To keep the
floor lid open, hook the looped
side of the strap to the legs of the
rear center head restraint.
5. Take the tool kit out of the spare tire.
FLOOR LID LOOP
SPARE TIRE
TOOL KIT JACK STRAP
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
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10. Place the jack under the jackingpoint nearest the tire you need to
change. It is pointed to by a
mark molded into the underside of
the body (Sport model). Turn the
end bracket clockwise until the top
of the jack contacts the jacking
point. Make sure the jacking point
tab is resting in the jack notch.11. Use the extension and the wheel nut wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the flat tire is off theground.
12. Remove the wheel nuts, then remove the flat tire. Handle the
wheel nuts carefully; they may be
hot from driving. Place the flat tire
on the ground with the outside
surface facing up.13. Before mounting the spare tire, wipe any dirt off the mounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully; it may be hot fromdriving.
JACKING POINT
EXTENSION
WHEEL NUT WRENCHBRAKE HUB
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
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Taking Care of the Unexpected
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