2011 HONDA FIT ignition

All models except U.S. Sport
To shift from: Do this:PtoR Press the brake pedal, and
press the shift lever releasebutton.
RtoP
Press the shift lever releasebutton.
NtoR
DtoD 3
D 3to 2
2to1
1to2
Move the shift lever.
2toD
3
D 3to D
DtoN
NtoD
RtoN
U.S. Sport model
To shift from: Do this:
PtoR Press the brake pedal, and
press the shift lever releasebutton.
RtoP Press the shift lever releasebutton.
NtoR
DtoS
StoD
Move the shift lever.
DtoN
NtoD
RtoN Park (P)
This position
mechanically locks the transmission.
Use Park whenever you are turning
off or starting the engine. To shift out
of Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your foot off the
accelerator pedal. Press the release
button on the front of the shift lever
to move it.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shift Lock Release on
page 225.
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop before shifting
into Park. You must also press the
release button to shift into Park. The
shift lever must be in Park before
you can remove the key from the
ignition switch.
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 into the ignition switch, press
the brake pedal, and restart theengine.
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
U.S. Sport model is shown.
Automatic Transmission
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Driving
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If equipped
The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surfaces. It does this by
regulating the engine's output and by
selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise from the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA system indicator blink.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle's driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle's entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
VSA OFF Indicator
When VSA is off, the VSA OFF
indicator comes on as a reminder.
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA) System Indicator
When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA system indicator blink.
If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is safe, and turn off the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer. NOTE: The main function of the VSA
system is generally known as
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
The system also includes a traction
control function. If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
If the low tire pressure indicator or
TPMS indicator comes on, the VSA
system automatically turns on even if
the VSA system is turned off by
pressing the VSA OFF switch (see
page 236). If this happens, you
cannot turn the VSA system off by
pressing the VSA OFF switch again.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
CONTINUED
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA

Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.Towing Your Vehicle Behind aMotorhome
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 begintowing.
Automatic transmission:
Perform the following procedure
every day immediately before you
begin towing. Otherwise severe
automatic transmission damage willoccur.
1. Check the transmission fluid level
(see page 261).
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 Motorhome
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5. Release the parking brake.
Manual transmission:
1. Move the shift lever into theneutral position.
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 ofneutral.
Extended Towing
If 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 ortrailer.
CONTINUED
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
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Your vehicle displays engine oil life
and maintenance service items on
the information display to show you
when you should have your dealer
perform engine oil replacement and
indicated maintenance service.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life and displays it as apercentage.Engine Oil Life Display
To see the current engine oil life,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, then press and release
the select/reset knob repeatedly
until the engine oil life indicator
appears (see page 69).The remaining engine oil life is
shown on the display according to
this table:
Calculated Engine Oil Life (%) Displayed
Engine Oil Life (%)
100% 91% 100%
90% 81% 90%
80% 71% 80%
70% 61% 70%
60% 51% 60%
50% 41% 50%
40% 31% 40%
30% 21% 30%
20% 16% 20%
15% 11% 15%
10% 6% 10%
5% 1% 5%
0% 0%
SELECT/RESET KNOB
ENGINE OIL LIFE INDICATOR
CONTINUED
Maintenance MinderTM
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Maintenance
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If the remaining engine oil life is 15
to 6 percent, you will see the engine
oil life indicator every time you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. The Maintenance Minder
indicator will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
above the‘‘OIL LIFE ’’message.The 15 and 11 percent oil life
indicator reminds you that the time is
coming soon to take your vehicle in
for the required maintenance.When the remaining engine oil life is
5 to 1 percent, you will see a‘‘SERVICE ’’message along with the
same maintenance item code(s),
every time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
MAINTENANCE
MINDER INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE ITEM CODE(S)
ENGINE OIL
LIFE INDICATOR
Maintenance MinderTM
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The maintenance item code or codes
indicate the main and sub items
required at the time of the oil change
(see page 250).
You can switch the information
display from the engine oil life
display to the odometer or the trip
meter. Press and release the select/
reset knob on the instrument panel.
When the engine oil life is 15 to 1
percent, the Maintenance Minder
indicator (
) comes on every time
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position, then it goes out if
you switch the information display.
When you see this message, have
the indicated maintenance performed
by your dealer as soon as possible.When the remaining engine oil life is
0 percent, the engine oil life indicator
will blink. The display comes on
every time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. The
Maintenance Minder indicator (
)
also comes on and remains on in the
instrument panel. When you see this
message, immediately have the
indicated maintenance done by yourdealer.
If you do not perform the indicated
maintenance, negative distance
traveled is displayed and begins to
blink after the vehicle has been
driven 10 miles (10 km) or more.
Negative distance traveled means
your vehicle has passed the
maintenance required point.
Immediately have the indicated
maintenance done by your dealer.
NEGATIVE DISTANCE TRAVELED
CONTINUED
Maintenance MinderTM
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Maintenance
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