2011 HONDA FIT ABS

Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem with the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked at a dealer. With this
indicator on, your vehicle still has
normal braking ability but no anti-
lock function. For more information,
see page 233.Electric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator
This indicator normally comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position and goes off after the
engine starts. If it comes on at any
other time, there is a problem in the
electric power steering system. If this
happens, stop the vehicle in a safe
place and turn off the engine. Reset the
system by restarting the engine. The
indicator will not turn off immediately.
If it does not go off after driving a short
distance, or comes back on again while
driving, take the vehicle to your dealer
to have it checked. With the indicator
on, the EPS may be turned off, making
the vehicle harder to steer.
If you turn the steering wheel to the
full left or right position repeatedly
while stopping or driving at very low
speed, you may feel slightly harder
steering in order to prevent damage to
the steering box caused by overheating.Low Fuel Indicator
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must refuel soon.
When the indicator comes on, there
are about 1.64 US gal (6.2 L) of fuel
remaining in the tank.
When the needle reaches E, there is
a very small amount of fuel in thetank.
Door and Tailgate Open Indicator
This indicator comes on if any door
or the tailgate is not closed tightly.
Instrument Panel Indicators
62
Main MenuTable of Contents

Because the level of detergency and
additives in gasoline vary in the
market, Honda endorses the use of‘‘TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline ’’
where available to help maintain the
performance and reliability of your
vehicle. TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline meets a new gasoline
standard jointly established by
leading automotive manufacturers to
meet the needs of today's advanced
engines. Qualifying gasoline retailers
will, in most cases, identify their
gasoline as having met ‘‘TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline ’’standards at the
retail location. This fuel is
guaranteed to contain the proper
level of detergent additives and be
free of metallic additives. The proper
level of detergent additives, and
absence of harmful metallic additives
in gasoline, help avoid build-up of
deposits in your engine and emission
control system. For further important fuel-related
information for your vehicle, or
information on gasoline that does not
contain MMT, visit Owner Link at
owners.honda.com. In Canada, visit
www.honda. cafor additional
information on gasoline. For more
information on top tier gasoline, visit
www.toptiergas.com.
Refueling
1. Park with the driver's side closest to the service station pump.
2. Outside of the vehicle, push on theright side edge of the fuel fill door
in the middle. The fuel fill door will
pop up slightly. Pull it outward to
open it.
FUEL FILL DOOR
Push Pull out
CONTINUED
Fuel Recommendation, Service Station Procedures
201
Before Driving
Main MenuTable of Contents

Your vehicle is equipped with front
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the effort needed on the
brake pedal. The anti-lock brake
system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking veryhard.
Resting your foot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their effectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, fuel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, confusing
drivers behind you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their
effectiveness. Use the engine to
assist the brakes by taking your foot
off the accelerator and downshifting
to a lower gear.Check your brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
Braking System Design
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
If the front brake pads need
replacing, you will hear a distinctive,
metallic screeching sound when you
apply the brake pedal. If you do not
have the brake pads replaced, they
will screech all the time. It is normal
for the brakes to occasionally squeal
or squeak when you apply them.
Braking System
232
Main MenuTable of Contents

The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps prevent the wheels from
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much faster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the front-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal.
Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
referred to as‘‘stomp and steer. ’’You will feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes. On dry
pavement, you will need to press on
the brake pedal very hard before the
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
ABS Indicator
If the ABS indicator comes on, the
anti-lock function of the braking
system has shut down. The brakes
still work like a conventional system,
but without anti-lock. You should
have your dealer inspect your vehicle
as soon as possible.
If the ABS indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as shown on
page 307.
CONTINUED
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
233
Driving
Main MenuTable of Contents

If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page 307. If the brakes feel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss ofcontrol.Important Safety Reminders
ABS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop thevehicle.
It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
ABS will not prevent a skid that
results from changing directionabruptly, such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed for the road and weatherconditions.
ABS cannot prevent a loss of stability. Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. A vehicle with ABS may require a
longer distance to stop
on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-lock.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
234
Main MenuTable of Contents

Symbol Maintenance Main ItemsA
Replace engine oil
1
B
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system

Fuel lines and connections
Check expiration date for TRK bottle2
 1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE ’’does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
 2: Canadian A/T models only
 : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page 252.
NOTE:
Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake
fluid every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy. Symbol Maintenance Sub Items
1
Rotate tires
2
Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
3
Replace transmission fluid
If you tow a Fit behind a motorhome, the transmission
fluid must be changed every 2 years or 30,000 miles
(48,000 km), whichever comes first. (For A/T only)
4
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
5
Replace engine coolant
Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance Minder
253
Main MenuTable of Contents

4. Unclip the end of the hold-downwire from its slot. Pivot the wire
out of the way, then remove thebulb.
5. Install the new bulb into the hole, making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
6. Make sure that the hold-down wire
is installed properly and securely.
You can check its installation from
the inspection window on the
headlight assembly.
7. Install the rubber seal over the back of the headlight assembly.
8. Push the electrical connector onto the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb. Replacing a Parking Light/Front
Side Marker Bulb
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
4. Reinstall the socket into the light assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
INSPECTION WINDOW HOLD-DOWN WIRE
CONTINUED
Lights
265
Maintenance
Main MenuTable of Contents

Pivot the blade assembly toward
the wiper arm until it releases
from the wiper arm.
When replacing a wiper blade,
make sure not to drop the wiper
blade or wiper arm down on thewindshield.3. Remove the blade from its holder by grabbing the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull firmly until the tabs
come out of the holder. 4. Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal
reinforcement along the back
edge, remove the metal
reinforcement strips from the old
wiper blade, and install them in the
slots along the edge of the newblade.
Make sure the two rubber tabs
inside the blade fit to each notch of
the reinforcement, as shown.
WIPER ARMBLADE
REINFORCEMENT
TOPBLADE
Wiper Blades
272
Main MenuTable of Contents