2012 HONDA FIT automatic transmission

153
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 154
Maximum Load Limit........................ 157
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 159
When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 161
Precautions While Driving................. 163
Automatic Transmission ................... 164
Shifting ............................................ 165
Shifting ............................................ 167
Models with 7 positions ATModels with 5 positions AT
Shifting ............................................ 171
Cruise Control
*............................... 173
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System ...... 176
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) .. 178Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 179
Braking
Brake System ................................... 181
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 183
Brake Assist System.......................... 184Manual transmission models
Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ................................ 185
Parking ............................................ 185
Refueling
Fuel Information .............................. 186
How to Refuel ................................. 187
Fuel Economy.................................... 189
Improving Fuel Economy .................. 189
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories ...................................... 190
Modifications................................... 190
* Not available on all models

159
Continued
Driving
Towing a TrailerYour vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your
warranties.Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle can be towed behind a motorhome.
Perform the following procedure before towing your vehicle.
1.Check the transmission fluid level.
uMake sure the fluid level is between the upper and lower marks.
2.Start the engine.
3.Depress the brake pedal. Move the shift lever through all its positions.
4.Shift to
(D
and hold for five seconds, then to
(N
. Let the engine run for three
minutes, then turn it off.
5.Release the parking brake.
6.Leave the ignition switch in ACCESSORY
(q
.
uMake sure the steering wheel does not lock.
7.Turn off all the electric devices. Do not use any accessory power sockets.
uThis can prevent the battery from running down.
1.Shift to
(N
.
2.Release the parking brake.
3.Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY
(q
.
uMake sure the steering wheel does not lock.
4.Turn off all the electric devices. Do not use any accessory power sockets.
uThis can prevent the battery from running down.
■
When Your Vehicle is Towed Behind a Motorhome
1Towing Your Vehicle
NOTICEFailure 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 or trailer.
Do not exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Consult your towing parts sales or rental agency if
any other items are recommended or required for
your towing situation.
If you tow your vehicle behind a motorhome, the
transmission fluid must be changed every 2 years or
30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever comes first.Automatic transmission modelsAutomatic transmission models
1When Your Vehicle is Towed Behind a Motorhome
NOTICESevere transmission damage will occur if the vehicle is
shifted from
(R
to
(N
and then towed with the drive
wheels on the ground.
Automatic transmission models
Automatic transmission modelsManual transmission models

161
Continued
Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2.Check that the shift lever is in
(P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
uAlthough it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N
, it is safer to start it in
(P
.
2.Check that the shift lever is in
(N
. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
uThe clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, heating and
cooling
* system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Brake Pedal
Automatic transmission models
Brake Pedal Clutch Pedal
Manual transmission models
* Not available on all models

uuWhen DrivinguStarting the Engine
162Driving
3.Turn the ignition switch to START
(e

without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1.Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that
the brake system indicator has gone off.
2Parking Brake P. 181
2.Put the shift lever in
(D
. Select
(R
when reversing.
3.Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull
away.
1Starting the Engine
Do not hold the key in START
(e
for more than 15
seconds.
•If the engine does not start right away, wait for at
least 10 seconds before trying again.•If the engine starts, but then immediately stops,
wait at least 10 seconds before repeating step 3
while gently depressing the accelerator pedal.
Release the accelerator pedal once the engine
starts.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded key (or other device) is
used, the engine’s fuel system is disabled.
2Immobilizer System P. 90
■
Starting to Drive
Automatic transmission models

164
uuWhen DrivinguAutomatic Transmission
Driving
Automatic TransmissionThe following conditions cause the engine to run at high revolutions, and increase
creeping:
•Immediately after the engine starts.
•When the heating and cooling
* system is in use.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.
■
Creeping
■
Kickdown
* Not available on all models

165
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Continued
Driving
ShiftingChange the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.■
Shift lever positions
1Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0
and
remove the key unless the shift lever is in
(P
.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
(N
while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
Models with 7 positions AT
Park
Used when parking or starting the
engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for normal driving (gears change
between 1st and 5th automatically)
Drive (D3)
Used when:●Going up or down hills
Second
Used to increase engine braking
(the transmission is locked in 2nd gear)
First
Used to further increase engine braking
(the transmission is locked in 1st gear) Release Button

169
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Continued
Driving
Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 5th gears without removing your
hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential shift
mode.■
When the shift lever is in
(D
:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode momentarily, and the gear position
indicator will come on.
Once you start traveling at a constant speed, the sequential shift mode will
automatically switch off, and the gear position indicator will go off.
Hold the
(+
paddle shifter for two seconds to return to normal drive.
■
When the shift lever is in
(S
:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode, and the
(M
(sequential shift)
indicator and gear position indicator will come on. At speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or
less, the vehicle automatically shifts down into 1st gear. It will not automatically shift
up, even if vehicle speed increases.
You can only pull away in 1st or 2nd gear.
When switching out of the sequential shift mode, move the shift lever from
(S
to
(D
. When the sequential shift mode is canceled, the sequential shift mode indicator
and shift indicator go off.
■
Sequential Shift Mode

173
uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
*
Continued
Driving
Cruise Control
*
Maintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the
accelerator. Use cruise control on freeways or open roads where you can travel at a
constant speed with little acceleration or deceleration.
1Cruise Control
*
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed
when driving uphill or downhill.
When not using cruise control:
Turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE
button.
3
WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead
to a crash.
Use the cruise control only when traveling
on open highways in good weather.
■
Shift positions for cruise control:
In
(D
, (d
* or
(S
*
When to use
Always keep sufficient distance
between you and the vehicle in
front of you.
Automatic transmission models■
Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above
roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~
How to use
CRUISE MAIN is on in the
instrument panel.
Cruise control is ready to use.
■
Press the
CRUISE
button on
the steering wheel.
* Not available on all models