2012 HONDA FIT Transmission service

191
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance ............ 192
Safety When Performing Maintenance .... 193Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 194
Maintenance Minder
TM
..................... 195
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 199Opening the Hood ........................... 200
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 201
Oil Check ......................................... 202
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 203Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter..... 204
Engine Coolant ................................ 206
Transmission Fluid ............................ 208
Brake/Clutch Fluid ............................ 210
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 211
Replacing Light Bulbs....................... 212
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades.......................................... 218Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 222
Tire and Loading Information Label .. 223
Tire Labeling .................................... 223
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles).. 225Wear Indicators................................ 227Tire Service Life ................................ 227
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 228
Tire Rotation .................................... 229
Winter Tires ..................................... 230
Battery............................................... 231
Remote Transmitter Care
*
Replacing the Battery ....................... 232
Heating and Cooling
* System
Maintenance................................... 233
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 234
Exterior Care.................................... 235
* Not available on all models

192Maintenance
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and MaintenanceFor your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.) Refer to the separate maintenance booklet for detailed maintenance and
inspection information.■
Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.
■
Periodic inspections
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level monthly.
2Automatic Transmission Fluid P. 208
•Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2Brake/Clutch Fluid P. 210
•Check the tire pressure monthly. Examine the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 222
•Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2Replacing Light Bulbs P. 212
•Check the condition of the wiper blades at least every six months.
2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 218
■
Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are “certified” to
EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all maintenance services should
be performed in accordance with the intervals
indicated by the information display.
2Maintenance Service Items P. 197
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, you can purchase a
subscription to the Service Express website at
www.techinfo.honda.com.
2Authorized Manuals P. 277
If you want to perform maintenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing maintenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models

197
uuMaintenance Minder
TMuTo Use Maintenance Minder
TM
Continued
Maintenance
■
Maintenance Service Items
1Maintenance Service Items•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 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder Message Maintenance
Minder Indicator
Sub Items Main Item
*1: If a 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.CODE
Maintenance Main Items
A
●
Replace engine oil
*1
B
●
Replace engine oil and oil filter
●
Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary
●
Check parking brake adjustment
●
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
●
Inspect suspension components
●
Inspect driveshaft boots
●
Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)
●
Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids
●
Inspect exhaust system
#
●
Inspect fuel lines and connections
#
●
Check expiration date for TRK bottle
*2
*3: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*4: 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).
*5: 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)CODE
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●
Rotate tires
2
●
Replace air cleaner element
*3
●
Replace dust and pollen filter
*4
●
Inspect drive belt
3
●
Replace transmission fluid
*5
4
●
Replace spark plugs
●
Inspect valve clearance
5
●
Replace engine coolant

264Handling the Unexpected
Emergency TowingCall a professional towing service if you need to tow your vehicle.■
Flat bed equipment
The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a truck.
This is the best way to transport your vehicle.
■
Wheel lift equipment
The tow truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the front tires and lift them off
the ground. The rear tires remain on the ground. This is an acceptable way to
tow your vehicle.
1Emergency Towing
NOTICETrying to lift or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will
cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed
to support the vehicle’s weight.NOTICEImproper towing such as towing behind a
motorhome or other motor vehicle can damage the
transmission.
Never tow your vehicle with just a rope or chain.
It is very dangerous, since ropes or chains may shift
from side to side or break.

267
Information
This chapter includes your vehicle’s specifications, locations of identification numbers, and other
information required by regulation.
Specifications.................................... 268
Identification Numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) .. 270
Engine Number and Transmission
Number...................................... 270
Devices that Emit Radio Waves....... 271
Reporting Safety Defects................. 272Emissions Testing
Testing of Readiness Codes.............. 273
Warranty Coverages........................ 275
Authorized Manuals......................... 277
Customer Service Information......... 278

280Index
High-Mount Brake Light .......................... 217
Rear License Plate Light............................ 217
Bulb Specifications.................................... 268
CCarbon Monoxide Gas................................ 61
Cargo Floor Box........................................ 115
Cargo Hooks.............................................. 117
Carrying Cargo.................................. 155, 157
CD Player................................................... 129
Certification Label.................................... 270
Changing Bulbs......................................... 212
Charging System Indicator................. 65, 256
Child Safety................................................. 49
Childproof Door Locks ............................... 83
Child Seat.................................................... 49
Booster Seats ............................................. 60
Child Seat for Infants ................................. 51
Child Seat for Small Children ..................... 52
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder
Seat Belt .................................................. 56
Larger Children .......................................... 59
Rear-facing Child Seat ............................... 51
Selecting a Child Seat ................................ 53
Childproof Door Locks................................ 83
Cleaning the Exterior............................... 235
Cleaning the Interior................................ 234
Clock............................................................ 76
Clutch Fluid............................................... 210
Coat Hook................................................. 116Compact Spare Tire.......................... 239, 269
Controls....................................................... 75
Coolant (Engine)...................................... 206
Adding to the Radiator ............................ 207
Adding to the Reserve Tank..................... 206
High Temperature Indicator ....................... 67
Low Temperature Indicator........................ 67
Overheating ............................................ 254
Creeping (Automatic Transmission)........ 164
Cruise Control........................................... 173
Indicator.................................................... 71
Cup Holders.............................................. 114
Customer Service Information................. 278
DDaytime Running Lights............................ 96
Dead Battery............................................. 251
Defrosting the Windshield and
Windows................................................. 120
Devices that Emit Radio Waves............... 271
Dimming
Headlights ................................................. 95
Rearview Mirror....................................... 102
Dipstick (Engine Oil)................................. 202
Directional Signals (Turn Signal)............... 95
Door Mirrors............................................. 102
Doors........................................................... 77
Auto Door Locking .................................... 84
Auto Door Unlocking ................................ 84
Door and Tailgate Open Indicator ........ 25, 68Keys.......................................................... 77
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the
Inside ...................................................... 82
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the
Outside ................................................... 79
Lockout Prevention System ....................... 81
DOT Tire Quality Grading........................ 225
Driving...................................................... 153
Automatic Transmission .......................... 164
Braking ................................................... 181
Cruise Control ........................................ 173
Shifting Gear .......................... 165, 167, 171
Starting the Engine ................................. 161
Dust and Pollen Filter.............................. 233
EElectric Power Steering System (EPS)
Indicator ........................................... 68, 258
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)............ 176
Emergency................................................ 264
Emissions Testing (Readiness Codes)...... 273
Engine....................................................... 270
Coolant .................................................. 206
Jump Starting ......................................... 251
Oil .......................................................... 201
Starting................................................... 161
Switch Buzzer ........................................... 94
Engine Coolant........................................ 206
Adding to the Radiator ........................... 207
Adding to the Reserve Tank .................... 206

283
Index
Low Battery Charge................................. 256
Low Fuel Indicator..................................... 66
Low Oil Pressure Indicator................. 64, 256
Lower Anchors........................................... 54
Lubricant Specifications Chart................ 269
Luggage (Maximum Load Limit)............. 157MMaintenance............................................ 191
Battery .................................................... 231
Brake/Clutch Fluid ................................... 210
Cleaning ................................................. 234
Coolant .................................................. 206
Heating and Cooling System ................... 233
Maintenance Minder
TM............................ 195
Oil .......................................................... 202
Precautions ............................................. 192
Radiator .................................................. 207
Remote Transmitter ................................ 232
Replacing Light Bulbs .............................. 212
Safety ..................................................... 193
Service Items ........................................... 197
Tires........................................................ 222
Transmission Fluid ................................... 208
Under the Hood ...................................... 199
Malfunction Indicator Lamp............. 65, 257
Manual Transmission............................... 171
Map Lights................................................ 111
Maximum Load Limit............................... 157
Meters, Gauges.......................................... 72Mirrors....................................................... 102
Adjusting ................................................. 102
Door........................................................ 102
Exterior .................................................... 102
Interior Rearview ..................................... 102
Modifications (and Accessories).............. 190
MP3................................................... 129, 133
NNumbers (Identification).......................... 270OOdometer.................................................... 73
Oil (Engine)............................................... 201
Adding .................................................... 203
Checking ................................................. 202
Displaying Oil Life .................................... 195
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .................. 64, 256
Recommended Engine Oil ........................ 201
Viscosity .................................................. 201
Opening/Closing
Hood ....................................................... 200
Power Windows ........................................ 92
Tailgate ..................................................... 88
Overheating.............................................. 254PPaddle Shifters (Sequential Shift
Mode)................................................ 13, 169Panic Mode................................................. 91
Parking...................................................... 185
Parking Brake........................................... 181
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator............................................ 64, 258
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator................. 46
Passing Indicators....................................... 95
Precautions While Driving....................... 163
Rain ........................................................ 163
Pregnant Women....................................... 32
Puncture (Tire).................................. 239, 245
RRadiator.................................................... 207
Radio (FM/AM)......................................... 127
Radio Data System (RDS)......................... 128
RDS (Radio Data System)......................... 128
Readiness Codes (Emissions Testing)....... 273
Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror
Button..................................................... 100
Rear Seats (Folding Down)...................... 108
Rearview Mirror....................................... 102
Refueling.................................................. 186
Fuel Gauge................................................ 72
Gasoline .......................................... 186, 268
Low Fuel Indicator ..................................... 66
Regulations............................... 179, 225, 271
Remote Transmitter................................... 79
Replacement
Battery .................................................... 232