2012 HONDA FIT hood open

Contents
Child Safety P. 49 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 61 Safety Labels P. 62Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 88 Security System P. 90
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 94 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 102
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 111 Heating and Cooling
* P. 118
Audio Error Messages P. 135 General Information on the Audio System P. 137When Driving P. 161 Braking P. 181 Parking Your Vehicle P. 185
Accessories and Modifications P. 190Maintenance Under the Hood P. 199 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 212
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 222 Battery P. 231 Remote Transmitter Care
* P. 232
Cleaning P. 234
Engine Does Not Start P. 250 Jump Starting P. 251 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 253
Fuses P. 260 Emergency Towing P. 264 Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 271 Reporting Safety Defects P. 272
Authorized Manuals P. 277 Customer Service Information P. 278
Quick Reference Guide
P. 2
Safe Driving
P. 21
Instrument Panel
P. 63
Controls
P. 75
Features
P. 121
Driving
P. 153
Maintenance
P. 191
Handling the Unexpected
P. 237
Information
P. 267
Index
P. 279

Visual Index
6Quick Reference Guide
❙How to Refuel
(P187)
❙High-Mount Brake Light
(P217)
❙Tailgate Open Handle
(P89)
❙Opening/Closing the Tailgate (P88)❙Back-Up Lights
(P216)
❙Brake/Taillights
(P216)
❙Rear Wiper
(P98, 220)
❙Maintenance Under the Hood
(P199)
❙Windshield Wipers
(P97, 218)
❙Tires
(P222, 239)
❙Fog Lights
* (P96, 214)
❙Door Lock/Unlock Control
(P79)
❙Power Door Mirrors
(P102)
❙Audio Antenna
(P124)
❙Front Turn Signal/Parking/Side Marker Lights (P95, 213, 214)❙Headlights
(P95, 212)
❙Rear Turn Signal Lights
(P216)

16Quick Reference Guide
Handling the Unexpected
(P237)
Flat Tire
(P239)
●Park in a safe location and repair the flat
tire with the compact spare tire
*, or using
the tire repair kit
* in the cargo area.
Indicators Come On (P256)
●Identify the indicator and consult the
owner’s manual.
Engine Won’t Start (P250)
●If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.Blown Fuse
(P260)
●Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating
(P254)
●Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing (P264)
●Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

90Controls
Security SystemImmobilizer SystemThe immobilizer system prevents a key that has not been pre-registered from
starting the engine. Each key contains electronic transmitters that use electronic
signals to verify the key.
Pay attention to the following when inserting the key into the ignition switch:
•Do not allow objects that emit strong radio waves near the ignition switch.
•Make sure the key is not covered by or touching a metal object.
•Do not bring a key from another vehicle’s immobilizer system near the ignition
switch.Security System Alarm
*
The security system alarm activates when the doors, tailgate, or hood are opened
without the key, or remote transmitter.■
When the security system alarm activates
The horn sounds intermittently and all of the exterior lights flash.
■
To deactivate the security system alarm
Unlock the vehicle using the key, or remote transmitter. The system, along with the
horn and flashing lights, is deactivated.
1Immobilizer System
NOTICELeaving the ignition key in the vehicle can result in
theft or accidental movement of the vehicle.
Always take the ignition key with you whenever you
leave the vehicle unattended.
Do not alter the system or add other devices to it.
Doing so may damage the system and make your
vehicle inoperable.1Security System Alarm
*
The security alarm continues for a maximum of two
minutes until the security system deactivates.
* Not available on all models

91
uuSecurity SystemuSecurity System Alarm
*
Controls
■
Setting the security system alarm
The security system alarm automatically sets when the following conditions have
been met:
•The ignition switch is in LOCK
(0
, and the key has been removed from the
ignition switch.
•The hood is closed.
•All doors and the tailgate are locked with the key or the remote transmitter.
■
When the security system alarm sets
The security system indicator in the instrument panel blinks. When the blinking
interval changes after about 15 seconds, the security system is set.
■
To cancel the security system alarm
The security system is canceled when the vehicle is unlocked using the key or remote
transmitter. The security system indicator goes off at the same time.
■
The panic button on the remote
transmitter
If you press the PANIC button for
approximately one second, the following will
occur for about 30 seconds:
•The horn sounds.
•Some exterior lights flash.
■
Canceling panic mode
Press any button on the remote transmitter, or turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
.
■
Panic Mode
*
1Security System Alarm
*
Do not set the security system alarm when someone
is in the vehicle or a window is open. The system can
accidentally activate when:•Unlocking the door with the lock tab or the master
door lock switch.
If the battery goes dead after you have set the
security system alarm, the security alarm may go off
once the battery is recharged or replaced.
If this occurs, deactivate the security system alarm by
unlocking a door using the key or remote transmitter.
Do not attempt to alter this system or add another
device to it.
Panic
Button* Not available on all models

154Driving
Before DrivingDriving PreparationCheck the following items before you start driving.
•Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
uRemove any frost, snow, or ice.
uRemove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid, remove ice once it has softened.
uWhen removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
•Make sure the hood is securely closed.
uIf the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
•Make sure the tires are in good condition.
uCheck air pressure, check for damage and excessive wear.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 222
•Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
uThere are blind spots from the inside.■
Exterior Checks
1Exterior Checks
NOTICEWhen doors are frozen shut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert key if the water freezes in
the hole.

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

200
uuMaintenance Under the HooduOpening the Hood
Maintenance
Opening the Hood
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set
the parking brake.
2.Pull the hood release handle under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
uThe hood will pop up slightly.
3.Push up the hood latch lever in the center
of the hood to release the lock mechanism,
and open the hood.
4.Remove the support rod from the clamp
using the grip. Mount the support rod in
the hood.
When closing, remove the support rod, and
stow it in the clamp, then gently lower the
hood. Remove your hand at a height of
approximately 12 inches (30 cm) and let the
hood close.
1Opening the Hood
NOTICEDo not open the hood when the wiper arms are
raised.
The hood will strike the wipers, and may damage
either the hood or the wipers.
When closing the hood, check that the hood is
securely latched.
If the hood latch lever moves stiffly, or if you can
open the hood without lifting the lever, the latch
mechanism should be cleaned and lubricated.
Hood Release Handle
Lever
Support
RodGrip
Clamp