2013 HONDA FIT ECO mode

uuWhen DrivinguShifting
170
Driving
■ Second gear lock mode
If you pull the
(+ paddle shifter while stopped or driving at 6 mph (10 km/h) or less,
the gear position will be locked in 2nd gear. This makes it easier to pull away on
slippery surfaces such as snow covered roads.
To cancel the 2nd gear lock mode, pull the
(- paddle shifter, or move the shift lever
from
(S to (D.
■Sequential Shift Mode Operation1Sequential Shift Mode Operation
Each paddle shift operation makes a single gear change.
To change gears continuously, release the paddle
shifter before pulling it again for the next gear.
Recommended Shift Points
Use this table as a guideline for efficient fuel
economy and effective emission control. If the gear posit ion indicator blinks when you try to
shift up or down, this means your vehicle speed is not
in its allowa ble gear shifting range.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift
down while the indicator is blinking. Shift Up Normal Acceleration
1st to 2nd15 mph (24 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 25 mph (40 km/h)
3rd to 4th40 mph (64 km/h)
4th to 5th 47 mph (76 km/h)
Upshifting when pulling the (+ paddle shifter
(Changes to a higher gear)
Downshifting when pulling the (-
paddle shifter
(Changes to a higher gear)
(- Paddle Shifter
(Shift down)(+ Paddle Shifter
(Shift up)
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uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Continued
Driving
Shifting
Fully depress the clutch pedal to operate the shift lever and change gears, then
slowly release the pedal.
Depress the clutch pedal, and pause for a few seconds before shifting into
(R , or
shift into one of the forward gears for a moment. This stops the gears so they do not “grind.”
■Shift Lever Operation
Manual transmission models
1Shifting
NOTICE
Do not shift to (R before the vehicle comes to a
complete stop.
Shifting to
(R before stopping can damage the
transmission.
NOTICE
Before downshifting, make sure the engine will not
go into the tachometer’s red zone. Should this occur,
it can severely damage your engine.
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177
uuWhen DrivinguVSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To turn the VSA ® system on and off, press and
hold it until you hear a beep. VSA ® will stop and the indicator will come on.
To turn it on again, press the (VSA ® OFF)
button until you hear a beep.VSA ® is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® On and Off1VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability
Control), System Without VSA ®, your vehicle will have normal braking
and cornering ability, but it will not have VSA ®
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the VSA ® system is off, the traction control
system is also off. You should only attempt to free
your vehicle with the VSA ® off if you are not able to
free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® and traction control
systems switched off.
If the low tire pressure *
or TPMS indicator *
comes on
or blinks, the VSA ® system comes on automatically. In
this case, you cannot turn the system off by pressing
the button.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediatel y after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF Indicator
* Not available on all models
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uuWhen DrivinguTPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Driving
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)Monitors the tire pressure while you are
driving. If your vehicle’s tire pressure becomes
significantly low, the low tire pressure
indicator comes on.
U.S. models only
1TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can
trigger the low tire pr essure indicator to come on.
2 If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes On P. 259
Tire pressure checked and inflated in: • Warm weather can become under-inflated in
colder weather.
• Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The low tire pressure i ndicator will not come on as a
result of over inflation.
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uuWhen DrivinguTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Continued
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required
Federal Explanation Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflatio n pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your ve hicle has been equipped with
a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire fa ilure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability.
U.S. models
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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 ..... 199
Opening the Hood ........................... 200
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 201
Oil Check ......................................... 202
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 203
Changing 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 .......................................... 218
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 222
Tire and Loading Information Label .. 223
Tire Labeling .................................... 223
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles).. 225Wear Indicators................................ 227 Tire 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
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uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance Minder TM
Maintenance
To switch the display, press the (select/reset) knob.
■Maintenance Minder Messages on the Information Display
Oil Life DisplayExplanationInformationMaintenance Minder Indicator
The engine oil life indicator starts
to appear along with other due
soon maintenance item codes
when the remaining oil life
becomes 15 percent.The engine oil is approaching the
end of its service life.
Starts to come on when the
remaining engine oil life becomes 15 percent.
It goes off when the display is switched.
The
SERVICE message also starts
to appear along with the engine oil
life indicator and the maintenance item codes.The engine oil has almost reached
the end of its service life, and the
maintenance items should be inspected and serviced as soon as
possible.
The remaining engine oil life has
passed its service life, and a
negative distance appears after
driving over 10 miles (U.S. models)
or 10 km (Canadian models). The
negative distance on the display
blinks.The engine oil life has passed.
The maintenance items must be inspected and serviced
immediately.
Stays on as a reminder even when
the display is switched.
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uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuTire and Wheel Replacement
Maintenance
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Replace your tires with radials of the same size, load range, speed rating, and
maximum cold tire pressure rating (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using tires of a
different size or construction can cause the ABS and VSA® (vehicle stability assist)
system to work incorrectly.
It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. If that isn’t possible, replace the
front or rear tires in pairs.
Make sure that the wheel’s specifications match those of the original wheels.
If you replace a wheel, only use TPMS specified wheels approved for your vehicle.
1Tire and Wheel Replacement
3WARNING
Installing improper tires on your vehicle can
affect handling and stability. This can cause
a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of tires
recommended in this owner’s manual.
U.S. models only
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