2016 HONDA FIT brake light

309Continued
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parkin g brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although 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.
u The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Models without smart entry system
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to st art 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 defo gger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Cons ult a dealer for details.
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 PedalContinuously variable transmission models
Brake Pedal
Clutch Pedal
Manual transmission models
* Not available on all models

311
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Continued
Driving
Starting the Engine
1. Make sure the parkin g brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although 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.
u The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Models with smart entry system
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to st art 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/climate c ontrol system, and rear
defogger in order to reduce battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Cons ult a dealer for details.
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.
The immobilizer system pr otects your vehicle from
theft.If an improperly c oded device is used, the
engine’s fuel system is disabled.
2 Immobilizer System P. 110
Brake PedalContinuously variable transmission models
Brake Pedal
Clutch Pedal
Manual transmission models

317
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.
■Shift lever positions
*1 : Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
Continuously variable transmission models without paddle shifters
1Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0*1
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 pe dal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
When shifting positions in extremely low
temperatures (-22°F/-30°C), there may be a short
delay before the shift posit ion is displayed. Always
confirm you are in the corr ect shift position before
driving.Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for normal driving
Drive (S)
Used:
●For better acceleration●To increase engine braking●When going up or down hills
Release Button
Low
●Used to further increase engine braking●Used when going up or down hills

uuWhen Driving uShifting
318
Driving
■Shift Lever Operation1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICE
When you change the shift lever from (D to (R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever be fore the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever positi on indicator to check the
lever position befo re pulling away.
If the transmission indicator blinks when driving, in
any shift position, there is a problem with the
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut of f if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the ta chometer red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happe ns, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is pressed.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Shift Lever Position Indicator Tachometer’s red zone
Depress the brake pedal and press
the shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.

319
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.
■Shift lever positions
*1 : Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
Continuously variable transmission models with paddle shifters
1Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0*1
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 pe dal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
When shifting positions in extremely low
temperatures (-22°F/-30°C), there may be a short
delay before the shift posit ion is displayed. Always
confirm you are in the corr ect shift position before
driving.Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used:
●For normal driving●When temporarily driving in the
7-speed manual shift mode
Release Button Drive (S)
Used for:
●For better acceleration●To increase engine braking●When going up or down hills●When driving in the 7-speed manual
shift mode

uuWhen Driving uShifting
320
Driving
■Shift Lever Operation1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICE
When you change the shift lever from (D to (R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever be fore the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever positi on indicator to check the
lever position befo re pulling away.
If the transmission indicator blinks when driving, in
any shift position, there is a problem with the
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut of f if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the ta chometer red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happe ns, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is pressed.
Depress the brake pedal first.
M (7-Speed Manual Shift Mode)
Indicator/Shift Indicator Tachometer’s red zone
Depress the brake pedal and press
the shift lever rele ase button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift. Shift Lever Position Indicator

338
Driving
Braking
Brake System
Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parking.To apply:
Pull the lever fully up without pressing the
release button.
To release:
1. Pull the lever slightly, and press and hold
the release button.
2. Lower the lever down all the way, then
release the button.
■Parking Brake1Parking Brake
NOTICE
Release the parking brake fu lly before driving. The
rear brakes and axle can be damaged if you drive
with the parki ng brake applied.
If you start driving without fully releasing the parking
brake, a buzzer sounds as a warning.
Always apply the parking brake when parking.

339
uuBraking uBrake System
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at the front, and drum brakes in the rear
wheels. A vacuum power assist helps reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal.
The brake assist system increases the st opping force when you depress the brake
pedal hard in an emergency situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you
retain steering control wh en braking very hard.
2Brake Assist System P. 341
2 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 340
■Foot Brake1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous me tallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have your vehi cle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brak e pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pe dal and downshifting to a
lower gear/speed position. With manual transmission
use a lower gear for gr eater engine braking.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also conf use drivers behind you.