2016 HONDA FIT Owners Manual

304
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Driving
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That we ight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tra iler, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicl e. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
accessories, cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVW R) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Load Limits Example
Example1
Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo Weight
550 lbs
(249 kg)
Example2
Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) Cargo Weight
100 lbs
(45 kg)

305
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your
warranties.

306
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed be hind a motorhome. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refe r to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 426
Your vehicle can be towed behind a motorhome.
Perform the following procedure before towing your vehicle.
1. Shift to
(N.
2. Release the parking brake.
3. Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY
(q*1.
u Make sure the steering wheel does not lock.
4. Turn off all the electric devices. Do not use any accessory power sockets.
u This can prevent the battery from running down.
*1 : Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
■When Your Vehicle is Towed Behind a Motorhome
1Towing Your Vehicle
Do not exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Consult your towing parts sa les or rental agency if
any other items are recommended or required for
your towing situation.Continuously variable transmission models
Manual transmission models

Continued307
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
■Extended Towing
If you tow more than eight hours in one day, you should repeat the “before towing
your vehicle procedure” at least every eight hours.
You also need to perform the following procedure to prevent the battery from
running down.
1.Remove the 20 A accessory power socket
and 7.5 A ACC fuses. These fuses are
located in the interior fuse box.
2 Interior Fuse Boxes P. 423
2.Remove the 15 A Back up fuse. This fuse is
located in the engine compartment fuse
box.
2 Engine Compartment Fuse Box P. 4213.Store the fuses in a safe place so you do not
lose them.
u Make sure to reinstall the fuses before
you start driving your vehicle.
4. Shift to
(N.
5. Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY
(q.
u Make sure the steering wheel does not
lock.
1Towing Your Vehicle
Make sure to reinstall the fuses before you start
driving your vehicle.
Engine Compartment Fuse Box
15 A Back Up Fuse
Interior Fuse Box
20 A Accessory
Power Socket Fuse
7.5 A ACC fuseModels without smart entry system

308
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
1. Remove the 20 A accessory powe r socket and 7.5 A ACC fuses. These fuses are located in the
interior fuse box.
2 Interior Fuse Boxes P. 423
2.Remove the 15 A Back up fuse. This fuse is located in the engine compartment fuse box.
2Engine Compartment Fuse Box P. 4213.Store the fuses in a safe place so you do not lose them.
u Make sure to reinstall the fuses be fore you start driving your vehicle.
4. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button without depressing the clutch pedal.
u The indicator on the ENGINE START/STOP button blinks.
5. Touch the center of the ENGINE START/STOP button with the H logo on the smart entry remote
while the indicator is blinking.
u The indicator stop blinking, then stays on.
6. Shift to
(N.
7. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button once without depressing the clutch pedal.
u Make sure the steering wheel does not lock.
Engine Compartment Fuse Box
15 A Back Up Fuse
Interior Fuse Box
20 A Accessory
Power Socket Fuse
7.5 A ACC fuseModels with smart entry system

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

uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
310
Driving
3. Turn the ignition switch to START (e
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1. Keeping your right foot on the brake peda l, release the parking brake. Check that
the parking brake indicator has gone off.
2 Parking Brake P. 338
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.
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged br iefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your fo ot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Depress the clutch pedal, and shift to on e of the forward gears when facing uphill,
or
(R when facing downhill, then release the brake pedal.
Move the shift lever to
(D, (S, or (L when facing uphill, or (R when facing
downhill, then release the brake pedal.
1 Starting the Engine
Do not hold the key in START
(e for more than 15
seconds.
•If the engine does not sta rt 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 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
■Starting to Drive
Continuously variable transmission models
Manual transmission models
Continuously variable transmission models
1Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippe ry slope, and
does not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.

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