2016 HONDA FIT light

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

uuWhen Driving uShifting
322
Driving
■7-Speed Manual Shift Mode Operation17-Speed Manual Shift Mode Operation
Each paddle shift operati on makes a single speed
change.
To change continuously, re lease the paddle shifter
before pulling it agai n for the next speed.
Recommended Shift Points
Use this table as a guideline for efficient fuel
economy and effectiv e emission control.
The shift indicator blinks when you cannot shift up or
down. It indicates that your vehicle speed is not in its
allowable shifting range.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift
down while the indi cator is blinking.
The shift indicator may also blink when you cannot
shift down while driving in low speed. This prevents
the transmission from being damaged. Shift Up Normal Acceleration
1 to 215 mph (24 km/h)
2 to 3 25 mph (40 km/h)
3 to 440 mph (64 km/h)
4 to 5 45 mph (72 km/h)
5 to 650 mph (80 km/h)
6 to 7 55 mph (89 km/h)
Upshifting when pulling
the paddle shifter
(Changes to higher speed
number)Downshifting when pulling
the paddle shifter (Changes
to lower speed number)
Paddle Shifter
(Shift down) Paddle Shifter
(Shift up)

uuWhen Driving uShifting
324
Driving
When you are not shifting, do not rest your
foot on the clutch pedal. This can cause your
clutch to wear out faster. 1Shifting
Recommended Shift Points
Driving in the highest gear that allows the engine to
run and accelerate smoothly helps to optimize fuel
economy and effective emissions control. The
following shift points are recommended:
If you exceed the maximum speed for the gear you
are in, the engine speed will enter into the
tachometer’s red zone. When this happens, you may
experience a slight jolt. Shift Up Normal Acceleration
1st to 2nd16 mph (26 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 26 mph (42 km/h)
3rd to 4th35 mph (56 km/h)
4th to 5th 41 mph (66 km/h)
5th to 6th43 mph (69 km/h)

332
uuWhen Driving uLaneWatchTM*
Driving
LaneWatchTM*
Is an assistance system that allows y ou to check the passenger side rear areas
displayed on the audio/information screen when the turn signal is activated to the
passenger’s side. A camera in the passenger side door mirror monitors these areas
and allows you to check for vehicles, in addition to your visual check and use of the
passenger door mirror. You can also keep th e system on for your convenience while
driving.1 LaneWatchTM*
Important Safety Reminder
Like all assistance systems, LaneWatch has
limitations. Over reliance on LaneWatch may result in
a collision.
The LaneWatch func tion can be affected by weather,
lighting (including headli ghts and low sun angle),
ambient darkness, camera condition, and loading.
The LaneWatch may not prov ide the intended display
of traffic to the side and rear under the following
conditions:
•Your vehicle’s suspension has been altered,
changing the height of the vehicle.
•Your tires are over or under inflated.
•Your tires or wheels are of varied size or
construction.
3WARNING
Failure to visually confirm that it is safe to
change lanes before do ing so may result in
a crash and serious injury or death.
Do not rely only on LaneWatch while
driving.
Always look in your mirrors, to either side
of your vehicle, and behind you for other
vehicles before changing lanes.
The system activates when you: The passenger side view
display appears on the
audio/information
screen.
Move the turn
signal lever to the
passenger side. Press the
LaneWatch
button.
The system deactivates when you:
Pull the turn signal
lever back. Press the LaneWatch
button again.
CameraAudio/Information Screen
* Not available on all models