2017 HONDA FIT parking brake

26 || 27
I
NSTRUMENT PANELINSTRUMENT PANEL
Condition Indicators
These indicators may require you to perform an action.
Parking brake
Release the parking brake before driving. You will hear a beep if you drive
with it not fully released.
Seat belt reminder
Make sure seat belts are fastened for you and all passengers. The indica\
tor
blinks and beeps sound continuously if you or your front passenger has not
fastened your seat belts when you begin driving. If the indicator remain\
s on
after seat belts are fastened, see your dealer.
Door/tailgate open
A door or the tailgate is open. A beep sounds if any door or the tailgat\
e is
open while driving.
Low fuel
Refuel as soon as possible. If the indicator blinks, there is a problem \
with the
fuel gauge. See your dealer.
Low tire pressure
Stop in a safe place, check tire pressures, and inflate tire(s) if n\
ecessary. If
the indicator remains on after tire inflation, you need to calibrate t\
he system
(see page 102). The indicator also appears if your vehicle is fitted\
with the
compact spare tire. Have your regular tire repaired or replaced as soon \
as
possible.
Washer fluid level (Canadian models only)
Washer fluid is low. Refill the reservoir (see page 119).
Maintenance Minder™
Scheduled maintenance for your vehicle is due (see page 113).
Canada
U.S.
Immobilizer
Your key or remote transmitter cannot be recognized by the vehicle. If th\
e
indicator blinks, you may not be able to start the engine. Turn the vehicle off,
and then on again. If it continues to blink, there may be a problem with\
the
system. See your dealer.
On/Off Indicators
These indicators remind you when an item is on or off.
VSA off
VSA on (blinks)
CRUISE
MAIN on
CRUISE
CONTROL on
Turn signals/hazards on Fog lights* on
High beams on
Exterior lights on
ECON mode* on
*if equipped

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V
EHICLE CONTROLSVEHICLE CONTROLS
Climate Control System*
The automatic climate control system can maintain your preferred interio\
r
temperature by selecting the proper mix of heated or cooled air and fan \
speed.
Touch the icons on the dashboard to control the system.
*if equipped
AUTO: Select to
maintain a set
temperature. Use
the temperature
control to set
the preferred
temperature.
ON/OFFA/C
Recirculation
mode Rear
defogger/
heated door
mirrors
Windshield
defroster Fan control
Mode control:
Change airflow
location.Temperature
control
Fresh air
mode
Seat Heaters*
Quickly warm the front seats when the vehicle is on.
Press the switch next to the parking brake to select
the HI or LO setting. The indicator for the selected
setting appears on the switch.
In the HI setting, the seat heater cycles on and off.
In the LO setting, the seat heater runs continuously
and does not automatically turn off.
Heat-induced burns are possible when using seat heaters.
Persons with a diminished ability to sense temperature (e.g., persons w\
ith
diabetes, lower-limb nerve damage, or paralysis) or with sensitive skin should
not use the seat heaters.
WARNING
Setting the Clock
Adjust the time using the steps described for your system type.
Using the Color Audio System*
Use this method for vehicles with color audio system. Use the selector k\
nob to
make and enter selections.
1.
Press and hold the MENU/CLOCK button.
2.
Select the hour and adjust as necessary.
3.
Select the minutes and adjust as necessary.
4.
Select Set when complete.
5.
Press the Back button to exit the menu.
Using the Settings Menu* Use this method for vehicles with touchscreen. Touch items to make selections.
1.
From the HOME screen, select Settings.
2.
Select Clock/Info.
3.
Select Clock Adjustment.
4.
Adjust the hour and minute values.
5.
Select OK when complete.
On vehicles with navigation, the time is automatically set using GPS sig\
nals.
*if equipped
VO LHOME
MENU
BA CK

86 || 87
DRIVING
DRIVING
Load limits example
Example 1
Max load
850 lbs
(385 kg) Pass
enger weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo weight

550 lbs
(249 kg)
Example 2
Max load
850 lbs
(385 kg) Pa
ssenger w eight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) Cargo weight

100 lbs
(45 kg)
The headlight aim on your vehicle was set by the factory, and does not need to be
adjusted. However, if you regularly carry heavy items in the cargo area, have the
aiming readjusted at your dealer or by a qualified technician.
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your
warranties. Overloading or improper loading can affect handling and stability and ca\
use a
crash in which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other loading guidelines in this guide.
WARNING
Starting the Ignition*
Insert the key into the ignition and turn to turn on the vehicle or star\
t the engine.
0 LOCK: Insert and remove the key in this position.
I ACCESSORY: Operate the audio system and other
accessories in this position.
II ON: This is the position when driving.
III START: This position is for starting the engine.
The switch returns to ON when you release the key.
Starting to Drive
Turn on the vehicle and start the engine to begin driving.
Before Starting the Engine
Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Check that the shift lever is in Park (P), then press
the brake pedal. Keep your foot firmly on the brake
pedal when starting the engine.
Manual transmission
Check that the shift lever is in Neutral (N). Press
the brake pedal with your right foot, and press the
clutch pedal all the way down with your left foot.
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
Brake pedal
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in thinner air found a\
t altitudes
above 8,000 feet (2,400 m). When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off
all electrical accessories such as the lights, climate control system, a\
nd rear
defogger in order to reduce battery drain.
*if equipped
Brake pedal
Clutch pedal
Towing Behind a Motorhome
Models with continuously variable transmission
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motorhome. If your vehi\
cle needs to
be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information. See page 101.
Models with manual transmissionYour vehicle can be towed behind a motorhome. Perform the following proce\
dure
before towing your vehicle:
1.
Shift to Neutral.
2.
Release the parking brake.
3.
Turn the ignition switch (or power mode) to ACCESSORY. Make sure the
steering wheel does not lock.
4.
Turn off all electrical devices. Do not use any accessory power sockets. This
can prevent the battery from running down.

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DRIVING
DRIVING
Changing the Power Mode*
Use the ENGINE START/STOP button to cycle through power modes or start the
engine.
Accessory or On mode: Press ENGINE START/STOP
once without pressing the brake pedal for Accessory
mode. Press it again for On mode.
Starting the engine: Press and hold the brake pedal
(and the clutch for manual transmission), then press
ENGINE START/STOP. Keep your foot firmly on the
brake pedal when starting the engine.
Turning the vehicle off: Shift to Park (P) (or apply the parking brake for manual
transmission), then press ENGINE START/STOP. If you press the button and the
shift lever is not in Park (P), the vehicle goes into Accessory mode.
*if equipped
Shifting
Change the shift position based on your driving needs.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)*Park (P): Used for parking or starting/stopping
the engine. Press the brake pedal, then press the
release button to shift.
Reverse (R): Used for reversing.
Neutral (N): Used for idling.
Drive (D): Used for normal driving.
Drive (S): Used for better acceleration, increased
engine braking, driving in hilly terrain, or when using
paddle shifters*.
Low (L)*: Used for stronger engine braking when driving in hilly terrain.
When you change the shift lever from D to R and vice versa, come to a co\
mplete
stop and keep the brake pedal pressed. Operating the shift lever before \
the vehicle
has come to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Do not operate the shift lever while pressing the accelerator pedal. You could
damage the transmission.
NOTICE
Release button
Paddle Shifters* Use the paddle shifters to change gears from 1st through 7th without rem\
oving
your hands from the steering wheel.
*if equipped
When the shift lever is in D: The vehicle goes into manual shift mode temporarily,
and the gear number appears. When you start traveling at a constant spee\
d, or
pull the (+) paddle for a few seconds, manual shift mode automatically\
switches
off and the gear number goes off.
When the shift lever is in S: The vehicle goes into manual shift mode, and the
M indicator and gear number appear. When the vehicle comes to a stop, it
automatically shifts down into 1st gear. You can pull away only in 1st gear. If the
vehicle speed increases and the engine speed approaches the tachometer’\
s red
zone, the transmission automatically shifts up. As the vehicle speed slows down,
the transmission automatically shifts down accordingly.
To cancel manual shift mode, move the shift lever from S to D. The M indi\
cator and
gear number go off.
M indicator/gear
position indicator
Shift up Normal acceleration1 to 215 mph (24 km/h)
2 to 32 5 mph (40 km/h)
3 to 440 mph (64 km/h)
4 to 54 5 mph (72 km/h)
5 to 650 mph (80 km/h)
6 to 75 5 mph (89 km/h)
Recommended shift points
(-) paddle shifter:
Pull to shift down
to a lower gear. (+) paddle shifter:
Pull to shift up to
a higher gear.

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DRIVING
DRIVING
Manual Transmission*
Fully press the clutch pedal to operate the shift lever and change gears\
.
Do not shift to Reverse (R) before the vehicle comes to a complete sto\
p. This can
damage the transmission.
NOTICE
Before downshifting, make sure the engine will not go into the tachomete\
r’s red
zone. This can severely damage your engine.
NOTICE
Shift up Normal acceleratio n1st to 2n d16 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)
Recommended shift points
*if equipped
Braking
Slow down or stop your vehicle, and keep it from moving when parked.
Foot Brake
Press the brake pedal to slow down or stop your
vehicle from moving.
Brake pedal
Brake pedal
CVT
Manual transmission
Parking Brake
Keep your vehicle from moving while parked.
To apply: Fully pull up the lever without pressing the
release button.
To release: Pull up the lever slightly, and press
and hold the release button. Lower the lever down
all the way, then release the button.
The ABS may not function correctly if you use an incorrect tire type and\
size.
NOTICE
Brake Assist System During hard or emergency braking, the system increases braking force. The brake
pedal may move slightly or make a noise; this is normal. Continue to hol\
d the brake
pedal firmly down.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) During hard or emergency braking, the system rapidly pumps the brakes to
prevent wheel lockup and help you maintain steering control. The brake p\
edal may
pulsate slightly during ABS operation; this is normal. Do not pump the b\
rake pedal,
and continue to hold it firmly down.
Release the parking brake fully before driving. The rear brakes and axle\
can be
damaged if you drive with the parking brake applied.
NOTICE

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HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Learn about what to do in critical or emergency situations.
Smart Entry Remote Battery Strength*
If the battery life in your remote transmitter is weak, follow the below\
steps to start
the engine.
1.
Touch the back of the remote transmitter to the
ENGINE START/STOP button while the indicator is
flashing.
2.
With the brake pedal pressed (and the clutch
pedal for manual transmission), press the ENGINE
START/STOP button within 10 seconds.
Jump Starting
Turn off the power to electric devices, such as audio and lights. Turn off the engine,
then open the hood.
1.
Remove the under-hood fuse box cover (see
page 108). Connect the first jumper cable to your
vehicle’s battery (+) terminal.
2.
Connect the other end of the first jumper cable
to the booster battery (+) terminal. Use a 12-volt
booster battery only.
3.
Connect the second jumper cable to the booster
battery (-) terminal.
4.
Connect the other end of the second jumper cable
to the stud bolt as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part.
5.
If your vehicle is connected to another vehicle,
start the assisting vehicle’s engine and increase its
rpm slightly.
6.
Attempt to start your vehicle’s engine. If it turns over slowly, make sure that the
jumper cables have good metal-to-metal contact.
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
*if equipped
A battery can explode if you do not follow the correct procedure, seriou\
sly
injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames, and smoking materials away from the batt\
ery.
WARNING
Booster
battery
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead\

compounds. Wash your hands after handling.
After the Engine Starts Once your vehicle’s engine has started, remove the jumper cables in the following
order:
1.
Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle’s stud bolt.
2.
Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the booster battery (\
-)
terminal.
3.
Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle’s battery (+) terminal.
4.
Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the booster battery (\
+)
terminal.
5.
Have your vehicle inspected by a nearby service station or a dealer.
Shift Lever Does Not Move*
Follow the procedure below if you cannot move the shift lever out of Par\
k (P).
1.
Set the parking brake.
2.
Remove the key from the ignition, or remove the
built-in key from the remote transmitter.
3.
Wrap a cloth around the tip of a small flat-tip
screwdriver. Put it into the shift lock release slot as
shown in the image, and remove the cover

.
4.
Insert the key into the shift release lock.
5.
While pushing the key down, press the shift lever
release button and place the shift lever into Neutral
(N). The lock is now released. Have the shift lever
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
*if equipped
Slot
Release button Shift lock
release slot
Cover

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MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Safety Precautions
Some of the most important safety precautions are listed below; however, we cannot
warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in performing mainte\
nance.
Only you can decide whether or not you should perform a given task.
Maintenance Safety
•
To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks\
, and flames
away from the battery and all fuel-related parts.
•
Never leave rags, towels, or other flammable objects under the hood. H\
eat from
the engine and exhaust can ignite them, causing a fire.
•
To clean parts, use a commercially available degreaser or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
•
Wear eye protection and protective clothing when working with the battery\
or
compressed air.
•
Do not run the engine in confined spaces where carbon monoxide gas can\

accumulate.
Vehicle Safety
•
The vehicle must be stationary, and parked on level ground with the parking
brake set and the engine off.
•
Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
•
Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or failing to correct a problem befo\
re
driving can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed. \
Always follow the inspection and maintenance recommendations according
to the schedules in this guide.
WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and precautions can \
cause you to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and precautions in this guide.
WARNING
Learn about basic maintenance that you can perform on the vehicle yourse\
lf, as well
as information about how to best maintain the vehicle.
MAINTENANCEMaintenance Minder™
When maintenance is due, the Maintenance Minder indicator comes on and a\

message appears on the display every time you turn the vehicle on. Press\
the select/
reset knob to change displays.
See the service code table on page 114 to check which items need mainten\
ance
based on the main and sub items shown in the display.
Maintenance
Minder indicatorMain items
Sub items
Maintenance Minder display
• Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake fl\
uid every
3 years.
•
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
•
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
U.S. models
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of emissions control devices and sys\
tems
may be done by any automotive repair establishment or individuals using \
parts that
are certified to EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenan\
ce on the
maintenance main items marked with # will not void your emissions war

ranties.
However, all maintenance services should be performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-information display.

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MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance Minder Service Codes
These codes indicate what services are due on your vehicle.
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, changethe engine oil every year.
#: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
Replace engine oi l*1
BReplace engine oil and oil lter
Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Inspect suspension component s
Inspect driveshaft boots
Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)
Inspect all uid levels and condition of uids
Inspect exhaust system#
Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*2:If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every \
15,000 miles (24,000 km).*3:If you drive primarily in urban areas with high concentrations of soot i\
n the air from industryand diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen lter every \
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
Rotate tires
2Replace air cleaner element*2
Replace dust and pollen lte r*3
Inspect drive belt
3
Replace transmission uid
4Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
5
Replace engine coolan t
Under the Hood
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.
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.
Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are raised. The hood will strik\
e the
wipers, and may damage either the hood or the wipers.
NOTICE
Engine coolant reserve tank
Washer fluid
(blue cap) Engine oil fill cap
Engine oil
dipstick (orange)
Brake fluid
(black cap)
Battery
Radiator cap
Lever
Support
rod Grip
Clamp