steering HONDA FIT 2008 1.G Owner's Manual

If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control. 232
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
Important Saf ety Reminders A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Driving
169
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Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties. Your vehicle can be towed behind amotorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur.
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully. Press on the brake pedal. Move
the shif t lever through all its
positions.
Start the engine.
Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ).
Perf orm the f ollowing procedure
every day immediately bef ore you
begin towing. Otherwise severe
automatic transmission damage will
occur.
1.
2.
3.
193
CONT INUED
Do not overf ill.
Automatic transmission:
T owing a T railer, T owing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
Motorhome
Driving
173
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.
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Shif t to D position and hold f or 5
seconds, then to N. Let the engine
runfor3minutes,thenturnitoff.Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio is of f , and
remove any item plugged into the
accessory power socket so you do
not run down the battery.If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
4. 5.
6.
7.
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Ext ended T owing
174
Severe transmission damage will occur
if the vehicle is shif ted f rom reverse to
neutral and then towed with the drive
wheels on the ground. Failure to f ollow the recommended
instructions exactly will result in severe
automatic transmission damage. If you
cannot shif t the transmission or start
the engine, your vehicle must be
transported on a f lat-bed truck or
trailer.
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If you tow your vehicle with an
automatic transmission, the Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 transmission f luid
must be changed every 2 years or
30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever
comes f irst.Move the shifter into the Neutral
position.
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio is of f , and
remove any item plugged into the
accessory power socket so you do
not run down the battery.
1.
2.
3.
4.Manual transmission:
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving
175
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Î
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Maintenance Minder
185
:See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
If the message, ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Independent of maintenance message in the information display, replace
the brake fluid every 3 years.
NOTE: 1:
184
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds results in higher transmission temperatures.
This requires transmission fluid changes more
frequently than recommended by the Maintenance
Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under
these conditions, have the transmission fluid
changed at 60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every
30,000 miles (48,000 km). (For A/T only)
If you tow a FIT behind a motorhome, the
transmission fluid must be changed every 2 years or
30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever comes first.
(For A/T only)
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
51
Maintenance Minder
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Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.To change the bulb on the driver’s
side, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, then turn of f the engine. To
change the bulb on the passenger’s
side, turn the steering wheel to the
lef t.
Use a f lat-tip screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
inner f ender, then pull the inner
f ender cover back.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area, readjustment may be
required. Adjustments should be
done by your dealer or other
qualif ied mechanic.
1.
2.
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
196
HOLDING CLIP
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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Use a f lat-tip screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
inner f ender, then pull the inner
f ender cover back.
To change the bulb on the driver’s
side, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, then turn of f the engine. To
change the bulb on the passenger’s
side, turn the steering wheel to the
lef t.
Reinstall the inner f ender cover.
Then reinstall the holding clip, and
lock it in place by pushing on its
center.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb. 1.
2.
9.
10.
Lights
Replacing a Parking L ight/Front
Side Marker Bulb and a T urn
Signal Light Bulb
198
HOLDING CLIP
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It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Also be sure you use only TPMS
specif ic wheels (if equipped). If you
do not, the tire pressure monitoring
system will not work.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS to work inconsistently.
TheABSworksbycomparingthe
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the vehicle. Tire size
and construction can affect wheel
speed and may cause the system to
activate.
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the information display. Move the
tires to the positions shown in the
chart each time they are rotated. If
you purchase directional tires, rotate
only f ront-to-back.
When the tires are rotated, make
sure the air pressures are checked.
Tires
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tire Rotation
212
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Front Front
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µµ
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle: If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this:
Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to neutral.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront) and lif t them
of f the ground. The other two tires
remain on the ground. Start the engine.
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
do not tow the vehicle more than 50
miles (80 km), and keep the speed
below 35 mph (55 km/h).
Shif t to D position and hold f or 5
seconds, then to N. Let the engine
runfor3minutes,thenturnitoff.
Turn of f the engine.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Manual transmission:
Automatic transmission:
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment
T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
T his is an
acceptable way to tow your
vehicle.
Emergency Towing
238
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
vehicle must be transported with the
f ront wheels of f the ground.
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If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see page ).
For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on the anchor in the f ront bumper.To use the towing hook:Take the towing hook and the
extension out of the tool kit in the
cargo area.
Lift the upper part of the cover
f rom the bumper by pushing the
lower part with your f inger. Put a
cloth into the space behind the
upper part of the cover. Using the
extension, remove the cover f ully.
1.
2.
238
CONT INUED
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
239
Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.
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