check engine HONDA FIT 2009 2.G Owner's Manual

Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
Motorhome
Your vehicle can be towed behind a
motorhome 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
manufacturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer's attachment
instructions carefully.
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 freely before you begin
towing.
Automatic transmission:Perform the following procedure
every day immediately before you
begin towing. Otherwise severe
automatic transmission damage will
occur.
1. Check the transmission fluid level
(see page259).
Do not overfill.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press on the brake pedal. Movethe shift lever through all its
positions.
4. Shift to the D position and hold for 5 seconds, then to N. Let the
engine run for 3 minutes, then turn
it off.Severe transmission damage will occur
if the vehicle is shifted from reverse to
neutral and then towed with the drive
wheels on the ground.
Towing a Trailer, Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome238
2009 Fit

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page335for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.Maintenance Safety
.....................
244
Maintenance Minder
..................
245
Fluid Locations
...........................
252
Adding Engine Oil
......................
253
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
.......................................
254
Engine Coolant
...........................
256
Windshield Washers
...................
258
Transmission Fluid
.....................
259
Automatic Transmission Fluid
...................................
259
Manual Transmission Fluid
....
260
Brake and Clutch Fluid
...............
261
Lights
..........................................
262
Cleaning the Seat Belts
...............
267
Floor Mats
..................................
267
Audio Antenna
............................
268
Dust and Pollen Filter
.................
268
Wiper Blades
..............................
269
Tires
...........................................
273
Checking the Battery
..................
279
Vehicle Storage
...........................
281
Maintenance
243
Maintenance
2009 Fit

However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect. Maintenance may be done by
any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service facility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work fill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet for more
information.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manufactured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their performance and durability.U.S. Vehicles:
Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘ certified ’’to EPA standards.
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with＃ will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the information
display.
Owner's Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If you
are unsure of how to perform any
check, turn to the appropriate page
listed.
●Engine oil level －Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page
201.●Engine coolant level －Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page202.●Automatic transmission －Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
259.●Brakes －Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 261.●Tires－Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
274.●Lights －Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 262.
Maintenance Minder250
2009 Fit

SymbolMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
ꭧ 1
B
●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
＃
ꭧ 1: If the message ‘‘SERVICE ’’does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
＃ : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page 249.
NOTE:
●Independent of maintenance message in the information display, replace
the brake fluid every 3 years.●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.
Symbol Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).●Replace dust and pollen filterIf 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
3●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)
4●Replace spark plugs●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Minder
251
2009 Fit

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on the valve cover. Pour in the
oil slowly and carefully so you do not
spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not fill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.Recommended Engine Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certification Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute's latest requirements.
Honda Motor Oil is the preferred
5W-20 lubricant for your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle for
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certification Seal says
‘‘
For Gasoline Engines. ’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container's label.
5W-20 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
fuel economy.
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
CONTINUED
Adding Engine Oil
253
Maintenance
2009 Fit

3. Remove the oil filter, and let theremaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Make sure the oil filter gasket is
not stuck to the engine block. If it
is, remove it before installing a
new oil filter.
4. Install a new oil filter according to the instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean off any dirt and
dust on the connecting surface of a
new oil filter. 5. Put a new washer on the drain
bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m, 4.0 kgf·m)
6. Refill the engine with the recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
3.8 US qt (3.6 L)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn off the
engine, and check your work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
OIL FILTER
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
255
Maintenance
2009 Fit

Adding Engine CoolantIf the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX
line. Inspect the cooling system for
leaks.Always use Honda Long-life Anti-
freeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antifreeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or plain
water.
If Honda antifreeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Make sure it
is a high-quality coolant
recommended for aluminum
engines. Continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malfunction or fail. Have
the cooling system flushed and
refilled with Honda antifreeze/
coolant as soon as possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
RESERVE TANK
Engine Coolant256
2009 Fit

Check the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use. This
reservoir supplies the windshield and
rear window washers.
On U.S. models:
To check the
windshield washer fluid level, open
the hood and look the windshield
washer reservoir located behind the
right headlight. You will see a ‘‘1/2 ’’
mark on the reservoir.
On Canadian models:
The low washer
level indicator comes on when the
level is low (see page65).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antifreeze
can damage your vehicle's paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer fluid.
WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR Fill up to here
Windshield Washers258
2009 Fit

Automatic Transmission FluidCheck the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator fan comes on, then shut
off the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) before
doing step 2.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)from the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
3. Insert the dipstick all the way into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration. 4. Remove the dipstick, and check
the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
5. If the level is below the lower mark, add fluid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission fluid).
DIPSTICK
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK
HOT
MARK
CONTINUED
Transmission Fluid
259
Maintenance
2009 Fit

Use only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). Do not
mix with other transmission fluids.
Using transmission fluid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting from the use of
transmission fluid other than Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 is not covered by the
Honda new vehicle warranty.
6. Insert the dipstick all the way backinto the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer. Manual Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle on level
ground.
Remove the transmission filler bolt,
and carefully feel inside the bolt hole
with your finger. The fluid level
should be up to the edge of the bolt
hole. If it is not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole.Put a new washer on the filler bolt,
then reinstall the filler bolt and
tighten it securely.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certification seal that says
‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES ’’as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as soon
as it is convenient.
If you are not sure how to check and
add fluid, contact your dealer.
FILLER BOLT
Correct level WASHER
Transmission Fluid260
2009 Fit