check engine HONDA FIT 2010 2.G User Guide

High Temperature Indicator
This indicator monitors the
temperature of the engine coolant. It
normally comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II) position
and goes off after a few seconds. In
normal driving conditions, this
indicator should not blink or stay on. In
severe driving conditions, such as very
hot weather or a long period of uphill
driving, this indicator may blink. This
means the engine coolant temperature
is high. If the indicator begins to blink
while you are driving, be sure to slow
down to prevent overheating. If the
indicator stays on, pull safely to the
side of the road and turn off the engine.
See page 301 for instructions and
precautions on checking the engine's
cooling system.
Do not drive the vehicle while the
indicator is on or the engine may bedamaged.Low Temperature Indicator
This indicator monitors the
temperature of the engine coolant. If
there is no problem, this indicator
comes on when the engine is cold. If
it comes on when the engine is warm
(normal operating temperature),
have the vehicle inspected by your
dealer as soon as possible.Turn Signal and
Hazard WarningIndicators
The left or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If an indicator does not blink
or blinks rapidly, it usually means
one of the turn signal bulbs is burned
out (see page 264). Replace the bulb
as soon as possible, since other
drivers cannot see that you aresignaling.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle flash.
CONTINUED
Instrument Panel Indicators
63
Instruments and Controls
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Instant Fuel Economy
This shows your instant fuel
economy in mpg (U.S.) or l/100 km(Canada).
Average Fuel Economy
This shows your vehicle's average
fuel economy in mpg (U.S.) or 1/100
km (Canada) since you last reset the
trip meter.
When you reset a trip meter, the
average fuel economiy for that trip
meter also resets.Odometer
The odometer shows the total
distance your vehicle has been
driven. It measures miles in U.S.
models and kilometers in Canadian
models. It is illegal under U.S.
federal law and Canadian provincial/
territorial regulations to disconnect,
reset, or alter the odometer with the
intent to change the number of miles
or kilometers indicated.
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
off the ignition.
Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the catalytic converter.Check Fuel Cap Indicator
If the fuel fill cap is loose or missing,a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP ’’message
appears on the information display
after you start the engine. The
message changes from CHECK, to
FUEL, to CAP repeatedly.
Turn the engine off and confirm the
fuel fill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
the cap, then retighten it until it
clicks at least once. You can cycle the
message off of the display by
pressing the select/reset knob
repeatedly, but this message will be
displayed each time the engine is
started. It will take several days of
normal driving for the vehicle to turn
the warning off.
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70
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If the system still detects a loose or
missing fuel fill cap, the malfunction
indicator lamp (MIL) comes on. Turn
the engine off, and check or
retighten the fuel fill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL goes
out after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If it does not go out, have
your dealer inspect the vehicle. For
more information, see page 304.Maintenance Minder
The information display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil life and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
information helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs for continued trouble-
free driving. Refer to page 245 for
more information.
Gauges
71
Instruments and Controls
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When you selector, the
system automatically turns on the
A/C (if equipped). You cannot turn
the A/C off in this mode. Ventilation
The flow-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then discharges
it through vents near the tailgate.
1. Set the temperature to the lower limit.
2. Make sure the A/C is off.
3. Select
and.
4. Set the fan to the desired speed. Using the Heater
The heater uses engine coolant to
warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes before you
feel warm air coming from thesystem.
1. Select
and.
2. Set the fan to the desired speed.
3. Adjust the warmth of the air with the temperature control dial. Using the A/C
If equipped
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Check the high
temperature indicator (see page 63).
If the indicator begins to blink, turn
off the A/C until the indicator goesoff.
1. Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The indicator in the button
comes on when a fan speed isselected.
2. Make sure the temperature is set to maximum cool.
3. Select
.
4. If the outside air is humid, select recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select
.
5. Set the fan to the desired speed.
Vents, Heating, and A/C
112
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Before you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important fluids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
information in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this sectionfirst.Break-in Period...........................
198
Fuel Recommendation ................
198
Service Station Procedures .........
199
Refueling .................................
199
Opening and Closing the Hood ...................................
200
Oil Check ................................
201
Engine Coolant Check ............
202
Fuel Economy .............................
203
Accessories and
Modifications ..........................
206
Carrying Cargo ...........................
208
Before Driving
197
Before Driving

Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.● Stop the engine, and keep
heat, sparks, and flameaway.
● Handle fuel only outdoors.
● Wipe up spills immediately.
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on until it clicks at least once. If you do not
properly tighten the cap, the
malfunction indicator lamp may
come on (see page 304). You will
also see a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP ’’
message on the informationdisplay.
6. Push the fuel fill door closed until it latches. Opening and Closing the Hood
1. Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle under the lower left
corner of the dashboard. The hood
will pop up slightly.
2. Put your fingers under the frontedge of the hood near the center.
Slide your hand to the left until
you feel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle up to release it.
Lift up the hood.
If the hood latch handle moves
stiffly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned andlubricated.
HOOD RELEASE HANDLELATCH
Service Station Procedures
200
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3. Holding the grip, pull the supportrod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the designated hole in thehood.
To close the hood, lift it up slightly to
remove the support rod from the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a foot (30 cm) above the
fender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched. Oil Check
Wait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
2. Wipe off the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
3. Insert the dipstick all the way back into its hole.
4. Remove the dipstick again, andcheck the level. It should be
between the upper and lowermarks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,see Adding Engine Oil on page 253.
SUPPORT ROD
GRIP CLIP
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
Service Station Procedures
201
Before Driving
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Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeAdding
Engine Coolant on page 256 for
information on adding the propercoolant. Refer to
Owner's Maintenance
Checks on page 250 for information
about checking other items on yourvehicle.
RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
Service Station Procedures
202
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Fuel Economy Factors
The following factors can lower your
vehicle's fuel economy:● Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
● Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traffic
● Cold engine operation (engines
are more efficient when warmedup)
● Driving with a heavy load or the air
conditioner running
● Improperly inflated tires Improving Fuel Economy
Vehicle Maintenance
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes fuel economy. Poor
maintenance can significantly reduce
fuel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
information display (see
Owner's
Maintenance Checks on page 250).
For example:
● Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certification Seal (see page253).
● Maintain proper tire inflation －
An under-inflated tire increases‘‘ rolling resistance, ’’which reduces
fuel economy.
● Avoid carrying excess weight in
your vehicle －It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing fuel consumption. ●
Keep your vehicle clean －In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle's underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fueleconomy.
Drive Efficiently● Drive moderately －Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, and
hard braking increase fuelconsumption.
● Observe the speed limit －
Aerodynamic drag has a big effect
on fuel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
● Always drive in the highest gearpossible －If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your fuel economy by up
shifting as early as possible.
Fuel Economy
204
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●Avoid excessive idling －Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
● Minimize the use of the air
conditioning system －The A/C
puts an extra load on the engine
which makes it use more fuel. Use
the fresh-air ventilation whenpossible.
● Plan and combine trips －
Combine several short trips into
one. A warmed-up engine is more
fuel efficient than a cold one.
Calculating Fuel Economy
Measuring Techniques
Direct calculation is the
recommended source of information
about your actual fuel economy.
Using frequency of fill-ups or taking
fuel gauge readings are NOT
accurate measures of fuel economy.
Fuel economy may improve over the
first several thousand miles.
Checking Your Fuel Economy
1) Fill the fuel tank until the nozzle automatically clicks off.
2) Reset trip counter to zero.
3) Record the total gallons (liters) needed to refill.
4) Follow one of the simple calculations above.
Miles driven Gallons
of fuel Miles perGallon
100 Liter Kilometers L per
100 km
Fuel Economy
205
Before Driving
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