Check engine light HONDA FIT 2011 2.G Owners Manual

Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Indicator
This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, there is a problem with the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked at a dealer. With this
indicator on, your vehicle still has
normal braking ability but no anti-
lock function. For more information,
see page 233.Electric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator
This indicator normally comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position and goes off after the
engine starts. If it comes on at any
other time, there is a problem in the
electric power steering system. If this
happens, stop the vehicle in a safe
place and turn off the engine. Reset the
system by restarting the engine. The
indicator will not turn off immediately.
If it does not go off after driving a short
distance, or comes back on again while
driving, take the vehicle to your dealer
to have it checked. With the indicator
on, the EPS may be turned off, making
the vehicle harder to steer.
If you turn the steering wheel to the
full left or right position repeatedly
while stopping or driving at very low
speed, you may feel slightly harder
steering in order to prevent damage to
the steering box caused by overheating.Low Fuel Indicator
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you must refuel soon.
When the indicator comes on, there
are about 1.64 US gal (6.2 L) of fuel
remaining in the tank.
When the needle reaches E, there is
a very small amount of fuel in thetank.
Door and Tailgate Open Indicator
This indicator comes on if any door
or the tailgate is not closed tightly.
Instrument Panel Indicators
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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 economy 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.
Gauges
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You should do the following checks
and adjustments before you drive
your vehicle.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood is fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page 275).
4. Check that any items you may be carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely. 5. Check the seat adjustment (see
page 93).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see page101).
7. Check the steering wheel adjustments (see page 77).
8. Make sure the doors and the tailgate are securely closed andlocked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 14).
10. When you start the engine, check the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page 59).
Preparing to Drive
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Driving
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Your vehicle is equipped with front
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the effort needed on the
brake pedal. The anti-lock brake
system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking veryhard.
Resting your foot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their effectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. In
addition, fuel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, confusing
drivers behind you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their
effectiveness. Use the engine to
assist the brakes by taking your foot
off the accelerator and downshifting
to a lower gear.Check your brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
Braking System Design
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
If the front brake pads need
replacing, you will hear a distinctive,
metallic screeching sound when you
apply the brake pedal. If you do not
have the brake pads replaced, they
will screech all the time. It is normal
for the brakes to occasionally squeal
or squeak when you apply them.
Braking System
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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 ofyourself.
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
page 337 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.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. Maintenance Safety
.....................246
Maintenance MinderTM............... 247
Fluid Locations ........................... 254
Adding Engine Oil ......................255
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter ....................................... 256
Engine Coolant ........................... 258
Windshield Washers ...................260
Transmission Fluid .....................261
Automatic Transmission Fluid ................................... 261
Manual Transmission Fluid ....262
Brake and Clutch Fluid ...............263
Lights .......................................... 264
Cleaning the Seat Belts ...............269
Floor Mats .................................. 269
Audio Antenna ............................ 270
Dust and Pollen Filter .................270
Wiper Blades .............................. 271
Tires ........................................... 275
Checking the Battery ..................281
Vehicle Storage ........................... 283
Maintenance
245
Maintenance
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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 moreinformation.
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:
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items markedwith
will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the informationdisplay.
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 pagelisted.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page204.
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 204.
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See page261.
Brakes Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 263.
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page276.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page 264.
Maintenance MinderTM
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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 for 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 page 65).
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 Washers
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If the pressure is lower than 32 psi
(220 kPa) and higher than 19 psi
(130 kPa), use the air pump to
bring air to the desired level as
described in step 11. Then drive to
the nearest service station at no
more than 50 mph (80 km/h).
If the pressure is below 19 psi, do
not continue. Have the vehicle
towed (see page 313).
In any case, be sure to have the
damaged tire permanently repaired
as soon as possible.
Remember to return the tire sealant
bottle to your Honda service center
for proper disposal. If the Engine Won't Start
Diagnosing why the engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)position:
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the floor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting on page 301.
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Temporarily Repairing a Flat Tire, If the Engine Won't Start
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Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. See
Emergency Towing on page 313.
If the headlights dim noticeably or go
out when you try to start the engine,
either the battery is discharged or
the connections are corroded. Check
the condition of the battery and
terminal connections (see page 281).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page 301). The Starter Operates Normally
In this case, the starter motor's speed
sounds normal, or even faster than
normal, when you turn the ignition
switch to the START (III) position,
but the engine does not run.
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page 79).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to Starting the
Engine on page 218.
Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the low fuel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see
page 308).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find the
problem. See Emergency Towing on
page 313.
If the Engine Won't Start
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The high temperature indicator
should be off under most conditions.
If the engine coolant temperature
gets higher than normal, the
indicator will blink. If it stays on, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the high
temperature indicator blinking or
remaining on. Or you may see steam
or spray coming from under thehood.
Driving with the high temperature
indicator on can cause serious damage
to your engine.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road. Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake. Turn off all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood. 3. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
check the high temperature
indicator. If the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the high temperature indicator
goes off, then continue driving.
4. If the high temperature indicator stays on, turn off the engine.
CONTINUED
If the Engine Overheats
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Taking Care of the Unexpected
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