HONDA FIT 2012 2.G Owners Manual

250Handling the Unexpected
Engine Does Not StartChecking the EngineIf the engine does not start, turn the ignition switch to START
(e
and check the
starter.
Starter condition
Checklist
Starter doesn’t turn or turns
over slowly.
The battery may be dead. Check
each of the items on the right and
respond accordingly.
Check brightness of the interior light.
Turn on interior lights and check brightness.●
If the interior lights are dim or do not come on at all
2Battery P. 231
●
If the interior lights come on normally
2 Inspecting and Changing Fuses P. 263
The starter turns over normally
but the engine doesn’t start.
There may be a problem with the
fuse. Check each of the items on
the right and respond accordingly.
Review the engine start procedure.
Follow its instructions, and try to start the engine again.
2 Starting the Engine P. 161
Check the immobilizer system indicator.
When the immobilizer system indicator is blinking, the engine cannot be started.
2Immobilizer System P. 90
Check the fuel level.
There should be enough fuel in the tank.
2 Fuel Gauge P. 72
Check the fuse.
Check all fuses, or have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Inspecting and Changing Fuses P. 263
If the problem continues:
2Emergency Towing P. 264
1Checking the Engine
If you must start the vehicle immediately, use an
assisting vehicle to jump start it.
2Jump Starting P. 251

251
Continued
Handling the Unexpected
Jump StartingTurn off the power to electric devices, such as audio and lights. Turn off the engine,
then open the hood.
1.Connect the first jumper cable to your
vehicle’s battery + terminal.
uRemove the cover from the under-hood
fuse box.
2Engine Compartment Fuse Box P. 260
2.Connect the other end of the first jumper
cable to the assisting vehicle’s + terminal.
uUse a 12-volt booster battery only.
3.Connect the second jumper cable to the
assisting vehicle’s - terminal.
4.Connect the other end of the second
jumper cable to the grounding strap 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, check that the jumper
cables have good metal-to-metal contact.
■
Jump Starting Procedure
1Jump Starting
Securely attach the jumper cables clips so that they
do not come off when the engine vibrates. Also be
careful not to tangle the jumper cables or allow the
cable ends to touch each other while attaching or
detaching the jumper cables.
Battery performance degrades in cold conditions and
may prevent the engine from starting.
3
WARNING
A battery can explode if you do not follow
the correct procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames, and smoking
materials away from the battery.
Booster Battery

252
uuJump Startingu
Handling the Unexpected
Once your vehicle’s engine has started, remove the jumper cables in the following
order.
1.Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle’s ground.
2.Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the assisting vehicle’s battery
- terminal.
3.Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle’s battery + terminal.
4.Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the assisting vehicle’s battery
+ terminal.
Have your vehicle inspected by a nearby service station or a dealer.■
What to Do After the Engine Starts

253
Handling the Unexpected
Shift Lever Does Not MoveFollow the procedure below if you cannot move the shift lever out of the
(P

position.
1.Set the parking brake.
2.Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3.Wrap a cloth around the tip of a small flat-
tip screwdriver and remove the cover of the
shift lock release slot.
uPut the tip of the flat-tip screwdriver into
the slot and remove it as shown in the
image.
4.Insert the key into the shift lock release slot.
5.While pushing on the key, press the shift
lever release button and place the shift lever
into
(N
.
uThe lock is now released. Have the shift
lever checked by a dealer as soon as
possible.
■
Releasing the Lock
Automatic transmission models
Slot
Cover
Release Button
Shift Lock Release Slot

254Handling the Unexpected
OverheatingHow to Handle OverheatingOverheating symptoms are as follows:
•The high temperature indicator comes on or the engine suddenly loses power.
•Steam is coming out of the engine compartment.■
First thing to do
1.Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place.
uMove the shift lever to
(P
and set the parking brake. Turn off all accessories
and turn on the hazard warning lights.
uMove the shift lever to
(N
and set the parking brake. Turn off all accessories
and turn on the hazard warning lights.
2. No steam coming out: Keep the engine running and open the hood.
Steam coming out: Turn off the engine and wait until steam goes away. Then,
open the hood.
1How to Handle Overheating
NOTICEContinuing to drive with the high temperature
indicator on may damage the engine.
3
WARNING
Steam and spray from an overheated
engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is coming
out.
Automatic transmission modelsManual transmission models

255
uuOverheatinguHow to Handle Overheating
Handling the Unexpected
■
Next thing to do
1.Check that the cooling fan is operating and
stop the engine once the high temperature
indicator goes off.
uIf the cooling fan is not operating,
immediately stop the engine.
2.Once the engine has cooled down, inspect
the coolant level and check the cooling
system components for leaks.
uIf the coolant level in the reserve tank is
low, add coolant until it reaches the
MAX mark.
uIf there is no coolant in the reserve tank,
check that the radiator is cool. Cover the
radiator cap with a heavy cloth and open
the cap. If necessary, add coolant up to
the base of the filler neck, and put the
cap back on.
■
Last thing to do
Once the engine has cooled sufficiently, restart it and check the high temperature
indicator.
If the high temperature indicator is off, resume driving. If it stays on, contact a dealer
for repairs.
1How to Handle Overheating
If the coolant is leaking, contact a dealer for repairs.
Use water as an emergency/temporary measure only.
Have a dealer flush the system with proper antifreeze
as soon as possible.
3
WARNING
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.
MAX Reserve Tank
MIN

256Handling the Unexpected
Indicator, Coming On/BlinkingIf the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On
■
Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the engine oil pressure is low.
■
What to do as soon as the indicator comes on
1.Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place.
2.If necessary, turn the hazard warning lights on.
■
What to do after parking the vehicle
1.Stop the engine and let it sit for about one minute.
2.Open the hood and check the oil level.
uAdd oil as necessary.
3.Start the engine and check the low oil pressure indicator.
uThe light goes out: Start driving again.
uThe light does not go out within 10 seconds: Stop the engine and
contact a dealer for repairs immediately.
If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
■
Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the battery is not being charged.
■
What to do when the indicator comes on
Turn off the heating and cooling
* system, rear defogger, and other
electrical systems, and immediately contact a dealer for repairs.
1If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On
NOTICERunning the engine with low oil pressure can cause
serious mechanical damage almost immediately.1If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
If you need to stop temporarily, do not turn off the
engine. Restarting the engine may rapidly discharge
the battery.
* Not available on all models

257
uuIndicator, Coming On/BlinkinguIf the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks
Handling the Unexpected
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks
■
Reasons for indicator lamp to come on or blink
•Comes on when there is a problem with the engine emissions control
system, or the fuel fill cap is missing, or loose.
•Blinks when engine misfiring is detected.
■
What to do when the indicator lamp comes on
Avoid high speeds and immediately get your vehicle inspected at a
dealer.
■
What to do when the indicator lamp blinks
Park the vehicle in a safe place with no flammable items and wait at least
ten minutes or more with the engine stopped until it cools.
■
The message appears on when:
An evaporative system leak is detected. This may be caused by the fuel fill cap being
loose or not being installed.
■
What to do when the message appears:
1.Stop the engine.
2.Check that the fuel fill cap is fully installed.
uIf not, loosen the cap, and then retighten it until it clicks at least once.
3.Drive for several days of normal driving.
uThe message should go off.
■
When the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Malfunction indicator lamp comes on if the system continues to detect a leak of
gasoline vapor. If this happens, check the fuel fill cap using the procedures described
above.
■
Check/Tighten Fuel Cap Message
1If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks
NOTICEIf you drive with the malfunction indicator lamp on,
the emissions control system and the engine could be
damaged.
If the malfunction indicator lamp blinks again when
restarting the engine, drive to the nearest dealer at
31 mph (50 km/h) or less. Have your vehicle
inspected.

258
uuIndicator, Coming On/BlinkinguIf the Brake System Indicator Comes On
Handling the Unexpected
If the Brake System Indicator Comes On
■
Reasons for the indicator to come on
•The brake fluid is low.
•There is a malfunction in the brake system.
■
What to do when the indicator comes on while driving
Press the brake pedal lightly to check pedal pressure.
•If normal, check the brake fluid level the next time you stop.
•If abnormal, take immediate action. If necessary, downshift the
transmission to slow the vehicle using engine braking.
If the EPS Indicator Comes On
■
Reasons for the indicator to come on
•Comes on when there is a problem with EPS.
•If you depress the accelerator pedal repeatedly to increase the engine
speed while the engine is idling, the indicator comes on, and
sometimes the steering wheel becomes harder to operate.
■
What to do when the indicator comes on
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and restart the engine.
If the indicator comes on and stays on, immediately have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer.
1If the Brake System Indicator Comes On
Have your vehicle repaired immediately.
It is dangerous to drive with low brake fluid. If there
is no resistance from the brake pedal, stop
immediately in a safe place. If necessary downshift
the gears.
If the brake system indicator and ABS indicator come
on simultaneously, the electronic brake distribution
system is not working. This can result in vehicle
instability under sudden braking.
Have your vehicle inspected by a dealer immediately.
U.S.
Canada
1If the EPS Indicator Comes On
NOTICEIf you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on
the full left or right position for a while, the system
heats up. The system goes into a protective mode,
and limits its performance. The steering wheel
becomes harder and harder to operate. Once the
system cools down, EPS is restored. Repeated
operation under these conditions can eventually
damage the system.

259
uuIndicator, Coming On/BlinkinguIf the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes On
Handling the Unexpected
If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes On
■
Reasons for the indicator to come on
A tire pressure is significantly low. If the compact spare tire
* is installed,
the indicator stays on for a while, and then goes off.
■
What to do when the indicator comes on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place. Check the tire pressure and adjust the
pressure to the specified level. The specified tire pressure is on a label on
the driver side doorjamb.
If the TPMS Indicator Comes On
■
Reasons for the indicator to come on
•Comes on when there is a problem with the TPMS.
•If the compact spare is installed, the indicator comes on after driving
for a few miles (kilometers).
■
What to do when the indicator comes on
Have the tire inspected by a dealer as soon as possible. If the compact
spare tire has triggered the indicator to comes on, change the tire to a
full size tire. The indicator goes off after a while.
U.S. models
1If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes On
NOTICEDriving on an extremely underinflated tire can cause
it to overheat. An overheated tire can fail. Always
inflate your tires to the prescribed level.
U.S. models* Not available on all models