engine oil HONDA FIT 2012 2.G Owners Manual

15Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance
(P191)
U
n
d
er t
h
e
H
oo
d
(P199)
●Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
●Check brake fluid and clutch fluid.
●Check the battery regularly.
a
Pull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
b
Locate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up
the hood.
c
When finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights
(P212)
●Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P218)
●Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires
(P222)
●Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
●Check tire pressures regularly.
●Install snow tires for winter
driving.
* Not available on all models

61Safe Driving
Exhaust Gas HazardCarbon Monoxide GasThe engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon
monoxide gas will not get into the interior.■
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever
•The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
•The exhaust system may have been damaged.
•The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the tailgate open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into
the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive with the tailgate
open, open all the windows and set the heating and cooling
* system as shown
below.
1.Select the fresh air mode.
2.Select the mode.
3.Set the fan speed to high.
4.Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Adjust the heating and cooling
* system in the same manner if you sit in your parked
vehicle with the engine running.
1Carbon Monoxide Gas
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up
with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door closed.
Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the
garage immediately after starting the engine.
3
WARNING
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that
expose you to carbon monoxide.
* Not available on all models

64Instrument Panel
IndicatorsIndicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
, then
goes off.
●
Comes on when the parking brake is
applied, and goes off when it is released.
●
Comes on when the brake fluid level is
low.
●
Comes on if there is a problem with the
brake system.
●
The beeper sounds and the indicator
comes on if you drive with the parking
brake not fully released.
●
Comes on while driving - Make sure the parking
brake is released. Check the brake fluid level.
2What to do when the indicator comes on while
driving P. 258
●
Comes on along with the ABS indicator - Have
the vehicle checked by a dealer.
2If the Brake System Indicator Comes On P. 258
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to ON
(w
, and goes off when the
engine starts.
●
Comes on when the engine oil pressure
is low.
●
Comes on while driving - Immediately stop in a
safe place.
2If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On
P. 256
U.S.Canada

73
uuGauges and DisplaysuInformation Display
Continued
Instrument Panel
Information DisplayThe information display shows the odometer, trip meter, engine oil life and
maintenance service item codes, and other gauges.
Press the (select/reset) knob to change the display.
Shows the total number of miles or kilometers that your vehicle has accumulated.
Shows the total number of miles or kilometers driven since the last reset.■
Resetting a trip meter
To reset a trip meter, display it, then press and hold the knob. The trip meter is
reset to 0.0.
■
Switching the Display
1Switching the Display
Each time you press the knob, the information
display changes as follows:
Instant Fuel Economy,
Trip Meter
Instant Fuel Economy,
Average Fuel Economy
Engine Oil Life
Instant Fuel Economy,
Odometer
■
Odometer
■
Trip Meter

74
uuGauges and DisplaysuInformation Display
Instrument Panel
Shows the estimated average fuel economy of the trip meter in mpg (U.S.) or l/100
km (Canada). The display is updated at set intervals. When a trip meter is reset, the
average fuel economy is also reset.
Shows the remaining oil life and Maintenance Minder
TM.
2Maintenance Minder
TM P. 195
Shows the instant fuel economy as a bar graph in mpg or l/100 km.
Appears when the fuel fill cap is loose or is not installed.
2Check/Tighten Fuel Cap Message P. 257
■
Average Fuel Economy
■
Engine Oil Life
■
Instant Fuel Economy
■
Check Fuel Cap

163
uuWhen DrivinguPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While DrivingAvoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.■
In Rain
■
Other Precautions
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICEDo not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY
(q
or
LOCK
(0
while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
(N
, as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.
NOTICEThe following can damage the under spoiler:•Parking the vehicle by a parking block•Parallel parking along the road shoulder•Driving towards the bottom of a hill•Driving up or down to a different surface level
(such as a road shoulder)•Driving on a rutted or bumpy road•Driving on a road with potholes.Sport Models

185
Driving
Parking Your VehicleWhen Stopped1.Always use the parking brake when you park your vehicle.
2.Make sure the parking brake is set firmly, or your vehicle may roll if parked on an
incline.Parking1.Depress the brake pedal firmly with the shift lever in
(D
.
2.Apply the parking brake while holding the brake pedal down.
3.Move the shift lever to
(P
.
4.Turn off the engine.
1Parking Your Vehicle
Do not park your vehicle near flammable objects,
such as dry grass, oil, or timber.
Heat from the exhaust can cause a fire.1When Stopped
NOTICEThe following can damage the transmission:•Depressing the accelerator and brake pedals
simultaneously.•Holding the vehicle in place when facing uphill by
depressing the accelerator pedal.•Moving the shift lever into
(P
before the vehicle
stops completely.
Automatic transmission models
1Parking
Raise the wiper arms when snow is expected.
Automatic transmission models

189
Driving
Fuel EconomyImproving Fuel EconomyFuel economy depends on several conditions, including driving conditions, your
driving habits, the condition of your vehicle, and loading. Depending on these and
other conditions, you may or may not achieve the rated fuel economy of this vehicle.
You can optimize your fuel economy with proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Always maintain your vehicle in accordance with the messages displayed on the
information display.
•Use the recommended viscosity engine oil, displaying the API Certification Seal.
•Maintain the specified tire pressure.
•Do not load the vehicle with excess cargo.
•Keep your vehicle clean. A buildup of snow or mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and increases wind resistance.■
Maintenance and Fuel Economy
1Improving Fuel Economy
Direct calculation is the recommended method to
determine actual fuel consumed while driving.
In Canada, posted fuel economy numbers are
established following a simulated test. For more
information on how this test is performed, please visit
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/
Miles drivenGallons of
fuelMiles per
Gallon
100 LiterKilometers L per 100 km

191
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance ............ 192
Safety When Performing Maintenance .... 193Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 194
Maintenance Minder
TM
..................... 195
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 199Opening the Hood ........................... 200
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 201
Oil Check ......................................... 202
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 203Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter..... 204
Engine Coolant ................................ 206
Transmission Fluid ............................ 208
Brake/Clutch Fluid ............................ 210
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 211
Replacing Light Bulbs....................... 212
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades.......................................... 218Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 222
Tire and Loading Information Label .. 223
Tire Labeling .................................... 223
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles).. 225Wear Indicators................................ 227Tire Service Life ................................ 227
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 228
Tire Rotation .................................... 229
Winter Tires ..................................... 230
Battery............................................... 231
Remote Transmitter Care
*
Replacing the Battery ....................... 232
Heating and Cooling
* System
Maintenance................................... 233
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 234
Exterior Care.................................... 235
* Not available on all models

195
Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance Minder
TM
If the engine oil life is less than 15%, you will see the Maintenance Minder messages
appear on the information display every time you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
.
The messages notify you when to change the engine oil, or when to bring your
vehicle to a dealer for indicated maintenance services.
To Use Maintenance Minder
TM
1.Turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
.
2.Press the (select/reset) knob repeatedly
until the engine oil life appears on the
information display.
The Maintenance Minder indicator ( ) stays
on in the instrument panel after the engine oil
life becomes 0%. Have the indicated
maintenance done by a dealer immediately.
■
Displaying the Engine Oil Life
1Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Based on the engine operating conditions, the
remaining engine oil life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
Displayed Engine Oil
Life (%)
Calculated Engine Oil
Life (%)
100 100 to 91
90
90 to 81
80 80 to 71
70
70 to 61
60 60 to 51
50
50 to 41
40 40 to 31
30
30 to 21
20 20 to 16
15
15 to 11
10 10 to 6
5
5 to 1
00