HONDA FIT 2016 3.G Owners Manual

300
Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving.
• Make sure there are no obstructions on th e windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
u Remove any frost, snow, or ice.
u Remove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid , remove ice once it has softened.
u When removing ice from around the wheel s, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
u If the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
u Check air pressure, check for damage and excessive wear.
2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 382
•Make sure there are no people or ob jects behind or around the vehicle.
u There are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICE
When doors are frozen s hut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert the key if the water
freezes in the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable material s left under the hood, causing a
fire. If you've parked y our vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have
fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal. Also check under the hood for leftover
flammable materials after you or someone else has
performed maintenance on your vehicle.

Continued301
uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Store or secure all items on board properly.
u Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, sto pping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 303
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
u They can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
• Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mat
*.
u An object or unsecured floor mat can in terfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
• If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
u They may interfere with driv ing and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock al l doors and the tailgate.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 99
•Adjust your seating position properly.
u Adjust the head restraint, too.
2Adjusting the Seats P. 133
2 Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 135
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wh eel properly for your driving.
u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 131
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 130
■Interior Checks1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. Howeve r, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo area, have the aiming
readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified technician.
* Not available on all models

302
uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Be sure items placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll under the
seats.
u They can interfere with the driver’s ability to operate the pedals, the operation
of the seats, or the operation of the sensors under the seats.
• Everyone in the vehicle must fasten their seat belt.
2Fastening a Seat Belt P. 35
•Make sure that the indicators in the ins trument panel come on when you start the
vehicle, and go off soon after.
u Always have a dealer check the vehicle if a problem is indicated.
2 Indicators P. 70

303
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load Limit
The maximum load for your ve hicle is 850 lbs (385 kg).
See Tire and Loading Information label attached to the driver’s doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weig ht of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -
(1) Locate the statement “The comb ined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your
vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in
your vehicle, the am ount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)1 Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all a ccessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load. 2 Specifications P. 430
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle. 2 Specifications P. 430
3WARNING
Overloading or improper loading
can affect handling and stability
and cause a crash in which you
can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this manual.Label Example

304
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Driving
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That we ight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tra iler, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicl e. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
accessories, cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVW R) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Load Limits Example
Example1
Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo Weight
550 lbs
(249 kg)
Example2
Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) Cargo Weight
100 lbs
(45 kg)

305
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your
warranties.

306
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed be hind a motorhome. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refe r to the emergency towing information.
2Emergency Towing P. 426
Your vehicle can be towed behind a motorhome.
Perform the following procedure before towing your vehicle.
1. Shift to
(N.
2. Release the parking brake.
3. Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY
(q*1.
u Make sure the steering wheel does not lock.
4. Turn off all the electric devices. Do not use any accessory power sockets.
u This can prevent the battery from running down.
*1 : Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
■When Your Vehicle is Towed Behind a Motorhome
1Towing Your Vehicle
Do not exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Consult your towing parts sa les or rental agency if
any other items are recommended or required for
your towing situation.Continuously variable transmission models
Manual transmission models

Continued307
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
■Extended Towing
If you tow more than eight hours in one day, you should repeat the “before towing
your vehicle procedure” at least every eight hours.
You also need to perform the following procedure to prevent the battery from
running down.
1.Remove the 20 A accessory power socket
and 7.5 A ACC fuses. These fuses are
located in the interior fuse box.
2 Interior Fuse Boxes P. 423
2.Remove the 15 A Back up fuse. This fuse is
located in the engine compartment fuse
box.
2 Engine Compartment Fuse Box P. 4213.Store the fuses in a safe place so you do not
lose them.
u Make sure to reinstall the fuses before
you start driving your vehicle.
4. Shift to
(N.
5. Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY
(q.
u Make sure the steering wheel does not
lock.
1Towing Your Vehicle
Make sure to reinstall the fuses before you start
driving your vehicle.
Engine Compartment Fuse Box
15 A Back Up Fuse
Interior Fuse Box
20 A Accessory
Power Socket Fuse
7.5 A ACC fuseModels without smart entry system

308
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
1. Remove the 20 A accessory powe r socket and 7.5 A ACC fuses. These fuses are located in the
interior fuse box.
2 Interior Fuse Boxes P. 423
2.Remove the 15 A Back up fuse. This fuse is located in the engine compartment fuse box.
2Engine Compartment Fuse Box P. 4213.Store the fuses in a safe place so you do not lose them.
u Make sure to reinstall the fuses be fore you start driving your vehicle.
4. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button without depressing the clutch pedal.
u The indicator on the ENGINE START/STOP button blinks.
5. Touch the center of the ENGINE START/STOP button with the H logo on the smart entry remote
while the indicator is blinking.
u The indicator stop blinking, then stays on.
6. Shift to
(N.
7. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button once without depressing the clutch pedal.
u Make sure the steering wheel does not lock.
Engine Compartment Fuse Box
15 A Back Up Fuse
Interior Fuse Box
20 A Accessory
Power Socket Fuse
7.5 A ACC fuseModels with smart entry system

309Continued
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parkin g brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N, it is safer to start it in (P.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(N. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
u The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Models without smart entry system
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to st art in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, heating and
cooling
* system, and rear defo gger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Cons ult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Brake PedalContinuously variable transmission models
Brake Pedal
Clutch Pedal
Manual transmission models
* Not available on all models