2009 Honda Fit Owners Manual

in a child seat. Larger children should use a booster seat and a lap/ shoulder belt until they can use the belt properly without a booster seat (see pages 34 － 52). Be Aware of Airbag Hazards While airbags can save lives, they can cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants who sit too close to them, or are not properly restrained. Infants, young children, and short adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and warnings in this manual.

Don't Drink and Drive Alcohol and driving don't mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. So don't drink and drive, and don't let your friends drink and drive, either. Control Your Speed Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds. Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum speed posted. Keep Your Vehicle in Safe Condition Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous. To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance (see page 245).

2009 Fit (3)

(4)

(9)

(1)

(11)

(7)

(5)

(10)

(8)

(2)

(2)

(6) (1) Safety Cage (2) Crush Zones (3) Seats and Seat-Backs (4) Head Restraints (5) Collapsible Steering Column (6) Seat Belts (7) Front Airbags (8) Side Airbags (9) Side Curtain Airbags (10) Front Seat Belt Tensioners (11) Door Locks

Your Vehicle's Safety Features

Your vehicle is equipped with many features that work together to protect you and your passengers during a crash. Some features do not require any action on your part. These include a strong steel framework that forms a safety cage around the passenger compartment, front and rear crush zones, a collapsible steering column, and tensioners that tighten the front seat belts in a crash. However, you and your passengers can't take full advantage of these features unless you remain sitting in a proper position and alwayswear yourseatbelts.In fact, some safety features can contribute to injuries if they are not used properly. The following pages explain how you can take an active role in protecting yourself and your passengers.

2009 Fit Your Vehicle's Safety Features

Seat Belts Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts in all seating positions. Your seat belt system also includes an indicator on the instrument panel and a beeper to remind you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts. WhyWearSeatBelts Seat belts are the single most effective safety device for adults and larger children. (Infants and smaller children must be properly restrained in child seats.) Not wearing a seat belt properly increases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash, even though your vehicle has airbags. In addition, most states and all Canadian provinces require you to wear seat belts.

Not wearing a seat belt properly increases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash, even though your vehicle has airbags.

Be sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts and wear them properly.

When properly worn, seat belts: ● Keep you connected to the vehicle

so you can take advantage of the vehicle's built-in safety features. ● Help protect you in almost every

type of crash, including: － frontal impacts － side impacts － rear impacts － rollovers

● Help keep you from being thrown

against the inside of the vehicle and against other occupants.

● Keep you from being thrown out of

the vehicle.

● Help keep you in a good position should the airbags ever deploy. A good position reduces the risk of injury from an inflating airbag and allows you to get the best advantage from the airbag. Of course, seat belts cannot completely protect you in every crash. But in most cases, seat belts can reduce your risk of serious injury. WhatYouShouldDo: Always wear your seat belt, and make sure you wear it properly.

2009 Fit Airbags

Your Vehicle's Safety Features

Your vehicle has a supplemental restraint system (SRS) with front airbags to help protect the heads and chests of the driver and a front seat passenger during a moderate to severe frontal collision (see page 25
for more information on how your front airbags work).

Your vehicle also has side airbags to help protect the upper torso of the driver or a front seat passenger during a moderate to severe side impact (see page 28 for more information on how your side airbags work).

In addition, your vehicle has side curtain airbags to help protect the heads of the driver, front passenger, and passengers in the outer rear seating positions during a moderate to severe side or front impact (see page 30 for more information on how your side curtain airbags work).

CONTINUED

2009 Fit Your Vehicle's Safety Features

Whatyoushoulddo:Always wear your seat belt properly, and sit upright and as far back from the steering wheel as possible while allowing full control of the vehicle. A front passenger should move their seat as far back from the dashboard as possible.

The rest of this section gives more detailed information about how you can maximize your safety. Remember, however, that no safety system can prevent all injuries or deaths that can occur in a severe crash, even when seat belts are properly worn and the airbags deploy.

The most important things you need to know about your airbags are: ● Airbagsdonotreplaceseatbelts. They are designed to supplement the seat belts.

● Airbagsoffernoprotectioninrear impacts,orminorfrontalorside collisions.

● Airbagscanposeserioushazards.

To do their job, airbags must inflate with tremendous force. So while airbags help save lives, they can cause minor injuries or more serious or even fatal injuries if occupants are not properly restrained or sitting properly.

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2009 Fit Introduction The following pages provide instructions on how to properly protect the driver, adult passengers, and teenage children who are large enough and mature enough to drive or ride in the front. See pages 34 － 38 for important guidelines on how to properly protect infants, small children, and larger children who ride in your vehicle. 1. Close and Lock the Doors After everyone has entered the vehicle, be sure the doors and the tailgate are closed and locked.

Your vehicle has a door and tailgate open indicator on

the instrument panel to indicate when any door or the tailgate is not tightly closed. Locking the doors reduces the chance of someone being thrown out of the vehicle during a crash, and it helps prevent passengers from accidentally opening a door and falling out. Locking the doors and the tailgate also helps prevent an outsider from unexpectedly opening a door or the tailgate when you come to a stop. See page 81 for how to lock the doors, and page 62 for how the door and tailgate open indicator works. Some models have the auto door locking/unlocking feature. For more information, see page 83.

Protecting Adults and Teens

2. Adjust the Front Seats

Adjust the driver's seat as far to the rear as possible while allowing you to maintain full control of the vehicle. Have a front passenger adjust their seat as far to the rear as possible.

CONTINUED 11

2009 Fit Protecting Adults and Teens

If you sit too close to the steering wheel or dashboard, you can be seriously injured by an inflating front airbag, or by striking the steering wheel or dashboard. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada recommend that drivers allow at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the center of the steering wheel and the chest. In addition to adjusting the seat, you can adjust the steering wheel up and down, and in and out (see page 77). If you cannot get far enough away from the steering wheel and still reach the controls, we recommend that you investigate whether some type of adaptive equipment may help.

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Sitting too close to a front airbag can result in serious injury or death if the front airbags inflate.

Always sit as far back from the front airbags as possible.

Once a seat is adjusted correctly, rock it back and forth to make sure it is locked in position. See page 93 for how to adjust the front seats.

3. Adjust the Seat-Backs

Adjust the driver's seat-back to a comfortable, upright position, leaving ample space between your chest and the airbag cover in the center of the steering wheel. Passengers with adjustable seat- backs should also adjust their seat- back to a comfortable, upright position.

2009 Fit Reclining the seat-back too far can result in serious injury or death in a crash.

Adjust the seat-back to an upright position, and sit well back in the seat.

Reclining a seat-back so that the shoulder part of the belt no longer rests against the occupant's chest reduces the protective capability of the belt. It also increases the chance of sliding under the belt in a crash and being seriously injured. The farther a seat-back is reclined, the greater the risk of injury. See page 93 for how to adjust the seat-backs.

4. Adjust the Head Restraints

Adjust the driver's head restraint so the center of the back of your head rests against the center of the restraint. Have passengers adjust their head restraints properly as well. Taller persons should adjust their restraint as high as possible.

Protecting Adults and Teens

When a passenger is seated in the rear center seating position, make sure the center head restraint is properly positioned.

Improperly positioning head restraints reduces their effectiveness and you can be seriously injured in a crash.

Make sure head restraints are in place and positioned properly before driving.

Properly adjusted head restraints will help protect occupants from whiplash and other crash injuries. See page 94 for how to adjust the head restraints and how the driver's and front passenger's active head restraints work.

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2009 Fit Protecting Adults and Teens

5. Fasten and Position the Seat

Belts

Insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug on the belt to make sure the belt is securely latched. Check that the belt is not twisted, because a twisted belt can cause serious injuries in a crash. The seat belt in the center position of the back seat can be unlatched and retracted to allow the back seat to be folded up or down. This seat belt should be latched whenever the seat- back is in an upright position. See page 99 for how to unlatch and relatch the seat belt.

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Improperly positioning the seat belts can cause serious injury or death in a crash.

Make sure all seat belts are properly positioned before driving.

If the seat belt touches or crosses your neck, or if it crosses your arm instead of your shoulder, you need to adjust the seat belt anchor height.

Position the lap part of the belt as low as possible across your hips, then pull up on the shoulder part of the belt so the lap part fits snugly. This lets your strong pelvic bones take the force of a crash and reduces the chance of internal injuries. If necessary, pull up on the belt again to remove any slack, then check that the belt rests across the center of your chest and over your shoulder. This spreads the forces of a crash over the strongest bones in your upper body.

2009 Fit Protecting Adults and Teens

Neverplacetheshoulderportionofa lap/shoulderbeltunderyourarmor behindyourback.This could cause very serious injuries in a crash. If a seat belt does not seem to work properly, it may not protect the occupant in a crash. Nooneshouldsitinaseatwithan inoperativeseatbelt.Using a seat belt that is not working properly can result in serious injury or death. Have your dealer check the belt as soon as possible. See page 18 for additional information about your seat belts and how to take care of them.

RELEASE BUTTONS

The front seats have adjustable seat belt anchors. To adjust the height of an anchor, squeeze the two release buttons, and slide the anchor up or down as needed (it has four positions).

6. Maintain a Proper Sitting

Position

After all occupants have adjusted their seats and head restraints, and put on their seat belts, it is very important that they continue to sit upright, well back in their seats, with their feet on the floor, until the vehicle is parked and the engine is off. Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash. For example, if an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly increased.

CONTINUED 15

2009 Fit Protecting Adults and Teens

In addition, an occupant who is out of position in the front seat can be seriously or fatally injured in a crash by striking interior parts of the vehicle or being struck by an inflating front airbag.

Sitting improperly or out of position can result in serious injury or death in a crash.

Always sit upright, well back in the seat, with your feet on the floor.

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Advice for Pregnant Women

If you are pregnant, the best way to protect yourself and your unborn child when driving or riding in a vehicle is to always wear a seat belt, and keep the lap part of the belt as low as possible across the hips.

When driving, remember to sit upright and adjust the seat as far back as possible while allowing full control of the vehicle. When riding as a front passenger, adjust the seat as far back as possible. This will reduce the risk of injuries to both you and your unborn child that can be caused by a crash or an inflating front airbag. Each time you have a checkup, ask your doctor if it's okay for you to drive.

2009 Fit Protecting Adults and Teens

Additional Safety Precautions ● Neverletpassengersrideinthe cargoareaorontopofafolded- downbackseat.If they do, they could be very seriously injured in a crash.

● Neverletpassengersrideinthe areainfrontofafolded-uprear seatorontopofafolded-downrear seat.If they do, they could be very seriously injured in a crash.

● Passengersshouldnotstandupor

changeseatswhilethevehicleis moving.A passenger who is not wearing a seat belt during a crash or emergency stop can be thrown against the inside of the vehicle, against other occupants, or out of the vehicle.

● Twopeopleshouldneverusethe

sameseatbelt.If they do, they could be very seriously injured in a crash.

● Donotputanyaccessoriesonseat belts.Devices intended to improve occupant comfort or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt can reduce the protective capability of the belt and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

● Donotplacehardorsharpobjects

betweenyourselfandafront airbag.Carrying hard or sharp objects on your lap, or driving with a pipe or other sharp object in your mouth, can result in injuries if your front airbag inflates.

● Keepyourhandsandarmsaway

fromtheairbagcovers.If your hands or arms are close to an airbag cover, they could be injured if the airbag inflates.

● Donotattachorplaceobjectson thefrontairbagcovers.Objects on the covers marked ‘‘ SRS AIRBAG ’’ could interfere with the proper operation of the airbags or be propelled inside the vehicle and hurt someone if the airbags inflate.

● Donotattachhardobjectsonor nearadoor.If a side airbag or a side curtain airbag inflates, a cup holder or other hard object attached on or near the door could be propelled inside the vehicle and hurt someone.

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2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

If a front passenger does not fasten their seat belt, the indicator will come on about 6 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the ON (II) position. If either the driver or a front passenger does not fasten their seat belt while driving, the beeper will sound and the indicator will flash again at regular intervals. When no one is sitting in the front passenger's seat, or a child or small adult is riding there, the indicator should not come on and the beeper should not sound.

If the indicator comes on or the beeper sounds when the driver's seat belt is latched and there is no front seat passenger and no items on the front seat, something may be interfering with the monitoring system. Look for and remove: ● Any items under the front

passenger's seat.

● Any object(s) hanging on the seat

or in the seat-back pocket.

● Any object(s) touching the rear of

the seat-back.

If no obstructions are found, have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

Seat Belt System Components Your seat belt system includes lap/ shoulder belts in all seating positions. The front seat belts are also equipped with automatic seat belt tensioners. This system uses the same sensors as the front airbags to monitor whether the front seat belts are latched or unlatched, and how much weight is on the front passenger's seat (see page 27 ).

The seat belt system includes an indicator on the instrument

panel and a beeper to remind you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts. This system monitors the front seat belts. If you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position before your seat belt is fastened, the beeper will sound and the indicator will flash. If your seat belt is not fastened before the beeper stops, the indicator will stop flashing but remain on.

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2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

Lap/Shoulder Belt The lap/shoulder belt goes over your shoulder, across your chest, and across your hips. To fasten the belt, insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug on the belt to make sure the buckle is latched (see page 14 for how to properly position the belt). To unlock the belt, press the red PRESS button on the buckle. Guide the belt across your body so that it retracts completely. After exiting the vehicle, be sure the belt is out of the way and will not get closed in the door.

All seat belts have an emergency locking retractor. In normal driving, the retractor lets you move freely in your seat while it keeps some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop, the retractor automatically locks the belt to help restrain your body. The seat belts in all positions except the driver's have a lockable retractor that must be activated to secure a child seat (see page 45). If the shoulder part of the belt is pulled all the way out, the lockable retractor will activate. The belt will retract, but it will not allow the passenger to move freely. To deactivate the lockable retractor, unlatch the buckle and let the seat belt fully retract. To refasten the seat belt, pull it out only as far as needed.

DETACHABLE ANCHOR

The lap/shoulder belt in the center seating position on the rear seat is equipped with a detachable seat belt that has two parts: a small latch plate and an anchor buckle. The detachable seat belt should normally be latched whenever the seat-backs are in an upright position. For more information about the detachable seat belt, see page 99.

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2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

The tensioners are designed to activate in any collision severe enough to cause the front airbags to deploy. If a side curtain airbag deploys during a side impact, the tensioner on that side of the vehicle will also deploy. The tensioners can also be activated during a collision in which the front airbags donotdeploy.In this case, the airbags would not be needed, but the additional restraint could be helpful. When the tensioners are activated, the seat belts will remain tight until they are unbuckled.

Seat Belt Maintenance For safety, you should check the condition of your seat belts regularly. Pull each belt out fully, and look for frays, cuts, burns, and wear. Check that the latches work smoothly and the belts retract easily. If a belt does not retract easily, cleaning the belt may correct the problem (see page 267). Any belt that is not in good condition or working properly will not provide good protection and should be replaced as soon as possible. Honda provides a limited warranty on seat belts. See your Honda WarrantyInformationbooklet for details.

Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners

For added protection, the front seat belts are equipped with automatic seat belt tensioners. When activated, the tensioners immediately tighten the belts to help hold the driver and a front passenger in position.

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2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

If a seat belt is worn during a crash, it must be replaced by your dealer. A belt that has been worn during a crash may not provide the same level of protection in a subsequent crash. The dealer should also inspect the anchors for damage and replace them if needed. If the automatic seat belt tensioners activate during a crash, they must be replaced.

Not checking or maintaining seat belts can result in serious injury or death if the seat belts do not work properly when needed.

Check your seat belts regularly and have any problem corrected as soon as possible.

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2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Airbags

Airbag System Components

(8)

(9)

(2)

(11)

(10)

(12)

(1)

(3)

(1) Driver's Front Airbag (2) Passenger's Front Airbag (3) Control Unit (4) Front Seat Belt Tensioners (5) Side Airbags (6) Driver's Seat Position Sensor (7) Front Passenger's Weight Sensors (8) Front Impact Sensors (9) Passenger Airbag Off Indicator (10) Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) Sensors (11) Front Passenger's Weight Sensors/OPDS Sensors Control Unit (12) Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

(6)

22

(7)

(4)

(5)

(5)

(4)

2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Airbags

(13)

(14)

(15)

(13) Side Curtain Airbags (14) Side Impact Sensors (First) (15) Side Impact Sensors (Second)

(15)

(14)

Your airbag system includes: ● Two SRS (supplemental restraint

system) front airbags. The driver's airbag is stored in the center of the steering wheel; the front passenger's airbag is stored in the dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’ (see page 25).

● Two side airbags, one for the

driver and one for a front passenger. The airbags are stored in the outer edges of the seat- backs. Both are marked ‘‘SIDE AIRBAG’’ (see page 28).

● Two side curtain airbags, one for

each side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored in the ceiling, above the side windows. The front and rear pillars are marked ‘‘SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG’’ (see page 30).

CONTINUED 23

2009 Fit ● An indicator on the instrument

panel that alerts you that the passenger's side airbag has been turned off (see page 31).

● An indicator on the dashboard that

alerts you that the passenger's front airbag has been turned off (see page 31).

● Emergency backup power in case your vehicle's electrical system is disconnected in a crash.

Additional Information About Your Airbags

● Automatic front seat belt tensioners (see page 20).

● Sensors that can detect a moderate

to severe front impact or side impact.

● Sensors that can detect whether a

child is in the passenger's side airbag path and signal the control unit to turn the airbag off (see page 29).

● Sensors that can detect whether

the driver's seat belt and the front passenger's seat belt are latched or unlatched (see page 18).

● A driver's seat position sensor that

monitors the distance of the seat from the front airbag. If the seat is too far forward, the airbag will inflate with less force (see page 27).

● Weight sensors that monitor the weight on the front passenger's seat. If the weight is about 65 lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of an infant or small child), the passenger's front airbag will be turned off (see page 27).

● A sophisticated electronic system

that continually monitors and records information about the sensors, the control unit, the airbag activators, the seat belt tensioners, and driver and front passenger seat belt use when the ignition switch is in the ON (II) position.

● An indicator on the instrument

panel that alerts you to a possible problem with your airbags, sensors, or seat belt tensioners (see page 30).

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2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Airbags

How Your Front Airbags Work

If you ever have a moderate to severe frontal collision, sensors will detect the vehicle's rapid deceleration. If the rate of deceleration is high enough, the control unit will instantly inflate the driver's and front passenger's airbags, at the time and with the force needed.

During a frontal crash, your seat belt restrains your lower body and torso, and the front airbag helps protect your head and chest. Although both airbags normally inflate within a split second of each other, it is possible for only one airbag to deploy. This can happen if the severity of a collision is at the margin, or threshold, that determines whether or not the airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental protection offered by the airbag would be minimal. Only the driver's airbag can deploy if there is no passenger in the front seat, or if the advanced airbag system has turned the passenger's airbag off (see page 27).

After inflating, the front airbags immediately deflate, so they won't interfere with the driver's visibility, or the ability to steer or operate other controls. The total time for inflation and deflation is one-tenth of a second, so fast that most occupants are not aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in their laps.

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2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Airbags

After a crash, you may see what looks like smoke. This is actually powder from the airbag's surface. Although the powder is not harmful, people with respiratory problems may experience some temporary discomfort. If this occurs, get out of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Dual-StageAirbags Your front airbags are dual-stage airbags. This means they have two inflation stages that can be ignited sequentially or simultaneously, depending on crash severity. In a moreseverecrash, both stages will ignite simultaneously to provide the quickest and greatest protection. In a lessseverecrash, one stage will ignite first, then the second stage will ignite a split second later. This provides longer airbag inflation time with a little less force.

Dual-ThresholdAirbags Your front airbags are also dual- threshold airbags. Airbags with this feature have two deployment thresholds that depend on whether sensors detect the occupant is wearing a seat belt or not. If the occupant's belt is notlatched, the airbag will deploy at a slightly lower threshold, because the occupant would need extra protection. If the occupant's belt is latched,the airbag will deploy at a slightly higher threshold, when the airbag would be needed to supplement the protection provided by the seat belt.

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2009 Fit AdvancedAirbags Your front airbags are also advanced airbags. The main purpose of this feature is to help prevent airbag- caused injuries to short drivers and children who ride in front. For both advanced airbags to work properly: ● Occupants must sit upright and

wear their seat belts properly. ● Do not spill any liquids on or

under the seats, cover the sensors, or put any objects or metal items under the front seats.

● Back-seat passengers should not

put their feet under the front seats.

Failure to follow these instructions could damage the sensors or prevent them from working properly.

Additional Information About Your Airbags

DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION SENSOR

PASSENGER'S SEAT WEIGHT SENSORS

The driver's advanced front airbag system includes a seat position sensor under the seat. If the seat is too far forward, the airbag will inflate with less force, regardless of the severity of the impact. If there is a problem with the sensor, the SRS indicator will come on, and the airbag will inflate in the normal manner regardless of the driver's seating position.

The passenger's advanced front airbag system has weight sensors under the seat. Although Honda does not encourage carrying an infant or small child in front, if the sensors detect the weight of an infant or small child (up to about 65 lbs or 29
kg), the system will automatically turn the passenger's front airbag off. Be aware that objects placed on the passenger's seat can also cause the airbag to be turned off.

CONTINUED 27

2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Airbags

When the airbag is turned off, a ‘‘passenger airbag off’’ indicator in the center of the dashboard comes on (see page 31). If the weight sensors detect there is no passenger in the front seat, the airbag will be off. However, the passenger airbag off indicator will not come on. To ensure that the passenger's advanced front airbag system will work properly, donotdoanything thatwouldincreaseordecreasethe weightonthefrontpassenger'sseat. This includes: ● A rear passenger pushing or

pulling on the back of the front passenger's seat.

● Moving the front seat forcibly back

against cargo on the seat or floor behind it.

● Hanging heavy items on the front passenger seat, or placing heavy items in the seat-back pocket.

● Moving the front seat or seat-back

forcibly back against the folded rear seat.

If your vehicle has optional floor mats, make sure the mat behind the driver's seat is hooked to the floor mat anchor (see page 267). If it is not, the mat may interfere with the proper operation of the sensors and operation of the seat.

How Your Side Airbags Work

If you ever have a moderate to severe side impact, sensors will detect rapid acceleration and signal the control unit to instantly inflate either the driver's or the passenger's side airbag.

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2009 Fit Only one airbag will deploy during a side impact. If the impact is on the passenger's side, the passenger's side airbag will deploy even if there is no passenger. To get the best protection from the side airbags, front seat occupants should wear their seat belts and sit upright and well back in their seats.

Additional Information About Your Airbags

SideAirbagCutoffSystem Your vehicle has a side airbag cutoff system designed primarily to protect a child riding in the front passenger's seat. Although Honda does not encourage children to ride in front, if the position sensors detect a child has leaned into the side airbag's deployment path, the airbag will shut off. The side airbag may also shut off if a short adult leans sideways, or a larger adult slouches and leans sideways into the airbag's deployment path. Objects placed on the front passenger seat can also cause the side airbag to be shut off.

If the side airbag off indicator comes on (see page 31), have the passenger sit upright. Once the passenger is out of the airbag's deployment path, the system will turn the airbag back on, and the indicator will go out. There will be some delay between the moment the passenger moves into or out of the airbag deployment path and when the indicator comes on or goes off. A front seat passenger should not use a cushion or other object as a backrest. It may prevent the cutoff system from working properly.

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2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Airbags

If the impact is on the passenger's side, the passenger's side curtain airbag will inflate even if there are no occupants on that side of the vehicle. One or both side curtain airbags may inflate in a moderate to severe frontal collision which causes the front airbags to deploy. To get the best protection from the side curtain airbags, occupants should wear their seat belts and sit upright and well back in their seats.

How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG

In a moderate to severe side impact, sensors will detect rapid acceleration and signal the control unit to instantly inflate the side curtain airbag and activate the seat belt tensioner on the driver's or the passenger's side of the vehicle.

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How the SRS Indicator Works The SRS indicator alerts you to a potential problem

with your airbags or seat belt tensioners. When you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position, this indicator comes on briefly then goes off. This tells you the system is working properly. If the indicator comes on at any other time, or does not come on at all, you should have the system checked by your dealer. For example: ● If the SRS indicator does not come

on after you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position.

● If the indicator stays on after the

engine starts.

● If the indicator comes on or flashes

on and off while you drive.

2009 Fit If you see any of these indications, the airbags and seat belt tensioners may not work properly when you need them.

Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in serious injury or death if the airbag systems or tensioners do not work properly.

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as soon as possible if the SRS indicator alerts you to a possible problem.

Additional Information About Your Airbags

How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works

How the Passenger Airbag Off Indicator Works

U.S.

Canada

This indicator alerts you that the

passenger's side airbag has been automatically shut off. It does not mean there is a problem with your side airbags. When you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position, the indicator should come on briefly and then go off (see page 61). If it doesn't come on, stays on, or comes on while driving without a passenger in the front seat, have the system checked.

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR

U.S.

On vehicle with navigation system

This indicator alerts you that the passenger's front airbag has been shut off because weight sensors detect about 65 lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of an infant or small child) on the front passenger's seat. It does notmeanthere is a problem with the airbag.

CONTINUED 31

2009 Fit Additional Information About Your Airbags

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR

U.S.

Canada

On vehicle without navigation system Be aware that objects placed on the front seat can cause the indicator to come on. If the weight sensors detect there is no passenger in the front seat, the airbag will be off. However, the passenger airbag off indicator will not come on. The passenger airbag off indicator may come on and off repeatedly if the total weight on the seat is near the airbag cutoff threshold.

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If an adult or teenage passenger is riding in front, move the seat as far to the rear as possible, and have the passenger sit upright and wear the seat belt properly. If the indicator comes on with no front seat passenger and no objects on the seat, or with an adult riding there, something may be interfering with the weight sensors. Look for and remove: ● Any items under the front

passenger's seat.

● Any object hanging on the seat or

in the seat-back pocket.

● Any object(s), such as a folded-

down back seat, that are touching the rear of the seat-back.

If no obstructions are found, have your vehicle checked by a dealer as soon as possible.

Airbag Service Your airbag systems are virtually maintenance free, and there are no parts you can safely service. However, you must have your vehicle serviced if: ● Anairbageverinflates.Any airbag

that has deployed must be replaced along with the control unit and other related parts. Any seat belt tensioner that activates must also be replaced. Do not try to remove or replace any airbag by yourself. This must be done by an authorized dealer or a knowledgeable body shop.

● TheSRSindicatoralertsyoutoa problem.Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible. If you ignore this indication, your airbags may not operate properly.

2009 Fit ● Ifyourvehiclehasamoderateto

severeimpact.Even if your airbags do not inflate, your dealer should inspect the driver's seat position sensor, the front passenger's weight sensors, the front seat belt tensioners, and all seat belts worn during a crash to make sure they are operating properly.

Additional Information About Your Airbags

Additional Safety Precautions ● Donotattempttodeactivateyour

airbags.Together, airbags and seat belts provide the best protection.

● Donottamperwithairbag

componentsorwiringforany reason.Tampering could cause the airbags to deploy, possibly causing very serious injury.

● Donotexposethefront

passenger'sseat-backtoliquid.If water or another liquid soaks into a seat-back, it can prevent the side airbag cutoff system from working properly.

● Donotcoverorreplacefrontseat-

backcoverswithoutconsulting yourdealer.Improperly replacing or covering front seat-back covers can prevent your side airbags from inflating during a side impact.

● Donotremoveormodifyafront

seatwithoutconsultingyour dealer.This could make the driver's seat position sensor or the front passenger's weight sensors ineffective. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate a person with disabilities, first contact Honda Automobile Customer Service at (800) 999-1009.

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2009 Fit Protecting Children － General Guidelines

All Children Must Be Restrained Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle accidents are the number one cause of the death of children aged 12 and under. To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state and Canadian province requires that infants and children be properly restrained when they ride in a vehicle. Infantsandsmallchildrenmustbe restrainedinanapprovedchildseat thatisproperlysecuredtothevehicle (see pages 39 － 48).

Children who are unrestrained or improperly restrained can be seriously injured or killed in a crash.

Any child too small for a seat belt should be properly restrained in a child seat. A larger child should be properly restrained with a seat belt and use a booster seat if necessary.

Largerchildrenmustberestrained withalap/shoulderbeltandrideona boosterseatuntiltheseatbeltfits themproperly(see pages 49 － 52).

Children depend on adults to protect them. However, despite their best intentions, many adults do not know how to properlyprotect child passengers. If you have children, or ever need to drive with a child in your vehicle, be sure to read this section. It begins with important general guidelines, then presents special information for infants, small children, and larger children.

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2009 Fit Protecting Children － General Guidelines

All Children Should Sit in a Back Seat According to accident statistics, children of all ages and sizes are safer when they are restrained in a back seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada recommend that all children aged 12 and under be properly restrained in a back seat. Some states have laws restricting where children may ride. Children who ride in back are less likely to be injured by striking interior vehicle parts during a collision or hard braking. Also, children cannot be injured by an inflating front airbag when they ride in the back.

The Passenger's Front Airbag Can Pose Serious Risks Front airbags have been designed to help protect adults in a moderate to severe frontal collision. To do this, the passenger's front airbag is quite large, and it can inflate with enough force to cause very serious injuries. Even though your vehicle has an advanced front airbag system that automatically turns the passenger's front airbag off (see page 31), please follow these guidelines: Infants Neverputarear-facingchildseatin thefrontseatofavehicleequipped withapassenger'sfrontairbag.If the airbag inflates, it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to kill or very seriously injure an infant.

SmallChildren Placingaforward-facingchildseatin thefrontseatofavehicleequipped withapassenger'sfrontairbagcanbe hazardous.If the vehicle seat is too far forward, or the child's head is thrown forward during a collision, an inflating front airbag can strike the child with enough force to kill or very seriously injure a small child. LargerChildren Childrenwhohaveoutgrownchild seatsarealsoatriskofbeinginjured orkilledbyaninflatingpassenger's frontairbag.Whenever possible, larger children should sit in the back seat, on a booster seat if needed, and be properly restrained with a seat belt (see page 49 for important information about protecting larger children).

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2009 Fit Protecting Children － General Guidelines

To remind you of the passenger's front airbag hazards, and that children must be properly restrained in a back seat, your vehicle has warning labels on the dashboard (U.S. models) and on the front visors. Please read and follow the instructions on these labels.

U.S.Models SUN VISORS

DASHBOARD

CanadianModels

SUN VISORS

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2009 Fit Protecting Children － General Guidelines

If a Child Requires Close Attention Many parents say they prefer to put an infant or a small child in the front passenger seat so they can watch the child, or because the child requires attention. Placing a child in the front seat exposes the child to hazards in a frontal collision, and paying close attention to a child distracts the driver from the important tasks of driving, placing both of you at risk.

If You Must Drive with Several Children Your vehicle has a back seat where children can be properly restrained. If you ever have to carry a group of children, and a child must ride in front: ● Place the largest child in the front

seat, provided the child is large enough to wear the lap/shoulder belt properly (see page 49).

● Move the vehicle seat as far to the

rear as possible (see page 93).

● Have the child sit upright and well

back in the seat (see page 15).

● Make sure the seat belt is properly positioned and secured (see page 14).

If a child requires close physical attention or frequent visual contact, we strongly recommend that another adult ride with the child in a back seat. The back seat is far safer for a child than the front.

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2009 Fit Protecting Children － General Guidelines

Additional Safety Precautions ● Neverholdaninfantorchildon yourlap.If you are not wearing a seat belt in a crash, you could be thrown forward and crush the child against the dashboard or a seat-back. If you are wearing a seat belt, the child can be torn from your arms and be seriously hurt or killed.

● Neverputaseatbeltoveryourself

andachild.During a crash, the belt could press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.

● Neverlettwochildrenusethe sameseatbelt.If they do, they could be very seriously injured in a crash.

● Makesureanyunusedseatbelt thatachildcanreachisbuckled, thelockableretractorisactivated, andthebeltisfullyretractedand locked.If a child wraps a loose seat belt around their neck, they can be seriously or fatally injured. (See pages 45 and 46 for how to activate and deactivate the lockable retractor.)

● Usethechildproofdoorlocksto

preventchildrenfromopeningthe reardoors.This can prevent children from accidentally falling out (see page 82).

● Donotleavechildrenaloneina vehicle.Leaving children without adult supervision is illegal in most states and Canadian provinces, and can be very hazardous.

For example, infants and small children left in a vehicle on a hot day can die from heatstroke. A child left alone with the key in the ignition switch can accidentally set the vehicle in motion, possibly injuring themselves or others. ● Lockalldoorsandthetailgate

whenyourvehicleisnotinuse. Children who play in vehicles can accidentally get trapped inside. Teach your children not to play in or around vehicles.

● Keepvehiclekeys/remote

transmittersoutofthereachof children.Even very young children learn how to unlock vehicle doors, turn on the ignition switch, and open the tailgate, which can lead to accidental injury or death.

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2009 Fit Protecting Infants and Small Children

Protecting Infants

Two types of seats may be used: a seat designed exclusively for infants, or a convertible seat used in the rear- facing, reclining mode. Donotputarear-facingchildseatin aforward-facingposition.If placed facing forward, an infant could be very seriously injured during a frontal collision.

ChildSeatType An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the child reaches the seat maker's weight or height limit for the seat, and the child is at least one year old. Only a rear-facing child seat provides proper support for a baby's head, neck, and back.

Rear-facingChildSeatPlacement A rear-facing child seat can be placed in any seating position in the back seat, but not in the front. Neverputa rear-facingchildseatinthefrontseat. If the passenger's front airbag inflates, it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to kill or seriously injure an infant. When properly installed, a rear- facing child seat may prevent the driver or a front passenger from moving their seat as far back as recommended, or from locking their seat-back in the desired position. It could also interfere with proper operation of the passenger's advanced front airbag system.

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2009 Fit Protecting Infants and Small Children

Protecting Small Children

ChildSeatType A child who is at least one year old, and who fits within the child seat maker's weight and height limits, should be restrained in a forward- facing, upright child seat. Of the different seats available, we recommend those that have a five- point harness system as shown.

In any of these situations, we strongly recommend that you install the child seat directly behind the front passenger's seat, move the seat as far forward as needed, and leave it unoccupied. Or, you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing child seat.

Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious injury or death during a collision.

Always place a rear-facing child seat in the back seat, not the front.

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We also recommend that a small child use the child seat until the child reaches the weight or height limit for the seat. ChildSeatPlacement We strongly recommend placing a forward-facing child seat in a back seat, not the front. Placingaforward-facingchildseatin thefrontseatofavehicleequipped withapassenger'sairbagcanbe hazardous.If the vehicle seat is too far forward, or the child's head is thrown forward during a collision, an inflating airbag can strike the child with enough force to cause very serious or fatal injuries.

2009 Fit Protecting Infants and Small Children, Selecting a Child Seat

Even with advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passenger's front airbag off (see page 31), a back seat is the safest place for a small child. If it is necessary to put a forward- facing child seat in the front, move the vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible, and be sure the child seat is firmly secured to the vehicle and the child is properly strapped in the seat.

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious injury or death if the front airbag inflates.

If you must place a forward- facing child seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far back as possible, and properly restrain the child.

Selecting a Child Seat When buying a child seat, you need to choose either a conventional child seat, or one designed for use with the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system. Conventional child seats must be secured to a vehicle with a seat belt, whereas LATCH-compatible seats are secured by attaching the seat to hardware built into the two outer seating positions in the back seat. Since LATCH-compatible child seats are easier to install and reduce the possibility of improper installation, we recommend selecting this style. In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH- compatible child seat can be installed using a seat belt.

Whatever type of seat you choose, to provide proper protection, a child seat should meet three requirements: 1. ThechildseatshouldmeetU.S.or

CanadianMotorVehicleSafety Standard213.Look for FMVSS 213 or CMVSS 213 on the box. 2. Thechildseatshouldbeofthe

propertypeandsizetofitthechild. Rear-facing for infants, forward- facing for small children.

3. Thechildseatshouldfitthevehicle

seatingposition(orpositions) whereitwillbeused.

Before purchasing a conventional child seat, or using a previously purchased one, we recommend that you test the seat in the specific vehicle seating position or positions where the seat will be used.

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2009 Fit A child seat secured with a seat belt should be installed as firmly as possible. However, it does not need to be ‘‘ rock solid. ’’ Some side-to-side movement can be expected and should not reduce the child seat's effectiveness. If the child seat is not secure, try installing it in a different seating position, or use a different style of child seat that can be firmly secured.

3. Securethechildinthechildseat.

Make sure the child is properly strapped in the child seat according to the child seat maker's instructions. A child who is not properly secured in a child seat can be seriously injured in a crash.

The following pages provide guidelines on how to properly install a child seat. A forward-facing child seat is used in all examples, but the instructions are the same for rear- facing child seats.

Installing a Child Seat

After selecting a proper child seat and a good place to install the seat, there are three main steps in installing the seat: 1. Properlysecurethechildseatto

thevehicle.All child seats must be secured to the vehicle with the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt or with the LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system. A child whose seat is not properly secured to the vehicle can be endangered in a crash.

2. Makesurethechildseatisfirmly

secured.After installing a child seat, push and pull the seat forward and from side-to-side to verify that it is secure.

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2009 Fit Installing a Child Seat with