On this blog, we’ve written extensively about how to flat tow specific models of cars. Today we’re going to do the same for the Honda Fit. This car has been sold decently well in the past decade and is ideal for flat towing, given its compact size. Here’s a quick answer to begin with:
Honda Fits manufactured before 2008 shouldn’t be flat towed because the owner manual doesn’t mention this procedure. Honda Fits from 2008 – 2013 can be flat towed with both a manual and automatic transmission. Fits manufactured from 2014 onwards can only be flat towed with a manual transmission, whereas the CVT transmissions should never be flat towed.
However, that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ll first discuss what models years can be towed in more detail. And if you want to know about towing with your Honda Fit, instead of being towed, we’ve covered that too in a different post!
After that, we talk about the safety precautions that should be taken. Finally, we discuss the steps you need to take to prepare the Fit for flat towing and how to prepare this car’s electrical circuit for this application. Read on!
What Model Years Can Be Towed Behind An RV?
First of all, it’s good to know that not every single Honda Fit is designed for being towed behind a recreational vehicle and there are plenty of differences (both good and bad) between different generations of the Honda Fit.
These are the rules you have to keep in mind when flat towing your Honda Fit:
- First generation (2002 – 2004) and second generation (2004 – 2008) Honda Fit’s do not have specific instructions in their owner manuals about how they should be flat towed. Therefore, it can be assumed these cars aren’t suitable for flat towing.
- Third generation (2008 – 2013) Honda fits are designed for flat towing. Both the manual transmissions and the automatic transmissions can be flat towed behind a recreational vehicle.
- Honda Fits manufactured from 2013 onwards can be flat towed if they have a manual transmission. Honda Fits with an automatic CVT transmission are not designed for flat towing and doing so can result in severe damage to the transmission.
Safety Precautions Before Towing
Before towing the Fit, it’s good to know that it has some specific safety rules you should be aware of. Please follow these instructions carefully:
- When towing a Honda Fit please make sure to not exceed a speed of 65 mph (100 km/h). Failure to do so will result in severe damage to the transmission that’s not covered under warranty.
- Make sure your steering wheel turns freely before towing the Honda Fit behind a recreational vehicle. A locked steering wheel will damage the internal components of this mechanism. Please see the instructions below on how to make sure the steering wheel turns freely.
- If the Honda Fit is towed for more than 8 hours per day then the step-by-step guide below needs to be repeated. This ensures the car remains safe to tow.
Step-By-Step Guide For Flat Towing
Before following these instructions, it’s good to know that Honda Fits from 2008 – 2013 have different steps than the 2014 – 2020 Fits. Below we’ve outlined the procedure for how to tow these different Fits.
2008 – 2013 Honda Fits
Perform the following steps every day before towing the vehicle. This is very important because you’ll damage the transmission otherwise.
Automatic Transmission
- Check the transmission fluid level (see page 259). Do not overfill.
- Start the engine.
- Press on the brake pedal. Move the shift lever through all its positions.
- Shift to the D position and hold for 5 seconds, then to N. Let the engine run for 3 minutes, then turn
it off. - Remove the 30A radio fuse to prevent battery drain. Please see the final subheading “Removing Fuses Before Towing”.
Please be aware that if you tow this Fit behind a recreational vehicle, then the automatic transmission fluid needs to be changed every two years or 30.000 miles (48.000 kilometers). Whichever comes first.
Manual Transmission
- Move the shift lever into the Neutral position.
- Release the parking brake.
- Leave the ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I) position so the steering wheel does not lock.
- Make sure the radio and any items plugged into the accessory power sockets are turned off so you do not run down
the battery. - Remove the 30A radio fuse to prevent battery drain. Please see the final subheading “Removing Fuses Before Towing”.
- When you stop towing your vehicle and shift out of the neutral position, you may not be able to move the shift
lever from neutral to reverse or Park. If this happens, press the brake pedal and turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position, then shift out of neutral.
2014 – 2020 Honda Fits
Please note once again that towing this generation of Fit is only possible with a manual transmission. CVT transmission cannot be flat towed. Here’s a great video going over the process and we’ve also written out the step-by-step instructions if you’re tight on time:
Perform the following procedure before towing your vehicle.
- Shift to (N).
- Release the parking brake.
- Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY. Make sure the steering wheel does not lock.
- Turn off all the electric devices. Do not use any accessory power sockets. This can prevent the battery from running down.
- Remove the 20A, 7.5A ACC and 15A back-up fuse to prevent battery drain. Please see the final subheading “Removing Fuses Before Towing”.
Removing Fuses Before Towing
2008 – 2013 Honda Fits
When towing your car for long periods, remove the 30A Radio fuse to reduce the drain on the battery. This fuse
is located in the interior fuse box and is shown as number 61 below.
Only remove the fuse after you have performed the transmission shifting procedure and the key is in the
ACCESSORY (I) position. Store the fuse in an obvious location (center pocket, etc.) as a reminder to reinstall the fuse before driving the vehicle.
2014 – 2020 Honda Fits
Models without Smart Entry system
- Remove the 20 A Front ACC Socket and 7.5 A ACC fuses. These fuses are located in
the interior fuse box. - Remove the 15 A Back Up Main fuse. This fuse is located in the engine compartment fuse box.
- Store the fuses in a safe place so you do not lose them. Make sure to reinstall the fuses before
you start driving your vehicle. - Shift to (N)
- Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY. Make sure the steering wheel does not lock.
Models with Smart Entry system
- Remove the 20 A Front ACC Socket and 7.5 A ACC fuses. These fuses are located in the interior fuse box. Please refer to page 566 of this owners manual to locate the interior fuse box.
- Remove the 15 A Back Up Main fuse. This fuse is located in the engine compartment fuse box. Please refer to page 564 of the above mentioned owners manual to locate the engine compartment fuse box.
- Store the fuses in a safe place so you do not lose them. Make sure to reinstall the fuses before you start driving your vehicle.
- Push the ENGINE START/STOP button without depressing the clutch pedal. The indicator on the ENGINE START/STOP button blinks.
- Touch the center of the ENGINE START/STOP button with the H logo on the smart entry remote while the indicator is blinking. The indicator stops blinking, then stays on.
- Shift to (N)
- Push the ENGINE START/STOP button once without depressing the clutch pedal. Make sure the steering wheel does not lock.
Closing Thoughts
Flat towing requires careful attention to the model year and transmission type in your Honda Fit’s generation. Prior to 2008, flat towing isn’t recommended based on the absence of this procedure in the owner’s manual.
For Fits made between 2008 and 2013, flat towing is feasible with both manual and automatic transmissions. However, for those manufactured from 2014 onwards, only manual transmissions are suited for flat towing, while CVT transmissions should absolutely be avoided for this purpose.
But knowing which models can be flat towed is just the start. Ensuring that you follow all the necessary safety precautions is paramount, as is meticulously preparing your Fit’s electrical circuit for the process.
So, if you’re considering using your Honda Fit as a towed vehicle, whether you’ve run out of fuel for your Fit or you’re hitting the road in your RV, be sure to review these details thoroughly and consult your owner’s manual for the most specific and authoritative information. Happy towing!
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Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!