How to turn on cruise control on Honda Fit?
Turn on cruise control on a Honda Fit by pressing the steering-wheel CRUISE button (often labeled CRUISE or CRUISE MAIN) to activate the system, then accelerate to your desired speed and press SET to engage. The feature typically works above about 25 mph (40 km/h) and can be canceled by braking or pressing CANCEL; RES resumes the previously set speed.
Understanding Cruise Control in the Honda Fit
Cruise control in the Honda Fit is a convenience feature that helps maintain a steady speed on highways and open roads. Availability varies by trim level and model year, with higher trims more likely to have the system equipped. The basic operation relies on turning the system on, selecting a set speed, and using dedicated buttons to adjust, resume, or cancel. Always remember that cruise control does not replace attentive driving, and you should disengage in heavy traffic, inclement weather, or complex road conditions.
Trim and model-year variations
In most North American Fit models, cruise control is found on EX and EX-L trims and may be optional or unavailable on base LX trims depending on the year. Some early or market-specific versions may require an additional "CRUISE MAIN" or similar switch to enable the feature. If you’re unsure whether your Fit has cruise control, check the owner’s manual or the steering-wheel controls for a button labeled CRUISE, CRUISE MAIN, SET/RES, or CANCEL.
Steps to Use Cruise Control
These steps outline the standard procedure for Fits equipped with cruise control. If your model uses slightly different labels on the steering wheel, substitute the corresponding button names.
- Start the car and drive in a safe lane at or above the minimum cruising speed (typically about 25 mph / 40 km/h).
- Press the steering-wheel button labeled CRUISE or CRUISE MAIN to turn the system on. A green indicator or cruise icon should illuminate on the dashboard.
- Accelerate to your desired speed, then press SET (or SET/−) to lock in that speed. The car will maintain that pace without you pressing the accelerator.
- To adjust while cruising, press the +RES or -SET buttons to increase or decrease speed incrementally, or briefly hold to change more quickly.
- To cancel the current set speed, press CANCEL or tap the brake pedal. The system will disengage but may retain the previously set speed in memory.
- To resume the previously set speed, press RES (or RES/SET) and the vehicle will accelerate back to that pace.
Engaging cruise control on a highway or long stretch of road allows for smoother driving with less fatigue, provided you remain alert and ready to take over if conditions change.
Safety reminders and limitations
Cruise control is a helpful aid, not a substitute for attentive driving. Do not use it in heavy traffic, on winding roads, in rain or snow, or in adverse weather conditions. Maintain a safe following distance from vehicles ahead, keep your hands on the wheel, and be prepared to override the system if needed.
Troubleshooting and tips
If cruise control does not engage, consider these common issues and fixes before seeking service:
- Confirm your Fit actually has cruise control for your trim/year; some base models may not include the feature.
- Ensure the ignition is on and the car is at a permissible cruising speed.
- Check that you are not pressing the brake pedal or clutch (if manual) while trying to engage; braking usually cancels the system.
- Look for a dash indicator showing the cruise control is ON; if it does not illuminate, the system may be disabled or require service.
- If the system engages but won’t hold speed, there could be a fault with the wheel speed sensors or throttle control; consult a dealer for a diagnostic.
If problems persist after basic checks, refer to the owner’s manual or contact a Honda service center for a professional inspection or software update.
Summary
Reacting to highway conditions, the Honda Fit’s cruise control helps maintain a steady speed once activated, set, and engaged. Activation usually involves pressing a CRUISE button on the steering wheel, followed by setting your speed at or above the minimum threshold. Availability depends on trim and model year, so verify with your manual or dealer if you’re unsure. Always drive with attention and be ready to take control when needed.
Why is my cruise control not working on my Honda Fit?
If your Honda Fit's cruise control isn't working, common culprits include a blown fuse, a faulty brake light switch, or a problem with the clutch pedal switch. Other issues could be a bad cruise control switch or stalk, a damaged clock spring, or a malfunctioning speed sensor. You should start with the simplest checks like fuses and switches before moving to more complex repairs.
You can watch this video to learn how to check your Honda cruise control's adaptive functionality: 55sMechanical MalarkeyYouTube · Sep 4, 2023
Simple checks
- Check the fuse: The cruise control has its own fuse. If it's blown, the system will stop working. You can check the fuse box for the cruise control fuse and replace it if it's blown.
- Check the brake light switch: This switch is designed to disengage cruise control when you hit the brake. If the switch is faulty or stuck, it can falsely signal that the brake is engaged, preventing cruise control from turning on. A simple test is to see if your brake lights work correctly, though a malfunctioning switch can sometimes cause both issues.
- Check the clutch pedal switch: On manual transmission models, cruise control won't engage if the clutch pedal isn't fully released. A common problem is the clutch switch not being properly adjusted. Try gently pulling up on the clutch pedal to see if this engages the cruise control.
- Check the cruise control buttons: The physical buttons on the steering wheel can become worn out or dirty. Try cleaning the buttons with contact cleaner, or for older models, a simple fix might be to place an O-ring on the switch to keep it from sticking.
- Check the horn: If your horn is also not working, the clock spring could be the issue. This is a common problem in Honda Fits and will cause both the horn and the cruise control to malfunction.
More advanced checks
- Use an OBD-II scanner: A scanner can identify specific error codes that point to the exact problem, such as a speed sensor issue.
- Inspect the speed sensor: If the speed sensor is malfunctioning, it can cause cruise control to fail. You may also notice other issues like an inaccurate speedometer or rough idling.
- Inspect the clock spring: A clock spring allows electrical signals to be sent from the steering wheel to the car's systems. A failure here is a common cause of both horn and cruise control problems.
- Check vacuum hoses (older models): On older Fits, vacuum hoses and actuators control the throttle. Any leaks or damage to these can affect cruise control.
You can watch this video to see how to replace the clock spring on a Honda Fit: 53sBryan EmbleyYouTube · Oct 3, 2016
What to do
- Start with the simplest checks first (fuse, brake light switch, clutch switch, cruise control buttons).
- If the simple checks don't fix the problem, move on to more complex diagnostics like checking the speed sensor or the clock spring.
- If you're not comfortable with more advanced diagnostics, take your vehicle to a mechanic for a professional diagnosis and repair.
How do I turn on cruise control on my Honda?
There's a distance indicator. So it's how close or far are you away from the vehicle that's in front of you.
How to set cruise control on Honda Fit?
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- Press the CRUISE button. The CRUISE MAIN indicator appears.
- Press the RES/+ button to increase speed or the -/SET button to decrease speed. Each time you press the button, the vehicle speed is increased or decreased by about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
- Press the CANCEL button or the brake pedal.
Do all Honda Fits have cruise control?
Standard on Fit EX and above trims and available on Fit LX and Sport trims, this remarkable technology makes driving on the open road easier and more convenient.
