Hello-
I hear some can be real mean on here, which kind-of took me by surprise, but then I thought; "there are mean people everywhere."

Anyway, I am taking my chances because my feelings usually do not get hurt. Also, I have a couple questions I really need to know. I should say again that I am new to computers (yea, really..the high tech stuff complicates my life opposed to what other people say that it makes their life easier.) so a bit of patience might be needed.

I just drove home the Honda Fit after trading in my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. I am so confused just about the back seats, that my OCD is in overdrive.

As far as the USB port (or would it be called cable) in the glove compartment. I cannot think of what that is for except I am hoping I can use for my notebook; that has been sitting in the box for 2 months; on my trip across to wherever? if not, can somebody tell me in plain words what it is for?

The sales guy said the plug type port (where I would try to plug in my shaver charger or some headphones) is for an ipod and the cigarette lighter port is for an inverter type unit. I do not even know how to word this stuff, but what I really want to know is if there is anyway with all the ports (especially the one that looks like a USB port) to use a notebook computer in the car? (and not while driving...)

Also, the sales guy did not explain the "S" on the gear shift very well. he said do not get too excited about that but it is for using the paddles on the steering wheel as a manual auto and really does not work and can ruin the car. I thought that was awesome because I wanted a manual but of course he could not find one. (Not ruin the car but a car that can be used as an automatic and a manual.) He apparently could only find the most expensive Fit.

Can someone explain to me are the paddles on the steering wheel to be used like a stick shift? Is it bad for the car if i use the paddles while the gear stick is in "D?"

I looked up all these question BTW but I could not find a straight answer. if the paddles make the car a manual, that is an awesome invention (i think).

Thanks

 

The USB port allows you to access music stored electronically on an iPod or a thumb drive. The system allows you to access the folders and files via the buttons on the head unit. It even displays artist, album and song title.

The paddle shifters don't make the automatic transmission a manual; they just allow you to manually select the 'gears'. Don't expect true manual shift speeds. Most paddle-shifted auto transmissions also override your chosen gear at high rpm to ensure that you don't harm the engine and transmission. It may be a great toy for people who can't live with a manual transmission day-to-day, but it is NOT a manual transmission.

 

To charge a laptop in the car (or us it "plugged in"), you'd probably need an inverter (basically a box that converts your 12 volt DC into 110 AC). You'd plug the inverter into the "cigarette lighter" port at the bottom of the dash, and plug your laptop's power brick into one of the AC outlets on the inverter. This might only work when the key's in the "On" position.

The USB port in the glove box, as FexMonkey mentioned, is to plug in an iPod or thumb drive to play through the stereo.

The S on the gear shift is for "Sport" mode, where you can shift manually using the paddles, if you desire. Shifting with the paddles merely overrides the shift points on the automatic transmission, at least up to the point where the transmission shifts itself to avoid overrevving the engine. It's fun to play with, but probably won't do much for the fuel economy, which is why most people buy the Fit anyway. Shifting with the paddles WILL NOT ruin your car. Sounds to me like your car salesman, like altogether too many others, knows very little about what he's selling....

 

For people who are genuine novices, are honest about their lack of experience, and ask for help, there is plenty of help available here. "meanness" that you worry about is only aimed at people who lie and pretend to have more knowledge and experience than they actually have. When a "show off" only has the emptiness of his skull to show off, he only makes himself a target.

You don't seem to be at much risk of becoming a target. Asking questions is what intelligent people do when they want to learn.

 

As pointed out by everyone so far the paddles are merely substitution of the programmed shift rpm in the Drive mode with manually selected ones in Sport mode. They are not hydraulic shifted manuals as on othercars - Mitsubishi, Ferrari and Maserati come to mind but usual 5 speed slurpomatics. Honda didn't even give us their CVT, a much better transmission. That with paddles would be a hoot. (See Versa SL)
Being an old racer I find the paddles certainly enjoyable as the automatic ones don't often match what I need in gearing.
Yes the minimum rpm and maximum rpm limits remain and if you don't shift manually with the paddle they will shift anyway. As far as I know even Ferraris have that safeguard as well. You don't need to stall or scatter engine parts because you 'forgot' or didn't ay attention.
Here's the kicker: I get better mpg in Sport than Drive. Don't get me wrong, my mpg varies from 30 to 33 mpg, not the astronomical claims that are made. (I drove a manual for a hundred miles and only got 35 with it.)
But then I drive like I'm going somewhere. And we have lots of hills to go up and down. And that salesman, he used to sell Buicks.
enjoy.

 

OK, I thought the other port, like the plug next to the cigarette lighter, and the cig lighter were for the iPod. (at least one of them that I had in my older Honda) I have not seen a USB port in a car. So the USB port is for the iPod too? How many ways do iPod users need to use their machine? What would happen if I plugged the USB cable into the USB plug on my notebook? I know stupid question (well, try it and see what happens...)

I am still lost as far as the paddles. They work not just in "S" but in "D" too.

So far I am not impressed with this car. is the Fit considered a good car? I got sucked into buying it. I did not check it out before I said yes to the sales guy. I took my ca in to see how much they would give me for my Honda Civic and the next thing i was saying yes to a Fit that just came in. I can barely fit in the car and the NAV is way too complicated for me.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

Hopefully I can explain the paddles to the exent that I have learned (Had the car for 1 week). If you are in "D" and you try and use the paddles, you can down shift and upshift but the computer will take back over within about 5 seconds. If you are in "S" and you engage in the paddle shifters, it will not shift for you unless you stop (then it will shift down into 1st for you) or you redline for more than a few seconds (yes it will let you redline in "S") and it will not take over for your until you put it back into "D" (and you can put it back into D at any time even at 70 MPH.)

The fit is considered to be one of the best, most reliable sub-compacts around. If you dont seem to "fit" in the Fit, try moving the telescoping steering wheel around. Im 6'1 and when i moved the steering wheel around to "fit" me, i am very pleased with the room. Hope I helped!

 

The Paddle Shifters on the Fit, or any other inexpensive car, in my opinion, are a gimmick. They allow you to make a quick up or down shift of your AT as you drive but the AT can and will overrule your shift if the computer thinks you made a bad choice. The Paddle Shifters in an F1 or expensive sports car are hooked to a true MT with an automatic clutch.

If you want to shift gears get the Fit with an MT. I had my dealer check out the other dealers in the area to find an MT for me.

 

First the USB port, nothing will happens if you plug your laptop to the USB ports, as it is ment to be the other way around as someone else here mentioned. You can plug the iPod, a USB memory stick or a USB harddrive. I use both memory stick and a usb harddrive on that port, but then again I have a diffrent headunit now, but as I read in the manual it works the same way on the stock headunit.


The 3.5mm minijack connection down with the cigarette lighter port is for auxillary audio input. You can use whatever audio-unit that has a sound output (preferably with line level). You can connect your laptop's audio output to this plug and hear the sound from your movie in the cars speakers


I have a CVT (it is like the AT without "steps" in the transmission) and I use the paddles for selecting gear when coasting down a hill. You'll save gas that way too. It works the same on the AT. I have found no other use for the paddles, it was fun to use only the first time. Probably gives you a better "racing feeling" using the paddles.

And NO you can not ruin the car using the paddles
Think of it: why would they make some buttons on the car that ruin the car when you use them? Would it not be better if the buttons where not there so no one accidental would use them...
All cars today is built almost idiot-proof, so goahead and play with all the buttons. You can use all the buttons on the car except popping the hood when in speed, THAT may ruin your car

 

There ain't no meanies here...



unless we forget to take our meds...