2000 HONDA INSIGHT brake

Maintenanc
e Schedul e

Th e Maintenanc e Schedul e specifie s
ho w ofte n yo u shoul d hav e you r ca r
service d an d wha t thing s nee d
attention . I t i s essentia l tha t yo u hav e
you r ca r service d a s schedule d to
retai n it s hig h leve l o f safety ,
dependability , an d emission s contro l

performance .
Th
e service s an d tim e o r distanc e
interval s show n in th e maintenanc e
schedul e assum e yo u wil l us e you r
ca r a s norma l transportatio n fo r
passenger s an d thei r possessions .
Yo u shoul d als o follo w thes e

recommendations :

Avoi d exceedin g you r car' s loa d
limit . Thi s put s exces s stres s o n
th e engine , brakes , an d man y
othe r part s o f you r car . Th e loa d
limi t i s show n o n th e labe l o n th e
driver' s doorjamb .
Operat e you r ca r o n reasonabl e
road s withi n th e lega l spee d limit .
Driv e you r ca r regularl y ove r a
distanc e o f severa l mile s

(kilometers) .

Alway s us e unleade d gasolin e wit h
th e prope r octan e ratin g (se e pag e

118 ). Whic
h Schedul e t o Follow :
Servic e you r ca r accordin g to th e
tim e an d mileag e period s o n on e o f
th e Maintenanc e Schedule s o n th e
followin g pages . Selec t th e schedul e
fo r "Sever e Conditions " i f mos t o f
you r drivin g is don e unde r on e o r
mor e o f th e condition s liste d o n tha t
page . Otherwise , follo w th e schedul e
fo r "Norma l Conditions. "
Maintenanc e

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s

Yo u shoul d chec k th e followin g
item s a t th e specifie d intervals . I f
yo u ar e unsur e o f ho w to perfor m
an y check , tur n to th e pag e given . Engin
e oi l leve l — Chec k ever y
tim e yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e
pag e 122 .
Engin e coolan t leve l — Chec k th e
radiato r reserv e tan k ever y tim e
yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e pag e 12 3 .
Windshiel d washe r flui d — Chec k
th e leve l i n th e reservoi r monthly .
I f weathe r condition s caus e yo u t o
us e th e washer s frequently , chec k
th e reservoi r eac h tim e yo u sto p
fo r fuel . Se e pag e 16 9 .
Brake s — Chec k th e flui d leve l
monthly . Se e pag e 171 . Tire
s — Chec k th e tir e pressur e
monthly . Examin e th e trea d fo r
wea r an d foreig n objects . Se e pag e
183 .
Light s — Chec k th e operatio n o f
th e headlights , parkin g lights ,
taillights , high-moun t brak e light ,
tur n signals , brak e lights , an d
licens e plat e light s monthly . Se e
pag e 188 .
Maintenanc e

Tire
s

Snow Tires
I f yo u moun t sno w tire s o n you r
Honda , mak e sur e the y ar e radia l
tire s o f th e sam e siz e an d loa d rang e
a s th e origina l tires . Moun t sno w
tire s o n al l fou r wheel s t o balanc e
you r car' s handlin g in al l weathe r
conditions . Kee p in min d th e tractio n
provide d b y sno w tire s o n dr y road s
ma y no t b e a s hig h a s you r car' s
origina l equipmen t tires . Yo u shoul d
driv e cautiousl y eve n whe n th e road s
ar e clear . Chec k wit h th e tir e deale r
fo r maximu m spee d recommenda -
tions . Tire
Chains
Moun t sno w chain s o n you r vehicl e
whe n warrante d b y drivin g condi -
tion s o r require d b y loca l laws . Mak e
sur e th e chain s ar e th e correc t siz e
fo r you r tires . Instal l the m onl y o n
th e fron t tires . I f meta l chain s ar e
used , the y mus t b e SA E clas s "S. "
Cabl e typ e tractio n device s ca n als o
b e used .
Whe n installin g chains , follo w th e
manufacturer' s instruction s an d
moun t the m as tightl y a s yo u can .
Driv e slowl y wit h chain s installed . I f
yo u hea r th e chain s contactin g th e
bod y o r chassis , sto p an d investigate .
Mak e sur e th e chain s ar e installe d
tightly , an d tha t the y ar e no t
contactin g th e brak e line s o r
suspension . Remov e th e chain s a s
soo n a s yo u begi n drivin g o n cleare d

roads .
Chains
of the wrong size or that are
improperly installed can damage your
car's brake lines, suspension, body, and
wheels. Stop driving if you hear the
chains hitting any pan of the car.
Maintenanc e

NOTIC
E

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e

I f yo u hav e a fla t tir e whil e driving ,
sto p in a saf e plac e t o chang e it .
Stoppin g in traffi c o r o n th e shoulde r
o f a bus y roa d is dangerous . Driv e
slowl y alon g th e shoulde r unti l yo u
ge t t o a n exi t o r a n are a to sto p tha t
i s fa r awa y fro m th e traffi c lanes . 1
. Par k th e ca r o n firm , level , non -
slipper y groun d awa y fro m traffic .
Pu t th e transmissio n in Reverse .
Appl y th e parkin g brake .
2 . Tur n o n th e hazar d warnin g light s
an d tur n th e ignitio n switc h t o
LOC K (0) . Hav e al l th e
passenger s ge t ou t o f th e ca r whil e
yo u chang e th e tire .
3 . Ope n th e hatch . Rais e th e carg o
are a floo r b y liftin g u p o n th e bac k

edge .
4
. Remov e th e storag e bo x fro m th e
carg o are a well .
5 . Tak e th e too l ki t fro m th e spar e
tir e well . Remov e th e jac k (i n th e
jac k cover ) fro m th e insid e o f th e
spar e tire .
6 . Unscre w th e win g bol t an d tak e
th e spar e tir e ou t o f it s well .

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Th
e ca r ca n easil y rol l of f th e
jack , seriousl y injurin g anyon e
underneath .
Follo w th e direction s fo r
changin g a tir e exactly , an d
neve r ge t unde r th e ca r whe n i t
i s supporte d onl y b y th e jack . FLOOR BOARD
TOOL KIT
SPARE TIRE
JACK
STORAGE BOX

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Start , Jum p Startin g

Th e Starte r Operate s Normall y
I n thi s case , th e starte r motor' s
spee d sound s normal , o r eve n faste r
tha n normal , whe n yo u tur n th e
ignitio n switc h to STAR T (III) , bu t
th e engin e doe s no t run .
Ar e yo u usin g th e prope r startin g
procedure ? Refe r t o Startin g th e
Engin e o n pag e 13 3 .
D o yo u hav e fuel ? Tur n th e
ignitio n switc h to O N (II ) fo r a
minut e an d watc h th e fue l gauge .
Th e lo w fue l leve l warnin g ligh t
ma y no t b e working , s o yo u wer e
no t reminde d t o fil l th e tank .
Ther e ma y b e a n electrica l
problem , suc h a s n o powe r t o th e
fue l pump . Chec k al l th e fuse s
(se e pag e 222 ).
I f yo u fin d nothin g wrong , yo u wil l
nee d a qualifie d technicia n to fin d
th e problem . Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 22 8 . Jum
p Startin g
I f you r car' s batter y ha s ru n down ,
yo u ma y b e abl e to star t th e engin e
b y usin g a booste r battery . Althoug h
thi s seem s lik e a simpl e procedure ,
yo u shoul d tak e severa l precautions .T
o jum p star t you r car , follo w thes e
direction s closely :
1 . Ope n th e hoo d an d chec k th e
physica l conditio n o f th e batter y
(se e pag e 17 5 ) . I n ver y col d
weather , chec k th e conditio n o f
th e electrolyte . I f i t seem s slush y
o r lik e ice , d o no t tr y jum p startin g
unti l i t thaws .

If a battery sits in extreme cold, the

electrolyte inside can freeze.

Attempting to jump start with a frozen

battery can cause it to rupture.

2 . Tur n of f al l th e electrica l acces -
sories : heater , A/C , stere o system ,
lights , etc .
Pu t th e transmissio n i n Neutra l
an d se t th e parkin g brake .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E

A
batter y ca n explod e i f yo u d o
no t follo w th e correc t procedure ,
seriousl y injurin g anyon e

nearby .

Kee p al l sparks , ope n flames ,
an d smokin g material s awa y
fro m th e battery .

I
f You r Engin e Overheat s

Th e pointe r o f you r car' s tempera -
tur e gaug e shoul d sta y in th e mid -
rang e unde r mos t conditions . I t ma y
g o highe r i f yo u ar e drivin g u p a lon g
stee p hil l o n a ver y ho t day . I f i t
climb s to th e re d mark , yo u shoul d

determin e th e reason .

Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
You
r ca r ca n overhea t fo r severa l
reasons , suc h a s lac k o f coolan t o r a

mechanica l problem . Th e onl y

indicatio n ma y b e th e temperatur e

gaug e climbin g to o r abov e th e re d
mark . O r yo u ma y se e stea m or

spra y comin g fro m unde r th e hood .

I n eithe r case , yo u shoul d tak e

immediat e action .
1
. Safel y pul l t o th e sid e o f th e road .
Pu t th e transmissio n in Neutra l
an d se t th e parkin g brake . Tur n
of f th e heatin g an d coolin g syste m
an d al l othe r accessories . Tur n o n
th e hazar d warnin g indicators .
2 . I f yo u se e stea m and/o r spra y
cornin g fro m unde r th e hood , tur n
of f th e engine .
3 . I f yo u d o no t se e stea m or spray ,
leav e th e engin e runnin g an d
watc h th e temperatur e gauge . I f
th e hig h hea t i s du e to overloadin g
(climbin g a long , stee p hil l o n a
ho t da y wit h th e A/ C running , fo r
example) , th e engin e shoul d star t
t o coo l dow n almos t immediately .
I f i t does , wai t unti l th e tempera -
tur e gaug e come s dow n to th e mid -
poin t the n continu e driving .

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E

Steam an d spra y fro m a n
overheate d engin e ca n
seriousl y scal d you .
D o no t ope n th e hoo d i f stea m
i s comin g out .

Emergenc
y Towin g

I f you r ca r need s t o b e towed , cal l a
professiona l towin g servic e or , i f yo u
belon g to one , a n organizatio n tha t
provide s roadsid e assistance . Neve r
to w you r ca r behin d anothe r vehicl e
wit h jus t a rop e o r chain . I t i s ver y

dangerous .

Ther e ar e thre e popula r type s o f
professiona l towin g equipment .
Flat-bed Equipment — Th e operato r
load s you r ca r o n th e bac k o f a truck .
Thi s i s th e best way t o transpor t
you r Honda .
Wheel-Lift Equipment — Th e to w
truc k use s tw o pivotin g arm s tha t g o
unde r th e tire s (fron t o r rear ) an d lif t
the m of f th e ground . Th e othe r tw o
tire s remai n o n th e ground . Thi s i s

a n acceptabl e wa y to to w you r

Honda .

Sling-type Equipment — Th e to w

truc k use s meta l cable s wit h hook s o
n th e ends . Thes e hook s g o aroun d
part s o f th e fram e o r suspensio n an d
th e cable s lif t tha t en d o f th e ca r of f
th e ground . You r car' s suspensio n
an d bod y ca n b e seriousl y damaged .
Thi s metho d o f towin g is
unacceptable .
I f you r Hond a canno t b e transporte d
b y flat-bed , i t shoul d b e towe d b y
wheel-lif t equipmen t wit h th e fron t
wheel s of f th e ground . I f du e t o
damage , you r ca r mus t b e towe d
wit h th e fron t wheel s o n th e ground ,
d o th e following :
Releas e th e parkin g brake .
Shif t th e transmissio n t o Neutral .
Improper
towing preparation will

damage the transmission. Follow the

above procedure exactly. If you cannot

shift the transmission, your car must be

transported with the front wheels off

the ground.

Wit h th e fron t wheel s o n th e ground ,
i t i s bes t t o to w th e ca r n o farthe r
tha n 5 0 mile s (8 0 km) , an d kee p th e
spee d belo w 3 5 mp h (5 5 km/h) .
I f you r ca r i s equippe d wit h a fron t
spoiler , remov e i t befor e towin g s o i t
i s no t damaged .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E

Inde
x

Accessorie s an d Modifications... . 12 6
Accessories................................ . 12 6
Additiona l Safet y Precaution... . 12 7
Modifications............................ . 12 7
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... . 6 8
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... . 7 9
Addin g
Brak e Fluid................................ . 17 1
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 17 1
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 16 3

Engin e Oil.................................. . 15 9

Manua l Transmissio n Flui d .... . 17 0
Windshiel d Washe r Fluid........ . 16 9
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r Sea t Belts....................... . 3 4
Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 3 4
Sea t Bel t Maintenance............... . 3 5
Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 3 4
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r SRS................................... 36
Additiona l Safel y Precautions... . 3 9
Ho w th e SR S Indicato r

Works....................................... . 3 8
Ho
w You r Airbag s Work........... . 3 6
SR S Components........................ . 3 6
Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 16 0
Adjustment s

Mirrors......................................... . 7 6

Seats............................................. . 7 4

Airba g (SRS)............................... .
9
, 4
6

Ai r Conditionin g
System................
.

88

Maintenance.............................. . 18 0

Usage............................................ .
8
8

Ai r Outlet s (Vents)......................... . 8 8
Ai r Pressure , Tires....................... . 18 2

Norma l Driving......................... . 18 2

Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 23 8
Antifreeze...................................... . 16 3

Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n

Lock.............................................. . 6 7

Appearanc e Care.......................... . 19 7

Audi o System.................................. . 9 6

Aut o Idl e Stop................................ . 13 4

Batter y

Chargin g Syste m

Indicator........................... . 54 , 21 9
Jum
p Starting............................ . 21 4
Maintenance.............................. . 17 5
Specifications............................ . 23 5
Befor e Driving.............................. . 11 7
Belts , Seat.......................................... . 8
Beverag e Holder............................. . 7 8
Bod y Repairs................................. . 20 3

Brake s

Break-in , Ne w Lining s ............. . 11 8

Fluid........................................... . 17 1

Light , Burned-out..................... . 19 3

Parking......................................... . 7 7

Syste m Indicator................. . 46 ,

221

Wea r Indicators........................ .
13
9
Brakin g System............................. . 14 0
Break-in , Ne w Car........................ . 11 8
Brightnes s Control , Instruments.. . 6 0
Brights , Headlights........................ . 5 9
Bul b Replacemen t
Back-u p Lights.......................... . 19 3
Brak e Light............................... . 19 3
Fron t Parkin g Lights................ .

191

Fron t Sid e
Marke
r Lights........ .

191

Headlights................................. .
190

CONTINUED