2000 HONDA INSIGHT tire

Indicato
r Light s

Sea t Bel t Reminde r Ligh t
Thi s indicato r light s whe n yo u tur n
th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) . I t i s a
reminde r t o yo u an d you r passenger s
t o protec t yourselve s b y fastenin g
th e sea t belts . A beepe r als o sound s
i f yo u hav e no t fastene d you r sea t
belt .
I f yo u d o no t faste n you r sea t belt ,
th e beepe r wil l sto p afte r a fe w
second s bu t th e ligh t stay s o n unti l
yo u do . Bot h th e ligh t an d th e beepe r
sta y of f i f yo u faste n you r sea t bel t
befor e turnin g o n th e ignition .
Chargin g Syste m
Indicato r
I f thi s ligh t come s o n whe n th e
engin e is running , th e batter y is no t

bein g charged . Fo r complet e

information , se e pag e 21 9 .
Lo
w Oi l Pressur e
Indicato r
Th e engin e ca n b e severel y damage d
i f thi s ligh t flashe s o r stay s o n whe n
th e engin e is running . Fo r complet e

information , se e pag e 218 .

Supplementa l Restrain t

Syste m Indicato r

Thi s indicato r light s whe n yo u tur n
th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) . I f i t
come s o n a t an y othe r time , i t
indicate s a proble m in th e

supplementa l restrain t system . Fo r

complet e information , se e pag e 38 .
Shif t Up/Shif t Dow n Indicator s

Se e pag e 137 .

Aut o Idl e Sto p Indicato r

Se e pag e 135 .

IM A Syste m Indicato r
Thi s indicato r normall y come s o n fo r
a fe w second s whe n yo u tur n th e
ignitio n switc h O N (II) . I f i t come s o
n a t an y othe r time , i t indicate s a
proble m in th e Integrate d Moto r
Assis t (IMA ) system . Hav e th e
vehicl e checke d b y th e deale r a s

soo n a s possible .

U.S .

Parkin
g Brak e
an d Brak e

Syste m

Indicato r
Thi s ligh t ha s tw o functions :
1 . I t light s a s a reminde r tha t yo u
hav e no t release d th e parkin g
brake . Drivin g wit h th e parkin g
brak e applie d ca n damag e th e
brake s an d tires .
2 . I f i t remain s li t afte r yo u releas e
th e parkin g brake , o r come s o n
whil e driving , i t ca n indicat e a
proble m in th e brak e system . Fo r
complet e information , se e pag e

221 .

Instrument s an d Control s
Canad
a

SR S
BRAK
E

Accessorie
s an d Modification s

Modification s
D o no t remov e an y origina l
equipmen t o r modif y you r ca r i n an y
wa y tha t woul d alte r it s desig n o r
operation . Thi s coul d mak e you r ca r
unsaf e an d illega l t o drive .
Fo r example , d o no t mak e an y
modification s tha t woul d chang e th e
rid e heigh t o f you r car , o r instal l
wheel s an d tire s wit h a differen t
overal l diameter .
Suc h modification s ca n adversel y
affec t handling , an d interfer e wit h
th e operatio n o f th e car's other

systems .
I
n addition , an y modification s tha t
decreas e groun d clearanc e increas e
th e chanc e o f undercarriag e part s
strikin g a curb , spee d bump , o r othe r
raise d object , whic h coul d caus e
you r airbag s t o deploy .
D o no t modif y you r steerin g whee l
o r an y othe r par t o f you r
Supplementa l Restrain t System .
Modification s coul d mak e th e
syste m ineffective . Additiona
l Safet y Precautio n

Do not attach or place objects on the

airbag covers. Any objec t attache d to

o r place d o n th e cover s marke d "SR S
AIRBAG, " i n th e cente r o f th e
steerin g whee l an d o n to p o f th e
dashboard , coul d interfer e wit h th e
prope r operatio n o f th e airbags . Or ,
i f th e airbag s inflate , th e object s
coul d b e propelle d insid e th e ca r an d
hur t someone .

Befor e Drivin g

Preparin
g to Driv e

Yo u shoul d d o th e followin g check s
an d adjustment s ever y da y befor e
yo u driv e you r car .
1 . Mak e sur e al l windows , mirrors ,
an d outsid e light s ar e clea n an d
unobstructed . Remov e frost , snow ,
o r ice .
2 . Chec k tha t th e hoo d an d hatc h ar e
full y closed .
3 . Visuall y chec k th e tires . I f a tir e
look s low , us e a gaug e to chec k it s
pressure .
4 . Chec k tha t an y item s yo u ma y b e
carryin g wit h yo u insid e ar e store d
properl y o r fastene d dow n
securely . 5
. Chec k th e adjustmen t o f th e sea t
(se e pag e 7 4 ) .
6 . Chec k th e adjustmen t o f th e
insid e an d outsid e mirror s (se e
pag e 7 6 ) .
7 . Mak e sur e th e door s ar e securel y

close d an d locked .

8 . Faste n you r sea t belt . Chec k tha t
you r passenge r ha s fastene d hi s
sea t bel t (se e pag e 15 ). 9
. Tur n th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) .
Chec k th e indicato r light s i n th e
instrumen t panel .
10 . Star t th e engin e (se e pag e 13 3 ) .
11 . Chec k th e gauge s an d indicato r
light s i n th e instrumen t pane l (se e
pag e 45 ).

Drivin g

Th
e Brakin g Syste m

Brak e Syste m Desig n
Th e hydrauli c syste m tha t operate s
th e brake s ha s tw o separat e circuits .
Eac h circui t work s diagonall y acros s
th e vehicl e (th e left-fron t brak e i s
connecte d wit h th e right-rea r brake ,
etc.) . I f on e circui t shoul d develo p a
problem , yo u wil l stil l hav e brakin g
a t tw o wheels .
Anti-loc
k Brake s

You r ca r ha s a n Anti-loc k Brak e
Syste m (ABS ) a s standar d
equipment . AB S help s t o preven t th e
wheel s fro m lockin g u p an d skiddin g
durin g har d braking , allowin g yo u t o
retai n steerin g control .
Whe n th e fron t tire s skid , yo u los e
steerin g control ; th e ca r continue s
straigh t ahea d eve n thoug h yo u tur n
th e steerin g wheel . Th e AB S help s t o
preven t lock-u p an d help s yo u retai n
steerin g contro l b y pumpin g th e
brake s rapidly ; muc h faste r tha n a
perso n ca n d o it . Yo
u shoul d neve r pum p th e
brak e pedal , thi s defeat s th e
purpos e o f th e ABS . Le t th e AB S
wor k fo r yo u b y alway s keepin g firm ,
stead y pressur e o n th e brak e peda l
a s yo u stee r awa y fro m th e hazard .
Thi s i s sometime s referre d t o a s

"stomp and steer."

Yo u wil l fee l a pulsatio n i n th e brak e
peda l whe n th e AB S activates , an d
yo u ma y hea r som e noise . Thi s i s
normal , i t i s th e AB S rapidl y
pumpin g th e brakes .
Activatio n varie s wit h th e amoun t o f
tractio n you r tire s have . O n dr y
pavement , yo u wil l nee d t o pres s o n
th e brak e peda l ver y har d befor e yo u
activat e th e ABS . However , yo u ma y
fee l th e AB S activat e immediatel y i f
yo u ar e tryin g t o sto p o n sno w o r ice .

Drivin g

Fron
t

Drivin
g in Ba d Weather , Towin g a Traile r

Tractio n — Chec k you r tire s
frequentl y fo r wea r an d prope r
pressure . Bot h ar e importan t i n
preventin g "hydroplaning " (los s o f
tractio n o n a we t surface) . I n th e
winter , moun t sno w tire s o n al l fou r
wheel s fo r th e bes t handling .
Watc h roa d condition s carefully ,
the y ca n chang e fro m momen t t o
moment . We t leave s ca n b e a s slip -
per y a s ice . "Clear " road s ca n hav e
patche s o f ice . Drivin g condition s
ca n b e ver y hazardou s whe n th e
outsid e temperatur e is nea r freezing .
Th e roa d surfac e ca n becom e
covere d wit h area s o f wate r puddle s
mixe d wit h area s o f ice , s o you r
tractio n ca n chang e withou t warning .
B e carefu l whe n downshifting . I f
tractio n is low , yo u ca n loc k u p th e
driv e wheel s fo r a momen t an d caus e

a skid .
B
e ver y cautiou s whe n passing , o r
whe n bein g passe d b y othe r vehicles .
Th e spra y fro m larg e vehicle s
reduce s you r visibility , an d th e win d
buffetin g ca n caus e yo u to los e

control .
Towin
g a Traile r
You r vehicl e is no t designe d to to w a
trailer . Attemptin g to d o s o ca n voi d
you r warranties .

Driving

Maintenanc
e

Thi s sectio n explain s wh y i t i s
importan t t o kee p you r ca r wel l
maintaine d an d to follo w basi c
maintenanc e safet y precautions .
Thi s sectio n als o include s
Maintenanc e Schedule s fo r norma l
drivin g an d sever e drivin g conditions ,
a Maintenanc e Record , an d instruc -
tion s fo r simpl e maintenanc e task s
yo u ma y wan t t o tak e car e o f

yourself .

I f yo u hav e th e skill s an d tool s t o per -
for m mor e comple x maintenanc e
task s o n you r Honda , yo u ma y wan t
t o purchas e th e Servic e Manual . Se e
pag e 24 9 fo r informatio n o n ho w to
obtai n a copy , o r se e you r Hond a

dealer .
Maintenanc
e Safety...................... . 14 6
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 14 7
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 14 8
Maintenanc e Record.................... . 15 5
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 15 7
Flui d Locations.............................. . 15 8

Engin e Oil...................................... . 15 9
Addin g Oil.................................. . 15 9

Recommende d Oil.................... . 15 9

Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 16 0

Additives.................................... . 16 0
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 16 1
Coolin g System............................. . 16 3
Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 16 3
Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... . 16 5
Windshiel d Washers.................... . 16 9
Transmissio n Fluid....................... . 17 0
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 17 1
Brak e System............................ . 17 1
Clutc h System........................... . 17 2
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 17 3
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 17 4
Battery........................................... . 17 5
Wipe r Blades................................. . 17 7
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 18 0
Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 18 1 Driv
e Belts..................................... .
181

Tires............................................... . 18
2

Inflation...................................... . 18
2

Recommende d Tir e
Pressure s
fo
r Norma l
Driving............................... . 18

3

Inspection.................................. . 18 4
Maintenance.............................. .
18
4
Tir e Rotation............................. . 18 5
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheels... . 18 5
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 18 6
Winte r Driving.......................... . 18 6
Sno w Tires............................. . 18 7
Tir e Chains............................ . 18 7
Lights............................................. . 18 8
Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 19 0
Storin g You r Car........................... . 19 6
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

T o safel y operat e you r car , you r tire s
mus t b e th e prope r typ e an d size , i n

goo d conditio n wit h adequat e tread ,

an d correctl y inflated . Th e followin g

page s giv e mor e detaile d informatio n

o n ho w an d whe n to chec k ai r
pressure , ho w to inspec t you r tire s
fo r damag e an d wear , an d wha t t o d o
whe n you r tire s nee d to b e replaced .Inflatio
n
Keepin g th e tire s properl y inflate d
provide s th e bes t combinatio n o f
handling , trea d lif e an d ridin g
comfort . Underinflate d tire s wea r
unevenly , adversel y affec t handlin g
an d fue l economy , an d ar e mor e
likel y t o fai l fro m bein g overheated .
Overinflate d tire s ca n mak e you r ca r
rid e mor e harshly , ar e mor e pron e to
damag e fro m roa d hazards , an d wea r

unevenly .

W e recommen d tha t yo u visuall y
chec k you r tire s ever y day . I f yo u
thin k a tir e migh t b e low , chec k it
immediatel y wit h a tir e gauge .
Us e a gaug e to measur e th e ai r
pressur e a t leas t onc e a month . Eve n
tire s tha t ar e in goo d conditio n ma y
los e on e to tw o ps i (1 0 to 2 0 kPa , 0. 1
t o 0. 2 kgf/cm 2) pe r month .
Remembe r t o chec k th e spar e tir e a t
th e sam e tim e yo u chec k al l th e
othe r tires . Chec
k th e pressur e in th e tire s whe n
the y ar e cold . Thi s mean s th e ca r
ha s bee n parke d fo r a t leas t thre e
hours . I f yo u hav e to driv e th e ca r

befor e checkin g th e tir e pressure ,

th e tire s ca n stil l b e considere d

"cold " i f yo u driv e les s tha n 1 mil e

(1.6km) .

I f yo u chec k th e pressur e whe n th e
tire s ar e ho t (th e ca r ha s bee n drive n
severa l miles) , yo u wil l se e reading s
4 to 6 ps i (3 0 to 4 0
kPa ,
0. 3 to 0. 4
kgf/cm 2) highe r tha n th e col d
reading . Thi s is normal . D o no t le t
ai r ou t t o matc h th e specifie d col d
pressure . Th e tir e wil l b e

underinflated .

Maintenanc e

Usin
g tire s tha t ar e excessivel y
wor n o r improperl y inflate d ca n
caus e a cras h i n whic h yo u ca n
b e seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Follo w al l instruction s i n thi s
owner' s manua l regardin g tir e
inflatio n an d maintenance .