
2000 Insight Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com. Contents
Introduction
........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
........................................ .ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .43
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... 81
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................117
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .131
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................145
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .197
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................205
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, a nd how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................231
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................243
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................249
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Your Car at a Glance.....................................................................................\
....................2
Owner's Identification Form

Drivin
g
Thi s sectio n give s yo u tip s o n
startin g th e engin e unde r variou s
conditions , an d ho w to operat e th e
manua l transmission . I t als o include s
importan t informatio n o n parkin g
you r car , an d th e brakin g system . Preparin
g to Drive........................ . 13 2
Startin g th e Engine....................... . 13 3
Startin g in Col d Weathe r
a t Hig h Altitude.................... . 13 3
Aut o Idl e Stop................................ . 13 4
5-spee d Manua l Transmission.... . 13 6
Shif t Up/Shif t Dow n
Indicators............................... . 13 7
Engin e Spee d Limiter.............. . 13 7
Parking........................................... . 13 8
Parkin g Tips.............................. . 13 8
Th e Brakin g System..................... . 13 9
Brak e Wea r Indicators............. . 13 9
Brak e Syste m Design............... . 14 0
Anti-loc k Brakes....................... . 14 0
Drivin g in Ba d Weather............... . 14 2
Towin g a Trailer........................... . 14 3
Drivin g

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

Identificatio
n Number s
Th e Engin e Numbe r i s stampe d int o
th e engin e block .
Th e Transmissio n Numbe r i s o n a
labe l o n to p o f th e transmission .TRANSMISSIO
N NUMBE R ENGINE NUMBE R
IM A MOTO R NUMBE R
Technical Informatio n

Inde
x
Dipstic k
Engin e Oil.................................. . 12
2
Directiona l Signals.......................... .
6
1
Disabled , Towin g You r Ca r If..... . 22 8
Dis c Brak e Wea r Indicators........ . 13 9
Disposa l o f Use d Oil..................... . 16 2
Displa y Chang e Button.................. . 4 9
Door s
Lockin g an d Unlocking.............. . 6 9
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading.......... . 23 6
Downshifting , 5-spee d Manua l
Transmission............................. . 13 6
Driv e Belts..................................... . 18 1
Drive r an d Passenge r Safety........... . 5
Driving........................................... . 13 1
Economy.................................... . 12 4
I n Ba d Weather......................... . 14 2
I n Foreig n Countries................ . 23 9
Economy , Fuel.............................. . 12 4
Emergencie s o n th e Road............ . 20 5
Battery , Jum p Starting............. . 21 4
Brak e Syste m Indicator........... . 22 1
Changin g a Fla t Tire................ . 20
7
Chargin g Syste m
Indicator.....
. 21 9
Checkin g th e Fuses.................. . 22 3
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator..... . 21 8
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp... . 22 0
Overheate d Engine.................. . 21 7
Emergenc y Brake........................... . 7 7
Emergenc y Flashers...................... . 6 3
Emergenc y Towing...................... . 22 8
Emission s Controls....................... . 24 0
Engin e
Belts............................................ . 18 1
Coolan t Temperatur e Gaug e .... . 5 6
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lamp................................ . 47 , 22 0
Oil , Wha t Kin d to Use.............. . 15 9
Overheating............................... . 21 7
Specifications............................ . 23 4
Engin e Spee d Limiter................... . 13 7
Ethanoli n Gasoline...................... . 23 8
Evaporativ e Emission s Controls. . 24 0
Exhaus t Fumes............................... . 4 0
Expectan t Mothers , Us e o f Sea t
Belt s by........................................ . 1 7
Exterior , Cleanin g the.................. . 19 8 Fabric
, Cleaning............................ . 20 1
Fan , Interior..................................... . 8 2
Features , Comfor t an d
Convenience................................ . 8 1
Fillin g th e Fuel Tank.................... . 11 9
Filte r
Ai r Conditioning....................... . 18 1
Oil............................................... . 16 1
5-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 17 0
Shiftin g the................................ . 13 6
Flashers , Hazar d Warning............. . 6 3
Fla t Tire , Changin g a................... . 18 5
Fluid s
Brake.......................................... . 17 1
Clutch......................................... . 17 1
Manua l Transmission.............. . 17 0
Windshiel d Washer.................. . 16 9
F M Stere o Radi o
Reception................................... . 11 0
Foreig n Countries , Drivin g in..... . 23 9
Four-wa y Flashers.......................... . 6 3
CONTINUED

Inde
x
Fron t End , Towin g b y
Emergenc y Wrecker................ . 22 8
Fuel................................................. . 11 8
Fil l Doo r an d Cap...................... . 11 9
Gauge........................................... . 5 6
Octan e Requirement................ . 11 8
Oxygenated............................... . 23 8
Reserv e Indicator........................ . 5 6
Tank , Fillin g the........................ . 11 9
Fuses , Checkin g the..................... . 22 3
Ga s Mileage , Improving............... . 12 4
Gasohol.......................................... . 23 8
Gasoline......................................... . 11 8
Fue l Reserv e Indicator............... . 4 7
Gauge........................................... . 4 9
Octan e Requirement................ . 11 8
Tank , Fillin g the........................ . 11 9
Ga s Statio n Procedures................ . 11 9
Gauge s
Engin e Coolan t
Temperature........................... . 5 6
Fuel............................................... . 5 6
Gearshif
t Leve r Position s
5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 13 6
Glas s Cleaning............................. . 20 2
Glov e Box........................................ . 7 8
Haloge n Headligh t Bulbs............. . 19 0
Hatc h
Openin g the................................. .
69
Ope n Monito r
Light...................
. 4 7
Hazar d Warnin g Flashers.............. . 6 3
Headlight s
Daytim e Runnin g Lights............ . 6 0
Hig h Bea m Indicator.................. . 4 7
Hig h Beams , Turnin g on........... . 5 9
Lo w Beams , Turnin g o n ............ . 5 9
Reminde r Beeper........................ . 5 9
Replacin g Haloge n Bulbs........ . 19 0
Turnin g on................................... . 6 1
Heating............................................. . 8 1
Hig h Altitude , Startin g at............. . 13 3
High-Lo w Bea m Switc h ................. . 5 9
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 17 4
Hood , Openin g the....................... . 12 0
Horn....................................................
. 3
Ho t Coolant , Warnin g about....... . 16 3
Hydrauli c Clutch........................... . 17 1
Hydroplaning................................. . 14 2
Identificatio n Number , Vehicle... . 23 2
I f You r Ca r Ha s t o b e Towed...... . 22 8
Ignitio n
Keys.............................................. . 6 5
Switch........................................... . 6 7
Timin g Contro l System............ . 24 1
Importan t Safet y Precaution s ......... . 6
Indicato r Lights , Instrumen t
Panel............................................. . 4 5
Inflation , Prope r Tir e ................... . 18 2
Norma l Driving......................... . 18 3
Insid e Mirror................................... . 7 4
Inspection , Tire............................. . 18 4
Instrumen t Panel............................ . 4 5
Instrumen t Pane l Brightness........ . 6 0
Interio r Cleaning........................... . 20 1
Interio r Light................................... . 8 0
Introduction........................................ . i

Inde
x
Jackin g u p th e Car........................ . 20 7
Jack , Tire....................................... . 20 7
Jum p Starting................................ . 21 4
Keys.................................................. . 6 5
Label , Certification....................... . 23 2
Lan e Change , Signaling................. . 6 1
Lap/Shoulde r Belt.......................... . 3 4
Leakin g o f Exhaus t int o Car......... . 4 0
Lifetim e Fue l Mileage.................... . 5 3
Light s
Bulb Replacement.................... . 19 3
Indicator....................................... . 4 7
Parking......................................... . 4 6
Tur n Signal.................................. . 6 1
Loa d Limit..................................... . 12 9
LOC K (Ignitio n Ke y Position)...... . 6 7
Lock s
Fue l Fil l Door............................ . 11 9
Hatch............................................
. 6 9
Lo w Coolan t Level........................ . 12 3
Lo w Fuel Indicator......................... . 5 6
Lowe r Gear , Downshiftin g to a... . 13 7
Lubrican t Specification s Chart... . 23 4
Luggage......................................... . 12 8
Maintenance.................................. . 14 5
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks... . 15 7
Record........................................ . 15 5
Require d Indicator...................... . 5 7
Safety.......................................... . 14 6
Schedule.................................... . 14 8
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp. . 47 , 22 0
Manua l Transmission................... . 13 6
Manua l Transmissio n Flui d ........ . 17 0
Meters , Gauges............................... . 4 9
Methano l i n Gasoline................... . 23 8
Mirrors , Adjusting.......................... . 7 6
Ne w Vehicl e Break-i n .................. .
118
NOTICE , Explanatio n
of..................
.
ii
Numbers , Identification............... .
23
2
Octan
e Requirement ,
Gasoline...
.
118
Odometer......................................... .
49
Odometer , Trip............................... .
5
1
Oi l
Change , Ho w to........................ . 16 1
Change , Whe n to...................... . 15 0
Checkin g Engine...................... . 12 2
Selectin g Prope r Viscosit y
Chart...................................... . 16 0
O N (Ignitio n Ke y Position)........... . 6 8
Onboar d Refuelin g Vapo r
Recovery.................................... . 24 0
Openin g th e Hatch......................... . 6 9
Openin g th e Hood........................ . 12 0
Operatio n in Foreig n Countries.. . 23 9
Outsid e Mirrors.............................. . 7 6
Overheating , Engine.................... . 21 7
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 15 7
Oxygenate d Fuels......................... . 23 8
CONTINUED

Inde
x
Servic e Manual*........................... . 24 9
Servic e Statio n Procedures......... . 11 9
Settin g th e Clock.......................... . 10 1
Shiftin g
Th e 5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 13 6
Signalin g Turns............................... . 6 1
Sno w Tires..................................... . 18 7
Solvent-typ e Cleaners................... . 19 9
Soun d System.................................. . 9 6
Spar e Tir e
Inflating...................................... . 20 6
Specifications............................ . 23 5
Specification s Charts.................... . 23 4
Speedometer................................... . 4 9
SRS , Additiona l Information.......... . 3 6
Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 3 9
Ho w th e SR S Indicato r
Works....................................... . 3 8
Ho w You r Airbag s Work............ 36
SR S Components........................ . 3 6
SR S Service.................................. . 3 9
SR S Indicator............................. . 34 , 4 6
STAR T (Ignitio n Ke y Position).... . 6 8 Startin
g th e Engine....................... . 13 3
I n Col d Weathe r a t Hig h
Altitude.................................. . 13 3
Wit h a Dea d Battery................ . 21 4
Stea m Comin g fro m Engine........ . 21 7
Steerin g Whee l
Anti-thef t Colum n Lock............. . 6 7
Stere o Soun d System..................... . 9 6
Storin g You r Car........................... . 19 6
Supplementa l Restrain t
System.................................. . 9 , 3 6
Servicing...................................... . 3 9
SR S Indicator......................... . 34 , 4 6
Syste m Components................... . 3 6
Syntheti c Oil.................................. . 16 0
Tachometer..................................... . 5 6
Taillights , Changin g Bulb s in...... . 19 3
Takin g Car e o f th e
Unexpected............................... . 20 5
Tap e Player.................................... . 10 2
Technica l Description s
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading...... . 23 6
Drivin g in Foreig n Countries.. . 23 9 Emission
s Contro l Systems..... . 24 0
Oxygenate d Fuels..................... . 23 8
Thre e Wa y Catalyti c
Converter............................... . 24 2
Temperatur e Gauge....................... . 5 6
Tethe r Anchorag e Points.............. . 3 3
Thre e Wa y Catalyti c Converter.. . 24 2
Time , Settin g the.......................... . 10 1
Tir e Chains.................................... . 18 7
Tire , Ho w to Chang e a Flat.......... 185
Tires............................................... . 18 2
Ai r Pressure.............................. . 18 3
Checkin g Wear......................... . 18 4
Compac t Spare.......................... . 20 6
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading...... . 23 6
Inflation...................................... . 18 2
Inspection.................................. . 18 4
Replacing................................... . 18 5
Rotating...................................... . 18 5
Snow........................................... . 18 7
Specifications............................ . 23 5
Tir e Chains................................ . 18 7
Tools, Tire 207
CONTINUED