2001 HONDA INSIGHT battery

The air intake f or the battery is
located behind the passenger’s seat.
Do not block this air intake with any
cargo.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
hatch, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of carbon monoxide
poisoning, f ollow the instructions
on page .
The f loor on the storage box is
made of a sof t light plastic
material. It is not strong enough to
stand heavy goods on it.
To secure the cargo, you can use the
f our cargo hooks on the cargo area.
The illustration shows the location of
each cargo hook. The cargo net can be used to help
hold down light items in the cargo
area. The cargo net may not prevent
heavy items f rom being thrown
forwardinacrashorasuddenstop.
Cargo secured with this net should
not exceed 22 lbs (10 kg). Heavy
items should be secured to the cargo
area floor with tie-downs or cinch
straps attached to the cargo hooks.
40
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving Air Intake
Cargo Hooks Cargo Net
132
AAIIRRIINNTTAAKKEE
CCaarrggooHHooookkssaannddCCaarrggooNNeett

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not
f unction unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) f or
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause f or at least 10 seconds
bef ore trying again.
If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stallsright away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting in order to clear f looding.
As bef ore, keep the ignition key in
the START (III) position f or no
more than 15 seconds. Return to
step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lif t your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.
An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air f ound at
high altitude above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to the problem.
Use the f ollowing procedure: Turn of f all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery.
Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the f loor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) f or more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
1. 2. 3. 4.5. 6.
1. 2. 3.
Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission:
Starting the Engine
Driving
Starting in Cold Weather at High
A ltitude (A bove 8,000 f eet/
2,400 meters)
135

To maximize f uel economy, your
Insight has an Auto Idle Stop
f unction. Under certain conditions,
the engine will shut of f when you
come to a stop. Those conditions are:The engine coolant is nearly up to
normal operating temperature.
The vehicle’s speed is below 19
mph (30 km/h) and you are
pressing on the brake pedal to
come to a stop.
You depress the clutch pedal.
You are not pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
The IMA battery is sufficiently
charged (at least 1/3 on the
Battery Level Gauge).
The A/C is of f , or in ECON mode
(See pages ). There is adequate vacuum reserve
f or the power brakes.
When these conditions are met, the
engine will shut of f as you come to a
stop. It will start again automatically
when you depress the clutch pedal
and move this shift lever to first gear.
There is no need to start the engine
with the ignition switch.
It is recommended that you move
the shift lever to Neutral and remove
your f oot f rom the clutch pedal while
you are stopped. Sitting with the
clutch pedal depressed and the shif t
lever in gear will cause the engine to
continue running, def eating the f uel
economy benef its of the Auto Idle
Stop f unction. During Auto Stop, the IMA charge
and power brake vacuum reserve is
monitored by the system. If either
drops below a desired level, and the
shif t lever is in Neutral, the engine
will restart so it can recharge the
IMA battery or replenish the vacuum
supply.
84, 93
CONT INUED
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving
Auto Idle Stop
137

To maximize f uel economy, your
Insight has an Auto Idle Stop
f unction. Under certain conditions,
the engine will shut of f when you
come to a stop. Those conditions are:The engine coolant is nearly up to
normal operating temperature. During Auto Stop, the IMA charge
and power brake vacuum reserve is
monitored by the system. If the
vacuum reserve drops below an
optimal level, the engine will restart
to replenish the vacuum supply. If
the IMA charge drops below an
optimal level and the shift lever is in
Neutral, the engine will restart to
recharge the IMA battery.
The shift lever is in D or N.
You are not pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
The IMA battery is sufficiently
charged (at least 1/3 on the
Battery Level Gauge).
The A/C is of f , or in ECON mode,
and the outside temperature is
above 41°F (5°C) (See pages , ). There is adequate vacuum reserve
f or the power brakes.
When these conditions are met, the
engine will shut of f as you are
braking to a stop and the vehicle
speed goes below 5 mph (8 km/h).
The engine will start again when you
release the brake pedal. It will also
restart, even if you are still pressing
the brake pedal, under these
conditions:
You move the shif t lever f rom D
orNtoR,L,orP.
You press the accelerator pedal.
You are on an incline, and the
vehicle begins rolling.
93 84
CONT INUED
Driving
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Auto Idle Stop
145

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 154
.
Important Safety Precautions . 155
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 156
....................
Maintenance Record . 163
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 165
..............................
Fluid Locations . 166
......................................
Engine Oil . 167
..................................
Adding Oil . 167
....................
Recommended Oil . 167
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 168
....................................
Additives . 168
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 169
.............................
Cooling System . 171
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 171
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 173
....................
Windshield Washers . 177
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 178
Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) . 178
5-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission . 180
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 181
............................
Brake System . 181
...........................
Clutch System . 182
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 183
....................................
Hood Latch . 184 ...........................................
Battery . 185
.................................
Wiper Blades . 187
..............
Air Conditioning System . 190
..................
DustandPollenFilter .191
.....................................
Drive Belts . 191
...............................................
Tires . 192
......................................
Inf lation . 192
Recommended TirePressures f or Normal
...............................
Driving . 193
..................................
Inspection . 194
..............................
Maintenance . 194
.............................
Tire Rotation . 195
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 195
......................
Wheels and Tires . 196
..........................
Winter Driving . 196
.............................
Snow Tires . 197
............................
Tire Chains . 197
.............................................
Lights . 198
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 199
...........................
Storing Your Car . 206
259
Maintenance
Maint enance
153

Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts.
Do
not run the engine unless in-
structed to do so. Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have the
tools and skills required.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, be caref ul when working
around gasoline or batteries. Use a
commercially available degreaser or
parts cleaner, not gasoline, to clean
parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and
flames away from the battery and all
f uel-related parts.
Bef ore you begin any maintenance,
make sure your car is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is set. Also, be sure the engine
is of f . This will help to eliminate
several potential hazards:
You should wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
near the battery or when using
compressed air.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon monoxide poisoning
f rom engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Injury f rom moving parts.
155

Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the
test indicator’s colors.
Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
CONT INUED
Battery
Maint enance
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
185
TTEESSTTIINNDDIICCAATTOORRWWIINNDDOOWW

µ
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car’s
electrical system.
Maint enance
Battery
186 The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normaloperation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the batterymaintenance.
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car’s electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables bef ore connecting the
battery to a charger.