2001 HONDA INSIGHT oil

To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil f ill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes and recheck the
oil level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Oil is major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
as long as you own it.
Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
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A dding Oil Recommended Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance
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EENNGGIINNEEOOIILLFFIILLLLCCAAPP
AAPPIICCEERRTTIIFFIICCAATTIIOONNSSEEAALL

The numbers on the container’s label
tell you the oil’s viscosity or weight.
Select the oil f or your car according
to this chart.You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.Your Honda does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
A very low-viscosity, f uel-ef f icient
0W-20 oil is pref erred engine
lubricant f or your Insight. This
special oil is f ormulated to help your
engine use less f uel. It is available at
your Honda dealer. A 5W-20 or
5W-30oilmaybeusedif 0W-20isnot
available.
Engine Oil
Maint enance Synthetic Oil Additives
168
AAmmbbiieennttTTeemmppeerraattuurree

Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lif t f or this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper
equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the
black cover under the engine.
Remove the oil drain bolt and
washer from the bottom of the
engine. Drain the oil into an
appropriate container.
Do not loosen the smaller bolt
located above the drain bolt.
1.
2.
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Changing the Oil and Filter
Engine Oil
Maint enance169
WWAASSHHEERROOIILLDDRRAAIINNBBOOLLTT

Let the engine run f or several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Install the black cover under the
engine.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available f rom your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the f ilter.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it. 5. 6. 7.
8. 9.
10.
3. 4.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
170
OOIILLFFIILLTTEERR 29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
2.6 US qt (2.5
, 2.2 Imp qt)
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is pref erred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stif f er
shif ting. Replace as soon as it is
convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
the level ground.
Remove the black cover under the
engine. Remove the transmission f iller bolt
and caref ully f eel inside the bolt hole
with your f inger. The f luid level
should be up to the edge of the bolt
hole. If it is not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt and tighten it securely.
Maint enance
T ransmission Fluid
5-speed Manual Transmission 180

Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
245
Maint enance
Air Conditioning System (Optional)
190
AAIIRRCCOONNDDIITTIIOONNIINNGGCCOONNDDEENNSSEERR Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.

Open the hood. Remove the electrical connectorf rom the bulb by squeezing the
connector on both sides to unlock
the tab. Pull the connector straight
off.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
If you need to change the head-
light bulb on the driver’s side,
remove the engine coolant
reservoir tank by pulling it out of
its holder.
Your car has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area, readjustment may be
required. Adjustment of the
headlights should be perf ormed by a
Honda technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
1.2. 3.
Lights
Maint enance
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight Bulb 200
HHOOLLDDEERRWWEEAATTHHEERRSSEEAALLBBUULLBB
CCOONNNNEECCTTOORRHHOOLLDD--DDOOWWNNWWIIRREE
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a body
wax to the painted surf aces that
mate with the door and hatch seals. Drive your car every month f or
about 30 minutes. This will keep
the IMA battery charged and in
good condition.
If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5-
speed manual) or Park (CVT). 169
158
Maint enance
St oring Your Car
206