2001 HONDA INSIGHT Owners Manual

To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Saf ety Hotline toll-f ree
at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
Washington D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Washington,
D.C. 20590. You can also obtain
other inf ormation about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
If you believe that your vehicle has a
def ect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inf orm the
National Highway Traf f ic Saf ety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it f inds that a saf ety def ect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions
Reporting Saf ety Def ects (U.S. Vehicles)
258

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 $#
The f ollowing publications covering the operation and
servicing of your vehicle can be obtained f rom Helm
Incorporated, either by f illing out the attached f orm or,
f or credit card holders, calling the toll-f ree phone number
on the f orm. For manuals prior to the year shown below,
contact Helm Incorporated, P.O. Box 07280, Detroit,
Michigan 48207, or call 1-800-782-4356.
Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should
contact their authorized Honda dealer.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
259
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Publication
Form Number 61S3Y0061S3Y02
61S3Y01EL 61S3Y30
31S3Y611 HON-R Form Description
2000 Honda Insight Service Manual
2001 Honda Insight
Service Manual Supplement 2001 Honda Insight
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2000-2001 Honda InsightBody Repair Manual2001 Honda Insight
Owner’s Manual
Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired PUBLICATION NUMBER
VEHICLE MODEL
Name Year Qty
Price
Each Total
Price
GRAND TOTAL
HANDLING CHARGE
Mich. Purchases
Add 6% Sales Tax
TOTAL MATERIAL
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By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
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Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
allow adequate time for delivery.
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation.

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This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
260 NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name
Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 128
................................
Accessories . 128
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 129
............................
Modif ications . 129
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 70
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 80
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 168
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 47
................
Air Conditioning System . 90
..............................
Maintenance . 190
............................................
Usage . 90
.........................
Air Outlets (Vents) . 90
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 192
.........................
Normal Driving . 192
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 248
......................................
Antif reeze . 171
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock . 69
..........................
Appearance Care . 207
..................................
Audio System . 98
........................
Auto Idle Stop . 137, 145
..............
Automatic Transmission . 140
..........................
Capacity, Fluid . 244 ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 178
.......................................
Shif ting . 140
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 140
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 140
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 144
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 56, 229
............................
Jump Starting . 225
..............................
Maintenance . 185
............................
Specif ications . 245
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 119
..........................................
Belts, Seat . 8
.............................
Beverage Holder . 80
.................................
Body Repairs . 213
Brakes
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 120
...........................................
Fluid . 181
....................
Bulb Replacement . 203
.........................................
Parking . 79
.................
System Indicator . 46, 231
........................
Wear Indicators . 148
.............................
Braking System . 149 ........................
Break-in, New Car . 120
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 62
........................
Brights, Headlights . 61
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights . 203
...............................
Brake Light . 203
................
Front Parking Lights . 201
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 201
.................................
Headlights . 200
.............................
Interior Light . 205
.................
License Plate Lights . 204
............................
Specif ications . 245
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 201
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 200
............................
Capacities Chart . 244
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 40
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 130
Cassette Player
............................................
Care . 118
...................................
Operation . 104
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
Index
A
B
C
I

Î
...................................
CD Changer . 114
.......................................
CD Player . 108
........................
Certif ication Label . 242
............................................
Chains . 197
....................
Charge/Assist Gauge . 57
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 169
......................................
When to . 158
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 195
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 173
............
Charging System Indicator . 56
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 119
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 19
Child Seats
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 33
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 183
Cleaning
......................................
Exterior . 208
.......................................
Interior . 211
...................................
Seat Belts . 211
...........................................
Vinyl . 211
....................................
Windows . 212
.........................
Clock, Setting the . 103
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 181
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 250
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 135 ..............................
Compact Spare . 216
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 256
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 60
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 171
....................................
Checking . 124
.........................
Proper Solution . 175
...................................
Replacing . 177
...................
Temperature Gauge . 58
....................
Corrosion Protection . 212
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 250
.....................
Current Fuel Mileage . 55
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 256
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 126
............
Emergencies on the Road . 215
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 224
...........
Brake System Indicator . 232
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 217
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 2, 44
................
Daytime Running Lights . 62
............
Defects, Reporting Safety . 260
..........................
Def og and Def rost . 84
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 65
................
Defrosting the Windows . 84
....................................
Dimensions . 244
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 61 Dipstick
..................................
Engine Oil . 124
..........................
Directional Signals . 63
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 148
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 170
..................
Display Change Button . 50
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 71
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 246
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission . 136
.....................................
Drive Belts . 191
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving . 133
....................................
Economy . 126
.........................
In Bad Weather . 151
................
In Foreign Countries . 249
..................
DustandPollenFilter .191
Index
D
E
II

CONT INUED
.....
Charging System Indicator . 229
..................
Checking the Fuses . 233
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 228
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 230
..................
Overheated Engine . 227
...........................
Emergency Brake . 79
......................
Emergency Flashers . 65
......................
Emergency Towing . 239
.......................
Emissions Controls . 250 Engine
............................................
Belts . 191
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 58
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 48, 230
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 167
...............................
Overheating . 227
............................
Specif ications . 244
.......................................
Starting . 135
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 139, 143
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 248
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 250
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 40
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 17
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 208 ............................
Fabric, Cleaning . 211
.....................................
Fan, Interior . 84
Features, Comfort and
................................
Convenience . 83
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 121
Filter
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 191
...............................................
Oil . 167
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 180
................................
Shif ting the . 136
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 65
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 217
Fluids
Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) . 178
..........................................
Brake . 181
.........................................
Clutch . 181
..............
Manual Transmission . 180
..................
Windshield Washer . 177
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 112
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 249
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 65 .................................................
Fuel . 126
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 121
...........................................
Gauge . 58
................
Octane Requirement . 120
...............................
Oxygenated . 248
........................
Reserve Indicator . 58
........................
Tank, Filling the . 121
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 233
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 126
..........................................
Gasohol . 248
.........................................
Gasoline . 120
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 48
...........................................
Gauge . 50
................
Octane Requirement . 120
........................
Tank, Filling the . 121
................
Gas Station Procedures . 121
Index
F
G
III

GaugesEngine Coolant ...........................
Temperature . 58
...............................................
Fuel . 58
...............................
Speedometer . 50
.................................
Tachometer . 58
Gearshif t Lever Positions
Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) . 140
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission . 136
..............................
Glass Cleaning . 212
........................................
Glove Box . 80
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 200
Hatch
.................................
Opening the . 71
...................
Open Monitor Light . 47
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 65
Headlights
............
Daytime Running Lights . 62
..................
High Beam Indicator . 47
........................
Reminder Beeper . 61
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 200 ...................................
Turning on . 63
.............................................
Heating . 84
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 135
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 61
....................................
Hood Latch . 184
.......................
Hood, Opening the . 122
....................................................
Horn . 3
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch . 181
.................................
Hydroplaning . 151
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 242
Ignition
..............................................
Keys . 67
...........................................
Switch . 69
............
Timing Control System . 251
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 45
Inf ant Seats
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 192
.........................
Normal Driving . 193
...................................
Inside Mirror . 78
.............................
Inspection, Tire . 194
............................
Instrument Panel . 45 ........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 62
...........................
Interior Cleaning . 211
...................................
Interior Light . 82
........................................
Introduction . i
........................
Jacking up the Car . 217
.......................................
Jack, Tire . 217
................................
Jump Starting . 224
..................................................
Keys . 67
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 242
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 63
..........................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 34
....................
Lif etime Fuel Mileage . 55
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 203
.......................................
Indicator . 47
.........................................
Parking . 46
..................................
Turn Signal . 63
Index
H I J K L
IV

CONT INUED
.....................................
Load Limit . 131
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Locks
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 121
............................................
Hatch . 71
........................
Low Coolant Level . 125
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator . 58
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 139
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 244
.........................................
Luggage . 130
..................................
Maintenance . 153
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 165
........................................
Record . 154
......................
Required Indicator . 59
..........................................
Saf ety . 154
....................................
Schedule . 156
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 48, 230
...................
Manual Transmission . 136
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 180
...............................
Meters, Gauges . 50
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 248
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting . 78 ..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 120
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 242
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 120
.........................................
Odometer . 50
...............................
Odometer, Trip . 51
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 169
......................
Change, When to . 158
......................
Checking Engine . 124
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart . 168
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 70
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery . 250
.........................
Opening the Hatch . 71
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 249
..............................
Outside Mirrors . 78
....................
Overheating, Engine . 227
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 165
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels . 248 ..............................
Paint Touch-up . 210
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 62
...........................................
Parking . 147
.................................
Parking Brake . 79
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator . 46, 232
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 252
.............................
PGM-FI System . 251
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 210
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
............................
Protecting Adults . 12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children . 19
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 29
.........
Protecting Small Children . 26
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers . 33
Index
M N O
P
V