2001 HONDA INSIGHT maintenance

CONT INUED
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Turn of f the
ignition and remove the key. Open
the hood. Make sure the engine
and radiator are cool to the touch.Removethealloycoverunderthe
radiator.
Remove the radiator cap.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic. 1.
2.3.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
173

If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it is not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive the
vehicle a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time.
5.
6.
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance179

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

The air cleaner element should be
replaced according to the time and
distance recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.Remove the old air cleaner
element.
Unsnap the four clips and remove
the air cleaner housing cover.
To replace it:
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing in the engine
compartment.
Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, snap the four clips back into
place.
Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.
1. 3.
2. 4. 5.
Replacement
A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance
183
CCLLIIPPSS
AAIIRRCCLLEEAANNEERREELLEEMMEENNTT

Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts, including the pivot.
Follow the time and distance
recommendations in the
Maintenance Schedule. If you are
not sure how to clean and grease the
latch, contact your Honda dealer.Maint enance
Hood L at ch
184
PPIIVVOOTTSS

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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.

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.

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The belts should have the f ollowing
‘‘play’’ or def lection.
With Air Conditioning System
Without Air Conditioning System
If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts.
Check the tension of each belt by
pushingonitwithyourthumb
midway between the pulleys.
Check the condition of the drive belt.
Examine the edges of each belt for
cracks or fraying.
The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust f rom the outside air
the heating and cooling system
brings into the interior. It should be
replaced according to the time and
distance recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
climate control system becomes less
than usual. Have the dust and pollen
f ilter replaced by your Honda dealer.
Maint enance
Drive Belt
Dust and Pollen Filter
Dust and Pollen Filter, Drive Belt
191
CCOOMMPPRREESSSSOORRBBEELLTT 0.30 0.41 in (7.5 10.5 mm)
0.33 0.43 in (8.5 11.0 mm)