2001 HONDA INSIGHT maintenance

We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
To saf ely operate your car, your tires
must be the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread,
and correctly inf lated. The f ollowing
pages give more detailed inf ormation
on how and when to check air
pressure, how to inspect your tires
for damage and wear, and what to do
when your tires need to be replaced.
Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e and riding
comf ort. Underinf lated tires wear
unevenly, adversely af f ect handling
and f uel economy, and are more
likely to f ail f rom being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your car
ride more harshly, are more prone to
damage f rom road hazards, and wear
unevenly.
Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are in good condition may
lose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1
to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per month.
Remember to check the spare tire at
thesametimeyoucheckallthe
other tires.Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the car
has been parked f or at least three
hours. If you have to drive the car
bef ore checking the tire pressure,
the tires can still be considered
‘‘cold’’ if you drive less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
If you check the pressure when the
tires are hot (the car has been driven
several miles), you will see readings
4 to 6 psi (30 to 40 kPa, 0.3 to 0.4
kgf /cm ) higher than the cold
reading. This is normal. Do not let
air out to match the specified cold
pressure. The tire will be
underinf lated.
Inf lation
Maint enance
Tires
192
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.

Every time you check inf lation, you
should also examine the tires f or
damage, f oreign objects, and wear.
Youshouldlookfor:Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
youfindeitherof theseconditions.
Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see f abric or cord.
Excessive tread wear. In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
The tires were properly balanced by
the factory. They may need to be
rebalanced at some time bef ore they
are worn out. Have your dealer
check the tires if you f eel a consis-
tent vibration while driving. A tire
should always be rebalanced if it is
removed f rom the wheel f or repair.
Your car’s tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down to that point, you
will see a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide
band running across the tread. This
shows there is less than 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) of tread lef t on the tire. A
tire that is this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see the
tread wear indicator in three or more
places around the tire. Make sure the installer balances the
wheels when you have new tires
installed. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. Your car’s
original tires were dynamic or ‘‘spin’’
balanced at the f actory. For best
results, have the installer perf orm a
dynamic balance.
Inspection
Maintenance
Maint enance
Tires
194
TTRREEAADDWWEEAARRIINNDDIICCAATTOORRSS
IINNDDIICCAATTOORRLLOOCCAATTIIOONNMMAARRKKSS

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

Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.
Clean the windows, inside and out,
with a commercially-available glass
cleaner. You can also use a mixture
of one part white vinegar to ten parts
water. This will remove the haze that
builds up on the inside of the
windows. Use a sof t cloth or paper
towels to clean all glass and clear
plastic surf aces. If you use a liquid air f reshener,
make sure you f asten it securely so it
does not spill as you drive.
If you want to use an air f reshener/
deodorizer in the interior of your car,
it is best to use a solid type. Some
liquid air f resheners contain chemi-
cals that may cause parts of the
interior trim and f abric to crack or
discolor.
Two f actors normally contribute to
causing corrosion in your car:
Moisture trapped in body cavities.
Dirtandroadsaltthatcollectsin
hollowsontheundersideof the
car stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
Removal of paint and protective
coatings f rom the exterior and
underside of the car.
Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Honda. You can
help keep your car f rom corroding
by perf orming some simple periodic
maintenance:
1. 2.
Windows A ir Fresheners Corrosion Protection
Int erior Care, Corrosion Prot ect ion
Appearance Care
212
The rear window def ogger wires are
bonded to the inside of the glass.
Wiping vigorously up-and-down can
dislodge and break the def ogger wires.
When cleaning the rear window, use
gentle pressure and wipe side-to-side.

Î
Î
The United States Clean Air Act
sets standards f or automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
workandwhattodotomaintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page
.
In Canada, Honda vehicles comply
with the Canadian Motor Vehicle
Saf ety Standards (CMVSS) f or
Emissions valid at the time they are
manuf actured.
The burning of gasoline in your car’s
engine produces several byproducts.
Some of these are carbon monoxide
(CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
hydrocarbons (HC). Gasoline
evaporating from the tank also
produces hydrocarbons. Controlling
the production of NOx, CO, and HC
is important to the environment.
Under certain conditions of sunlight
and climate, NOx and HC react to
f orm photochemical ‘‘smog.’’ Carbon
monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas.
Your car has a Positive Crankcase
Ventilation System. This keeps
gasses that build up in the engine’s
crankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The Positive Crankcase
Ventilation valve routes them fromthe crankcase back to the intake
manif old. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
As gasoline evaporates in the f uel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister f illed with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is of f . Af ter
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
The Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery (ORVR) system captures
the f uel vapors during ref ueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
f illed with activated carbon. While
driving, the f uel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned of f .
158
The Clean Air Act
Crankcase Emissions Control
System Evaporative Emissions Control
System
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery
Emissions Cont rols
T echnical Inf ormation
250

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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

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