2001 HONDA INSIGHT Main

Fluid Locations
Maint enance
166
EENNGGIINNEECCOOOOLLAANNTTRREESSEERRVVOOIIRR
BBRRAAKKEEFFLLUUIIDD((GGrraayyccaapp))
EENNGGIINNEEOOIILLFFIILLLLCCAAPP
WWAASSHHEERRFFLLUUIIDD((BBlluueeccaapp))
EENNGGIINNEEOOIILLDDIIPPSSTTIICCKK((OOrraannggeelloooopp))RRAADDIIAATTOORRCCAAPP
CCLLUUTTCCHHFFLLUUIIDD((GGrraayyccaapp))
AAUUTTOOMMAATTIICCTTRRAANNSSMMIISSSSIIOONNFFLLUUIIDDDDIIPPSSTTIICCKK((CCVVTT))((YYeelllloowwlloooopp))

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.’’
CONT INUED
A dding Oil Recommended Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance
167
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.
CONT INUED
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 the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
This coolant should always be a
mixtureof 50percentantifreezeand
50 percent water. Never add straight
antif reeze or plain water.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water. It
does not require any additional
mixing.
If it is not available, you may use
another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malf unction or f ail. Have
the cooling system f lushed and
ref illed with Honda antif reeze/
coolant as soon as possible.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
171
RREESSEERRVVEETTAANNKK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully.
The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low. Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
1.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
172
RRAADDIIAATTOORRCCAAPPRREESSEERRVVEETTAANNKK

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