2001 HONDA INSIGHT charging

The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem in the
supplemental restraint system. For
complete inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
See page .
See pages .
See page . This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it comes
on at any other time, it indicates a
problem in the Integrated Motor
Assist (IMA) system. Have the
vehicle checked by the dealer as
soon as possible.
This indicator is a reminder to
check the parking brake. Driving
with the parking brake not fully
released can damage the brakes
and tires.
This light has two f unctions: 1.
38
227 226
(Manual Transmission) 141
142 137, 139
(Automatic Transmission)
CONT INUED
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Shif t Up/Shif t Down Indicators
Charging System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
Shif t L ever Position Indicator
A uto Idle Stop Indicator IMA System Indicator
Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols 47
U.S. Canada

µ
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.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire . 216
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 217
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 223
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly . 223
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally . 224
................................
Jump Starting . 224
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 227
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 228
..........
Charging System Indicator . 229
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 230
...............
Brake System Indicator . 232
..............................................
Fuses . 233
..........
Checking and Replacing . 234
......................
Emergency Towing . 239
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed 215

This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery.By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories: A/C, rear def ogger, etc.
Try not to use other electrically-
operated controls such as the radio.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly.
Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
229
CCHHAARRGGIINNGGSSYYSSTTEEMMIINNDDIICCAATTOORR

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