2001 HONDA INSIGHT clutch

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not
f unction unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) f or
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause f or at least 10 seconds
bef ore trying again.
If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stallsright away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting in order to clear f looding.
As bef ore, keep the ignition key in
the START (III) position f or no
more than 15 seconds. Return to
step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lif t your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.
An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air f ound at
high altitude above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to the problem.
Use the f ollowing procedure: Turn of f all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery.
Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the f loor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) f or more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
1. 2. 3. 4.5. 6.
1. 2. 3.
Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission:
Starting the Engine
Driving
Starting in Cold Weather at High
A ltitude (A bove 8,000 f eet/
2,400 meters)
135

The manual transmission is syn-
chronizedinallforwardgearsfor
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shif ting up or
down,makesureyoupushtheclutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shif ting,
do not rest your f oot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster.Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
Reverse with the car moving. Push
down the clutch pedal, and pause f or
a f ew seconds bef ore shif ting into
Reverse, or shif t into one of the
f orward gears f or a moment. This
stops the gears so they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure the vehicle speed is low
enough that you will not activate the
engine speed limiter in the lower
gear. Make sure the engine speed
will not go into the tachometer’s red
zone in the lower gear bef ore
downshif ting.
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving
136 Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.

To maximize f uel economy, your
Insight has an Auto Idle Stop
f unction. Under certain conditions,
the engine will shut of f when you
come to a stop. Those conditions are:The engine coolant is nearly up to
normal operating temperature.
The vehicle’s speed is below 19
mph (30 km/h) and you are
pressing on the brake pedal to
come to a stop.
You depress the clutch pedal.
You are not pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
The IMA battery is sufficiently
charged (at least 1/3 on the
Battery Level Gauge).
The A/C is of f , or in ECON mode
(See pages ). There is adequate vacuum reserve
f or the power brakes.
When these conditions are met, the
engine will shut of f as you come to a
stop. It will start again automatically
when you depress the clutch pedal
and move this shift lever to first gear.
There is no need to start the engine
with the ignition switch.
It is recommended that you move
the shift lever to Neutral and remove
your f oot f rom the clutch pedal while
you are stopped. Sitting with the
clutch pedal depressed and the shif t
lever in gear will cause the engine to
continue running, def eating the f uel
economy benef its of the Auto Idle
Stop f unction. During Auto Stop, the IMA charge
and power brake vacuum reserve is
monitored by the system. If either
drops below a desired level, and the
shif t lever is in Neutral, the engine
will restart so it can recharge the
IMA battery or replenish the vacuum
supply.
84, 93
CONT INUED
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving
Auto Idle Stop
137

This indicator comes on as a
reminder that the engine has
stopped because of the Auto Idle
Stop f unction. When the indicator is
of f , it means that Auto Idle Stop is
not active. When the indicator is on,
but the engine is not running, it
means the clutch pedal is depressed,
but the transmission is not in gear.
When the indicator is blinking, it
means the clutch pedal is not
depressed. You cannot restart theengine with the ignition switch when
this light is blinking.
This indicator will blink, and you will
hear a chime, if you open the door
when Auto Stop is active.
Always turn the ignition switch to
LOCKandremovethekeyif youare
getting out of the vehicle.
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving
A uto Idle Stop Indicator 138
AAUUTTOOIIDDLLEESSTTOOPPIINNDDIICCAATTOORR

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 154
.
Important Safety Precautions . 155
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 156
....................
Maintenance Record . 163
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 165
..............................
Fluid Locations . 166
......................................
Engine Oil . 167
..................................
Adding Oil . 167
....................
Recommended Oil . 167
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 168
....................................
Additives . 168
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 169
.............................
Cooling System . 171
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 171
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 173
....................
Windshield Washers . 177
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 178
Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) . 178
5-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission . 180
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 181
............................
Brake System . 181
...........................
Clutch System . 182
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 183
....................................
Hood Latch . 184 ...........................................
Battery . 185
.................................
Wiper Blades . 187
..............
Air Conditioning System . 190
..................
DustandPollenFilter .191
.....................................
Drive Belts . 191
...............................................
Tires . 192
......................................
Inf lation . 192
Recommended TirePressures f or Normal
...............................
Driving . 193
..................................
Inspection . 194
..............................
Maintenance . 194
.............................
Tire Rotation . 195
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 195
......................
Wheels and Tires . 196
..........................
Winter Driving . 196
.............................
Snow Tires . 197
............................
Tire Chains . 197
.............................................
Lights . 198
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 199
...........................
Storing Your Car . 206
259
Maintenance
Maint enance
153

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
The brake f luid should be replaced
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule.
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
Maint enance
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake System
181
MMAAXX
MMIINN

The f luid should be between the
MIN and MAX marks on the side of
the reservoir. If it is not, add brake
f luid to bring it up to that level. Use
the same f luid specif ied f or the
brake system.
Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.Maint enance
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Clutch System 182
MMAAXX
MMIINN

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