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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . Automatic transmission (CVT)
Check the f luid level monthly. See
page . 122
123
175
176 179 191
196
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance163
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 the 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
166
A Am
m b
bi
ieen n t
t T
Te
emm p
pe
erraat tuu r
ree
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
178
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). 167
156
Maint enance
St oring Your Car
204
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µ
µ
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. If your car needs to be towed, call a
prof essional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the car of f
the ground. Your car’s suspension
and body can be seriously damaged.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If due to
damage, your car must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing:
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your car is equipped with a f ront
spoiler, remove it bef ore towing so it
is not damaged.
Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral.
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
CONT INUED
5-speed Manual Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Wheel-lif t Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment
Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Honda. This is the best way to transport
your Honda. T his method of towing is
unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed237
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission, your car must be
transported with the f ront wheels of f
the ground.
ÎÎÎ
Î
Î
Î
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation242
Dimensions
Weights
EngineCapacities
66.7 in (1,695 mm)
53.3 in (1,355 mm)
94.5 in (2,400 mm)
56.5 in (1,435 mm)
52.2 in (1,325 mm) 10.6 US gal (40
, 8.8 Imp gal)
155.0 in (3,938 mm)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb. 0.61 US gal (2.3, 0.51 Imp gal)
1.06 US gal (4.0, 0.88 Imp gal)
2.6 US qt (2.5
, 2.2 Imp qt)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 0.11 US gal (0.4
, 0.09 Imp gal)
4.8 US qt (4.5
, 4.0 Imp qt)
2.4 US qt (2.3
, 2.0 Imp qt)
3.2 US qt (3.0, 2.6 Imp qt)
1.6 US qt (1.5
, 1.3 Imp qt)
1.7 US qt (1.6, 1.4 Imp qt)
5.8 US qt (5.5
, 4.8 Imp qt)
3.5 US qt (3.3, 2.9 Imp qt)
ILZFR5A-11 10.3 : 1 10.8 : 1
60.8 cu-in (995 cm
)
2.8x3.21in(72x81.5mm) Water cooled 4-stroke
SOHC VTEC in line
3-cylinder gasoline engine
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Manual transmission
fluid
Automatic transmission
fluid (CVT)
Windshield washer reservoir
Front
Rear
Approx.
Contact your Honda dealer when replacement is necessary. U.S. model
M/T
CVT
1: Change
Total
Change
Without filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
2:
3:
1 32
Including filter
CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 126
................................
Accessories .126
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 127
............................
Modif ications .127
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .70
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 81
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 166
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 47
................
Air Conditioning System . 90
..............................
Maintenance .188
............................................
Usage .90
.........................
Air Outlets (Vents) .90
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .190
.........................
Normal Driving .191
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .246
......................................
Antif reeze .169
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .69
..........................
Appearance Care .205
..................................
Audio System .98
........................
Auto Idle Stop .135, 143
..............
Automatic Transmission . 138
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .242 ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 176
.......................................
Shif ting .138
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 138
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 138
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 142
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .56, 227
............................
Jump Starting .223
..............................
Maintenance .183
............................
Specif ications .243
..............................
Bef ore Driving .117
..........................................
Belts, Seat .8
.............................
Beverage Holder .80
.................................
Body Repairs .211
Brakes .............
Break-in, New Linings . 118
...........................................
Fluid .179
....................
Bulb Replacement .201
.........................................
Parking .79
.................
System Indicator . 46,230
........................
Wear Indicators .146
.............................
Braking System .147 ........................
Break-in, New Car .118
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 62
........................
Brights, Headlights .61
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .201
...............................
Brake Light .201
................
Front Parking Lights . 199
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 199
.................................
Headlights .198
.............................
Interior Light .203
.................
License Plate Lights . 202
............................
Specif ications .243
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 199
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .198
............................
Capacities Chart .242
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 40
.............................
Carrying Cargo .128
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .115
...................................
Operation .104
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
Index
A
B
C
I
Î.......................................
CD Player .108
........................
Certif ication Label .240
............................................
Chains .195
....................
Charge/Assist Gauge .57
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .167
......................................
When to .156
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .215
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 171
............
Charging System Indicator . 56
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 117
.....................................
Child Saf ety .19
Child Seats ..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 33
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 181
Cleaning ......................................
Exterior .206
.......................................
Interior .209
...................................
Seat Belts .209
...........................................
Vinyl .209
....................................
Windows .210
.........................
Clock, Setting the .103
...................................
Clutch Fluid .179
........................
CO in the Exhaust .248
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 133
..............................
Compact Spare .214 ...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 254
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 60
Coolant ........................................
Adding .169
....................................
Checking .123
.........................
Proper Solution .173
...................................
Replacing .171
...................
Temperature Gauge . 58
....................
Corrosion Protection .210
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .248
.....................
Current Fuel Mileage .55
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 254
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 44
................
Daytime Running Lights . 62
............
Defects, Reporting Safety . 258
..........................
Def og and Def rost .84
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 65
................
Defrosting the Windows . 84
....................................
Dimensions .242
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 61Dipstick
..................................
Engine Oil .122
..........................
Directional Signals .63
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 146
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .168
..................
Display Change Button . 50
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 71
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 244
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual .............................
Transmission .134
.....................................
Drive Belts .189
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .131
....................................
Economy .124
.........................
In Bad Weather .149
................
In Foreign Countries . 247
..................
DustandPollenFilter . 189
..............................
Economy, Fuel .124
............
Emergencies on the Road . 213
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 222
...........
Brake System Indicator . 230
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 215
Index
D
E
II