2002 HONDA INSIGHT instrument panel

The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly. Engine oil also af f ects f uel economy.
The f uel ef f icient, low-viscosity
0W-20 oil recommended f or your
Insightisformulatedtohelpthe
engine use less f uel. This oil is
available at your Honda dealer.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car’s underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and reduces
thechanceof corrosion.
You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
To get the best f uel mileage, drive in
the highest gear that is practical for
the speed you are driving, and
always accelerate slowly.You may f ind that your Insight’s
unique combination of an engine and
an electric motor has driving
characteristics that are somewhat
dif f erent f rom what you are used to.
Shif t Up and Shif t Down indicators
(5-speed manual transmission only)
on the instrument panel show when
to shif t to a higher or lower gear. By
shifting as soon as the indicator
comes on, you will keep the engine
operating in its most economical
range.
Wind resistance causes vehicles to
usemorefuelathigherspeeds.
Driving at moderate speeds on the
highway reduces wind resistance
and conserves f uel. Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra f uel.
163
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
Vehicle Condition
Owner Maintenance
Checks Driving Habits
124

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Check that the hood and hatch are
f ully closed.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car.
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passenger has f astened his or
her seat belt (see page ).
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 11. 45
76
78
15 133
Preparing to Drive
Driving132

Honda’s Continuously Variable
automatic transmission’s unique
design provides a smooth, constant
f low of power. It is electronically
controlled f or more precise operation
and better f uel economy.This indicator on the instrument
panel shows which position the shif t
lever is in.
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it f lashes
while driving (in any shif t position),
it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid acceler-
ation and have the transmission
checkedbyanauthorizedHonda
dealer as soon as possible.The shift lever has five positions. It
must be in Park or Neutral to start
the engine. When you are stopped in
D, L, N or R, press f irmly on the
brake pedal and keep your f oot of f
the accelerator pedal.
U.S. model
Continuously Variable
T ransmission (CVT )
Shif t L ever Position Indicator Shif t L ever Positions
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving138

µMakesurethewindowsareclosed.
Turn of f the lights.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on
the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not f ully released; it
does not indicate that the parking
brakeisfirmlyset.Makesurethe
parking brake is set f irmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the storage box or take them
with you.
If your car has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park.Thiskeepsthecarfrom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission making it easier to
move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away. Make sure the parking brake is f ully
released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes. If the car is f acing uphill, turn the
f ront wheels away f rom the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put
it in f irst gear.
If the car is f acing downhill, turn the
f ront wheels toward the curb. If you
have a manual transmission, put it in
reverse gear.Parking T ips
Parking
Driving145

it
only helps with steering control
during braking. You should always
maintain a saf e f ollowing distance
f rom other vehicles.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed f or the road and
weather conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your car to veer into
oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a car without anti-lock.
Slow down and allow a greater
distance between cars under those
conditions.
The ABS is self -checking. If anything
goes wrong, the ABS indicator on
the instrument panel comes on (see
page ). This means the anti-lock
f unction of the braking system has
shut down. The brakes still work like
a conventional system without anti-
lock, providing normal stopping
ability. You should have the dealer
inspect your car as soon as possible.48
Import ant Saf et y Reminders
A BS Indicat or
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the car,
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.A car with ABS may require a
longer distance to stop
The Braking System
Driving148
A A
N
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I-- L
LO OC CKK B
BRRAA K
KEE S
SYYSSTTE
EM
M
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IN ND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R

..................................................
Keys .67
Gauges
Engine Coolant ...........................
Temperature .58
...............................................
Fuel .58
...............................
Speedometer .50
.................................
Tachometer .58
Gearshif t Lever Positions Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) .138
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .134
..............................
Glass Cleaning .210
........................................
Glove Box .80
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 198
Hatch .................................
Opening the .71
...................
Open Monitor Light . 47
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 65
Headlights ............
Daytime Running Lights . 62
..................
High Beam Indicator . 47
........................
Reminder Beeper .61
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 198...................................
Turning on .63
.............................................
Heating .84
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 133
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 61
....................................
Hood Latch .182
.......................
Hood, Opening the .120
....................................................
Horn .3
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .179
.................................
Hydroplaning .149
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 240
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .67
...........................................
Switch .69
............
Timing Control System . 249
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 45
Inf ant Seats ..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 33
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 190
.........................
Normal Driving .191
...................................
Inside Mirror .79
.............................
Inspection, Tire .192
............................
Instrument Panel .45 ........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 62
...........................
Interior Cleaning .209
...................................
Interior Light .82
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .215
.......................................
Jack, Tire .215
................................
Jump Starting .222
.......................
Label, Certif ication .240
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 63
..........................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .34
....................
Lif etime Fuel Mileage . 55
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .198
.......................................
Indicator .47
.........................................
Parking .46
..................................
Turn Signal .63
Index
H IJ
K
L
IV