2002 HONDA INSIGHT brake

Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason. Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the car until all are disconnected.
Otherwise, you may cause an
electrical short.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, f or
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving. If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling
system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators.
1.
2.
3.
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed224
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

Î
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If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously. Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See on page .)
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer. If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads.
The Brake System Indicator is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake. 179
237Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed230
B BR RAA K
KEE S
SYYSSTTE
EM
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INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
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inn d
di
icca at too r
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shh o
ow
wn n

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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.

Then drive in city/suburban
traffic for at least 10 minutes.
When traf f ic conditions allow, let
the vehicle coast f or several
seconds without using the
accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal.
If the testing f acility determines the
readiness codes are still not set, see
your Honda dealer.
Select a nearby lightly traveled
major highway where you can
maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph
(80to97km/h)foratleast20
minutes. Drive on the highway in
D (A/T) or 5th (M/T). When
traffic allows, drive for 90 seconds
without moving the accelerator
pedal. (Vehicle speed may vary
slightly; this is okay.) If you cannot
do this f or a continuous 90
seconds because of traf f ic
conditions, drive f or at least 30
seconds, then repeat it two more
times (for a total of 90 seconds).
St at e Emissions T est ing
T echnical Inf ormation252

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

CONT INUED
.....
Charging System Indicator . 227
..................
Checking the Fuses . 232
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 226
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 228
..................
Overheated Engine . 224
...........................
Emergency Brake .79
......................
Emergency Flashers .65
......................
Emergency Towing .237
.......................
Emissions Controls .248
Engine ............................................
Belts .189
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 58
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .48, 228
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 165
...............................
Overheating .224
............................
Specif ications .242
.......................................
Starting .133
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 137,141
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .246
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 248
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .40
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 206 ...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 124
..........................................
Gasohol .246
.........................................
Gasoline .118
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 48
...........................................
Gauge .50
................
Octane Requirement . 118
........................
Tank, Filling the .119
................
Gas Station Procedures . 119
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .209
.....................................
Fan, Interior .84
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .83
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 119
Filter .........................
Dust and Pollen .189
...............................................
Oil .165
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 178
................................
Shif ting the .134
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 65
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 215
Fluids Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) .176
..........................................
Brake .179
.........................................
Clutch .180
..............
Manual Transmission . 178
..................
Windshield Washer . 175
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .112
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 247
..........................
Four-way Flashers .65 .................................................
Fuel .124
......................
Fill Door and Cap .119
...........................................
Gauge .58
................
Octane Requirement . 118
...............................
Oxygenated .246
........................
Reserve Indicator .58
........................
Tank, Filling the .119
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .232
Index
F
G
III

CONT INUED
.....................................
Load Limit .129
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 69
Locks ............................
Fuel Fill Door .119
............................................
Hatch .71
........................
Low Coolant Level .123
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .58
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 137
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 243
.........................................
Luggage .128
..................................
Maintenance .151
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 163
........................................
Record .161
......................
Required Indicator .59
..........................................
Saf ety .152
....................................
Schedule .154
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 48,228
...................
Manual Transmission . 134
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 178
...............................
Meters, Gauges .50
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 246
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .78 ..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 118
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 240
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 118
.........................................
Odometer .50
...............................
Odometer, Trip .51
Oil ........................
Change, How to .167
......................
Change, When to .156
......................
Checking Engine .122
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .166
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 70
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .248
.........................
Opening the Hatch .71
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 247
..............................
Outside Mirrors .78
....................
Overheating, Engine .224
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 163
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .246 ..............................
Paint Touch-up .208
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 62
...........................................
Parking .145
.................................
Parking Brake .79
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 46,230
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 250
.............................
PGM-FI System .249
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 208
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .19
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 29
.........
Protecting Small Children . 26
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .33
Index
M N
O
P
V