This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should be in
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the reading may reach near
the red mark. If it reaches the red
mark, pull saf ely to the side of the
road. Turn to page for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine f rom
damage, never drive with the
tachometerreadingintheredzone.
224
Temperature Gauge
Fuel Gauge T achometer
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols58
T TA
A C
CHH O
OM M E
ET
TE
ER
R
F
FUUE EL
L G
GAAU
UG GEE
M
M
A
AI
INNT TE
EN
NA AN
NC CEE R
REEQ
QU UIIRRE ED
D
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IN ND DI
ICCA A T
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OR R
T
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BUUT TT
TO
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M P
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RA A T
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GAAU
UG GEE D
D
I
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BU UT TT
TO
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T R
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R/ /O
OD DO
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SP
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D O
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CONT INUED
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the rear window.Turn the temperature control dial
all the way to the lef t.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
The outside air intakes f or the
heating system are at the base of the
windshield. Keep these clear of
leaves and other debris.
This section covers how to set up the
system controls f or ventilation,
heating, and def rosting.
The engine must be running f or the
heater to generate hot air. The
heater uses engine coolant to warm
the air. If the engine is cold, it will be
several minutes bef ore you f eel
warm air coming f rom the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on
engine temperature.
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode can cause the windows to f og
up. Switch to Recirculation mode
when you are driving through smoky
or dusty conditions, then switch back
to Fresh Air mode when the
condition clears.
1.
2.
3.
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Vent ilat ion
How to Use the System
Heating
87
R RE
EC
CI IRRC CUUL LAA T
TI
IOON N B
BUUT TT
TO
ON N
F
FAA N
N C
COON NTTR
RO OL L B
BUUT TT
TO
ON NSS
M
M
O
ODDE
E B
BUUT TT
TO
ON N
T
TE
EM
M P
PE
ER
RA A T
TU
UR REE
C
CO ON NTTR
RO OL L D
DI
IAA L
L
For saf ety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving away.To shut of f the system temporarily,
stop the fan and turn the
temperature control dial all the way
to the left.
You should shut the system
completely of f only f or the f irst f ew
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale
air does not build up in the interior.
These settings direct all the air f low
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
def roster vents. The air f low will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
next to each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshield
defroster vents.
Heating
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
To Turn Everything Of f
89
Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .118
.........................................
Gasoline .118
.........
Service Station Procedures . 119
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 119
....................
Opening the Hood .120
...............................
Oil Check .122
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 123
...............................
Fuel Economy .124
.....................
Vehicle Condition .124
...........................
Driving Habits .124
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 126
.............................
Carrying Cargo .128
.................................
Load Limit .129
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving117
Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see
on page . Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
4. 165 169163
A dding
Engine Coolant
A dding Oil Owner Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving123
M M A
AX
X R
RE
ES
SE ER
RV V E
E
T
T A
A N
NK K
M
M I
INN
U
UP PP
PE
ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK
L
LO OW WE ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK
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). During Auto Idle 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.
The A/C is of f , or in ECON mode,
and the outside temperature is above 41°F (5°C) (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 the shif t lever to f irst 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. 84
93
CONT INUED
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving
Auto Idle Stop
135
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. During Auto Idle Stop, the IMA
charge and power brake vacuum
reserve is monitored by the system.
If the vacuum reserve drops below
an optimal level, the engine will
restart to replenish the vacuum
supply. If the IMA charge drops
below an optimal level and the shif t
lever is in Neutral, the engine will
restart to recharge the IMA battery.
The shift lever is in D or N.
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,
and the outside temperature is
above 41°F (5°C) (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 are
braking to a stop and the vehicle
speed goes below 5 mph (8 km/h).
The engine will start again when you
release the brake pedal. It will also
restart, even if you are still pressing
the brake pedal, under these
conditions: You move the shif t lever f rom D
orNtoR,L,orP.
You press the accelerator pedal.
You are on an incline, and the
vehicle begins rolling.
93 84
CONT INUED
Driving
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Auto Idle Stop
143
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 .152
.
Important Safety Precautions . 153
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 154
...
Required Maintenance Record . 161
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 163
..............................
Fluid Locations .164
......................................
Engine Oil .165
..................................
Adding Oil .165
....................
Recommended Oil .165
..............................
Synthetic Oil .166
....................................
Additives .166
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 167
.............................
Cooling System .169
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 169
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 171
....................
Windshield Washers .175
.......................
Transmission Fluid .176
Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) .176
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .178
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 179
............................
Brake System .179
...........................
Clutch System .180
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .181
....................................
Hood Latch .182 ...........................................
Battery .183
.................................
Wiper Blades .185
..............
Air Conditioning System . 188
..................
DustandPollenFilter . 189
.....................................
Drive Belts .189
...............................................
Tires .190
......................................
Inf lation .190
Recommended Tire Pressures f or Normal ...............................
Driving .191
..................................
Inspection .192
..............................
Maintenance .192
.............................
Tire Rotation .193
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 193
......................
Wheels and Tires .194
..........................
Winter Driving .194
.............................
Snow Tires .195
............................
Tire Chains .195
.............................................
Lights .196
........................
Replacing Bulbs .198
...........................
Storing Your Car .204
259
Maintenance
Maint enance151