Page 121 of 270

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution. Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period Gasoline
118
Page 127 of 270

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
Page 154 of 270

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
Page 168 of 270
To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil f ill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes and recheck the
oil level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Oil is major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
as long as you own it.
Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
CONT INUED
A dding Oil
Recommended Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance165
E EN
NG GIINNE E O
OIILL F
FIILLL L C
CAA P
P
A
AP
PI
IC
CE ER
RT TI
IFFI ICCA A T
TI
IOON N S
SEEA
A L
L
Page 270 of 270
Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:Brake Fluid:
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
5-speed Manual Transmission
Fluid:
10.6 US gal (40
, 8.8 Imp gal)
Oil change capacity (including
filter): 2.6 US qt (2.5
, 2.2 Imp qt)
API Service SJ ‘‘Energy
Conserving’’ oil, SAE 0W-20
viscosity (see page ). Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 87 or higher.
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
Spare Tire: Rear: Front:
Use Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) only.
Capacity:
1.6 US qt (1.5
, 1.3 Imp qt)
Capacity (including differential): Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an API service
SG, SH or SJ, SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 motor oil as a temporary
replacement (see page ). 5.8 US qt (5.5
, 4.8 Imp qt)
38 psi (260 kPa)
35 psi (240 kPa)
60 psi (420 kPa)
167 181
180