2003 HONDA INSIGHT battery

Do not spill any liquids over the air
intake or insert any f oreign objects
in it. This may damage the IMA
battery and the power control unit.
The air intake for the IMA battery
and electronics is located on the rear
lef t pillar. Do not block this air intake.
Doing so may cause the IMA battery
and the power control unit to
overheat, causing the IMA to shut
down. It will start working again
af ter it cools. Air Intake
Carrying Cargo
260
AIR INTAKE

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.In cold weather, the conventional
starter is used instead of the IMA
system starter. This is normal.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position f or more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds bef ore trying again.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Starting the Engine
Starting in Cold Weather
Driving
263
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page .
130

To help maximize f uel economy,
your vehicle has an Auto Idle Stop
f unction. Depending on
environmental conditions and vehicle
operation, the engine will shut of f
when you come to a stop.The transmission f luid
temperature is low.
When the vehicle is stopped on an
incline.
The windshield def roster is on.
The f an speed is selected to high
(more than f our steps on the
horizontal f an speed indicators).
The IMA battery charge is low.
While the auto idle stop f unction is
activated, the auto idle stop indicator
in the instrument panel blinks (see
page ).
WhentheECONmodeison,the
engine is more likely to stop than
when it is of f (see page ).
The engine will not stop
automatically under the f ollowing
conditions:
The engine automatically stops when
the vehicle comes to a stop with the
shif t lever in the D position and the
brake pedal pressed.
The engine may also stop when
vehicle speed drops below 7 mph (11
km/h) with the brake pedal pressed. Vehicle speed does not go above 9
mph (15 km/h) af ter starting the
engine.The vehicle is stopped with the
shif t position in P, R, S, or L.
The engine coolant temperature is
low. The pointer of the charge/assist
gauge does not move when
accelerating or decelerating. 127
283
CONT INUED
Auto Idle Stop
Driving
281

The engine coolant temperature
becomes low.
Thepressureonthebrakepedalis
repeatedly applied and released
slightly during a stop.
The ECON button is off, and the
dif f erence between the ambient
temperature and the temperature
setting of the climate control
system becomes signif icant.
Theclimatecontrolsystemstarts
to dehumidif y the interior
The engine automatically restarts
when:
The brake pedal is released.
Under the f ollowing conditions, the
engine restarts even if the brake
pedal is pressed:
The shif t position is changed to R
or L.
The accelerator pedal is pressed
The pressure to the brake pedal is
reduced and the vehicle starts
moving while stopped on an incline.
The IMA battery charge becomes
low.
The engine may not stop
automatically under the f ollowing
conditions:
The windshield def roster button is
pressed.
TheECONbuttonisoff,andthere
is a signif icant dif f erence between
the ambient temperature and the
temperature setting of the climate
control system.
The climate control system is
dehumidif ying the air.
The vehicle is stopped by braking
suddenly.
When the ECON button is on, the
engine is more likely to stop. See
page f or the ECON button. 127
Auto Idle Stop
282

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself . ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .298
.................
Maintenance Minder . 299
..............................
Fluid Locations .309
........................
Adding Engine Oil .310
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 312
..............................
Engine Coolant .315
....................
Windshield Washers .317
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 318
Continuously Variable ............
Transmission (CVT) . 318
....................................
Brake Fluid .319
.............................................
Lights .321
..............................
Audio Antenna .331
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 331
.....................................
Floor Mats .331
..................
DustandPollenFilter . 332
.................................
Wiper Blades .332
...............................................
Tires .338
......
Checking the 12Volt Battery . 344
.............................
Vehicle Storage .346
397
Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Maint enance
297
TM

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and f lames away f rom the battery
and all f uel-related parts. Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f . Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or qualif ied
mechanic.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions Injury f rom moving parts. Burns f rom hot parts.
Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
298
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

µ
Check the condition of the 12 volt
battery monthly by looking at the
test indicator window. The label on
the battery explains the test
indicator’s colors.
If your vehicle’s 12 volt battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the IMA
battery level gauge reading will not
be correct the next time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It will show less than the
actual level temporarily. It will show
the correct level af ter you drive f or
at least 30 minutes.
Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f urther corrosion.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last. If additional 12 volt battery
maintenance is needed, see your
dealer or a qualif ied technician.
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Checking the 12 Volt Battery
344
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.

If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting may be lost. To reset the time,
see page .
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradio,youwill
see ‘‘ENTER CODE’’ in the
f requency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see page). The navigation system will also
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN
bef ore it can be used. Ref er to the
navigation system manual.
220
219On vehicles with navigation system
Checking the 12Volt Battery
Maint enance
345