2003 HONDA INSIGHT Owners Manual

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmissions (CVT). It
also includes important inf ormation
on parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA
) system, and the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS). ........................
Preparing to Drive .262
.......................
Starting the Engine .263
........................
Eco Assist System .264
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) . 271
Driving with the Paddle .......................................
Shif ters .276
................................
Auto Idle Stop .281
...........................................
Parking .284
.............................
Braking System .285
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 287
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .289
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ....
Control (ESC), System . 293
...........
Hill Start Assist System . 295
...........................
Towing a Trailer .296
Driving
Driving
261

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page ). Check that the hood and hatch are
f ully closed. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see pages , and
).
1.
2.
3.
8. 7. 6.9.
4.
5.
61 7217
10.
141
147
128 89
338
Preparing to Drive
262

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

The multi-inf ormation display (see
page ).
Your vehicle’s f uel economy may
improve more with the ECON mode
on (see page ).
The driver f eedback inf ormation is
shownintwolocations:
The ambient meter, located
behind the speedometer (see page ).
The system monitors your driving
style, and can display how it impacts
your vehicle’s f uel economy. You can
then make adjustments to your
driving style to maximize f uel
economy. (For additional
inf ormation on f uel economy, see
page .)
Eco Assist System is a driver
f eedback system designed to help
you develop and maintain a f uel
ef f icient driving style.
7275 127
251
Eco A ssist Syst em
264
ECON BUTTON ECON MODE INDICATOR
Ambient Meter
Eco-drive Result
Eco Drive Bar

TheEcoDriveBarontheecological
drive display appears on the multi-
inf ormation display while you drive.During acceleration, the bar
extends to the right of the center
line.
If the bar extends into the
Inef f icient Driving Zones, your
current driving style is not
conducive to good f uel economy. If the bar stays within the Efficient
Driving Zones, your current
driving style is conducive to good
f uel economy. During deceleration, the bar
extends to the left of the center
line.
It is recommended to drive in the D
position f or better f uel ef f iciency.
CONT INUED
Eco Drive Bar
Driving Style
Slow, steady
acceleration -
maximizes f uel
economy
Slow deceleration -
maximizes f uel
economy
Moderate
acceleration
Moderate
deceleration
Aggressive/
Inconsistent
acceleration - lowers
fuel economy
Aggressive
deceleration - lowers
fuel economy
Eco Drive BarEco Drive Bar Examples
Eco A ssist Syst em
Driving
265
Acceleration
Monitor
Inefficient Driving Zone
Center Position
Deceleration
Monitor
Inefficient Braking Zone Efficient Zones
ECO ELEMENTS Eco
Drive
Bar

The Ambient Meter (the light
behind the speedometer) changes
color to show the ef f ects of your
driving style. This f eature can be
turned of f (see page ).Fuel Economy
Meter Background Color
103
A mbient Met er
Eco A ssist Syst em
266
AMBIENT METER
U.S. model is shown. (Background Color)
Green
Blue Green Blue High
Low

µ
CONT INUED
A point system is used so you can
monitor your driving style and the
impact on f uel economy. Points are:Accumulatedwhenyourdriving
style is f uel ef f icient
Deducted when your style is not
f uel ef f icient
Your current
trip is represented on the ecological
drive display, starting without any
leaves on the plants. Leaves then
accumulate during the current trip,
as long as you maintain an economic
driving style.
Eco Assist scoring is displayed on
the multi-information display in the
following ways:
Eco A ssist Scoring
Real Time Score
Eco A ssist Syst em
Driving
267
FIRST STAGETHIRD STAGE
PLANT ICON SECOND STAGE
Real Time Score
With the ignition switch in the ON (II) position

µ
µ The score
f rom your just completed trip is
represented on the Eco Score screen
by the ‘‘plant’’ icons.
Cumulative, or
lif etime trips, which build up over
time, represented by a bar graph at
the bottom of the Eco Score display.
Each time you turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK (0) position, the
Eco Score displays f or a f ew seconds
to show your current stage and
lif etime points. Drive Cycle Score
Lif etime Points
Eco A ssist Syst em
268
STAGE-UP
RECOGNITION
ICON
When turning off the ignition switch TROPHY
STAGE-DOWN RECOGNITION ICON
Drive Cycle Score/Lifetime Points
DRIVE CYCLE
SCORE
LIFETIME
POINTS