2003 HONDA INSIGHT check engine

If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank. Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down. Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
Engine Coolant
316
RADIATOR CAP
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
Check the f luid level by removing
the cap and looking at the level
gauge.When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them. Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather. If the washer f luid is low, a
‘‘WASHER FLUID LOW’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display.
On U.S. modelsOn all Canadian models
Windshield Washers
Maint enance
317
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. There is a HOT
side and a COLD side on the
dipstick. The f luid level should be
between the upper and lower
marks on the HOT side.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2.
3. 4.
2.
1. Continuously Variable
T ransmission (CVT )
Automatic Transmission Fluid
318
DIPSTICK
HOT
Range
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK

CONT INUED
Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
You will also see the ‘‘BRAKE
FLUID LOW’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display when the brake
f luid level is low.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is indicated by a maintenance
message on the multi-inf ormation
display.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda CVTF
(continuously variable
transmission f luid).
Independent of the Maintenance
Minder inf ormation, replace the
brake f luid every 3 years.
6.
5.
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Brake Fluid
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
319

The engine normally starts with the
IMA motor. If the engine does not
start while the IMA battery charge is
normally suf f icient, check the
f ollowing:Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate. Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page . 130
263 367
If theEngineWon’tStart
Starting the
Engine
356

When the IMA battery charge is low,
the starter motor is used to start the
engine. If the engine does not start,
check the f ollowing:If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the 12 volt battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the 12 volt battery and terminal
connections (see page ). You
canthentryjumpstartingthe
vehicle f rom a booster 12 volt
battery (see page ).If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See on page .358
374 344
358 374
If theEngineWon’tStart
Emergency
Towing
Jump Starting
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
357

µ
´
´ Start the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery. 7. 6.
4.
5.
3.
CONT INUED
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
359

CONT INUED
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
check the high temperature
indicator. If the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the high temperature indicator
goes of f , then continue driving.
If the high temperature indicator
stays on, turn of f the engine.Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). Add coolant if the level is
below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the high
temperature indicator goes of f
bef ore checking the radiator.
1. 2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
374
250
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
361
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.