2003 HONDA INSIGHT Owners Manual

Fluid Locations
Maint enance
309
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION (CVT)
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop) BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on the valve cover. Pour the
oil slowly and caref ully so you do not
spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 0W-20
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.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.
A dding Engine Oil
Recommended Engine Oil
310
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP

Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
0W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label. You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
A very low-viscosity, f uel-ef f icient
0W-20 oil is the engine lubricant f or
your Insight. This oil is f ormulated to
help your engine use less f uel.
A dding Engine Oil
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
Maint enance
311
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature

Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the screws with a Phillips-
head screwdriver, and clips with a
f lat-tip screwdriver, then pull the
under-cover down.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. The oil and f ilter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
1.
2.3.
Changing the Oil and Filter
312
SCREW
CLIP SCREWS

CONT INUED
Remove the oil drain bolt and
washer from the bottom of the
engine. Drain the oil into an
appropriate container.Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Make sure the oil f ilter gasket is
not stuck to the contacting surface
of the engine. If it is, remove it
bef ore installing a new oil f ilter.Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter): Refill the engine with the
recommended oil. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to: Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the contacting surf ace
of a new oil f ilter. Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
7.
8.
4. 5. 6.
Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
313
WASHER
OIL FILTER
BOLT
3.4 US qt (3.2)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)

Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
Put the under-cover back in place
and reinstall the holding clips and
screws. Lock the clips securely by
pushing on the center of each clip.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine, and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
9.
10. 11.
12.
Changing the Oil and Filter
314
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

µµ
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to between the
MIN and MAX lines. Inspect the
cooling system f or leaks. Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent distilled
water. Never add straight antif reeze
or plain water.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
315
RESERVE TANK
If you regularly drive your vehicle
under severe conditions in very low
temperature (under 31°F, 35°C), a
higher concentration of coolant should
be used. Consult your Honda dealer
f or more inf ormation on the proper
coolant.

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.