2003 HONDA INSIGHT emergency towing

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .348
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .349
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 356
................................
Jump Starting .358
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 360
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 363
12 Volt Battery Charging System .....................................
Indicator .364
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 365
...............
Brake System Indicator . 366
..............................................
Fuses .367
..............................
Fuse Locations .372
......................
Emergency Towing .374
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 375
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
347

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

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.

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down and pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e. Because of the
long distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (seeon page ). If this indicator comes on f or any
other reason, have your vehicle
inspected by your dealer. There may
be a malfunction with the electric
brake distribution (EBD) system.
Avoidhardbrakingandhighspeed
driving.
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ). The brake system indicator normally
comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position and as
a reminder to check the parking
brake. If you do not release the
parking brake, the indicator will stay
on, and you will see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display. You will also see a ‘‘BRAKE FLUID
LOW’’ or ‘‘CHECK BRAKE
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the ABS indicator comes on with
the brake system indicator, have
your vehicle inspected by your
dealer immediately.89
319 374
Brake System Indicator
Emergency
Towing
(Red)
366
U.S.
Canada

µ
µ If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this:
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle:
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront) and lif t them
of f the ground. The other two tires
remain on the ground. The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. Start the engine.
Shif t to the D position and hold f or
5 seconds, then to N.
Turn of f the engine.
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.Wheel-lif t Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment
T his is an
acceptable way to tow your
vehicle. T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
Emergency T owing
374
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the f ront wheels of f
the ground.

To use the towing hook:Remove the cover f rom the f ront
bumper using your f ingers, or pry
it of f using a cloth and a f lat-tip
screwdriver to prevent scratches.
If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see page ).
For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on the anchor in the f ront bumper.
Remove the towing hook and
wheel nut wrench f rom the tool
case in the cargo area.
1.
2.
374
CONT INUED
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
375
Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.

CONT INUED
Doors...................
Auto Door Locking . 109
...............
Auto Door Unlocking . 110
............
Childproof Door Locks . 134
............
Locking and Unlocking . 133
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 382
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .261
....................................
Economy .251
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 332 ...................................
Fan, Interior .164
.........................................
Features .161
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 245
Filters .........................
Dust and Pollen .332
...............................................
Oil .313
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 125
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 349
.....................................
Floor Mats .331
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 318
..........................................
Brake .319
..................
Windshield Washer . 317
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .212
........................
Four-way Flashers .125
............................
Front Airbags .10, 25
........................
Eco Assist System .264
................
Ecological Drive Display . 81
................................
ECON Button .127
..................................
ECON Mode .127
..............................
Economy, Fuel .251
............
Emergencies on the Road . 347
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 358
.....
Brake System Indicator . 63,366
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 349
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .63, 364
..................
Checking the Fuses . 369Low Oil Pressure
...........................
Indicator .62, 363
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .62, 365
..................
Overheated Engine . 360
.........................
Emergency Brake .151
....................
Emergency Flashers .125
...........
Emergency Hatch Opener . 140
......................
Emergency Towing .374
.......................
Emissions Controls .387
........................
Emissions Testing .390
Engine ............
Adding Engine Coolant . 315
Coolant Temperature ...................................
Indicator .67
.........................
If It Won’t Start .356
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .62, 365
.........................
Oil Lif e Display .299
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,363
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 310
...............................
Overheating .360
............................
Specif ications .380
............................
Speed Limiter .274
.......................................
Starting .263
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 387...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
Index
F
E
INDEX
III

Index
INDEX
IX
Tires...........................................
Snow .342
............................
Specif ications .381
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 350
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .296
..................
Emergency Towing . 374
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .318
...........................
Fluid Selection .319
..............
Identif ication Number . 379
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 272
.....................................
Treadwear .340
.......................................
Trip Meter .79
..................................
Turn Signals .121
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .347
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 382
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .244
......................
USB Adapter Cable .205
.........
USB Flash Memory Device . 203
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 314................................
Vanity Mirror .158
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 257
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .380
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 378
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
)
....................................
System .293
.............
VSA OFF Indicator . 65,293
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .294
........
VSA System Indicator . 65,293
.............................
Vehicle Storage .346
.....................................
Ventilation .165
.................................................
VIN .378
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .311
............
WARNING, Explanation of . iv
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 57
....................
Warranty Coverages .395
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 317
...................................
Operation .119
Wheels .............
Adjusting the Steering . 128 ............
Alignment and Balance . 340
.....................................
Cleaning .343
..........................
Compact Spare .348
...............................
Nut Wrench .350
Windows .............................
Auto Reverse .150
................
Operating the Power . 149
.........................
Rear, Def ogger .126
Windshield .....................................
Cleaning .119
...................................
Def roster .166
.....................................
Washers .119
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .332
...................................
Operation .119
....................................
Worn Tires .339
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 374
W
U V