2003 HONDA INSIGHT trailer

2003 Insight Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction
........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety ........................................................................\
........................................ .ii
Your Car at a Glance ........................................................................................................................... iv
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
...................................... 5
Proper use and care of your car's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint\
System.
Instruments and Controls ................................................................................................................. 59
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to us e dashboard and steering column controls.
Features ............................. .................................................................. 161
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving .................................................................................................................................. 243
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new car, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
...................................................................... 261
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance ..................................................................................................................................... 297
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your car to the\
dealer.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
...................................................................................................... 347
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and\
how to handle them.
Technical Information ..................................................................................................................... 377
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada) ................................................................393
A summary of the warranties covering your new Honda, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only) ...................................................................................................... 397
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index ........................................................................\
........................................................................\
.... .I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

µµ
µ
µµµ
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the multi-
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy. Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).
Use the ECON mode as much as
possible.
307
Fuel Economy Factors
Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page ).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately
Observe the speed limit
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
A void excessive idling
311
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Fuel Economy
252

µ·
µ The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If yourvehiclewillbetowinga
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs. Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg).
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
Label Example
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(6) (5) (4)
CONT INUED
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
257
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Carrying Cargo
258
Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg)
Max Load 850 lbs (385 kg)
Max Load 850 lbs (385 kg) Cargo Weight
250 lbs
(113 kg)
Cargo Weight
100 lbs
(45 kg)
Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs
(68kgx2=136kg)
Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs
(68kgx4=272kg)
Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs
(68kgx5=340kg) Cargo Weight
550 lbs
(249 kg)

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

Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Towing a Trailer
296

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