Page 1 of 218

2004 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 Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glanc e........................................................................\
.............................................2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
......................................5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .39
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
....................... .71
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
........................................................... .91
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .105
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................123
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................163
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................189
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................201
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................205
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.
Page 2 of 218
This Owner’s Manual should be
considered a permanent part of the
vehicle, and should remain with the
vehicle when it is sold.
The inf ormation and specif ications
included in this publication were in
effect at the time of approval for
printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specif ications
or design at any time without notice
and without incurring any obligation
whatsoever. This Owner’s Manual covers all
models of the Insight. You may f ind
descriptions of equipment and
features that are not on your
particular model.
Owner’s Identif ication
OWNER
ADDRESS
V. I. N.
DELIVERY DATE
DEALER NAMEDEALER NO.
ADDRESS
OWNER’S SIGNATURE
DEALER’S SIGNATURE
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE
(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE
Page 3 of 218

Congratulations! Your selection of a 2004 Honda Insight was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Honda is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so
youcanrefertoitatanytime.As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a symbol. This inf ormation
is intended to help you avoid damage
to your Honda, other property, or the
environment.
Several warranties protect your new Honda. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual
helps to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves your investment.
When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Honda
dealer’s staf f is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to
your Honda. Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be
pleased to answer any questions and concerns.
Calif ornia Proposition 65 Warning This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of
Calif ornia to cause cancer and birth def ects or other reproductive harm.
Introduction
WARNING: NOTICE:
i
Page 4 of 218

µ
µ
µ µµ
µ
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement. You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully.
how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
such as Driver and Passenger Safety. such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions. These signal words mean: preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
on the vehicle.
AFewWordsAboutSafety
Instructions Saf ety Section Saf ety Headings Saf ety Messages Saf ety L abels
DANGER WARNING CAUTION
ii
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions. You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions. You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
Page 5 of 218
Î
Î
Your Vehicle at a Glance
2
U.S. modelDOOR LOCK
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION DIGITAL CLOCK AUDIO SYSTEM
GAUGES
FCD SELECT
BUTTON
ACCESSORY
POWER SOCKET
INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
(P. 94) (P.108)
(P.
111) (P.
69)(P.
78)
(P. 89)
(P.
41)
(P. 46)
DRIVER’S AIRBAG POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P. 65) (P.
72, 76) PASSENGER’S AIRBAG
(P. 19)
(P. 49)
(P. 60)
(P. 19)
(P. 93)
Page 6 of 218
Î
Î
Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
U.S. modelMIRROR CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS HORN REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
ECON BUTTON
DRIVING MODE BUTTONS (CVT)
(P.
66)
(P. 65)
(P.54) (P.
52)
(P.113) (P.
53)
(P.73)
HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON(P. 55)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P. 78)
(P. 56)
Page 7 of 218
Page 8 of 218

µ
This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passenger. It
shows you how to use seat belts
properly. It explains how your
airbags work, and it tells you how to
properly restrain children in your
vehicle. .........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.......
Your Vehicle’s Saf ety Features . 7
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
...........................................
Airbags .9
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
.....
1 . Close and Lock the Doors . 11
......................
2. Adjust the Seats .11
............
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 12
4. Fasten and Position the ...
Lap/Shoulder Seat Belts . 13
5 . Maintain a Proper Sitting
................................
Position .14
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 15
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 16
Additional Inf ormation About Your .................................
Seat Belts .17
..
Seat Belt System Components . 17
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .17
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 18
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags .19
......
Airbag System Components . 19
...........
How Your Airbags Work . 19
How the Automatic Seat Belt ....................
Tensioners Work .21
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 21.............................
Airbag Service .22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 22
Protecting Children .................
General Guidelines . 23
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .23
Your Vehicle is Not Recommended f or Child ..........................
Passengers .24
The Passenger’s Airbag Poses ...........................
Serious Risks .24
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 26
.........
Protecting Small Children . 27
.................
Selecting a Child Seat . 28
................
Installing a Child Seat . 28
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 32
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 36
...................................
Saf ety Labels .37
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety5