2004 HONDA INSIGHT brakes

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the storage box or take them
with you.
Lock the doors and the hatch with
the key or the remote transmitter.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Parking T ips
Driving
Parking T ips
118

Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear. Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eelnormal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The f ront disc brakes on all models
have audible brake wear indicators.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Your Honda is equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the ef f ort needed on
thebrakepedal.TheABShelpsyou
retain steering control when braking
very hard.
Braking System
Driving
Braking System Design
Brake Wear Indicators
119
Front

You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent the brakes f rom
locking up and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
this def eats the purpose of the ABS.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal as you steer away from
the hazard. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’ If the ABS indicator comes on, the
anti-lock f unction of the braking
system has shut down. The brakes
still work like a conventional system,
but without anti-lock. You should
have the dealer inspect your vehicle
as soon as possible.
You should never pump the brake pedal;
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
Activating the Anti-lock Brakes
ABS Indicator
120

It only helps with the
steering control during braking. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions. Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Towing a Trailer
Driving
Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle. A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Towing a Trailer
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent the loss of
stability.
121

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The maintenance schedule assumes
you will use your vehicle as normal
transportation for passengers and
their possessions. You should also
f ollow these recommendations:
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other vehicle parts. The load limit
is shown on the tire inf ormation
label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within legal
speed limits.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage ). Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop and go driving, such as a taxi
or a commercial delivery vehicle. Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Normal Conditions.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions. Driving in mountainous conditions.
92
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
U.S. Owners Canadian Owners
125
NOTE:

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Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your
warranties in ef f ect. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet f or
more inf ormation.
We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done.
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Honda
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page . Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . Automatic transmission (CVT)
Check the f luid level monthly. See
page . Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Engine oil level Check every time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
95
140 143
154
144 96
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Servicing Your Vehicle
Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
126

CONT INUED
.....
Accessories and Modif ications . 99
..................................
Accessories .99
............................
Modif ications .100
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .59
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 69
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 134
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 19
................
Air Conditioning System . 72
.....................................
Usage .73, 76
.........................
Air Outlets (Vents) .74
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .154
.........................
Normal Driving .155
.........................
Alcohol in Gasoline .92
......................................
Antif reeze .137
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .59
..................................
Audio System .78
........................
Auto Idle Stop .109, 116
..............
Automatic Transmission . 111
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .192
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 140
.......................................
Shif ting .112 Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .111
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 112
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 115
............................
Capacities Chart .192
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 36
....................
Cargo, How to Carry .102
.............................
Carrying Cargo .101
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...........................................
CD Care .85
.............
CD Player Error Message . 86
.........
CD Changer Error Message . 87
.........................................
CD player .83
........................
Certif ication Label .190
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .42, 178
............................
Jump Starting .173
..............................
Maintenance .160
............................
Specif ications .193
................................
Bef ore Driving .91
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,17
.............................
Beverage Holder .69
..................................
Booster Seats .33
Brakes ................
Break-in, New Linings . 92
...........................................
Fluid .142
....................
Bulb Replacement .147
.........................................
Parking .67
.................
System Indicator . 43,180
........................
Wear Indicators .119
.............................
Braking System .119
...................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 92 ..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 55
........................
Brights, Headlights .54
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .147
...............................
Brake Light .147
................
Front Parking Lights . 145
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 146
.................................
Headlights .144
............................
Specif ications .193
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 146
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .144
Index
A
B
C
I