2004 HONDA INSIGHT engine

The indicator blinks as a reminder
that the engine has stopped because
of the Auto Idle Stop f unction. You
cannot restart the engine with the
ignition switch when this indicator is
blinking.If you open the driver’s door when
Auto Stop is active, the indicator will
blink and you will hear a chime. The
chime will stop when you close the
door.
Always turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0) and remove the key if you
are getting out of the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
A uto Idle Stop Indicator
117
AUTO IDLE STOP INDICATOR

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

......................
Maintenance Saf ety .124
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 125
....................
Maintenance Record .129
..............................
Fluid Locations .132
........................
Adding Engine Oil .133
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 134
..............................
Engine Coolant .137
....................
Windshield Washers .139
.......................
Transmission Fluid .140
Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) .140
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .141
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 142
....................................
Hood Latch .143
.............................................
Lights .144
.......................................
Seat Belts .149
.....................................
Floor Mats .149
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 150
................................
Roof Antenna .150
..........................
Rear Wheel Skirt .151
.................................
Wiper Blades .151
...............................................
Tires .154
...................
Checking the Battery . 160
.............................
Vehicle Storage .161
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
205
Maintenance
Maint enance123

All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
Honda technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and f lames away f rom the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance
Important Saf ety Precautions Injury f rom moving parts.
Potential Vehicle Hazards Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
124
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations, and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

µµ
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

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Maint enance127
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000 15
2430
4845
7260
9675
120 90
144 135
216150
240
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever comes first
Inspect every 105,000 miles (168,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Every 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or every 6 years, whichever comes first
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
157)
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brake wear
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace manual transmission fluid
Replace automatic transmission (CVT) fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . 105
168
120
192
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever comes first
: 126
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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Î
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Î
Maint enance128
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000 15
2430
4845
72 75
120 135
216
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever comes first
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) (Use normal schedule except in dusty conditions) Inspect every 105,000 miles (168,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
157)
Check front and rear brake wear
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace manual transmission fluid
Replace automatic transmission (CVT) fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or every 3 years, whichever comes first
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)60
96
90
144 120
192
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. 105
168
150
240
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever comes first
:
: 126
150
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions