2004 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 .164
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .165
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 171
................................
Jump Starting .173
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 175
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 177
..........
Charging System Indicator . 178
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 178
...............
Brake System Indicator . 180
......................
Emergency Towing .181
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 182
..............................................
Fuses .183
..............................
Fuse Locations .186
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed163

If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page . If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
160
173 107
184 181
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
172

CONT INUED
The reading on your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge reading reaching the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.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
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge reading comes down to the
midpoint, then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge reading
stays at the red mark, 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 ).
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f all accessories, and turn
on the hazard warning lights.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
181
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
175
NOTICE: Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature
gauge reading at the red mark can
cause serious damage to your engine.

If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. 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 reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge, or lower,
bef ore checking the radiator.Using gloves or large heavy cloth,
turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
6.
7.
8.
9.
181
11. 10.
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
176
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

The brake system
indicator normally
comesonwhenyou
turn the ignition switch to ON (II)
and as a reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay lit if you do
not f ully release the parking brake.
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 ).
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. 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 by shif ting to a lower
gear, 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 (see
on page ). If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
143 181
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
180
U.S. Canada

µµ
µ
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.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and the cables lif t that end of the vehicle
of f the ground. Your vehicle’s sus-
pension and body can be seriously
damaged.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If , due to
damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing:
Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral.
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine. 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 is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged.
5-speed Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission (CVT):
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment
Sling-t ype Equipment
This is the best way to trans-
port your Honda.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Honda. T his method of towing
is unacceptable.
181
NOTICE:
NOTICE: Improper towing preparation
will damage the transmission. Follow
the above procedure exactly. If you
cannot shif t the transmission or start
the engine (CVT), your vehicle must be
transported with the f ront wheels of f
the ground.
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.

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.
To use the towing hook:Remove the towing hook and
wheel wrench f rom the tool box. Remove the cover f rom the
bumper with the end of the
extension.
Screw the towing hook into the
hole and tighten it securely by
hand.
1. 2.
3.
181
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed182

CONT INUED
.....................................
Fan, Interior .73
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .71
......................
Filling the Fuel Tank .93
Filter .........................
Dust and Pollen .150
...............................................
Oil .134
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 141
................................
Shif ting the .108
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 55
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 165
Fluids Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) .140
..........................................
Brake .142
.........................................
Clutch .143
..............
Manual Transmission . 141
..................
Windshield Washer . 139
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception .81
...................................................
Fuel .92
........................
Fill Door and Cap .93
...........................................
Gauge .47 ..................
Octane Requirement . 92
.................................
Oxygenated .92
........................
Reserve Indicator .44
..........................
Tank, Filling the .93
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .183
.................
Gas Mileage, Improving . 97
...........................................
Gasoline .92
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 44
...........................................
Gauge .47
..................
Octane Requirement . 92
..........................
Tank, Filling the .93
..................
Gas Station Procedures . 93
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 47
...............................................
Fuel .47
Gearshif t Lever Positions Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) .111
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .108
........................................
Glove Box .69
............................
Jump Starting .173
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 177
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 178
..................
Overheated Engine . 175
.......................................
Towing .181
...........................
Emergency Brake .67
......................
Emergency Flashers .55
......................
Emergency Towing .181
.......................
Emissions Controls .197
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 47
.........................
If It Won’t Start .171
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .43, 178
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 133
...............................
Overheating .175
............................
Specif ications .192
.......................................
Starting .107
...............
Engine, If It Won’t Start . 171
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 109,114
........................
Ethanol in Gasoline .92
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 197
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .36
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .15
Index
F
G
III