2004 HONDA INSIGHT engine overheat

The manual transmission is syn-
chronizedinallforwardgearsfor
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shif ting up or
down,makesureyoupushtheclutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shif ting,
do not rest your f oot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster.Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
Reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into Reverse, or shif t into
one of the f orward gears f or a
moment. This stops the gears so
they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure the vehicle speed is low
enough that you will not activate the
engine speed limiter in the lower
gear. Make sure the engine speed
will not go into the tachometer’s red
zone in the lower gear bef ore
downshif ting.
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving108
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.

Open the hood.
To change the headlight bulb on
the driver’s side, remove the
engine coolant reservoir tank by
pulling it out of its holder.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area, readjustment may be
required. Adjustments should be
perf ormed by a Honda dealer or
other qualif ied mechanic.
1.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
144
NOTICE:
HOLDER
Halogen headlight bulbs get
very hot when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a
scratch on the glass can cause the bulb
to overheat and shatter.

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

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.

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

CONT INUED
.....................................
Load Limit .102
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 59
Locks ..............................
Fuel Fill Door .93
............................................
Hatch .60
..........................
Low Coolant Level .96
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .44
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 108
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 192
...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) . 101....................
New Vehicle Break-in .92
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 190..............
Panel Brightness Control . 55
...........................................
Parking .118
.................................
Parking Brake .67
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 43,180
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 118
.............................
PGM-FI System .198
..................
Power Socket Location . 68
..............................
Power Windows .65
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 15
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 16
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 15
........................
Protecting Children .23
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 32
.........
Protecting Small Children . 27
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .31
..................................
Maintenance .123
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .126
........................................
Record .129
......................
Required Indicator .45
..........................................
Saf ety .124
....................................
Schedule .125
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 43,178
...................
Manual Transmission . 108
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 141
.........................
Meters, Gauges .41, 46
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .66
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 100 .....
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 92
.........................................
Odometer .47
...............................
Odometer, Trip .48
Oil ........................
Change, How to .134
......................
Change, When to .127
........................
Checking Engine .95
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .134
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 59
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .197
.........................
Opening the Hatch .60
..............................
Outside Mirrors .66
....................
Overheating, Engine .175
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 126
...........................
Oxygenated Fuels .92
Index
M N
O
P
V

Î
Î...................
Radiator Overheating . 175
...........................
Readiness Codes .200
...............
Radio/CD Sound System . 78
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 147
............................
Rear View Mirror .66
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 56
....................
Rear Window Washer .53
.......................
Rear Window Wiper .53
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 64
Replacement Inf ormation ................
Engine Oil and Filter . 134
..........................................
Fuses .184
................................
Light Bulbs .144
....................................
Schedule .127
...........................................
Tires .157
.............................
Wiper Blades .151
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .18
Reserve Tank, Engine .................................
Coolant .96, 137
...............................
Restraint, Child .23
................................
Roof Antenna .150
................................
Rotation, Tire .157 ..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 17
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 204
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 37
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 17
...............
Additional Information . 17
.....................................
Cleaning .149
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .17
................................
Maintenance .18
Reminder Indicator and ................................
Beeper .17, 42
...................
System Components . 17
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 15
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 13
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .64
...............................
Serial Number .190
...........................
Service Intervals .127
...........................
Service Manual .205
...........
Service Station Procedures . 93
............................
Setting the Clock .89
...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators . 111........................
Shif t Lock Release .115
...............................
Signaling Turns .54
.....................................
Snow Tires .159
..................................
Sound System .78
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .164
............................
Specif ications .193
....................
Specif ications Charts . 192
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 19
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 22
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .21
...........
How Your Airbags Work . 19
........................
SRS Components .19
..................................
SRS Service .22
.............................
SRS Indicator .21 ,42
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 59
.......................
Starting the Engine .107
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .107
................
With a Dead Battery . 173
..............
State Emissions Testing . 200
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 175
Steering Wheel .............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 59
.....................
Stereo Sound System .78
Index
RS
VI