2005 HONDA INSIGHT ECO mode

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The Shif t Up or Shif t Down indicator
will come on at the best time to shif t
toahigherorlowergearforthebest
f uel economy. You can achieve the
best f uel economy by accelerating
and decelerating slowly, and shif ting
up when prompted.To maximize f uel economy, under
certain conditions, the engine will
shut of f when you come to a stop.
Those conditions are:
The A/C is of f , or in ECON mode,
and the outside temperature is
above 41°F (5°C) (see page ). The engine coolant is nearly up to
normal operating temperature.
The vehicle’s speed is below 19
mph (30 km/h) and you are
pressing on the brake pedal to
come to a stop.
You depress the clutch pedal.
You are not pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
The IMA battery is suf f iciently
charged (at least 1/3 on the
battery level gauge).
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone. If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone. Road and traffic conditions may
require you to shif t at times other
than those indicated. The Shift Down indicator prompts
you to shif t to a lower gear when you
are climbing a hill f aster than 12 mph
(19km/h),losingspeed,and
pressing on the accelerator pedal.
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Shif t Up/Shif t Down Indicators
A uto Idle Stop
Engine Speed L imiter
Manual T ransmission
Driving
111
SHIFT UP INDICATOR
SHIFT DOWN INDICATOR

Honda’s Continuously Variable
Transmission’s unique design
provides a smooth, constant f low of
power. It is electronically controlled
f or more precise operation and
better f uel economy.These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in.
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). If it
f lashes while driving (in any shif t
position), it indicates a possible
problem in the transmission.If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem in the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
U.S. model
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Continuously Variable
T ransmission (CVT )
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Driving
113

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Use this position f or
normal driving. The drive position
has two modes, Drive (D) and
Second (S). You can select the
desired mode with the two select
buttons on the steering wheel. The
‘‘D’’ indicator remains lit in either
mode. Usethismodefor
everyday driving. The transmission
automatically adjusts to keep the
engine at the best speed f or driving
conditions. To help the engine warm
up f aster, the transmission will select
ratios that allow the engine to run at
higher speeds when it is cold.
In this mode, the
transmission selects a wider range of
ratios to give better acceleration.
Usethismodefordrivingupor
downhill. Along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, the ‘‘S’’ indicator comes on
as a reminder.
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Drive (D)
Drive Mode
Second (S) Mode
Driving
115
DRIVE MODE BUTTON
SECOND MODE BUTTON
‘‘D’’ INDICATOR
‘‘S’’ INDICATOR

µ
You can switch into and out of
Second mode with the ignition
switch ON (II) and the shif t lever in
D position. If you turn the ignition
switch to ACCESSORY (I) in Second
mode, the mode is switched to Drive.
The ‘‘S’’ indicator also comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON(II). To shif t to Low, press
the release button on the side of the
shif t lever. Use Low to get more
power when climbing, and f or
maximum engine braking when
going down steep hills.
ForfasteraccelerationwheninDor
L, the transmission will automatically
‘‘kick down’’ to a lower range of
ratios when you push the accelerator
pedal to the f loor. If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Low (L)
Engine Speed Limiter
116

To maximize f uel economy, your
Insight has an Auto Idle Stop
f unction. Under certain conditions,
the engine will shut of f when you
come to a stop. Those conditions are:The engine coolant is nearly up to
normal operating temperature.
The shift lever is in D or N.
You are not pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
The IMA battery is sufficiently
charged (at least 1/3 on the
Battery Level Gauge).
The A/C is of f , or in ECON mode,
and the outside temperature is
above 41°F (5°C) (see page ). There is adequate vacuum reserve
f or the power brakes.
When these conditions are met, the
engine will shut of f as you are
braking to a stop and the vehicle
speed goes below 5 mph (8 km/h).
The engine will start again when you
release the brake pedal. It will also
restart, even if you are still pressing
the brake pedal, under these
conditions: You move the shif t lever f rom D
orNtoR,L,orP.
You press the accelerator pedal.
You are on an incline, and the
vehicle begins rolling. During Auto Idle Stop, the IMA
charge and power brake vacuum
reserve is monitored by the system.
If the vacuum reserve drops below
an optimal level, the engine will
restart to replenish the vacuum
supply. If the IMA charge drops
below an optimal level and the shif t
lever is in Neutral or Park (P), the
engine will restart to recharge the
IMA battery.
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Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Auto Idle Stop
118

Park the vehicle on level ground.
With the A/C of f , let the engine
run until the radiator cooling f an
cycles on and of f twice. Then turn
of f the engine.
NOTE: For accurate results, wait at
least 60 seconds, and no more than
90 seconds, af ter turning of f the
engine to check the f luid level. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks within the HOT range.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spills immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and ref illed
with Honda ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient.
1. 2.
3.
4.5.
U.S. model
T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
142
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK HOT
DIPSTICK

Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Check the f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly. There are up to
two reservoirs, depending on the
model. They are:
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
Replace the brake f luid according to
the recommendation in the
maintenance schedule.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid
144