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 5mph ( 8km/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.
75
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Auto Idle Stop
118
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.Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
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. 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.
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
Parking T ips
120
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. Your vehicle 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.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.
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.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Braking System
Braking System Design
Brake Wear Indicators
Driving
121
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 this 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
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
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.
You should never pump the brake pedal;
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
ABS Indicator
122
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 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. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
it only helps with steering
control during braking.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Towing a Trailer
Important Saf ety Reminders T owing a T railer
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent the loss of
stability. A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle;
Driving
123
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.
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. 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.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit. Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving.
94
Maintenance Schedule
Which Schedule to Follow:
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Maint enance
127
NOTE:
̵
µ
µ µ
µ
µ
Your authorized 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. According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should 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. U.S. Vehicles:
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 f ill the f uel tank. See
page .
97
98
142 145
156
146
Maintenance Schedule
Servicing Your Vehicle
Owner’s Maintenance ChecksMaintenance,
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.
128
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .44, 180
............................
Jump Starting .175
..............................
Maintenance .162
............................
Specif ications .195
................................
Bef ore Driving .93
..................................
Belts, Seat .10, 18
.............................
Beverage Holder .71
..................................
Booster Seats .35 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 122
................
Break-in, New Linings . 94
....................
Bulb Replacement .149
...........................................
Fluid .144
.........................................
Parking .69
.................
System Indicator . 45,182
........................
Wear Indicators .121
.............................
Braking System .121
...................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 94
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 57
........................
Brights, Headlights .56
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .149
..............................
Brake Lights .149
................
Front Parking Lights . 147
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 148
.................................
Headlights .146
............................
Specif ications .195
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 148
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .146
....................................
Accessories .100
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .61
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 71
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 136
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11, 21
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 21
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 24
.............................
Airbag Service .23
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 23
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .21
........................
SRS Components .21
................
Air Conditioning System . 74
.....................................
Usage .75, 78
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .156
.........................
Normal Driving .157
.........................
Alcohol in Gasoline .94
......................................
Antif reeze .139
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .45, 122
....................................
Operation .122
................
Anti-theft, Audio System . 90Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock .61
..................................
Audio System .80
........................
Auto Idle Stop .111, 118
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 19
..............
Automatic Transmission . 113
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .194
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 142
.......................................
Shif ting .114
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .113
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 114
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 117
CONT INUED
Index
A
B
INDEX
I