2006 HONDA INSIGHT Owners Manual

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Wheels:
Tires: Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
See page f or DOT tire quality
grading inf ormation, and page
f or tire size and labeling
inf ormation. 198 196
Tires
Winter Driving
Wheels and T ires Specif ications
160
14x51/2JJ
P165/65R14 78S
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.

If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as original tires. Mount snow tires on
all f our wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
maybelowerthanyouroriginaltires.
Check with the tire dealer f or
maximum speed recommendations.When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads. Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices, with
rubber chain tensioners on the f ront
tires. Use traction devices only when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Make sure they are the
correct size f or your tires. Metal link-
type ‘‘chains’’ should not be used.
Tires
Snow T iresT ire Chains
Maint enance
161
Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.

µ
Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f uture corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.
Checking the Battery
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
162
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(manual) or Park (CVT).
Block the rear wheels. If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the 12 volt battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and hatch seals.
If you store your vehicle f or 1 year or
longer, have your dealer perf orm the
inspections called f or in the 2 years/
30,000 miles (48,000 km)
maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Reconnect the 12 volt battery and
drive your vehicle every month f or
about 30 minutes. This will keep
the IMA battery charged and in
good condition.
129
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
163

164

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 .166
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .167
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 173
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .173
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .174
................................
Jump Starting .175
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 177
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 179
..........
Charging System Indicator . 180
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 180
.......................
Readiness Codes .181
...............
Brake System Indicator . 182
......................
Emergency Towing .183
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 184
..............................................
Fuses .185
Checking and Replacing ......................................
Fuses .186
..............................
Fuse Locations .188
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
165

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the compact spare tire
inf lation pressure every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:Follow these precautions:
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
samewheel.Thesparetireisnot
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces. Use greater caution while
driving.
Do not mount snow chains on it.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Compact Spare Tire
166
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area that is
far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Reverse (5-speed
manual) or Park (CVT). Apply the
parking brake.
Open the hatch. Raise the cargo
area f loor by lif ting up on the back
edge.
Remove the storage box from the
cargo area well.
Take the tool kit f rom the spare
tire well. Remove the jack (in the
jack cover) f rom the inside of the
spare tire.
Unscrew the wing bolt, and take
the spare tire out of its well.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators, and turn the ignition
switch to LOCK (0). Have your
passenger get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
2.
3. 1.
4.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
167
FLOOR BOARDTOOL KIT
STORAGE BOX
SPARE TIRE
JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.