2011 HONDA INSIGHT Owners Manual

This indicator and the warning
message on the multi-inf ormation
display will go of f , af ter several miles
(kilometers) driving, when the spare
tire is replaced with the specified
regular tire equipped with the tire
pressure monitor sensor.
Also, the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator begins to f lash, then stays
on (see page ).
If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on, or the multi-
inf ormation display shows a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’ message,
the VSA system automatically turns
on even when the VSA system is
turned of f by pressing the VSA OFF
switch (see page ). If this
happens, you cannot turn the VSA
system of f by pressing the VSA OFF
switch again.
When you restart the vehicle with
thecompactsparetire,theTPMS
system message will also be
displayed on the multi-inf ormation
display af ter several miles
(kilometers) driving. If you have a f lat tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator will come
on. Replace the f lat tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
After the flat tire is replaced with the
spare tire, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator stays on while
driving. Af ter several miles
(kilometers) driving, this indicator
begins to f lash, then stays on again.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TPMS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. This is normal;
the system cannot monitor the spare
tire pressure. Manually check the
sparetirepressuretobesureitis
correct.
Each wheel (except the compact
sparetirewheel)isequippedwitha
tire pressure sensor. You must use
TPMS specif ic wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
qualif ied technician.
291
296 351
CONT INUED
Changing a T ire with T PMS
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
293

As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept any interf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesired
operation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f or compliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210. Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not cause interf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may cause undesired operation of the device.Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a f lat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Havetheflattirerepairedbyyour
dealer as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
294

If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e, and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer.
If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA system indicator blink.
The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surf aces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise f rom the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA activation indicator blink.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety. When VSA is off, the VSA OFF
indicator comes on as a reminder.
The VSA system indicator will also
come on when there is a problem in
the hill start assist system. For more
inf ormation, see page .
The main f unction of the
VSA system is generally known as
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
The system also includes a traction
control f unction.
When the VSA system indicator
comes on, you will also see a
‘‘CHECK VSA SYSTEM’’ or
‘‘CHECK HILL START ASSIST
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. 297
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
VSA OFF Indicator
Vehicle St ability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
295
NOTE:

Immediately af ter f reeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.
In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or f resh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched of f . When the VSA system
is of f , the traction control system is
alsooff.Youshouldonlyattemptto
f ree your vehicle with the VSA of f if
you are not able to f ree it when the
VSA is on.
VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the
vehicle.
When VSA is off, the VSA activation
indicator comes on as a reminder.
Press and hold the switch again. It
turns the system back on.
This switch is under the driver’s side
vent. To turn the VSA system on and
of f , press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on (see page ),
or the multi-information display
shows a ‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message with the indicator flashing
(see page ), the VSA system
automatically turns on even if the
VSA system is turned off with the
VSA OFF switch. In this case, you
cannot turn the VSA system of f by
pressing the VSA OFF switch again.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
291
292
On U.S. models
Vehicle St ability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA OFF Switch
296 VSA OFF
SWITCH

Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.Your vehicle is equipped with a hill
start assist f eature to help prevent
the vehicle f rom rolling on inclines
as you move your f oot f rom the
brake pedal to the accelerator.
To activate hill start assist, you must
come to a complete stop and make
sure the shif t lever is in any of D, S
or L (either in D or S on models with
the paddle shif ters) when f acing
uphill, or reverse when f acing
downhill. Release the brake pedal.
Thebrakesremainengagedbriefly
to keep the vehicle f rom rolling
forward or backward while you move
your f oot f rom the brake pedal to the
accelerator pedal. Gently apply the
accelerator pedal as in normal
driving. Hill start assist will release
brake pressure gradually as you
accelerate.Hillstartassistmaynotpreventyour
vehicle f rom rolling downhill on a
very steep or slippery slope, and will
not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement
f or the parking brake. If parking
your vehicle, ensure that the
transmission is in Park, and the
parking brake is f ully applied bef ore
exiting the vehicle. You should also
turn of f the engine bef ore exiting the
vehicle.
The VSA system indicator will come
on when there is a problem in the hill
start assist system. With the VSA
system indicator on, the hill start
assist system will not activate.
Hill start assist will still operate even
when VSA is switched off.
344
Vehicle St ability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA and Tire Sizes Hill Start Assist System
Driving
297

Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Towing a Trailer
298

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself . ......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 300
.................
Maintenance Minder . 301
..............................
Fluid Locations . 311
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 312
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 314
..............................
Engine Coolant . 317
....................
Windshield Washers . 319
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 320
Continuously Variable ............
Transmission (CVT) . 320
....................................
Brake Fluid . 321
.............................................
Lights . 323
..............................
Audio Antenna . 333
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 333
.....................................
Floor Mats . 333
..................
DustandPollenFilter .334
.................................
Wiper Blades . 334
...............................................
Tires . 340
......
Checking the 12 Volt Battery . 346
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 348
399
Maintenance
Maintenance, 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.
Maint enance
299
TM

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or qualif ied
mechanic.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions Injury f rom moving parts.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
300 Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’smanual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’smanual.