2012 HONDA INSIGHT brake light

If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
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.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission. 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.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you. Turn of f the lights. Make sure the windows are closed.
Lock the doors and the hatch.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. 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. Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
LX and EX models
Parking T ips
Parking
286

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.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.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.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their
ef f ectiveness. Use the engine to
assist the brakes by taking your f oot
of f the accelerator and downshif ting
to a lower speed.
Braking System
Driving
287

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

µµµ
µ
µ
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µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
U.S. Vehicles:
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 in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-
inf ormation display.
Lights Check the operation of
all the lights monthly. See page
.
251 252
320 321
340 323
CONT INUED
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
309
TM

The high-mount brake light should
be replaced by your dealer. The license plate has two lights
above it. The bulbs should be
replaced by your dealer.
Each outside mirror has side turn
signal lights. The lights should be
replaced by your dealer. The stop/taillights should be
replaced by your dealer.
EX models
Lights
High-mount Brake L ight Rear License Plate Light Bulbs
Side T urn Signal L ights Stop/taillights
332

Fill the f uel tank.
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.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
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.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month. 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.
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.
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.
Vehicle Storage
348
If this vehicle is unused f or over one
month, the service lif e of the 100V
Nickel-Metal Hydride battery will be
reduced and the battery may be
permanently damaged.

CONT INUED
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 to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.Open the hatch.
Remove the cargo area floor by
caref ully pulling the f ront edge of
the f loor straight up.
4. 3.
2. 1.
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
351
HOLDER
FLOOR
TABThe 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.

Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.To jump start your vehicle:
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the 12 volt
battery.
Turn of f all the electrical
accessories: climate control, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in Park, and set the
parking brake.
1.
2.
Jump Starting
360
BOOSTER
BATTERY
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.