2012 HONDA INSIGHT transmission

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With the shif t lever in the S position,
you can select the 7-Speed Manual
shif t mode to shif t speeds; much like
a manual transmission using the
paddle shif ters, but without a clutch
pedal.
When you move the shif t lever f rom
the ‘‘D’’ to the ‘‘S’’ position and pull
either paddle shif ter, the shif t
indicator displays ‘‘M’’ along with the
selected speed number.
To upshif t, pull the (right) paddle
shif ter. To downshif t, pull the
(lef t) paddle shif ter.If you keep depressing the
accelerator pedal without pulling the
paddle shif ter, the speed will be
automatically shifted up just before
the tachometer’s red zone.
The transmission also shif ts
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It downshif ts to f irst
speed when the vehicle speed
reaches 6 mph (10 km/h) or less.
Downshifting with the (left)
paddle shif ter allows you to increase
the engine braking when going down
steep or long hills, and provides
more power when climbing uphills.
You can upshif t the transmission
manually to reduce the rpm.
To enter the 7-speed manual shif t
mode, press the release button on
the front of the shift lever, move the
lever to the S position, then pull
either paddle shif ter. To cancel the
7-speed manual shif t mode and
return to the ordinary automatic
transmission (CVT), move the shif t
lever f rom the S position. When
moving the shift lever, be careful not
to operate incorrectly. While you are
driving in the 7-speed manual shif t
mode, the transmission will not
automatically return to the ordinary
automatic transmission (CVT).
CONT INUED
On EX models
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Using the Paddle Shif ters in the S
position (7-Speed Manual Shif t
Mode)
Driving
281
SHIFT INDICATOR ‘‘M’’ INDICATOR

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The automatic transmission (CVT)
will not allow you to shif t if :
You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower speed.
If you try to do this, the shift
indicator will f lash the number of
the lower speed several times,
then return to a higher speed.
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher speed. Drive in the highest speed number
that lets the engine run and
accelerate smoothly. This will give
you ef f ective emissions control. The
f ollowing shif t points are
recommended:
To shift to Low,
pull and hold both paddle shif ters
simultaneously until you see L in the
shift indicator. Use Low to get more
power when climbing, and f or
maximum engine braking when
going down steep hills.
Shif t up 12
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45
56
67 Normal acceleration
15 mph (24 km/h)
25 mph (40 km/h)
40 mph (64 km/h)
45 mph (72 km/h)
50 mph (81 km/h)
55 mph (89 km/h)
You pull both paddle shif ters at
thesametime.
You pull one of the two paddle
shifters with another paddle
shif ter being pulled.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters
Recommended Shif t Points L (L ow) mode
282

To help maximize f uel economy,
your vehicle has an Auto Idle Stop
f unction. Depending on
environmental conditions and vehicle
operation, the engine will shut of f
when you come to a stop.The transmission f luid
temperature is low.
When the vehicle is stopped on an
incline.
The windshield def roster is on.
The f an speed is selected to high
(more than f our steps on the
horizontal f an speed indicators).
The IMA battery charge is low.
While the auto idle stop f unction is
activated, the auto idle stop indicator
in the instrument panel blinks (see
page ).
WhentheECONmodeison,the
engine is more likely to stop than
when it is of f (see page ).
The engine will not stop
automatically under the f ollowing
conditions:
The engine automatically stops when
the vehicle comes to a stop with the
shif t lever in the D position and the
brake pedal pressed.
The engine may also stop when
vehicle speed drops below 7 mph (11
km/h) with the brake pedal pressed. Vehicle speed does not go above 9
mph (15 km/h) af ter starting the
engine.The vehicle is stopped with the
shif t position in P, R, S, or L.
The engine coolant temperature is
low. The pointer of the charge/assist
gauge does not move when
accelerating or decelerating. 285
127
CONT INUED
Auto Idle Stop
Driving
283

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

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 Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA and Tire Sizes
Hill Start Assist System
Driving
297

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
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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
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Maintenance Minder
310
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Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column
on page .
Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake
fluid every 3 years.
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
NOTE: :
309
Maintenance Minder