2012 HONDA INSIGHT brake

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 Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
295
NOTE:

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
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’s
manual.
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’s
manual.

µµµ
µ
µ
Ì
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

Î
Î
Ì Ì
Î
Ì
Maintenance Minder
310
:
TM
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

Fluid Locations
Maint enance
311
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION (CVT)
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop) BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)

CONT INUED
Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
You will also see the ‘‘BRAKE
FLUID LOW’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display when the brake
f luid level is low.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is indicated by a maintenance
message on the multi-inf ormation
display.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda CVTF
(continuously variable
transmission f luid).
Independent of the Maintenance
Minder inf ormation, replace the
brake f luid every 3 years.
6.
5.
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Brake Fluid
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
321