2012 HONDA INSIGHT Owners Manual

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Your new vehicle is covered by these
warranties:
provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle. provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom your dealer.
a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
covered by a limited warranty.
Please read your warranty booklet
f or details.
covers all Honda
replacement parts against defects in
materials and workmanship. Honda accessories are covered
under this warranty. Time and
mileage limits depend on the type of
accessory and other factors. Please
read your warranty booklet f or
details. all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit.
covers your new vehicle, except f or
the emissions control systems and
accessories, against def ects in
materials and workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s
emissions control systems. Time,
mileage, and coverage are
conditional. Please read your
warranty booklet f or exact
inf ormation. Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2012 Honda warranty inf ormation
booklet that came with your vehicle
f or precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your vehicle’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty
inf ormation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2012 warranty
manual that came with your vehicle.
Warranty Coverages
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Replacement Muf f ler L if et imeLimited Warranty
Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty
Accessory Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant y
Emissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions
397

If you believe that your vehicle has a def ect which
could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inf orm the National Highway
Traf f ic Saf ety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to
notif ying American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your dealer, or
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety
Hotline toll-f ree at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to; or write to: Administrator,
NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
You can also obtain other inf ormation about motor
vehicle safety from . If you believe that your vehicle has a def ect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inf orm Honda Canada Inc. and you may also
inform Transport Canada.
To contact Transport Canada’s Def ect Investigations and
Recalls Division, you may call 1-800-333-0510. For more
inf ormation on reporting saf ety def ects or about motor
vehicle saf ety, go to . If Transport Canada receives similar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it f inds that a saf ety def ect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may lead to a recall and
remedy campaign. However, Transport Canada cannot
become involved in individual problems between you,
your dealer, or Honda Canada Inc.
Reporting Saf ety Def ects
In the US
In Canada
398
http://www.saf ercar.gov
http://www.saf ercar.gov http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsaf ety

T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
(U.S. only)
Authorized Manuals
Authorized Manuals
399
Publication
Form Number 61TM802
61TM802EL
61TM830
31TM8620
31TM8820
31TM8M20 31TM8Q20 HON-R Form Description
2012 Honda Insight Service Manual 2012 Honda Insight
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2012 Model Series Honda Insight Body Repair Manual
2012 Honda Insight Owner’s Manual 2012 Honda Insight
Navigation System Owner’s Manual
2012 Honda Insight Honda Service History
2012 Honda Insight Technology Reference Guide Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
www.helminc.com

400

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories . 256
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.....................................
Position) . 131
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 157
................
Active Head Restraints . 144
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 313
.............................
Airbag (SRS) . 10, 25
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 25
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 37
..........
AdvancedAirbagSystem .30
.............................
Airbag Service . 36
How the Passenger Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works . 35
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works . 34
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 34
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work . 28
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 32
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work . 33
........................
SRS Components . 25
..............
Air Conditioning System . 164
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 341................................
Ambient Meter . 72
......................................
Antif reeze . 317
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator . 64, 289
...................................
Operation . 289
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 221
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock . 131
..........................................
Armrest . 146
................................
Audio System . 170
.......................
Auto Door Locking . 109
...................
Auto Door Unlocking . 110
................................
Auto Idle Stop . 283
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 23
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 224
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) . 273
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .382
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 420
Paddle Shif ters in the
..............................
D Position . 278
Paddle Shif ters in the ...............................
S Position . 281
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 282
.......................................
Shif ting . 274
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators . 273 ................
Shif t Lever Positions . 275
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 277
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack . 220
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 63, 366
............................
Jump Starting . 360
..............................
Maintenance . 346
............................
Specif ications . 383
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 245
....................................
Belts,Seat .9,21
...........................
Beverage Holder . 156
.......
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink. 227
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 289
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 246
....................
Bulb Replacement . 332
...........................................
Fluid . 321
...................
Pad Wear Indicator . 288
.......................................
Parking . 151
...........
System Indicator . 63, 64, 368
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

.............................
Braking System . 287
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 246
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments . 124
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights . 329
..............................
Brake Lights . 332
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 328
.........
Front Turn Signal Lights . 327
.................................
Headlights . 323
..........................
Parking Lights . 326
..........
Rear Turn Signal Lights . 329
............................
Specif ications . 383
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 323
.........................
Cargo Area Cover . 153
..........................
Cargo Area Light . 162
............................
Capacities Chart . 382
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 56
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 258
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of . iii
..................................
Ceiling Light . 161
..............................
Center Pockets . 159
...................................
Center Tray . 158 ........................
Certif ication Label . 380
............................................
Chains . 314
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 351
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 314
......................................
When to . 301
...
Charging System Indicator . 63, 366
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 264
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 38
Child Seats
.............
LATCH Anchor System . 47
.............................
Lower Anchor . 47
............................
Tether Anchor . 51
................
Childproof Door Locks . 134
.............................
Climate Control . 164
.........................
Clock, Setting the . 222
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 389
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 265
..............................
Compact Spare . 350
.................
Console Compartment . 158
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 59
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 317
....................................
Checking . 252
.........................
Proper Solution . 317
...............
Temperature Indicator . 67 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 389
............
Cruise Control Operation . 224
.........................
Customer Service . 396
...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard . 3, 60
..............
Daytime Running Lights . 123
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 398
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window . 126
......
Def rosting the Windows . 167, 168
....................................
Dimensions . 382
.............
Dimming the Headlights . 120
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 320
..................................
Engine Oil . 251
........................
Directional Signals . 120
Disc Brake Pad Wear
...................................
Indicators . 288
.....................................
Disc Player . 190
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 316
Index
C D
II

CONT INUED
Doors...................
Auto Door Locking . 109
...............
Auto Door Unlocking . 110
............
Childproof Door Locks . 134
............
Locking and Unlocking . 133
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 384
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving . 263
....................................
Economy . 253
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 334 ...................................
Fan, Interior . 166
.........................................
Features . 163
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 247
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 334
...............................................
Oil . 315
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 125
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 351
.....................................
Floor Mats . 333
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 320
..........................................
Brake . 321
..................
Windshield Washer . 319
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 214
........................
Four-way Flashers . 125
............................
Front Airbags . 10, 25
........................
Eco Assist System . 266
.......
Eco Guide Feedback Monitor . 81
................................
ECON Button . 124
..................................
ECON Mode . 124
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 253
............
Emergencies on the Road . 349
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 360
.....
Brake System Indicator . 63, 368
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 351
Charging System
...........................
Indicator . 63, 366
..................
Checking the Fuses . 371 Low Oil Pressure
...........................
Indicator . 62, 365
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 62, 367
..................
Overheated Engine . 362
.........................
Emergency Brake . 151
....................
Emergency Flashers . 125
...........
Emergency Hatch Opener . 140
......................
Emergency Towing . 376
.......................
Emissions Controls . 389
........................
Emissions Testing . 392
Engine ............
Adding Engine Coolant . 317
Coolant Temperature
...................................
Indicator . 67
.........................
If It Won’t Start . 358
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 62, 367
.........................
Oil Lif e Display . 301
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62, 365
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 312
...............................
Overheating . 362
............................
Specif ications . 382
............................
Speed Limiter . 276
.......................................
Starting . 265
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 389 ...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 56
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by . 19
Index
F
E
INDEX
III

.................................................
Fuel . 246
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 247
...........................................
Gauge . 73
................
Octane Requirement . 246
...............................
Oxygenated . 246
........................
Reserve Indicator . 70
........................
Tank, Filling the . 247
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 371
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 253
.........................................
Gasoline . 246
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 70
...........................................
Gauge . 73
................
Octane Requirement . 246
........................
Tank, Filling the . 247
................
Gas Station Procedures . 247
Gauges
.............................
Charge/Assist . 74
...............................................
Fuel . 73
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 273
..........
Automatic Transmission . 273
......................................
Glove Box . 158
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 380 Ignition
............................................
Keys . 129
.........................................
Switch . 131
............
Timing Control System . 390
IMA System Power Flow ........................................
Monitor . 84
......................
Immobilizer System . 130
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 62
...
Indicators, Messages (MID) . 62, 89
...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 64
..............................
Auto Idle Stop . 66
Brake (Parking and Brake
............................
System) . 63, 368
.............................
Cruise Control . 69
.................................
Cruise Main . 69
................
Door/Hatch Open . 12, 68
DRL (Daytime Running
....................................
Lights) . 123
.
EPS (Electric Power Steering) . 68
................................
ECON Mode . 71
...................................
High Beam . 69
....
High Temperature (Coolant) . 67
......................
IMA Battery Level . 85
.................................
IMA System . 66
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 63
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 323
...........................
HandsFreeLink
. 227
..............................................
Hatch . 139
......................................
Opening . 139
............................
Open Indicator . 68
............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 125
Headlights
........................................
Aiming . 323
.........
Daytime Running Lights . 123
..................
High Beam Indicator . 69
......................
Reminder Beeper . 121
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 323
.................................
Turning on . 121
............................
Head Restraints . 142
.............................
Heated Mirrors . 148
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 265
...............
High-Low Beam Switch . 120
...............
Hill Start Assist System . 297
.......................
Hood, Opening the . 250
....................................................
Horn . 4
Index
I H
G
IV