2012 HONDA INSIGHT check engine light

This indicator normally comes on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position and goes of f
af ter the engine starts. If it comes on
at any other time, there is a problem
in the electric power steering system.
If this happens, stop the vehicle in a
saf e place and turn of f the engine.
Reset the system by restarting the
engine. The indicator will stay on,
but should go of f af ter driving a
short distance. If it does not go of f ,
or comes back on again while driving,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
have it checked. With the indicator
on, the EPS may be turned of f ,
making the vehicle harder to steer.If you turn the steering wheel to the
f ull lef t or right position repeatedly
while stopping or driving at very low
speed, you may f eel slightly harder
steering in order to prevent damage
to the steering system caused by
overheating. This may also happen if
you hold the steering wheel on the
f ull lef t or right position f or a while.
This indicator comes on red if any
door or the hatch lid is not closed
tightly.
You will also see a corresponding
indicator(s) on the multi-information
display to indicate which door and/
or the hatch is not closed tightly (see
page ).
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK POWER
STEERING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display. 12
Electric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator
Door/Hatch Open
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
68

Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
If the system still detects a leak in
the vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated. Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood near the center.
Slide your hand to the lef t until
you f eel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle to the lef t to
release the hood. Lif t up the hood.
1. 2.
367 Opening and Closing the Hood
Service Station Procedures
250
LATCH
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
Pull

Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel. Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
Holding the grip, pull the support
rod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the designated hole in the
hood. 2.
3. 1.
3.
CONT INUED
Oil Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
251
SUPPORT ROD
CLIP
GRIP
DIPSTICK

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page ). Check that the hood and hatch are
f ully closed. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see pages , and
).
1.
2.
3.
8. 7. 6.9.
4.
5.
61 7217
10.
340 141
147
128 89
Preparing to Drive
264

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

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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
TM

When the IMA battery charge is low,
the starter motor is used to start the
engine. If the engine does not start,
check the f ollowing:If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the 12 volt battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the 12 volt battery and terminal
connections (see page ). You
canthentryjumpstartingthe
vehicle f rom a booster 12 volt
battery (see page ).If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See on page .360
376 346
360 376
If theEngineWon’tStart
Emergency
Towing
Jump Starting
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
359