2012 HONDA INSIGHT engine overheat

(seat belts, SRS, and child protection)(f luid capacities and tire pressures)
(main controls)
(indicators, gauges, multi-inf ormation display, dashboard, and steering column)
(climate control, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control, and other convenience items) (fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading)
(engine and transmission operation) (minder, f luid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage) (f lat tire, jump starting, overheating, and f uses)
(vehicle specif ications, tires, and emissions controls) (warranty and contact inf ormation)
(how to order)
Contents
............................................................
Driver and Passenger Saf ety .5
........................................................................\
........................................................................
Index .I
..................................................
Service Inf ormation Summary . last page
........................................................................\
.......................
Your Vehicle at a Glance .3
.......
Instruments and Controls .59
............
Features . 163
.......................................................................
Bef ore Driving . 245
........................................................................\
.................
Driving . 263
.................................................
Maintenance . 299
........................................
T aking Care of the Unexpected . 349
..............................................
T echnical Inf ormation . 379
..................
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada only) . 395
........................................................................\
..........
A uthorized Manuals (U.S. only) . 399
INDEX
1

If the indicator begins to blink or
stays on, you will also see a ‘‘WATER
TEMP HOT’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. This warning
will alert you that the engine should
be cooled down.
This indicator shows the
temperature of the engine coolant. It
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and goes of f af ter a f ew
seconds. In normal driving
conditions, this indicator should not
blink or stay on. In severe driving
conditions, such as very hot weather
or a long period of uphill driving, this
indicator may blink. This means the
engine coolant temperature is high.
If the indicator begins to blink while
you are driving, be sure to slow down
to prevent overheating. If the
indicator stays on, pull safely to the
side of the road and turn of f the
engine. See page f or instructions
and precautions on checking the
engine’s cooling system.
Do not drive the vehicle while the
indicator is on or the engine may be
damaged.This indicator shows the
temperature of the engine coolant. If
there is no problem, this indicator
comes on when the engine is cold. If
itcomesonwhentheengineiswarm
(normal operating temperature),
have the vehicle inspected by your
dealer as soon as possible.
362
Instrument Panel Indicators
High T emperature
Indicator Low Temperature
Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67

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

If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator may come on unexpectedly. If the tire is flat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
When the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator is on, one or more of your
tires is signif icantly underinf lated.
Youshouldstopandcheckyourtires
as soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure as indicated
on the vehicle’s tire inf ormation
placard.
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display.
If you cannot make the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator and
message on the multi-inf ormation
display go out af ter inf lating the tires
to the specified values, have your
dealer check the system as soon as
possible. 350
CONT INUED
U.S. models onlyLow Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
291

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire . 350
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 351
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 358
................................
Jump Starting . 360
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 362
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 365
12 Volt Battery Charging System
.....................................
Indicator . 366
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 367
...............
Brake System Indicator . 368
..............................................
Fuses . 369
..............................
Fuse Locations . 374
......................
Emergency Towing . 376
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 377
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
349

If your vehicle’s 12 volt battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the IMA
battery level gauge reading will not
be correct the next time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It will show less than the
actual level temporarily. It will show
the correct level af ter you drive f or
at least 30 minutes.The high temperature indicator
should be of f under most conditions.
If the engine coolant temperature
gets higher than normal, the
indicator will blink. If it stays on, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
You will also see a ‘‘WATER TEMP
HOT’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the high
temperature indicator blinking or
remaining on. Or you may see steam
or spray coming f rom under the
hood.
67
If the Engine Overheats
Jump Starting, If the Engine Overheats
362
Driving with the high temperature
indicator on can cause serious damage
to your engine.

CONT INUED
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
check the high temperature
indicator. If the high heat is due to
overloading, the engine should
start to cool down almost
immediately. If it does, wait until
the high temperature indicator
goes of f , then continue driving.
If the high temperature indicator
stays on, turn of f the engine.Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). Add coolant if the level is
below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the high
temperature indicator goes of f
bef ore checking the radiator.
1. 2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
376
252
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
363
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.

Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the high temperature indicator. If
it begins to blink or comes on
again, the engine needs repair
(see on page
).
8. 9.
10. 11.
376
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency T owing
364
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.