tire HONDA INSIGHT 2000 1.G User Guide

Tire
s

Tir e Rotatio n
T o hel p increas e tir e lif e an d
distribut e wea r mor e evenly , yo u
shoul d hav e th e tire s rotate d ever y
7,50 0 mile s (12,00 0 km) . Mov e th e
tire s t o th e position s show n in th e
char t eac h tim e the y ar e rotated . Whe
n shoppin g fo r replacemen t
tires , yo u ma y fin d tha t som e tire s
ar e "directional. " Thi s mean s the y
ar e designe d t o rotat e onl y in on e
direction . I f yo u us e directiona l tires ,
the y shoul d b e rotate d onl y front-to -
back . Replacin
g Tire s an d Wheel s
Th e tire s tha t cam e wit h you r ca r
wer e selecte d to matc h th e perform -
anc e capabilitie s o f th e ca r whil e
providin g th e bes t combinatio n o f
handling , rid e comfort , an d lon g life .
Yo u shoul d replac e the m wit h radia l
tire s o f th e sam e size , loa d range ,
spee d rating , an d maximu m col d tir e
pressur e ratin g (a s show n o n th e
tire' s sidewall) . Mixin g radia l an d
bias-pl y tire s o n you r ca r ca n reduc e
it s brakin g ability , traction , an d
steerin g accuracy .
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
Fron
t

Front

(Fo r Non-directiona l
Tire s an d Wheels )(Fo
r Directiona l
Tire s an d Wheels )

Tire
s

I t i s bes t t o replac e al l fou r tire s a t
th e sam e time . I f tha t i s no t possibl e
o r necessary , the n replac e th e tw o
fron t tire s o r th e tw o rea r tire s a s a
pair . Replacin g jus t on e tir e ca n
seriousl y affec t you r car's handling .
I f yo u eve r nee d to replac e a wheel ,
mak e sur e th e wheel' s specification s
matc h thos e o f th e origina l whee l
tha t cam e o n you r car . Replacemen t
wheel s ar e availabl e a t you r Hond a

dealer .
Wheel
s an d Tire s

Wheels :

14x51/ 2 J J
Tires :

P165/65R1478 S

Se e pag e 23 6 fo r informatio n abou t
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading .
Winte
r Drivin g

Tire s tha t ar e marke d "M+S " o r
"Al l Season " o n th e sidewal l hav e a n
all-weathe r trea d design . The y
shoul d b e suitabl e fo r mos t winte r
drivin g conditions . Tire s withou t
thes e marking s ar e designe d fo r
optimu m tractio n i n dr y conditions .
The y ma y no t provid e adequat e
performanc e i n winte r driving .
Fo r th e bes t performanc e i n snow y
o r ic y conditions , yo u shoul d instal l
sno w tire s o r tir e chains . The y ma y
b e require d b y loca l law s unde r
certai n conditions .

Maintenanc e

Installin
g imprope r tire s o n you r
ca r ca n affec t handlin g an d
stability . Thi s ca n caus e a cras h
i n whic h yo u ca n b e seriousl y
hur t o r killed .
Alway s us e th e siz e an d typ e o f
tire s recommende d in thi s
owner' s manual .

Tire
s

Snow Tires
I f yo u moun t sno w tire s o n you r
Honda , mak e sur e the y ar e radia l
tire s o f th e sam e siz e an d loa d rang e
a s th e origina l tires . Moun t sno w
tire s o n al l fou r wheel s t o balanc e
you r car' s handlin g in al l weathe r
conditions . Kee p in min d th e tractio n
provide d b y sno w tire s o n dr y road s
ma y no t b e a s hig h a s you r car' s
origina l equipmen t tires . Yo u shoul d
driv e cautiousl y eve n whe n th e road s
ar e clear . Chec k wit h th e tir e deale r
fo r maximu m spee d recommenda -
tions . Tire
Chains
Moun t sno w chain s o n you r vehicl e
whe n warrante d b y drivin g condi -
tion s o r require d b y loca l laws . Mak e
sur e th e chain s ar e th e correc t siz e
fo r you r tires . Instal l the m onl y o n
th e fron t tires . I f meta l chain s ar e
used , the y mus t b e SA E clas s "S. "
Cabl e typ e tractio n device s ca n als o
b e used .
Whe n installin g chains , follo w th e
manufacturer' s instruction s an d
moun t the m as tightl y a s yo u can .
Driv e slowl y wit h chain s installed . I f
yo u hea r th e chain s contactin g th e
bod y o r chassis , sto p an d investigate .
Mak e sur e th e chain s ar e installe d
tightly , an d tha t the y ar e no t
contactin g th e brak e line s o r
suspension . Remov e th e chain s a s
soo n a s yo u begi n drivin g o n cleare d

roads .
Chains
of the wrong size or that are
improperly installed can damage your
car's brake lines, suspension, body, and
wheels. Stop driving if you hear the
chains hitting any pan of the car.
Maintenanc e

NOTIC
E

Storin
g You r Ca r

I f yo u nee d t o par k you r ca r fo r a n
extende d perio d (mor e tha n on e
month) , ther e ar e severa l thing s yo u
shoul d d o t o prepar e it fo r storage .
Prope r preparatio n help s preven t
deterioratio n an d make s i t easie r t o
ge t you r ca r bac k o n th e road. If
possible , stor e you r ca r indoors .
Fil l th e fue l tank .
Chang e th e engin e oi l an d filte r
(se e pag e 161 ).
Was h an d dr y th e exterio r

completely .

Clea n th e interior . Mak e sur e th e
carpeting , floo r mats, etc. ar e
completel y dry .
Leav e th e parkin g brak e off . Pu t
th e transmissio n i n Reverse . Bloc
k th e rea r wheels .
I f th e ca r i s t o b e store d fo r a
longe r period , i t shoul d b e
supporte d o n jackstand s s o th e
tire s ar e of f th e ground .
Leav e on e windo w ope n slightl y (i f
th e ca r i s bein g store d indoors) .
Disconnec t th e battery .
Suppor t th e fron t an d rea r wipe r
blad e arm s wit h a folde d towe l o r
ra g s o the y d o no t touc h th e
windshield .
T o minimiz e sticking , appl y a
silicon e spra y lubrican t t o al l doo r
an d hatc h seals . Also , appl y a bod y
wa x t o th e painte d surface s tha t
mat e wit h th e doo r an d hatc h seals . Cove
r th e ca r wit h a "breathable "
cover , on e mad e fro m a porou s
materia l suc h a s cotton .
Nonporou s materials , suc h a s
plasti c sheeting , tra p moisture ,
whic h ca n damag e th e paint .
Driv e you r ca r ever y mont h fo r
abou t 3 0 minutes . Thi s wil l kee p
th e IM A batter y charge d an d in
goo d condition .
I f yo u stor e you r ca r fo r 1 2 month s
o r longer , hav e you r Hond a deale r
perfor m th e inspection s calle d fo r i n
th e 2 4 months/30,00 0 mile s (48,00 0
km ) maintenanc e schedul e (Norma l
Conditions ) a s soo n a s yo u tak e it
ou t o f storag e (se e pag e 150 ). Th e
replacement s calle d fo r i n th e
maintenanc e schedul e ar e no t
neede d unles s th e ca r ha s actuall y
reache d tha t tim e o r mileage .
Maintenanc e

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Thi s sectio n cover s th e more -
commo n problem s tha t motorist s
experienc e wit h thei r vehicles . I t
give s yo u informatio n abou t ho w to
safel y evaluat e th e proble m an d wha t
t o d o to correc t it . I f th e proble m ha s
strande d yo u o n th e sid e o f th e road ,
yo u ma y b e abl e to ge t goin g again .
I f not , yo u wil l als o fin d instruction s
o n gettin g you r ca r towed . Compac
t Spar e Tire...................... . 20
6

Changin g a
Fla
t Tir e .................... . 20

7

I f You r
Engin
e Won' t Start.......... . 21

3

Nothin g Happen s
o
r th e
Starte r Moto r Operate s
Ver y Slowly............................ . 21

3

Th e Starte r
Operate
s
Normally................................ . 21 4
Jum p Starting................................ . 21 4
I f You r Engin e Overheats............ . 21 7
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator......... . 21 8
Chargin g Syste m Indicator.......... . 21 9
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lam p ....... . 22 0
Brak e Syste m Indicator............... . 22 1
Fuses.............................................. . 22 2
Checkin g an d Replacing.......... . 22 3
Emergenc y Towing...................... . 22 8

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Compac
t Spar e Tir e

You r ca r ha s a compac t spar e tir e
tha t take s u p les s space . Us e thi s
spar e tir e a s a temporar y replace -
men t only . Ge t you r regula r tir e
repaire d o r replace d an d pu t bac k o n
you r ca r a s soo n a s yo u can .
Chec k th e inflatio n pressur e o f th e
compac t spar e tir e ever y tim e yo u
chec k th e othe r tires . I t shoul d b e
inflate d to :

6 0 ps i (42 0 kPa ) Follo
w thes e precaution s wheneve r
yo u ar e usin g th e compac t spar e tire :
D o no t excee d 5 0 mp h (8 0 km/h )
unde r an y circumstances .
Thi s tir e give s a harshe r rid e an d
les s tractio n o n som e roa d sur -
face s tha n th e regula r tire . Us e
greate r cautio n whil e drivin g o n

thi s tire .

D o no t moun t sno w chain s o n th e
compac t spare .
Th e whee l o f th e compac t spar e
tir e is designe d especiall y t o fi t
you r car . D o no t us e you r spar e
tir e o n anothe r vehicl e unles s it i s
th e sam e mak e an d model .
INDICATO
R LOCATIO N MAR K
Th e compac t spar e tir e ha s a shorte r
trea d lif e tha n a regula r tire . Replac e
i t whe n yo u ca n se e th e trea d wea r
indicato r bars . Th e replacemen t
shoul d b e th e sam e siz e an d desig n
tire , mounte d o n th e sam e wheel .
Th e compac t spar e tir e i s no t
designe d to b e mounte d o n a regula r
wheel , an d th e compac t whee l i s no t
designe d fo r mountin g a regula r tire .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d TREA
D WEA R INDICATO R BA R

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e

I f yo u hav e a fla t tir e whil e driving ,
sto p in a saf e plac e t o chang e it .
Stoppin g in traffi c o r o n th e shoulde r
o f a bus y roa d is dangerous . Driv e
slowl y alon g th e shoulde r unti l yo u
ge t t o a n exi t o r a n are a to sto p tha t
i s fa r awa y fro m th e traffi c lanes . 1
. Par k th e ca r o n firm , level , non -
slipper y groun d awa y fro m traffic .
Pu t th e transmissio n in Reverse .
Appl y th e parkin g brake .
2 . Tur n o n th e hazar d warnin g light s
an d tur n th e ignitio n switc h t o
LOC K (0) . Hav e al l th e
passenger s ge t ou t o f th e ca r whil e
yo u chang e th e tire .
3 . Ope n th e hatch . Rais e th e carg o
are a floo r b y liftin g u p o n th e bac k

edge .
4
. Remov e th e storag e bo x fro m th e
carg o are a well .
5 . Tak e th e too l ki t fro m th e spar e
tir e well . Remov e th e jac k (i n th e
jac k cover ) fro m th e insid e o f th e
spar e tire .
6 . Unscre w th e win g bol t an d tak e
th e spar e tir e ou t o f it s well .

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Th
e ca r ca n easil y rol l of f th e
jack , seriousl y injurin g anyon e
underneath .
Follo w th e direction s fo r
changin g a tir e exactly , an d
neve r ge t unde r th e ca r whe n i t
i s supporte d onl y b y th e jack . FLOOR BOARD
TOOL KIT
SPARE TIRE
JACK
STORAGE BOX

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e

JACKIN G POIN T
5 . Locat e th e jackin g poin t neares t
th e tir e yo u nee d to change . I t i s
pointe d t o b y a n arro w molde d int o
th e undersid e o f th e body . Plac e
th e jac k unde r th e jackin g point .
Tur n th e en d bracke t clockwis e
unti l th e to p o f th e jac k contact s
th e jackin g point . Mak e sur e th e
jackin g poin t ta b is restin g in th e
jac k notch .
WHEE
L WRENC H
EXTENSIO N
6 . Us e th e extensio n an d whee l
wrenc h a s show n to rais e th e ca r
unti l th e fla t tir e i s of f th e ground .7
. Remov e th e whee l nut s an d fla t
tire . Temporaril y plac e th e fla t tir e
o n th e groun d wit h th e outsid e
surfac e o f th e whee l facin g up .
Yo u coul d scratc h th e whee l i f yo u
pu t i t fac e down .

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e

8 . Befor e mountin g th e spar e tire ,
wip e an y dir t of f th e mountin g
surfac e o f th e whee l an d hu b wit h
a clea n cloth . Wip e th e hu b
carefully , i t ma y b e ho t fro m

driving .
9
. Pu t o n th e spar e tire . Pu t th e
whee l nut s bac k o n finger-tight ,
the n tighte n the m in a crisscros s
patter n wit h th e whee l wrenc h
unti l th e whee l i s firml y agains t
th e hub . D o no t tr y t o tighte n
the m fully .
10.Lowe
r th e ca r t o th e groun d an d

remov e th e jack .

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Emergenc
y Towin g

I f you r ca r need s t o b e towed , cal l a
professiona l towin g servic e or , i f yo u
belon g to one , a n organizatio n tha t
provide s roadsid e assistance . Neve r
to w you r ca r behin d anothe r vehicl e
wit h jus t a rop e o r chain . I t i s ver y

dangerous .

Ther e ar e thre e popula r type s o f
professiona l towin g equipment .
Flat-bed Equipment — Th e operato r
load s you r ca r o n th e bac k o f a truck .
Thi s i s th e best way t o transpor t
you r Honda .
Wheel-Lift Equipment — Th e to w
truc k use s tw o pivotin g arm s tha t g o
unde r th e tire s (fron t o r rear ) an d lif t
the m of f th e ground . Th e othe r tw o
tire s remai n o n th e ground . Thi s i s

a n acceptabl e wa y to to w you r

Honda .

Sling-type Equipment — Th e to w

truc k use s meta l cable s wit h hook s o
n th e ends . Thes e hook s g o aroun d
part s o f th e fram e o r suspensio n an d
th e cable s lif t tha t en d o f th e ca r of f
th e ground . You r car' s suspensio n
an d bod y ca n b e seriousl y damaged .
Thi s metho d o f towin g is
unacceptable .
I f you r Hond a canno t b e transporte d
b y flat-bed , i t shoul d b e towe d b y
wheel-lif t equipmen t wit h th e fron t
wheel s of f th e ground . I f du e t o
damage , you r ca r mus t b e towe d
wit h th e fron t wheel s o n th e ground ,
d o th e following :
Releas e th e parkin g brake .
Shif t th e transmissio n t o Neutral .
Improper
towing preparation will

damage the transmission. Follow the

above procedure exactly. If you cannot

shift the transmission, your car must be

transported with the front wheels off

the ground.

Wit h th e fron t wheel s o n th e ground ,
i t i s bes t t o to w th e ca r n o farthe r
tha n 5 0 mile s (8 0 km) , an d kee p th e
spee d belo w 3 5 mp h (5 5 km/h) .
I f you r ca r i s equippe d wit h a fron t
spoiler , remov e i t befor e towin g s o i t
i s no t damaged .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E